diff --git a/inst/examples/tourr/app.R b/inst/examples/tourr/app.R
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9ec0360192
--- /dev/null
+++ b/inst/examples/tourr/app.R
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# modified from https://github.com/rstudio/ggvis/blob/master/demo/tourr.r
+
+library(tourr)
+library(plotly)
+library(shiny)
+
+aps <- 2
+fps <- 30
+
+mat <- rescale(as.matrix(flea[1:6]))
+tour <- new_tour(mat, grand_tour(), NULL)
+start <- tour(0)
+
+ui <- fluidPage(
+  plotlyOutput("p")
+)
+
+server <- function(input, output) {
+  
+  proj_data <- reactive({
+    invalidateLater(1000 / fps, NULL);
+    step <- tour(aps / fps)
+    data.frame(center(mat %*% step$proj), species = flea$species)
+  })
+  
+  output$p <- renderPlotly({
+    proj_data() %>%
+      plot_ly(x = X1, y = X2, color = species, mode = "markers") %>%
+      layout(xaxis = list(range = c(-1, 1)), yaxis = list(range = c(-1, 1)))
+  })
+}
+
+shinyApp(ui, server)
diff --git a/inst/htmlwidgets/plotly.js b/inst/htmlwidgets/plotly.js
index e9a3f90eda..197a4fc617 100644
--- a/inst/htmlwidgets/plotly.js
+++ b/inst/htmlwidgets/plotly.js
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ HTMLWidgets.widget({
   },  
   
   renderValue: function(el, x, instance) {
-    
     var shinyMode;
     if (typeof(window) !== "undefined") {
       // make sure plots don't get created outside the network
@@ -22,16 +21,74 @@ HTMLWidgets.widget({
       window.PLOTLYENV.BASE_URL = x.base_url;
       shinyMode = !!window.Shiny;
     }
-    
     var graphDiv = document.getElementById(el.id);
-    
     // if no plot exists yet, create one with a particular configuration
     if (!instance.plotly) {
       Plotly.plot(graphDiv, x.data, x.layout, x.config);
       instance.plotly = true;
       instance.autosize = x.layout.autosize;
     } else {
-      Plotly.newPlot(graphDiv, x.data, x.layout);
+      // Can we do smooth transitions of x/y locations of points?
+      var doTransition = x.data.length === graphDiv._fullData.length;
+      for (i = 0; i < x.data.length; i++) {
+        var type = x.data[i].type || "scatter";
+        doTransition = doTransition && 
+          x.data[i].x.length === graphDiv._fullData[i].x.length &&
+          x.data[i].y.length === graphDiv._fullData[i].y.length &&
+          type === "scatter" && x.data[i].mode === "markers";
+      }
+      if (!doTransition) {
+        Plotly.newPlot(graphDiv, x.data, x.layout);
+      } else {
+        // construct x/y scales from graphDiv
+        var lay = graphDiv._fullLayout;
+        var xDom = lay.xaxis.range;
+        var yDom = lay.yaxis.range;
+        var xRng = [0, lay.width - lay.margin.l - lay.margin.r];
+        var yRng = [lay.height - lay.margin.t - lay.margin.b, 0];
+        // TODO: does this generalize to non-linear scales?
+        var xaxis = Plotly.d3.scale.linear().domain(xDom).range(xRng);
+        var yaxis = Plotly.d3.scale.linear().domain(yDom).range(yRng);
+        // store new x/y positions as an array of objects (for D3 bind)
+        x.transitionDat = [];
+        for (i = 0; i < x.data.length; i++) {
+          var d = x.data[i];
+          for (j = 0; j < d.x.length; j++) {
+            x.transitionDat.push({x: d.x[j], y: d.y[j]});
+          }
+        }
+        // we call newPlot() with old x/y locations and transition to new ones
+        for (i = 0; i < x.data.length; i++) {
+          x.data[i].xNew = x.data[i].x;
+          x.data[i].yNew = x.data[i].y;
+          x.data[i].x = graphDiv._fullData[i].x;
+          x.data[i].y = graphDiv._fullData[i].y;
+        }
+        Plotly.newPlot(graphDiv, x.data, x.layout);
+        // attempt to transition when appropriate
+        window.requestAnimationFrame(function() {
+          var pts = Plotly.d3.selectAll('.scatterlayer .point');
+          if (pts[0].length > 0) {
+            // Transition the transform -- 
+            // https://gist.github.com/mbostock/1642874
+            pts
+              .data(x.transitionDat)
+            .transition()
+            // TODO: provide arguments to these options!!
+              .duration(0)
+              .ease('linear')
+              .attr('transform', function(d) { 
+                return 'translate(' + xaxis(d.x) + ',' + yaxis(d.y) + ')';
+              });
+            // update graphDiv data
+            for (i = 0; i < x.data.length; i++) {
+              graphDiv._fullData[i].x = x.data[i].xNew;
+              graphDiv._fullData[i].y = x.data[i].yNew;
+            }
+          }
+        });
+      }
+      
     }
     
     sendEventData = function(eventType) {