ReverseCollatzPaths is a nice demonstration of a radial tree graph showing the orbits under the Collatz map. However, Jason Davies gives, I think, a nicer visulalization using Python, with a particularly pleasing radial node-link tree layout and interactivity, which is "smoother" than that available in Mathematica. My question is, how can such smooth interpolation between "frames" in, say, a Manipulate be incorporated into Mathematica?
Aside: One thing that I'd not noticed before is the symmetry of this tree graph about the central node, clearly visible as you change the orbit length one step at a time, which breaks when the orbit length is 16. Interested to know the reason for the symmetry breaking (this symmetry is lost if one uses the modified Collatz map, (3n+1)/2 for odd n).
