How can I stop elements overlapping using JavaScript and the Raphael JavaScript library

Question

Hi there,

I’m generating multiple, random sized, circular elements using the Raphael JavaScript library but because it’s random a lot of the circular elements being generate overlap or cover each other. What I wanted to know, is there any way with JavaScript to tell if one element is in already in particular position so to avoid the overlapping? Essentially, I want to create random elements on a canvas, of a random size that don’t overlap or cover each other.

There's a couple of test files I created here to give you an idea of what I'm doing. The first one generates random objects and the second link sets them to a grid to stop the overlapping.

http://files.nicklowman.co.uk/movies/raphael_test_01/

http://files.nicklowman.co.uk/movies/raphael_test_03/

Answer 1

The easiest way is to create an object and give it a repulsive force that degrades towards zero at it's edge. As you drop these objects onto the canvas the objects will push away from each other until they reach a point of equilibrium.