---
name: "beats"
section: "6"
platform: "linux"
package: "xscreensaver"
version: "6.15-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/beats"
---

# beats(6)

create offset beating figures

## NAME

beats - create offset beating figures

## SYNOPSIS

**beats** \[--display *host:display.screen*\] \[--visual *visual*\] \[--window\] \[--root\] \[--window-id *number*\] \[--delay *number*\] \[--count *number*\] \[--cycle *number*\] \[--wireframe\] \[--fps\]

## DESCRIPTION

The *beats* program draws balls that move around at a slightly different rate from each other, creating interesting chaotic and ordered beating patterns. Each cycle / pattern is created such that it finishes as a single line of balls at the top of the screen, so that the patterns can smoothly transition between each other.

## OPTIONS

- **--visual *visual***

  Specify which visual to use.  Legal values are the name of a visual class, or the id number (decimal or hex) of a specific visual.

- **--window**

  Draw on a newly-created window.  This is the default.

- **--root**

  Draw on the root window.

- **--window-id *number***

  Draw on the specified window.

- **--delay *number***

  Per-frame delay, in microseconds.  Default: 30000 (0.03 seconds.).

- **--count *number***

  Number of balls.  Default: 30.

- **--cycle *number***

  Cycle type to use (Default: -1):\
     \-1 - pseudo-random based on current time\
      0 - clockwise\
      1 - rain dance\
      2 - metronome\
      3 - galaxy

- **--tick \| --no-tick**

  Add a tick for 'clockwise' and 'galaxy' patterns.

- **--blur \| --no-blur**

  Add motion blur to the ball movement.

- **--wireframe \| --no-wireframe**

  Render in wireframe instead of solid.

- **--fps**

  Display the current frame rate, CPU load, and polygon count.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **DISPLAY**

  to get the default host and display number.

- **XENVIRONMENT**

  to get the name of a resource file that overrides the global resources stored in the RESOURCE\_MANAGER property.

- **XSCREENSAVER\_WINDOW**

  The window ID to use with *--root*.

## SEE ALSO

**X**(1), [**xscreensaver**(1)](/xscreensaver/1.md)

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2020 by David Eccles.  Permission to use, copy, modify,  distribute, and sell this software and its documentation for any purpose is  hereby granted without fee, provided that the above copyright notice appear  in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation.  No representations are made about the  suitability of this software for any purpose.  It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

## AUTHOR

David Eccles (gringer) \<hacking@gringene.org\>, 2020-Feb-04.