Spiral Galaxy

A rainbow galaxy spins forever — pure math from each pixel's angle and distance, no frames.

Generative Art · a single painted seed plus one Phlux rule, simulated live · 96×96 grid

The rule that makes it move

This is the whole thing. Phluxel runs it on every cell, every step — the animation is what happens when you repeat it.

PARAM _arms = 3; PARAM _spin = 2; PARAM _twist = 0.35; LET _dx = X - GW*0.5; LET _dy = Y - GH*0.5; LET _r = {LEN, _dx, _dy}; LET _a = {ATAN2, _dy, _dx}; LET _t = TICK * 0.12; LET _arm = {SQ, {WAVE, _a*_arms + _r*_twist - _t*_spin}}; LET _b = _arm * {CLAMP, 1 - _r*0.016, 0, 1} + 2 / (1 + _r*_r*0.02); R = {SAT, 255*_b*{WAVE, _a + _t}}; G = {SAT, 255*_b*{WAVE, _a + _t + 2.1}}; B = {SAT, 255*_b*{WAVE, _a + _t + 4.2}}

Paste it into the Rule Editor, or pick Spiral Galaxy from the template list and skip the typing.

Make it yourself

1. Open Phluxel and start a new field, or click Spiral Galaxy in the starter gallery to get this exact setup.
2. Leave Wrap edges off — this one is meant to have real borders.
3. Press play. Change colours or numbers while it runs; you never have to stop and restart.
4. Export a seamless loop as GIF, APNG, MP4, a PNG sequence, or a sprite sheet.