Starfield Warp
This is the classic star-tunnel screensaver, built from a little 3D perspective. Stars are scattered at random depths ahead of you and stream toward the camera; each is projected onto the screen by dividing its position by its distance, so near stars sweep out fast toward the edges while distant ones creep near the centre, giving a convincing sense of flying forward. Push the speed and the stars stretch into motion-blurred streaks radiating from the vanishing point, the familiar "jump to hyperspace" look. Steer the vanishing point with the pointer to bank and turn, adjust the star density and streak length, and watch stars recycle to the far distance as they fly past so the flight never ends.
Runs 100% in your browser — simulations are computed locally on your device.
Read the full guide to this tool
Notes
- The whole effect is one formula: a star at depth z projects to screen position (x/z, y/z), so as z shrinks the star races outward — the same perspective divide behind all 3D graphics.
- Warp streaks are motion blur: drawing each star as a line from its previous projected position to its new one traces the path it swept during one frame, and faster flight makes longer streaks.
- Stars appear to radiate from a single vanishing point, the direction of travel; moving that point is exactly how your view pivots when you turn while moving forward.
- Runs 100% in your browser — simulations are computed locally on your device.
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