Using force to assist visualization

So far we have learned to use force layout visualizing particles and links similar to how you would use force layout in its classic application, the forced-directed graph. This kind of visualization is what force layout 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/blob/master/src/chapter11/arbitrary-visualization.html.

How to do it...

In this recipe we will generate bubbles on user 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, therefore,...