A system for planning or conducting stimulation includes a display; and a processor that executes instructions configured for: displaying, on the display, a representation of a stimulation effect; obtaining and displaying, on the display, a path for migration of the stimulation effect; receiving a duration or rate for migration of the stimulation effect; and determining a selection of one of more electrodes or optical stimulators for one or more stimulation leads of a stimulation system to produce the stimulation effect and conduct the migration of the stimulation effect along the path according to the duration or rate.