Reaction-Diffusion Playground

HAS BioMorph

A real-time reaction-diffusion simulator with a node-based visual editor. Paint organic patterns, sculpt emergent textures, and export production-ready assets — all in the browser.

Gray-Scott Model Node Graph Canvas 2D Web Audio API SVG Export

⚙ Explore the Science ▧ Features ■ Presets

Year 2026

Type Web App

Presets 34

Brush Types 8

Export Formats 5

001 The Science

Reaction-diffusion is a mathematical model first proposed by Alan Turing in 1952 to explain how patterns form in nature — from the stripes on a zebra to the branching of coral reefs.

The system simulates two virtual chemicals: A (the substrate) and B (the catalyst). Chemical A is consumed when B is present, while B reproduces and slowly decays. Both chemicals diffuse across the grid at different rates, creating the emergent patterns you see.

The magic happens at the boundary between order and chaos. Tiny changes in feed and kill rates produce wildly different results — spots, stripes, spirals, mazes, and dynamic self-replicating structures that mirror biology itself.

Gray-Scott Model Equations

∂A/∂t = D⅊ ∇² A − AB² + f (1 − A )
∂B/∂t = D_b ∇² B + AB² − ( k + f )B

002 Parameters

Feed Rate (f)

Controls how fast chemical A is replenished. Higher values push the system toward dissolution; lower values starve growth. The primary driver of pattern type. Range: 0.01 – 0.10

Kill Rate (k)

Determines how quickly chemical B decays. Together with Feed, this parameter defines the pattern regime — spots, stripes, spirals, or chaos. Range: 0.04 – 0.07

Diffusion A (D⅊)

How fast the substrate spreads across the grid. Defaults to 1.0. Substrate typically diffuses faster than catalyst, creating the instability needed for pattern formation. Range: 0.0 – 1.0

Diffusion B (D_b)

How fast the catalyst spreads. Defaults to 0.5. The ratio between D⅊ and D_b generates the Turing instability — the secret ingredient behind all emergent patterns. Range: 0.0 – 1.0

Simulation Speed

Number of computation steps per animation frame (1–20). More steps means faster evolution but heavier CPU load. Find the sweet spot for your machine.

Brush Size

Radius of the painting tool in simulation pixels (1–100). Larger brushes seed wider areas of chemical B. Multiple brush shapes available: circle, square, diamond, spray, perlin.

Contrast

Post-processing multiplier (0.5–5.0). Controls how simulation data maps to pixel brightness. Higher values create sharper patterns with deeper blacks and brighter whites.

003 Node System

HAS BioMorph uses a visual node graph to control the simulation. Instead of hidden sliders, every parameter is a visible, connectable port. Right-click anywhere to spawn nodes, drag wires between ports, and watch the simulation respond in real-time. Outputs flow from left to right. Amber ports send signals. Green ports receive them. The Master node consumes all incoming values and applies them to the running simulation.

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Master Out

The central hub. Has 7 input ports (Feed, Kill, Diff A, Diff B, Speed, Brush Size, Contrast), brush shape selector, seamless/flux toggles, and export buttons.

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Value Slider

A normalized 0–1 slider with a single output port. Values are automatically remapped to the target parameter's range when connected.

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Pattern Preset

Dropdown selector with 34 curated presets. Outputs Feed and Kill values simultaneously through two separate ports.

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LFO Oscillator

Generates a smooth waveform (sine, triangle, saw, square) at configurable frequency. Drive parameters for evolving, breathing patterns.

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Audio Input

Captures microphone or system audio via Web Audio API. Outputs amplitude, frequency bands, and beat detection signals for audio-reactive patterns.

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Orientation Map

Modulates diffusion direction across the grid using a painted vector field, creating anisotropic flow patterns.

Node Graph — Signal Flow

004 Presets

34 curated pattern regimes organized across five categories. Each preset is a specific combination of Feed and Kill rates that produces a distinct pattern family.

Classic Patterns

Coral Growth

f: 0.0545 k: 0.0620

Mitosis

f: 0.0367 k: 0.0640

Maze

f: 0.0290 k: 0.0570

Chaos

f: 0.0260 k: 0.0510

Pockets

f: 0.0780 k: 0.0610

Worms

f: 0.0500 k: 0.0650

U-Skate

f: 0.0620 k: 0.0610

Spots & Loops

f: 0.0180 k: 0.0510

Moving Spots

f: 0.0140 k: 0.0540

Fingerprints

f: 0.0540 k: 0.0620

Waves

f: 0.0250 k: 0.0600

Warring

f: 0.0220 k: 0.0590

Solitons

f: 0.0300 k: 0.0620

Negaton

f: 0.0460 k: 0.0630

Turing Patterns

f: 0.0420 k: 0.0590

Organic / Biological

Cell Division

f: 0.0340 k: 0.0630

Bacteria

f: 0.0250 k: 0.0580

Neurons

f: 0.0220 k: 0.0520

Zebra Stripes

f: 0.0350 k: 0.0570

Leopard Spots

f: 0.0380 k: 0.0610

Sea Shells

f: 0.0390 k: 0.0580

Dynamic / Unstable

Pulse

f: 0.0150 k: 0.0450

Exploding

f: 0.0180 k: 0.0550

Spirals

f: 0.0140 k: 0.0430

Oscillator

f: 0.0120 k: 0.0470

Breathing

f: 0.0210 k: 0.0490

Fine Textures

Fine Dots

f: 0.0900 k: 0.0590

Honeycomb

f: 0.0340 k: 0.0560

Lace

f: 0.0620 k: 0.0630

Ripples

f: 0.0200 k: 0.0460

Foam

f: 0.0460 k: 0.0640

Edge of Chaos

Dissolving

f: 0.0550 k: 0.0640

Fading

f: 0.0480 k: 0.0650

Gliders

f: 0.0140 k: 0.0530

Spiky

f: 0.0580 k: 0.0650

005 Brush Tools

Click and drag on the simulation canvas to seed chemical B. Different brush shapes produce different initial conditions, letting you control the geometry of emergence.

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Circle

Smooth circular seed. Default for organic growth.

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Square

Hard-edged rectangular seed for geometric patterns.

◆

Diamond

Manhattan-distance mask for angular formations.

░

Spray

Random scatter within radius for diffused seeding.

Perlin

Noise-masked brush for natural, irregular shapes.

⬡

Voronoi

Cellular noise mask for structured organic seeds.

Eraser

Removes chemical B to carve into existing patterns.

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Perlin Eraser

Noise-masked eraser for organic subtraction.

006 Features

Real-Time Simulation

Gray-Scott model running at full framerate with configurable steps-per-frame. Watch patterns emerge and evolve in real time as you adjust parameters.

Node Graph Editor

Visual programming interface for connecting parameter sources to the simulation. Drag wires between ports, spawn nodes from a context menu, and build complex signal chains.

Seamless Tiling

Toggle seamless edge wrapping for perfectly tileable textures. Ideal for creating repeating patterns for materials, wallpapers, and game textures.

Flux Mode

Feed and Kill parameters oscillate over time, creating breathing, evolving patterns that never settle into a static state.

SVG Vector Export

Marching-squares contour extraction with path simplification and smoothing. Export clean vector outlines from your simulation for use in design tools.

Video Recording

Built-in 60fps capture using MediaRecorder API. WebM or MP4 output. Record evolving patterns for motion graphics and social content.

Image Seeding

Upload any image as initial conditions. Grow patterns from photographs, logos, or sketches — the simulation fills in the organic detail.

Audio-Reactive Patterns

Audio Input node captures microphone or system audio. Output amplitude, frequency bands, and beat detection signals to drive parameters for sound-reactive visuals.

Hi-Res Export

Export at 2K, 4K, or 8K resolution with nearest-neighbor upscaling. Production-ready output for large-format printing and high-DPI displays.

Zen Mode

Press H to hide all UI for immersive fullscreen viewing. Perfect for live installations, meditation screens, and ambient displays.

008 Use Cases

Generative Art & Prints

Create one-of-a-kind organic textures for gallery prints or album artwork. Export at 8K for large-format printing.

3D Texture Design

Generate seamless tileable textures for 3D surfaces in Cinema 4D, Blender, or Unity. Use as displacement or bump maps.

Motion Graphics & VJ

Record evolving patterns as video loops for motion design, stage visuals, or live performance backdrops.

Scientific Visualization

Explore pattern formation in biological systems. Visualize Turing instabilities and self-organization in real time.

Brand & Identity

Seed logos as initial conditions, then let the simulation transform them into unique organic brand elements.

Interactive Installations

Runs entirely in the browser with zero dependencies. Embed in exhibits or museum kiosks for interactive science displays.

Game Assets

Produce organic terrain maps, cave systems, and procedural textures for game environments and world building.

Creative Coding

Visual sandbox for exploring parameters before implementing in shaders or WebGPU compute pipelines.

009 Controls

Toggle UI

Enter Zen mode — hide all interface elements for immersive fullscreen viewing.

Del

Delete Node

Remove the currently selected node from the graph.

RMB

Context Menu

Right-click to open the spawn menu and add new nodes to the graph.

LMB

Paint

Left-click and drag on the simulation canvas to seed chemical B.

Drag

Move & Wire

Drag nodes to reposition them. Drag from a port to create a wire connection.

DblClk

Delete Wire

Double-click on a wire to disconnect it from the graph.