Guide

Slice of Life (SoL) is a Conway's Game of Life simulator capable of working with very large patterns.

Playback

Press to run the pattern. Each new generation is added to the Timeline. Use the slider just below the playback controls to move within the Timeline. You can also view multiple generations at once using the Time Slices feature (see below).

Use the and buttons under the Timeline slider to change the rate of evolution (generations per tick).

Movement

Mouse: left click and drag

Keyboard: arrow keys

Mobile: touch and drag

You can also use the nav map to instantly move anywhere. See General->Nav map.

Zoom

Mouse: scroll wheel

Keyboard: +/- keys

Mobile: pinch

Brush

Brushes are used to modify the pattern. You can modify single cells, "draw", or load a pattern and apply it. You can load any RLE file or choose a pattern from the library.

Go to the Brush tab to use.

Mouse: right click to apply brush

Mobile: touch to position, release to apply

With a brush enabled on mobile devices, you can still move and zoom with a double touch.

TIP: Use the step back button to undo your last brush operation.

Loading, creating, and saving patterns

SoL can open MC and RLE files. It can also create Life universes from any picture file. See the options at the top of the General tab.

Sol can save patterns in MC format. Click on the pattern name above the playback controls to change the pattern name prior to saving.

Time slices

SoL can render multiple "Past" or "Future" slices. Use the "Perspective" slider to add a 3D effect.

"Past" slices show the evolutionary history of the pattern

"Future" slices show how the pattern will evolve from its current form

Applying a brush with "Future" slices enabled will update those future slices as well, showing how any modifications affect the future of the pattern without actually having to run it.

TIP: You can use the Use the and buttons to change the number of generations between future slices.