click on the canvas to create one or more instances of a “particle system,” a graphic technique used to depict natural objects lacking defined edges, such as water and fire. each system is an array of dots emerging from the point on the screen that was clicked. when the dots go off the screen, they “die,” in turn prompting new dots to appear.
this particular particle system generates downward-moving dots. what does it look like? what would systems tending in other directions look more like than this one? how does the size/color/transparency of the dots affect the viewer’s impression of what these systems represent?
extending this model could include creating an entire environment composed solely of particle systems. trees, streams, fire, smoke, grass, flowers, clouds, and wind. using simple programming techniques, how “lifelike” could this become?