Strong systems

Semantic Snap

align objects, cards, or text fragments by meaning instead of only geometry

Running the actual pattern live via applyPattern() — switch the substrate, stack overlays, watch the signals, or reverse the dynamics. Not a mock.

"Semantic Snap" — align objects, cards, or text fragments by meaning instead of only geometry. It has a link layer (ropes / cloth between neighbours), a tether layer (bind matter to an anchor), a cohesion layer (flocking — pull toward neighbours), and a crystallize layer (snap matter onto a lattice). The active render stack is links, field-lines, particles, dots.

Strong relational binding lets objects snap by meaning: link and tether (spring) draw matching tags or dependent blocks together while crystallize locks them into a clean semantic alignment.

Runtime tokens: link ropes / cloth between neighbourstether bind matter to an anchorcohesion flocking — pull toward neighbourscrystallize snap matter onto a lattice
Concepts: spring
Metrics: snap a semantic lane — drive it with data-field-<metric> (or a domain model); without that its --field-<metric> stays inertrelation-strength a semantic lane — drive it with data-field-<metric> (or a domain model); without that its --field-<metric> stays inertalignment a semantic lane — drive it with data-field-<metric> (or a domain model); without that its --field-<metric> stays inert snap, relation-strength, alignment are host-supplied lanes — drive them with data-field-<metric> (or a domain model); without that, their --field-* stays inert.
Diagnostics: topology force-vectors inspector
Conditions: related
Render: links · field-lines · particles · dots
Reduced motion: snap guides with semantic alignment labels and relation hints
Without motion: snapping becomes labeled alignment guides naming the relationship that pulled two items together

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<field-root></field-root>
  <div data-body="link" data-strength="1" data-range="360" data-feedback></div>
  <div data-body="tether" data-strength="0.8" data-range="300"></div>
  <div data-body="cohesion" data-strength="0.6" data-range="280"></div>
  <div data-body="crystallize" data-strength="0.6" data-range="260"></div>

<script type="module">
  import '@fundamental-engine/elements';
</script>

<field-root></field-root>
  <div data-body="link" data-strength="1" data-range="360" data-feedback></div>
  <div data-body="tether" data-strength="0.8" data-range="300"></div>
  <div data-body="cohesion" data-strength="0.6" data-range="280"></div>
  <div data-body="crystallize" data-strength="0.6" data-range="260"></div>

import { FieldField } from '@fundamental-engine/react';

export default function SemanticSnap() {
  return (
    <FieldField>
      <div data-body="link" data-strength="1" data-range="360" data-feedback />
      <div data-body="tether" data-strength="0.8" data-range="300" />
      <div data-body="cohesion" data-strength="0.6" data-range="280" />
      <div data-body="crystallize" data-strength="0.6" data-range="260" />
    </FieldField>
  );
}

{
  "id": "semantic-snap",
  "name": "Semantic Snap",
  "intent": "align objects, cards, or text fragments by meaning instead of only geometry",
  "naturalField": "strong",
  "primitives": [
    "link",
    "tether",
    "cohesion",
    "crystallize"
  ],
  "bodies": [
    {
      "body": "link",
      "strength": 1,
      "range": 360,
      "feedback": true
    },
    {
      "body": "tether",
      "strength": 0.8,
      "range": 300
    },
    {
      "body": "cohesion",
      "strength": 0.6,
      "range": 280
    },
    {
      "body": "crystallize",
      "strength": 0.6,
      "range": 260
    }
  ],
  "render": [
    "links",
    "field-lines",
    "particles",
    "dots"
  ],
  "metrics": [
    "snap",
    "relation-strength",
    "alignment"
  ],
  "diagnostics": [
    "topology",
    "force-vectors",
    "inspector"
  ],
  "accessibility": {
    "reducedMotion": "snap guides with semantic alignment labels and relation hints",
    "meaningWithoutMotion": "snapping becomes labeled alignment guides naming the relationship that pulled two items together"
  },
  "notes": "Strong relational binding lets objects snap by meaning: link and tether (spring) draw matching tags or dependent blocks together while crystallize locks them into a clean semantic alignment.",
  "tier": "systems",
  "status": "shipped",
  "concepts": [
    "spring"
  ],
  "conditions": [
    "related"
  ]
}

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See also