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Missing MicroSim Generators

Prompt

We are creating intelligent textbooks that need diagrams, figures, charts, graphs, timelines, maps and Micro Simulators (MicroSims). We now have the following MicroSims generator Skills:

  1. bubble-chart-generator - Creates interactive bubble charts for priority matrices (Impact vs Effort, Risk vs Value) and multi-dimensional data visualization using Chart.js
  2. chartjs-generator - Creates any of the charts supported by the ChartJS library suitable for inclusion in an iframe
  3. map-generator - Creates interactive geographic maps with markers, layers, and GeoJSON support using Leaflet.js, optimized for iframe embedding in narrow textbook pages
  4. mermaid-generator - Creates flowcharts, process diagrams, and decision trees with colorful backgrounds and 16-point fonts using Mermaid.js
  5. microsim-p5 - Creates interactive educational simulations with two-region layouts (drawing area + controls) using p5.js, designed for browser-based learning
  6. timeline-generator - Creates interactive chronological visualizations with zoom, pan, and category filtering using vis-timeline.js for historical events and project schedules
  7. venn-diagram-generator - Creates Venn diagrams with educational tooltips (definitions from glossary, not size values) using venn.js for visualizing set relationships and overlaps
  8. vis-network - Creates interactive network graphs for learning graphs, concept dependencies, and relationship visualization using vis-network.js with physics-based layouts

These are general MicroSim generators that might be used to generate in many types of textbooks. This list does NOT include highly specialized MicroSims such as generating Circuit Diagrams in a Electrical Engineering course. Can you think of any other general purpose types of diagrams or simulations that might be requested by a textbook creator?

Results

High-Priority General-Purpose Generators

1. Gantt Chart Generator

  • Use cases: Project planning, task scheduling, course timelines, historical event sequences with durations
  • Libraries: vis-timeline (which you already use), dhtmlx-gantt, or frappe-gantt
  • Why needed: Very common in business, project management, software engineering, and history courses

2. Tree/Hierarchy Diagram Generator

  • Use cases: Organizational charts, taxonomy trees, file system structures, family trees, decision trees, parse trees
  • Libraries: D3.js (tree layouts), vis-network (hierarchical mode), or custom p5.js
  • Why needed: Different from general network graphs - specifically hierarchical with parent-child relationships

3. Sankey Diagram Generator

  • Use cases: Energy flow, migration patterns, budget allocation, material flow, conversion funnels
  • Libraries: D3-sankey, Google Charts Sankey
  • Why needed: Excellent for showing proportional flows and transformations across systems

4. Heatmap/Matrix Visualization Generator

  • Use cases: Correlation matrices, confusion matrices, calendar heatmaps, adjacency matrices, grade distributions
  • Libraries: Chart.js (matrix plugin), D3.js, or Plotly
  • Why needed: Common in statistics, ML, data science, biology (gene expression), social sciences

5. Mathematical Function Plotter

  • Use cases: Plotting mathematical functions, data points, parametric equations, polar coordinates
  • Libraries: Plotly.js, function-plot, or custom p5.js/Canvas
  • Why needed: Essential for math, physics, engineering, economics courses

6. Statistical Chart Generator (Box plots, Histograms, Distributions)

  • Use cases: Statistical analysis, probability distributions, data spread visualization
  • Libraries: Chart.js extensions, Plotly.js, or D3.js
  • Why needed: Core requirement for statistics, data science, research methods courses

Medium-Priority Generators

7. Treemap Generator

  • Use cases: Hierarchical data with quantities (file sizes, budget breakdowns, portfolio allocation)
  • Libraries: D3.js treemap, Google Charts Treemap
  • Why needed: Great for showing part-to-whole relationships in hierarchical data

8. Chord Diagram Generator

  • Use cases: Relationships between entities, migration flows, trade relationships, network traffic
  • Libraries: D3.js chord diagram, Circos
  • Why needed: Effective for showing complex inter-relationships between multiple entities

9. UML Diagram Generator (Sequence, Class, State Machine)

  • Use cases: Software design, protocol interactions, object-oriented design, state transitions
  • Libraries: Mermaid.js (already supports some UML), PlantUML
  • Why needed: Essential for computer science and software engineering courses

10. 3D Visualization Generator

  • Use cases: 3D geometry, physics simulations, molecular structures, terrain, vector fields
  • Libraries: Three.js, p5.js (WEBGL mode), Plotly 3D
  • Why needed: Physics, chemistry, geometry, computer graphics courses

11. Mind Map Generator

  • Use cases: Brainstorming, concept mapping, knowledge organization, study guides
  • Libraries: jsMind, MindMap.js, or custom vis-network styling
  • Why needed: Popular for learning strategies and concept organization

12. Interactive Data Table Generator

  • Use cases: Sortable/filterable datasets, periodic table, species classifications, economic data
  • Libraries: DataTables, Tabulator, AG Grid
  • Why needed: Common need for presenting structured data interactively

Lower-Priority (But Still Useful)

  1. Word Cloud Generator - Text analysis, frequency visualization
  2. Parallel Coordinates Plot - Multivariate data analysis
  3. Sunburst Diagram - Hierarchical data visualization (alternative to treemap)
  4. Calendar Heatmap - Activity tracking, contribution graphs

My Recommendations for Next Skills to Build

Based on frequency of use across disciplines:

Top 3: 1. Mathematical Function Plotter - Extremely common in STEM courses 2. Gantt Chart Generator - Very common in business/project courses 3. Tree/Hierarchy Diagram Generator - Used across many disciplines

Next 3: 4. Heatmap/Matrix Generator - Growing importance with data science 5. Sankey Diagram Generator - Unique and visually compelling 6. Statistical Chart Generator - Essential for research/data courses

Would you like me to help create any of these new MicroSim generator skills?