Drift Pro Engine

Official User Manual. Learn to blend physics, sculpt audio reactivity, and perform live.

1. Physics Engine

Located in the "Physics" tab. Drift allows you to blend multiple physics models simultaneously.

Geometric

Particles are forced into a mathematical shape (e.g., a Sphere).

Radial

Particles are pulled toward specific points in 3D space (Nodes).

Flowfield

Particles follow invisible 3D wind currents (Simplex Noise).

Attractors

Similar to Radial, but with different inverse-square falloff math.

Noise

Pure random velocity.

Rain / Matrix

Constant directional force (Linear Flow).

Merge (Cohesion)

Simulates flocking birds. Particles try to stay close to their neighbors. Note: High CPU usage.

Understanding Weights (Blending)

Drift allows you to layer multiple behaviors simultaneously using Weights.

1. Physics Weights (Additive Forces)

These control how much force a specific behavior exerts. Think of it like instruments in a mix.

How it works: Additive. If you have both Geometric and Flowfield active, particles try to form the shape while being pushed by the wind.
Example: Set Geometric to 1.0 and Noise to 2.0. Particles maintain structure but vibrate intensely.

2. Geometry Weights (Shape Morphing)

Located in the "Algo" tab when multiple shapes are selected.

How it works: The engine calculates the weighted average position between active shapes.
Morphing: Lower the weight of "Sphere" while raising "Cube" to smoothly migrate between definitions.
Hybrid Shapes: 50% Sphere + 50% Cube creates a "rounded cube".

2. Audio Reactivity System

Drift transforms sound into visual data using a 3-band analysis engine.

The Signal Chain

Global Gain: Master volume input sensitivity.
Smoothing: Interpolates between frames. 0.0 is strobe-like; 0.9 is fluid/cinematic.
Audio Gate: Noise gate and dynamic expander. High values only let peaks (kick drums) through, essential for dense music.
Crossovers: Drag the vertical lines in the Spectrum Visualizer to define Bass, Mids, and Highs.

Modulation

Almost every slider has a small + or S button (Modulation Slot).

Source: Select Bass, Mid, High, or Avg.
Intensity (+/-): Positive increases the value on beat. Negative decreases it (e.g., Kick drum sucks particles into a black hole).

3. Automation (LFOs)

Low Frequency Oscillators allow automated movement without audio input.

Sine

Smooth, rocking back and forth.

Ramp

Linearly increases then resets (Sawtooth). Continuous rotation.

Tri

Linear up and down.

Pulse

Switches instantly between min/max. Strobe effect.

Noise

Random values.

4. Nodes (Generation Centers)

Nodes are invisible points in 3D space acting as gravitational centers or anchors.

Role: In Radial mode, particles are pulled to them. In Geometric mode, shapes are generated relative to them.
Global Power: A multiplier for all nodes. Negative values invert physics (Attraction becomes Repulsion).

Tip: Map "Global Power" to "Bass" to make the entire universe pulse (expand/contract) to the beat.

5. Scene Composition

Camera

Perspective: Changes FOV. High = Telephoto (flat), Low = Fisheye.
Camera Z: Zoom level.
Rotation: Orbits around the center.

Lighting Engine

Volumetric lighting simulation. Note: Disabling improves performance.

Shadows: Controls opacity and length relative to the light source.
Floor Level: Sets the invisible plane where shadows are cast.

6. MIDI Mapping

Connect hardware controllers (Knobs, Faders, Keys).

Connect your device.
Learn: Click the Piano Key Icon (🎹). It turns orange.
Input: Move a knob or press a key.
Confirm: Icon turns green. Mapped.

Advanced MIDI Types

Type	Description
CC	Standard knobs/faders (0-127).
Note (Velocity)	Striking a key sets value based on hardness.
Note (Range)	Maps the Pitch of keys between a Low and High note to a slider. Useful for controlling parameters with melodies.

7. Library & Rendering

Presets: Saves entire engine state. Export to JSON for backup.
Snapshots: Instantly captures a PNG.
Renders: Records canvas + audio to .webm. Use 60 Mbps for Broadcast quality.

8. Projection Mode

Designed for live VJ performances (Multi-Window).

Click the Projection Icon in the footer to open a second window.

Main Window: Controls everything.
Projection Window: Displays only visuals (No UI). Move to projector and press F11.
Synced instantly via BroadcastChannel API.