Overview
In this tutorial you will learn how to make a pattern of circles, each radius of which changes according to the distance to a certain coordinate. The algorithm is based on a rectangular grid that defines a place for every circle. When an attractor point is set, a graph map may be applied to formulate an attracting law. If needed, a boundary curve might be used to limit the area, where the formula of attraction is applied. It is also possible to make a fade effect so as to reduce the size of the circles near the boundary curve.
In the image above, lines are drawn between an attractor point and the center point of each circle. These distances are used to define the size of the circles so they are always smaller closer to the attractor point. This same attractor could be used to change other parameters of the circles. For example, circles could be oriented so they are always facing the attractor point.
Setting up a grid
Setting an attraction formula
The Distance component computes distances between every point at the grid corners and the indicated attractor point. To set the attractor point right-click the Point component and choose Set one Point or Set Multiple points if more than on point is needed. The Rhino workspace will become active and you will be able to select the points you want to set as attractors. The Slider and the Division components make controlling the radii more flexible.
To set the graph in Graph Mapper right-click on the component, then select Sine or any other type of graph in Graph Types menu. To open the Graph Editor double-click the component. For more visible result set X[1] and Y[1] parameters to 20.
It is very important to graft the A parameter of the Distance component (and the Plane parameter of the Circles component). To do so, right-click this parameter and select Graft in the menu.
You can double-click anywhere on the canvas to launch a Key Word search and type double Slash to immediately find the Panel component. Double-click the Panel component to open it’s properties. Type “2” instead of example text. Make sure there is no punctuation.
The Cull component removes elements according to a repeating bit mask (in our case those outside the curve). This mask is defined as a list of Boolean (true or false) values.
