🚀 Weighted Pathfinding Visualizer

Real-Time Pathfinding Visualizer using C++, OpenGL, BFS, and Dijkstra on Weighted Grids

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📌 Overview

This project is an interactive pathfinding visualizer built using C++ and OpenGL (GLUT).

It demonstrates how graph traversal and shortest-path algorithms work in real time on a weighted grid environment.

Features:

• Select start and end nodes
• Create obstacles
• Visualize BFS and Dijkstra algorithms
• Observe node exploration step-by-step
• Highlight the final shortest path

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✨ Features

• 🎮 Interactive grid-based UI
• 🟢 Start node selection
• 🔴 End node selection
• ⚫ Obstacle generation
• 🔵 Real-time visited-node animation
• 🟡 Final shortest-path highlighting
• ⚡ Adjustable animation speed
• 📊 Weighted graph implementation
• 🧠 BFS and Dijkstra visualization
• 🎨 OpenGL-based rendering

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🛠 Tech Stack

Technology	Purpose
C++	Core Programming Language
OpenGL / GLUT	Graphics Rendering
STL	Data Structures (queue, priority_queue)
OOP	Modular Class Design

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🧠 Algorithms Implemented

🔹 Breadth First Search (BFS)

• Uses queue
• Explores nodes level-by-level
• Suitable for unweighted traversal

🔹 Dijkstra’s Algorithm

• Uses priority_queue
• Computes shortest weighted path
• Handles varying traversal costs efficiently

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🎮 Controls

Key	Action
1	Select Dijkstra Algorithm
2	Select BFS Algorithm
A	Run Algorithm
C	Clear Grid
+ / -	Increase / Decrease Speed
Mouse Click	Set Start, End, and Obstacles

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🎨 Node Color Representation

Color	Meaning
🟢 Green	Start Node
🔴 Red	End Node
⚫ Black	Obstacle
🔵 Blue	Visited Node
🟡 Yellow	Final Path
⚪ White	Unvisited Node

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🖼 Screenshots

Grid Initialization

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BFS Visualization

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Dijkstra Visualization

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⚙️ How to Run

Windows (MinGW)

g++ src/main.cpp -o app -lfreeglut -lopengl32 -lglu32
./app

Linux

g++ src/main.cpp -o app -lglut -lGL -lGLU
./app

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📚 Concepts Used

• Graph Traversal
• Weighted Shortest Path
• Event-Driven Programming
• Real-Time Rendering
• Animation Loop
• Coordinate Mapping
• Path Reconstruction
• Object-Oriented Programming

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📂 Project Structure

AI-pathfinding-visualizer/
│
├── src/
│   └── main.cpp
│
├── screenshots/
│   ├── bfs.png
│   ├── dijkstra.png
│   └── grid.png
│
├── README.md
└── .gitignore

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💡 Future Improvements

• A* Algorithm Support
• Drag-to-draw Obstacles
• Right-click Eraser
• GUI Controls
• Diagonal Movement
• Performance Statistics

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🌟 Learning Outcomes

This project strengthened my understanding of:

• Data Structures & Algorithms
• Graph Theory
• OpenGL Rendering
• Event-Driven Programming
• Animation Systems
• Object-Oriented Design
• Git & GitHub Workflow

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📬 Feedback

Suggestions and improvements are always welcome! 🚀