Spirals

This generator creates a repeating circular spiral pattern.

Canvas showing Spirals generator with a variety of settings

Adjust this generator using the controls in the Generator Inspector:

  • Type: A pop-up menu that specifies whether a modern or classic spiral is created. There are two menu items:

    • Modern (Linear): Creates a modern spiral pattern, with the color swirls evenly spaced as they move toward the center of the spiral.

      Canvas showing Spirals generator, with Type set to Modern
    • Classic (Exponential): Creates a classic spiral pattern with color swirls becoming thinner as they move toward the center of the spiral.

      Canvas showing spiral generator, with Type set to Classic
  • Center: Value sliders that set the center point of the generator in the Canvas. The left value slider represents X position; the right value slider represents Y position. To access individual X and Y controls, click the disclosure triangle. (You can also use the Adjust Item tool to modify this parameter with onscreen controls. For more information, see Modify or animate a generator.)

  • Color Type: A pop-up menu that specifies whether the spirals are two-color or a gradient fill.

    • 2 Color: Creates two-color spirals. When 2 Color is selected from the Color Type pop-up menu, the Color 1, Color 2, and Contrast parameters become available.

    • Gradient: Lets you add colors to the spiral, creating soft transitions between colors. Spiral colors are determined by the Gradient editor. You can create a custom gradient or apply a preset gradient to the spirals. For more information on using gradient editors, see Move, duplicate, or change the interpolation of gradient tags.

      Canvas showing spiral generator, with Color Type set to Gradient
  • Color 1: Color controls (available when Color Type is set to 2 Color) that set the first color of the spiral.

  • Color 2: Color controls (available when Color Type is set to 2 Color) that set the second color of the spiral.

  • Gradient: Gradient controls (available when Color Type is set to Gradient) that allow you to pick a gradient from the Library.

  • Scale: A slider (available when Type is set to Modern) that determines the size of the spiral arms.

  • Tightness: A slider (available when Type is set to Classic) that determines the curl of the spiral. The lower the Tightness value, the looser the spiral.

  • Contrast: A slider that controls the transition between the two colors. A value of 1 creates the highest contrast between colors; lower values create less contrast, softening the spiral. The Contrast parameter is not available when Gradient is chosen from the Color Type pop-up menu.

  • Rotation: A dial that rotates the spiral around its center. (Animate the Rotation parameter to create a hypnotic effect.)

  • Publish OSC: A checkbox that, when selected, ensures that if this generator is sent to Final Cut Pro X as part of a template, the onscreen controls are accessible in Final Cut Pro. For more information about publishing onscreen controls and other parameters, see Final Cut Pro templates overview.