Using force to assist visualization

So far, we learned to use force simulation visualizing particles and links similar to how you would use force in its classic application, the forced-directed graph. This kind of visualization is what force simulation was designed for in the first place. However, this is by no means the only way to utilize force in your visualization. In this recipe, we will explore techniques that I call force-assisted visualization. With this technique, you can add some randomness and arbitrariness into your visualization by leveraging force.

Getting ready

Open your local copy of the following file in your web browser:

https://github.com/NickQiZhu/d3-cookbook-v2/blob/master/src/chapter11/arbitrary-visualization.html .

How to do it...

In this recipe, we will generate bubbles on the user's mouse click. The bubbles are made of svg:path elements filled with gradient color. The svg:path elements are not strictly controlled by force layout though they are influenced by force...