This d3.js app uses a few simple rules to simulate swarming behavior:
swarmers (points) attempt to maintain fixed distances from, and match velocity to, their neighors.
Drag to pan, scroll-wheel or pinch to zoom. Restart the simulation with different settings or pause using the buttons above.
Number of swarmers:
50
300
How many swarmers are simulated. Too many make the simulation slow.
Distance between swarmers:
20
50
Station-keeping space between neighbors.
Swarmer neighbors:
0
10
Number of connections per point.
Randomness of movement:
None
A lot
Acceleration:
None
High
Tendency of points to accelerate along their (group's) current velocity vector.