Well the proper physics formula is f=(G*Mass1*Mass2)/sq(dist)

Which you can simplify by saying that all your particles are the same weight, and that weight is such that the formula ends up being force = 1/sq(dist)

Depending on how fast you want the force to drop off, you can multiply dist by some factor. e.g. you coudl say 1 pixel is actually 2.3 "units" of distance or somesuch, which should increase the falloff.

I meant if you multiply dist by a factor before squaring it, that should increase the falloff.

e.g. instead of

Code:

|\
| \
|  \
|   `.
|     `-.
|    .   `'-,_
+-------------
 

You'll get
Code:

||
||
|\
| \
|  .
|   `',______
+------------
 

(apologies for dodgy ascii art..)

Sorry John, observe the following code:
Code:

float mul = 1.0;
void setup(){
  size(400,400);
  background(255);
}
void draw(){
  stroke(0);
  beginShape(LINE_STRIP);
  for(int i = 0; i < 400; i++){
    vertex(i, sq(i) * mul);
  }
  endShape();
  stroke(255,0,0);
  beginShape(LINE_STRIP);
  for(int i = 0; i < 400; i++){
    vertex(i, sq(i * mul));
  }
  endShape();
}
void keyPressed(){
  switch(key){
    case '+':
    case '=':
    mul *= 1.5;
    break;
    case '-':
    case '_':
    mul /= 1.5;
    break;
  }
}
 

Although the change in the curve is achieved faster by multiplication before squaring - it's still exactly the same curve. Why is this It's because of multiplication, you're putting numbers in a different order but they still follow the same pattern.

I think what I'm aiming for is to increase the sphere of influence of the gravity. For that, I don't need to just scale distance by multiplying it or dividing it - I need to bend it. Curved space (like a Stanislav Lem novel). The equation is just floating out of my reach and I can't seem to put it together - something to do with a curve within that curve - hrmm....

This project is a continuation of this.

Ah hah

grav = (m1 * m2) / pow(distance, curvature);

It's the power to which distance is multiplied that affects the shape of the curve. A low power (1.1) gives a flatter, more linear curve, a high power (5+) gives you more of a funnel. Top dorrar!