Transcendence — "The Architect"
"You're no longer following rules. You're making them. Your cursor is now a complete system: physics, particles, identity. It's not just a UI element—it's a window into your design philosophy."
By the end of this stage, you'll have a complete Canvas-based particle system with physics, theming, and performance optimization.
Est. time: 90–120 minutes · Advanced with Canvas API and particle systems
🎨 New to Canvas?
Canvas is like a digital canvas for drawing. We'll walk through requestAnimationFrame, ctx.arc(), and particle arrays step-by-step.
⚡ Ready to Architect?
This is your capstone. Experiment with physics, optimize performance, and create something uniquely yours.
The Narrative
You've come far. In Stage 1, you built a companion. In Stage 2, you taught it to converse. Now, in Stage 3, you become the architect.
This stage is about authorship. You're not implementing someone else's cursor—you're creating your own. A cursor that reflects your aesthetic, your physics intuition, your philosophy of interaction.
By the end, you'll have built a complete particle system, optimized for performance, and imbued with personality. This isn't just code—it's identity.
Three Paths
Choose your implementation path based on your goals:
Canvas
Most accessible. 2D particle systems, immediate visual feedback.
WebGL / Three.js
More ambitious. 3D cursors, shaders, advanced effects.
Hybrid
Canvas for particles, DOM for cursor core. Best real-world balance.
Emotional Arc
Final Knowledge Check
What's the key advantage of using requestAnimationFrame over setInterval for animations?
Final Reflection: Your Cursor's Identity
You've built a complete cursor system. Describe your cursor's personality in 2-3 sentences. What does it say about your design philosophy?