Visualizing Current Flow through a Resistor Circuit

I tend to help people out when they have electronics projects they want advice on. I have a basic understanding of electronics, and don't really know how electricity works. I had that idea that creating a visualization of the electron flow within a circuit might help me understand better what's going on, and this is my attempt to accomplish that.

A few things to understand before you go in, I used electron flow and my interpretation of what's going on within a circuit to make this visualization. If you don't agree with how I displayed things, that's totally fine, and a whole lot of people would probably agree with you. There's a whole bunch of conflicting arguments about what's going on at the electron level since we can't see what's going on there, that's why I made this, and that's why no one can be right. Personally, I ascribe to Kenn Amdahl's view of tiny green men who just like to party. It actually makes the most sense to anything I've read.

Here's a quick video of the finished application:


link: http://youtu.be/rg8dMVCfwSM

Step 1: What you need

You only need a couple of things to you this, and chances are, if you're reading this (and not on a moblie device), you're already well on your way to having all the materials.

What you'll need:

• Computer capable of running:
• Processing (which also needs the ControlP5 library installed)
• Zip files (linked to in intro step).

(This program works as of versions 2.04 of Controlp5 and 2.0 Processing.)

Basically, if you have a computer, you're good.

Comments

[niebyl2002]

Thanks

[Sassah122]

Can you make a max version? Please. Also I tried it on Windows, it does not seem to have any errors. Good job with making the application.

[StumpChunkman]

Awesome! I'm glad to hear it all worked well! What do you mean a max version?

[bricabracwizard]

I think he meant a Mac version

[StumpChunkman]

Oh! Well that makes a lot more sense. This list contains a ton of links to software. Most of it is circuit prototyping (like Fritzing), but some of it may be visualization software.

[montana.christopher]

Is there a software that is easy to use plug & play out? I have every circuit and just not happy for the neophyte I am. I blew out a stepper with my aurduino and really need to get the voltage and amps correct. Any help is much a big thanks .

[raz71abb6]

Awesome!

[mikeasaurus]

As someone who constantly struggles with getting my electronics projects not to melt, I appreciate a visual demonstration of what I'm working with.

[StumpChunkman]

Hah! Thanks dude! Melting electronics is the first steps to learning how they work, so good job!