Circles radiating outward…

Hi all,

I need to visualize a series of processes of radiation (of waves…)

I want to have a point radiate concentric circles outward and even fade away over distance. In after Effects I could use the wave function but I would like a more stylized way where I can control a set of outward radiating (animating) rings. However this appears not to be as easy as I thought.

I cannot generate a sequence of circles that ‘grow’ over time.

First I thought a particle system from a point but there seems no way to ‘beam’ out circles from a point.

Also I would need to visualize ‘shadow areas, where these waves are blocked by obstructing objects.

Maybe I am asking too much but do any of you have a suggestion?

Thanks in advance!
Albert