/EvoCraft-SCOPE

Primary LanguagePython

EvoCraft-SCOPE

This project focuses on using Compositional Pattern Producing Networks (a form of neural network) and NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (a form of evolutionary computation) to create different structures in Minecraft. Shapes can be evolved interactively, with a fitness function, or using Novelty Search. This repository was made in the summer of 2022 as a part of SCOPE, an undergraduate research summer program at Southwestern University, under the supervision of Dr. Schrum.

1. Set-up

NOTE: This code only works with Python 3.7 and 3.8!

  1. Install Java 8 (a.k.a. 1.8). You can check what version you currently have with java -version

  2. Clone repo:

    • git clone https://github.com/schrum2/EvoCraft-SCOPE.git

  3. Run the batch file SetUpServer.bat (Windows only). By doing this, it will:

    • pip install the requirements.txt file
    • Create a copy of the EvoCraft-py-Backup directory under the name EvoCraft-py (different command needed on Mac/Linux/Unix)

  4. Run the batch file LaunchServer.bat in the root project directory (launches the spongevanilla-1.12.2-7.3.0.jar file in EvoCraft-py)

    • Will setup some extra files associated with the server, but the server cannot run properly until the next step is completed.

  5. Change the eula=true in the eula.txt file located in the EvoCraft-py copy

You can now connect to the server by launching minecraft!

To connect to the server from within the game:

  1. Make sure the batch file LaunchServer.bat is running and the eula is set to true.
  2. Open up the minecraft launcher, and play the java edition 1.12.2
  3. Select the gamemode Multiplayer.
  4. Select Direct Connect, and in the server address box, type 'localhost'.
  5. Join Server!

localhost login

3. Recommendations

If you run python main.py --help, then you will be able to see all of the available command line parameters that can be changed when running main.py.

help in cmd

There are also different batch files that you can run. These batch files are in the directory batch and execute the main.py script in combination with some commonly used command line parameter sets.

You can run a batch file by:

  1. Opening a command prompt in one of the three sudirectories (Fitness-Functions, Interactive-Evolution, and Novelty-Search) in the directory called batch.
  2. Type in the apporpriate name of the batch file you want to run (or press tab to look for a batch file that interests you).
  3. Include a space followed by any digit within the range of 0-100. This value will be the random seed for the world and is required for the batch files to run.

Here's an example of what it would look like for a fitness function:

.\FitnessFillSpaceSnakes.bat 0

Currently, you can select from three types of batch files:

  • Fitness functions: This set runs different tests that attempt to maximize the space with certain blocks by generating snakes or cubes.
  • Interactive evolution: This set allows you as the player to choose what kind of structures (snakes or cubes) should continue to generate either through the console or through in-game input. You can select any of the structures by right clicking the levers that are before each structure. Then when you are finished selecting your favorites, you can press any of the buttons that are on the switches nearest to you to start the next generation. In InteractiveInGameCube.bat, you are also able to change the blocks that are present in each structure. Simply destroy any of the blocks that are behind the switches and replace it with any block you like. Run this command to try it:
.\InteractiveInGameCubes.bat 0

interactive instructions

  • Novelty search: This set runs a type of exploration algorithm that tests many different aspects of snake or cubic generation

This repository utilizes/builds upon/expands on the following repositories

Contributors

  • Dr. Jacob Schrum
  • Melanie Richey
  • Mark Mueller
  • Alejandro Medina