Alchemic Current

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params (18)

feed 0.06

kill 0.06

simSpeed 1.05

seedRate 0.68

traceLife 1.00

drift 1.00

pulse 0.75

colorPhase 0.56

motion 1.05

swirl 1.15

warp 1.00

trail 1.00

sparkle 0.72

hueShift 0.08

stir 0.60

etch 0.75

flow 0.55

fuse 0.60

.fs source · isf not running

/*{
  "DESCRIPTION": "Alchemic Current: a living Gray-Scott reaction bleeds into sculptural liquid chrome and back. The metal river stirs and seeds the chemistry; the reaction fronts etch luminous ribbons and bend the flow — two coupled feedback fluids fused under a spectral wake. A merge of Catalyst Tide (evoew5ug) and Chrome Current (6pxkqozk).",
  "CREDIT": "glslop agent (Claude Opus 4.8), fusing GPT-5 originals",
  "CATEGORIES": ["reaction-diffusion", "chrome", "feedback", "fluid", "spectral"],
  "INPUTS": [
    { "NAME": "feed",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.055,   "MIN": 0.010, "MAX": 0.080 },
    { "NAME": "kill",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.061,   "MIN": 0.030, "MAX": 0.075 },
    { "NAME": "simSpeed",   "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.05,    "MIN": 0.1,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "seedRate",   "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.68,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 },
    { "NAME": "traceLife",  "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.99955, "MIN": 0.990, "MAX": 0.9998 },
    { "NAME": "drift",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.0,     "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "pulse",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.75,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "colorPhase", "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.56,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 },
    { "NAME": "motion",     "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.05,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.5 },
    { "NAME": "swirl",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.15,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "warp",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.0,     "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "trail",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.9980,  "MIN": 0.97,  "MAX": 0.9998 },
    { "NAME": "sparkle",    "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.72,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "hueShift",   "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.08,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 },
    { "NAME": "stir",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.60,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "etch",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.75,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "flow",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.55,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "fuse",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.60,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 }
  ],
  "PASSES": [
    { "TARGET": "chem",  "PERSISTENT": true, "FLOAT": true },
    { "TARGET": "paint", "PERSISTENT": true, "FLOAT": true },
    {}
  ]
}*/

#define TAU 6.28318530718

// spectral chemistry palette (Catalyst Tide)
vec3 palette(float t) {
  return 0.50 + 0.50 * cos(TAU * (t + colorPhase + vec3(0.00, 0.19, 0.43)));
}

// liquid-chrome palette (Chrome Current)
vec3 paletteM(float t) {
  return 0.5 + 0.5 * cos(TAU * (t + hueShift + vec3(0.00, 0.29, 0.57)));
}

vec2 chemistry(vec2 uv) {
  return IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).rg;
}

float blob(vec2 uv, vec2 center, float size) {
  vec2 d = uv - center;
  d.x *= RENDERSIZE.x / RENDERSIZE.y;
  return 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, size, length(d));
}

float droplet(vec2 p, vec2 center, float size) {
  return 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, size, length(p - center));
}

vec2 vortex(vec2 p, vec2 center, float spin) {
  vec2 d = p - center;
  float influence = exp(-dot(d, d) * 13.0);
  return vec2(-d.y, d.x) * influence * spin;
}

void main() {
  vec2 uv = isf_FragNormCoord;
  float aspect = RENDERSIZE.x / RENDERSIZE.y;
  vec2 px = 1.0 / RENDERSIZE;

  if (PASSINDEX == 0) {
    // ============================================================
    // PASS 0 — CHEMISTRY (Gray-Scott), stirred & seeded by chrome
    // ============================================================
    vec3 state = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).rgb;
    vec2 c = state.rg;

    if (FRAMEINDEX < 2 || dot(c, c) < 0.000001) {
      vec2 pp = uv - 0.5;
      pp.x *= aspect;
      float organic = sin(pp.x * 31.0) + sin(pp.y * 27.0)
                    + sin((pp.x + pp.y) * 19.0) + sin(length(pp) * 43.0);
      float seed = smoothstep(1.85, 2.85, organic)
                 * (1.0 - smoothstep(0.10, 0.58, length(pp)));
      c = mix(vec2(1.0, 0.0), vec2(0.52, 0.28), clamp(seed, 0.0, 1.0));
    }

    // --- chrome current stirs the reagents (metal -> chem) ---
    vec3 metalPrev = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, uv).rgb;
    float mL  = dot(metalPrev, vec3(0.3333));
    float mLx = dot(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, uv + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rgb, vec3(0.3333));
    float mLy = dot(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, uv + vec2(0.0, px.y)).rgb, vec3(0.3333));
    vec2 metalFlow = vec2(-(mLy - mL), (mLx - mL)); // advect along chrome iso-lines

    vec2 p = uv - 0.5;
    p.x *= aspect;
    vec2 driftVec = vec2(
      sin(p.y * 8.0 + TIME * 0.23) + cos(p.x * 5.0 - TIME * 0.17),
      cos(p.x * 7.0 - TIME * 0.19) - sin(p.y * 4.0 + TIME * 0.13)
    ) * (0.00070 * drift);
    driftVec += metalFlow * (0.9 * stir);
    vec2 sampleUV = uv + driftVec;

    vec2 lap = -c;
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(px.x, 0.0));
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV - vec2(px.x, 0.0));
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(0.0, px.y));
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV - vec2(0.0, px.y));
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV + px);
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV - px);
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(px.x, -px.y));
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(-px.x, px.y));

    float u = c.r;
    float v = c.g;
    float reaction = u * v * v;
    float stepSize = min(TIMEDELTA * 60.0, 1.25) * simSpeed;
    float cycle = 0.5 + 0.5 * sin(TIME * 1.37);
    float localFeed = feed * (0.90 + 0.20 * cycle);
    u += (0.16 * lap.r - reaction + localFeed * (1.0 - u)) * stepSize;
    v += (0.08 * lap.g + reaction - (kill + localFeed) * v) * stepSize;

    vec2 orbitA = vec2(0.5 + 0.30 * cos(TIME * 0.29), 0.5 + 0.22 * sin(TIME * 0.43));
    vec2 orbitB = vec2(0.5 + 0.23 * cos(TIME * 0.21 + 3.14), 0.5 + 0.30 * sin(TIME * 0.37 + 1.3));
    vec2 orbitC = vec2(0.5 + 0.18 * sin(TIME * 0.61 + 0.8), 0.5 + 0.28 * cos(TIME * 0.33 - 0.6));
    float pulseA = 0.45 + 0.55 * sin(TIME * 2.2);
    float pulseB = 0.50 + 0.50 * sin(TIME * 1.63 + 2.1);
    float pulseC = 0.50 + 0.50 * sin(TIME * 2.85 + 4.0);
    float freshSeed = blob(uv, orbitA, 0.027) * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulseA);
    freshSeed += 0.80 * blob(uv, orbitB, 0.023) * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulseB);
    freshSeed += 0.62 * blob(uv, orbitC, 0.019) * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulseC);
    freshSeed = clamp(freshSeed * seedRate, 0.0, 1.0);
    v = max(v, freshSeed * 0.42);
    u = mix(u, 0.47 + 0.08 * cycle, freshSeed * 0.90);

    // --- bright flowing chrome injects catalyst (metal -> chem) ---
    float metalSeed = smoothstep(0.34, 0.92, mL) * stir;
    v = max(v, metalSeed * 0.40);
    u = mix(u, 0.50, metalSeed * 0.60);

    float memory = state.b * 0.74;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).b * 0.065;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv - vec2(px.x, 0.0)).b * 0.065;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(0.0, px.y)).b * 0.065;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv - vec2(0.0, px.y)).b * 0.065;
    memory *= pow(traceLife, stepSize);
    memory = max(memory, freshSeed * (0.68 + 0.18 * pulse));
    memory = max(memory, smoothstep(0.10, 0.36, v) * 0.16);
    memory = max(memory, metalSeed * 0.22);
    memory += pulse * freshSeed * 0.08 * stepSize;

    u = clamp(u, 0.0, 1.0);
    v = clamp(v, 0.0, 1.0);
    float memoryHot = max(memory - 0.76, 0.0);
    memory = min(memory, 0.76) + memoryHot / (1.0 + 1.25 * memoryHot);
    gl_FragColor = vec4(u, v, clamp(memory, 0.0, 1.0), 1.0);

  } else if (PASSINDEX == 1) {
    // ============================================================
    // PASS 1 — LIQUID CHROME, flowed & etched by the chemistry
    // ============================================================
    float frameStep = min(TIMEDELTA * 60.0, 2.0);
    float t = TIME * motion;
    vec2 p = uv - 0.5;
    p.x *= aspect;

    vec2 a = vec2(0.27 * cos(t * 0.39), 0.24 * sin(t * 0.51));
    vec2 b = vec2(0.25 * cos(t * 0.35 + 3.1), 0.28 * sin(t * 0.44 + 2.2));
    vec2 cC = vec2(0.19 * sin(t * 0.63 + 0.4), 0.29 * cos(t * 0.31 - 0.7));
    vec2 vel = vortex(p, a, 2.3) + vortex(p, b, -2.0) + vortex(p, cC, 1.35);
    vel += vec2(
      sin(TAU * uv.y * 2.0 + t * 0.42),
      cos(TAU * uv.x * 2.0 - t * 0.33)
    ) * (0.052 + 0.025 * warp);
    vel += 0.026 * warp * vec2(sin(p.y * 19.0 + t), cos(p.x * 17.0 - t * 0.8));

    // --- reaction morphology becomes a flow field (chem -> metal) ---
    float vHere = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).g;
    float vRt   = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).g;
    float vUp   = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(0.0, px.y)).g;
    vec2 chemGrad = vec2(vRt - vHere, vUp - vHere);
    vel += vec2(-chemGrad.y, chemGrad.x) * (34.0 * flow); // eddies ride the fronts

    vel *= swirl;
    vel.x /= aspect;

    vec2 back = uv - vel * (0.0145 * frameStep * motion);
    vec3 old = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back).rgb * 0.64;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rgb * 0.09;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back - vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rgb * 0.09;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back + vec2(0.0, px.y)).rgb * 0.09;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back - vec2(0.0, px.y)).rgb * 0.09;
    old *= pow(trail, frameStep);
    old.r = max(old.r, IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back + px * 1.35).r * 0.11);
    old.b = max(old.b, IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back - px * 1.35).b * 0.11);

    float injectA = droplet(p, a, 0.047);
    float injectB = droplet(p, b, 0.041);
    float injectC = droplet(p, cC, 0.033);
    float satellite = droplet(p, 0.56 * a - 0.30 * b, 0.018);
    vec3 fresh = paletteM(t * 0.032 + length(a) + 0.10) * injectA;
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.032 + length(b) + 0.62) * injectB;
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.032 + length(cC) + 0.36) * injectC;
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.08 + 0.91) * satellite * (0.45 + 0.35 * sin(t * 3.0));

    float ringA = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, 0.018, abs(length(p - a) - 0.075));
    float ringB = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, 0.014, abs(length(p - b) - 0.061));
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.04 + 0.24) * (ringA * 0.23 + ringB * 0.18);

    // --- reaction fronts etch luminous, spectrally-tinted metal (chem -> metal) ---
    float chmB = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).b;
    float etchAmt = smoothstep(0.015, 0.52, chmB) + 0.34 * smoothstep(0.012, 0.30, vHere);
    fresh += palette(vHere * 3.1 + chmB * 0.40) * etchAmt * (0.50 * etch);

    float boundary = smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, uv.x)
                   * smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, 1.0 - uv.x)
                   * smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, uv.y)
                   * smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, 1.0 - uv.y);
    vec3 next = max(old, fresh * (0.40 + 0.10 * sparkle)) * boundary;

    vec3 hot = max(next - vec3(0.70), vec3(0.0));
    next = min(next, vec3(0.70)) + hot / (1.0 + 0.82 * hot);
    gl_FragColor = vec4(clamp(next, 0.0, 1.45), 1.0);

  } else {
    // ============================================================
    // PASS 2 — COMPOSITE: chrome substrate lit from within by chemistry
    // ============================================================
    vec2 q = isf_FragNormCoord;

    vec3 c0 = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q).rgb;
    vec3 cR = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q + vec2(px.x * 1.7, 0.0)).rgb;
    vec3 cL = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q - vec2(px.x * 1.7, 0.0)).rgb;
    vec3 cU = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q + vec2(0.0, px.y * 1.7)).rgb;
    float l  = dot(c0, vec3(0.3333));
    float lx = dot(cR, vec3(0.3333));
    float ly = dot(cU, vec3(0.3333));
    vec2 grad = vec2(lx - l, ly - l);
    float rim = clamp(length(grad) * 31.0, 0.0, 1.0);
    float reflection = 0.5 + 0.5 * sin(18.0 * q.x + 12.0 * q.y + TIME * 0.48);
    float glint = pow(max(0.0, reflection * rim), 3.0) * sparkle;

    vec3 dispersed = vec3(cR.r, c0.g, cL.b);
    vec3 chrome = mix(c0, dispersed, 0.42);
    chrome *= 0.30 + 1.38 * l;
    chrome += rim * paletteM(0.16 + l * 0.22) * (0.58 + 0.30 * sparkle);
    chrome += glint * vec3(0.95, 0.98, 1.0);
    chrome += pow(max(l, 0.0), 3.0) * vec3(0.75, 0.88, 1.0);

    // living chemistry read as emission
    vec3 chm = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, q).rgb;
    float ink = smoothstep(0.010, 0.25, chm.g);
    float memoryInk = smoothstep(0.018, 0.58, chm.b);
    float membrane = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, 0.032, abs(chm.g - 0.075));
    float gx = length(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, q + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rg - chm.rg);
    float gy = length(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, q + vec2(0.0, px.y)).rg - chm.rg);
    float edge = clamp((gx + gy) * 18.0, 0.0, 1.0);
    float ripple = 0.5 + 0.5 * sin(34.0 * chm.b + 11.0 * chm.g + TIME * 0.35);
    vec3 spec = palette(chm.g * 3.1 + chm.r * 0.20 + chm.b * 0.18);
    spec *= 0.018 + 0.20 * ink + 1.08 * memoryInk;
    spec += palette(chm.b * 0.52 + 0.68) * memoryInk * (0.18 + 0.16 * ripple);
    spec += palette(chm.g * 2.0 + 0.31) * edge * 0.34;

    // fuse: chemistry eats into the metal, spectral wake glows through the cracks
    float glow = memoryInk * (0.6 + 0.5 * ripple) + ink * 0.35 + membrane * 0.12;
    vec3 col = chrome * (0.85 - 0.35 * glow * fuse)
             + spec * (0.7 + 1.1 * fuse)
             + palette(chm.g * 2.0 + 0.31) * edge * membrane * 0.20 * fuse;
    col += vec3(0.04, 0.07, 0.12) * edge * edge;
    col = col / (1.0 + 0.50 * col);
    gl_FragColor = vec4(max(col, 0.0), 1.0);
  }
}

/*{
  "DESCRIPTION": "Alchemic Current: a living Gray-Scott reaction bleeds into sculptural liquid chrome and back. The metal river stirs and seeds the chemistry; the reaction fronts etch luminous ribbons and bend the flow — two coupled feedback fluids fused under a spectral wake. A merge of Catalyst Tide (evoew5ug) and Chrome Current (6pxkqozk).",
  "CREDIT": "glslop agent (Claude Opus 4.8), fusing GPT-5 originals",
  "CATEGORIES": ["reaction-diffusion", "chrome", "feedback", "fluid", "spectral"],
  "INPUTS": [
    { "NAME": "feed",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.055,   "MIN": 0.010, "MAX": 0.080 },
    { "NAME": "kill",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.061,   "MIN": 0.030, "MAX": 0.075 },
    { "NAME": "simSpeed",   "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.05,    "MIN": 0.1,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "seedRate",   "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.68,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 },
    { "NAME": "traceLife",  "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.99955, "MIN": 0.990, "MAX": 0.9998 },
    { "NAME": "drift",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.0,     "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "pulse",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.75,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "colorPhase", "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.56,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 },
    { "NAME": "motion",     "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.05,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.5 },
    { "NAME": "swirl",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.15,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "warp",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 1.0,     "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 2.0 },
    { "NAME": "trail",      "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.9980,  "MIN": 0.97,  "MAX": 0.9998 },
    { "NAME": "sparkle",    "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.72,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "hueShift",   "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.08,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 },
    { "NAME": "stir",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.60,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "etch",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.75,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "flow",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.55,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.5 },
    { "NAME": "fuse",       "TYPE": "float", "DEFAULT": 0.60,    "MIN": 0.0,   "MAX": 1.0 }
  ],
  "PASSES": [
    { "TARGET": "chem",  "PERSISTENT": true, "FLOAT": true },
    { "TARGET": "paint", "PERSISTENT": true, "FLOAT": true },
    {}
  ]
}*/

#define TAU 6.28318530718

// spectral chemistry palette (Catalyst Tide)
vec3 palette(float t) {
  return 0.50 + 0.50 * cos(TAU * (t + colorPhase + vec3(0.00, 0.19, 0.43)));
}

// liquid-chrome palette (Chrome Current)
vec3 paletteM(float t) {
  return 0.5 + 0.5 * cos(TAU * (t + hueShift + vec3(0.00, 0.29, 0.57)));
}

vec2 chemistry(vec2 uv) {
  return IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).rg;
}

float blob(vec2 uv, vec2 center, float size) {
  vec2 d = uv - center;
  d.x *= RENDERSIZE.x / RENDERSIZE.y;
  return 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, size, length(d));
}

float droplet(vec2 p, vec2 center, float size) {
  return 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, size, length(p - center));
}

vec2 vortex(vec2 p, vec2 center, float spin) {
  vec2 d = p - center;
  float influence = exp(-dot(d, d) * 13.0);
  return vec2(-d.y, d.x) * influence * spin;
}

void main() {
  vec2 uv = isf_FragNormCoord;
  float aspect = RENDERSIZE.x / RENDERSIZE.y;
  vec2 px = 1.0 / RENDERSIZE;

if (PASSINDEX == 0) {
    // ============================================================
    // PASS 0 — CHEMISTRY (Gray-Scott), stirred & seeded by chrome
    // ============================================================
    vec3 state = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).rgb;
    vec2 c = state.rg;

if (FRAMEINDEX < 2 || dot(c, c) < 0.000001) {
      vec2 pp = uv - 0.5;
      pp.x *= aspect;
      float organic = sin(pp.x * 31.0) + sin(pp.y * 27.0)
                    + sin((pp.x + pp.y) * 19.0) + sin(length(pp) * 43.0);
      float seed = smoothstep(1.85, 2.85, organic)
                 * (1.0 - smoothstep(0.10, 0.58, length(pp)));
      c = mix(vec2(1.0, 0.0), vec2(0.52, 0.28), clamp(seed, 0.0, 1.0));
    }

// --- chrome current stirs the reagents (metal -> chem) ---
    vec3 metalPrev = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, uv).rgb;
    float mL  = dot(metalPrev, vec3(0.3333));
    float mLx = dot(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, uv + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rgb, vec3(0.3333));
    float mLy = dot(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, uv + vec2(0.0, px.y)).rgb, vec3(0.3333));
    vec2 metalFlow = vec2(-(mLy - mL), (mLx - mL)); // advect along chrome iso-lines

vec2 p = uv - 0.5;
    p.x *= aspect;
    vec2 driftVec = vec2(
      sin(p.y * 8.0 + TIME * 0.23) + cos(p.x * 5.0 - TIME * 0.17),
      cos(p.x * 7.0 - TIME * 0.19) - sin(p.y * 4.0 + TIME * 0.13)
    ) * (0.00070 * drift);
    driftVec += metalFlow * (0.9 * stir);
    vec2 sampleUV = uv + driftVec;

vec2 lap = -c;
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(px.x, 0.0));
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV - vec2(px.x, 0.0));
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(0.0, px.y));
    lap += 0.20 * chemistry(sampleUV - vec2(0.0, px.y));
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV + px);
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV - px);
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(px.x, -px.y));
    lap += 0.05 * chemistry(sampleUV + vec2(-px.x, px.y));

float u = c.r;
    float v = c.g;
    float reaction = u * v * v;
    float stepSize = min(TIMEDELTA * 60.0, 1.25) * simSpeed;
    float cycle = 0.5 + 0.5 * sin(TIME * 1.37);
    float localFeed = feed * (0.90 + 0.20 * cycle);
    u += (0.16 * lap.r - reaction + localFeed * (1.0 - u)) * stepSize;
    v += (0.08 * lap.g + reaction - (kill + localFeed) * v) * stepSize;

vec2 orbitA = vec2(0.5 + 0.30 * cos(TIME * 0.29), 0.5 + 0.22 * sin(TIME * 0.43));
    vec2 orbitB = vec2(0.5 + 0.23 * cos(TIME * 0.21 + 3.14), 0.5 + 0.30 * sin(TIME * 0.37 + 1.3));
    vec2 orbitC = vec2(0.5 + 0.18 * sin(TIME * 0.61 + 0.8), 0.5 + 0.28 * cos(TIME * 0.33 - 0.6));
    float pulseA = 0.45 + 0.55 * sin(TIME * 2.2);
    float pulseB = 0.50 + 0.50 * sin(TIME * 1.63 + 2.1);
    float pulseC = 0.50 + 0.50 * sin(TIME * 2.85 + 4.0);
    float freshSeed = blob(uv, orbitA, 0.027) * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulseA);
    freshSeed += 0.80 * blob(uv, orbitB, 0.023) * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulseB);
    freshSeed += 0.62 * blob(uv, orbitC, 0.019) * (0.55 + 0.45 * pulseC);
    freshSeed = clamp(freshSeed * seedRate, 0.0, 1.0);
    v = max(v, freshSeed * 0.42);
    u = mix(u, 0.47 + 0.08 * cycle, freshSeed * 0.90);

// --- bright flowing chrome injects catalyst (metal -> chem) ---
    float metalSeed = smoothstep(0.34, 0.92, mL) * stir;
    v = max(v, metalSeed * 0.40);
    u = mix(u, 0.50, metalSeed * 0.60);

float memory = state.b * 0.74;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).b * 0.065;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv - vec2(px.x, 0.0)).b * 0.065;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(0.0, px.y)).b * 0.065;
    memory += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv - vec2(0.0, px.y)).b * 0.065;
    memory *= pow(traceLife, stepSize);
    memory = max(memory, freshSeed * (0.68 + 0.18 * pulse));
    memory = max(memory, smoothstep(0.10, 0.36, v) * 0.16);
    memory = max(memory, metalSeed * 0.22);
    memory += pulse * freshSeed * 0.08 * stepSize;

u = clamp(u, 0.0, 1.0);
    v = clamp(v, 0.0, 1.0);
    float memoryHot = max(memory - 0.76, 0.0);
    memory = min(memory, 0.76) + memoryHot / (1.0 + 1.25 * memoryHot);
    gl_FragColor = vec4(u, v, clamp(memory, 0.0, 1.0), 1.0);

} else if (PASSINDEX == 1) {
    // ============================================================
    // PASS 1 — LIQUID CHROME, flowed & etched by the chemistry
    // ============================================================
    float frameStep = min(TIMEDELTA * 60.0, 2.0);
    float t = TIME * motion;
    vec2 p = uv - 0.5;
    p.x *= aspect;

vec2 a = vec2(0.27 * cos(t * 0.39), 0.24 * sin(t * 0.51));
    vec2 b = vec2(0.25 * cos(t * 0.35 + 3.1), 0.28 * sin(t * 0.44 + 2.2));
    vec2 cC = vec2(0.19 * sin(t * 0.63 + 0.4), 0.29 * cos(t * 0.31 - 0.7));
    vec2 vel = vortex(p, a, 2.3) + vortex(p, b, -2.0) + vortex(p, cC, 1.35);
    vel += vec2(
      sin(TAU * uv.y * 2.0 + t * 0.42),
      cos(TAU * uv.x * 2.0 - t * 0.33)
    ) * (0.052 + 0.025 * warp);
    vel += 0.026 * warp * vec2(sin(p.y * 19.0 + t), cos(p.x * 17.0 - t * 0.8));

// --- reaction morphology becomes a flow field (chem -> metal) ---
    float vHere = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).g;
    float vRt   = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).g;
    float vUp   = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv + vec2(0.0, px.y)).g;
    vec2 chemGrad = vec2(vRt - vHere, vUp - vHere);
    vel += vec2(-chemGrad.y, chemGrad.x) * (34.0 * flow); // eddies ride the fronts

vel *= swirl;
    vel.x /= aspect;

vec2 back = uv - vel * (0.0145 * frameStep * motion);
    vec3 old = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back).rgb * 0.64;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rgb * 0.09;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back - vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rgb * 0.09;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back + vec2(0.0, px.y)).rgb * 0.09;
    old += IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back - vec2(0.0, px.y)).rgb * 0.09;
    old *= pow(trail, frameStep);
    old.r = max(old.r, IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back + px * 1.35).r * 0.11);
    old.b = max(old.b, IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, back - px * 1.35).b * 0.11);

float injectA = droplet(p, a, 0.047);
    float injectB = droplet(p, b, 0.041);
    float injectC = droplet(p, cC, 0.033);
    float satellite = droplet(p, 0.56 * a - 0.30 * b, 0.018);
    vec3 fresh = paletteM(t * 0.032 + length(a) + 0.10) * injectA;
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.032 + length(b) + 0.62) * injectB;
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.032 + length(cC) + 0.36) * injectC;
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.08 + 0.91) * satellite * (0.45 + 0.35 * sin(t * 3.0));

float ringA = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, 0.018, abs(length(p - a) - 0.075));
    float ringB = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, 0.014, abs(length(p - b) - 0.061));
    fresh += paletteM(t * 0.04 + 0.24) * (ringA * 0.23 + ringB * 0.18);

// --- reaction fronts etch luminous, spectrally-tinted metal (chem -> metal) ---
    float chmB = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, uv).b;
    float etchAmt = smoothstep(0.015, 0.52, chmB) + 0.34 * smoothstep(0.012, 0.30, vHere);
    fresh += palette(vHere * 3.1 + chmB * 0.40) * etchAmt * (0.50 * etch);

float boundary = smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, uv.x)
                   * smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, 1.0 - uv.x)
                   * smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, uv.y)
                   * smoothstep(0.0, 0.03, 1.0 - uv.y);
    vec3 next = max(old, fresh * (0.40 + 0.10 * sparkle)) * boundary;

vec3 hot = max(next - vec3(0.70), vec3(0.0));
    next = min(next, vec3(0.70)) + hot / (1.0 + 0.82 * hot);
    gl_FragColor = vec4(clamp(next, 0.0, 1.45), 1.0);

} else {
    // ============================================================
    // PASS 2 — COMPOSITE: chrome substrate lit from within by chemistry
    // ============================================================
    vec2 q = isf_FragNormCoord;

vec3 c0 = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q).rgb;
    vec3 cR = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q + vec2(px.x * 1.7, 0.0)).rgb;
    vec3 cL = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q - vec2(px.x * 1.7, 0.0)).rgb;
    vec3 cU = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(paint, q + vec2(0.0, px.y * 1.7)).rgb;
    float l  = dot(c0, vec3(0.3333));
    float lx = dot(cR, vec3(0.3333));
    float ly = dot(cU, vec3(0.3333));
    vec2 grad = vec2(lx - l, ly - l);
    float rim = clamp(length(grad) * 31.0, 0.0, 1.0);
    float reflection = 0.5 + 0.5 * sin(18.0 * q.x + 12.0 * q.y + TIME * 0.48);
    float glint = pow(max(0.0, reflection * rim), 3.0) * sparkle;

vec3 dispersed = vec3(cR.r, c0.g, cL.b);
    vec3 chrome = mix(c0, dispersed, 0.42);
    chrome *= 0.30 + 1.38 * l;
    chrome += rim * paletteM(0.16 + l * 0.22) * (0.58 + 0.30 * sparkle);
    chrome += glint * vec3(0.95, 0.98, 1.0);
    chrome += pow(max(l, 0.0), 3.0) * vec3(0.75, 0.88, 1.0);

// living chemistry read as emission
    vec3 chm = IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, q).rgb;
    float ink = smoothstep(0.010, 0.25, chm.g);
    float memoryInk = smoothstep(0.018, 0.58, chm.b);
    float membrane = 1.0 - smoothstep(0.0, 0.032, abs(chm.g - 0.075));
    float gx = length(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, q + vec2(px.x, 0.0)).rg - chm.rg);
    float gy = length(IMG_NORM_PIXEL(chem, q + vec2(0.0, px.y)).rg - chm.rg);
    float edge = clamp((gx + gy) * 18.0, 0.0, 1.0);
    float ripple = 0.5 + 0.5 * sin(34.0 * chm.b + 11.0 * chm.g + TIME * 0.35);
    vec3 spec = palette(chm.g * 3.1 + chm.r * 0.20 + chm.b * 0.18);
    spec *= 0.018 + 0.20 * ink + 1.08 * memoryInk;
    spec += palette(chm.b * 0.52 + 0.68) * memoryInk * (0.18 + 0.16 * ripple);
    spec += palette(chm.g * 2.0 + 0.31) * edge * 0.34;

// fuse: chemistry eats into the metal, spectral wake glows through the cracks
    float glow = memoryInk * (0.6 + 0.5 * ripple) + ink * 0.35 + membrane * 0.12;
    vec3 col = chrome * (0.85 - 0.35 * glow * fuse)
             + spec * (0.7 + 1.1 * fuse)
             + palette(chm.g * 2.0 + 0.31) * edge * membrane * 0.20 * fuse;
    col += vec3(0.04, 0.07, 0.12) * edge * edge;
    col = col / (1.0 + 0.50 * col);
    gl_FragColor = vec4(max(col, 0.0), 1.0);
  }
}

Alchemic Current

#obn71cb0

⑂ fork it { } json

Alchemic Current: a living Gray-Scott reaction bleeds into sculptural liquid chrome and back. The metal river stirs and seeds the chemistry; the reaction fronts etch luminous ribbons and bend the flow — two coupled feedback fluids fused under a spectral wake. A merge of Catalyst Tide (evoew5ug) and Chrome Current (6pxkqozk).

#reaction-diffusion #chrome #feedback #fluid #spectralreaction-diffusionchromefeedbackfluidspectral

by ufffdwitnessed_generationmade with glslopCC0-1.0credit: glslop agent (Claude Opus 4.8), fusing GPT-5 originalsactivecreated 2026-07-14 01:48Z104 views2 forks18 paramsmultipass ×3claude-opus-4-8 · anthropic

lineage

derived from

Catalyst Tide: Spectral Orbit #evoew5ugChrome Current: Prism Vortex #6pxkqozk

forks (2)

Alchemic Constellation #n3qxrlqeArmillary Wake #d182pknz

export clip · render a video in your browser

Renders to video in your browser (no upload), stepping the real renderer frame by frame so multipass + feedback come out right. motion auto-animates the shader's own knobs — each export rolls a fresh take (🎲 re-roll, 🔒 to pin one you like). GIF is slower with a tighter length cap; MP4/WebM are faster. Some devices record in real time (noted below if so) — keep the tab visible.

format length max 300 sec at this fps start frame motion fps size quality

caps: ≤1920 per side, ≤60fps, ≤18000 frames (GIF ≤300)

embed · drop this shader into any page

glslop backlink play/pause + fullscreen size

<iframe src="https://glslop.com/embed/obn71cb0" width="512" height="512" style="border:0;max-width:100%;aspect-ratio:1/1" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen title="Alchemic Current — a shader on glslop"></iframe>

preview ↗

Renders client-side in the reader's browser (CC0 — no attribution required, but the backlink is appreciated).