Fluid Simulation Screensaver
The Fluid Simulation screensaver runs a real live fluid dynamics simulation, advecting colored dye through a swirling velocity field. It is free, runs in your browser, and ESC exits.
How the Fluid Simulation screensaver works
The saver simulates a real velocity field using a simplified Navier-Stokes-inspired advection and diffusion method.
Colored dye is injected periodically and carried along by the simulated flow.
Swirling vortices form naturally from the underlying fluid math, just like real smoke or ink in water.
The simulation runs continuously, so the flow keeps evolving and never settles.
A worked example
A fresh burst of dye is swept immediately into a forming vortex, stretching into a long spiral streak as the flow curls around it.
Settings & tips
- Accent tints the dye color.
- Based on the real fluid-dynamics methods used in visual effects software.
- The flow never fully settles — it keeps evolving.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this based on real fluid dynamics?
- Yes — a simplified Navier-Stokes-inspired advection and diffusion simulation.
- Is a key needed?
- No — it is a pure local simulation.
- Is it free?
- Yes — free, no download, in your browser.
- Does the flow ever repeat?
- No — small variations compound over time, so it never repeats exactly.