How to Make a Cool Spiral Animation in Python using Numpy and Matplotlib | CodeHelping

In this blog, I will show you how to make a Spiral Animation in Python using Matplotlib and NumPy. Don’t worry if you are a beginner. I will explain step by step in very simple language.

Step 1: Install the required libraries

Before we start, you need Python to be installed and two Python libraries:

1. NumPy → for handling numbers and arrays
2. Matplotlib → for drawing and animation

Open your terminal or command prompt and type below code to install numpy and matplotlib.

pip install numpy matplotlib

If you are using VS Code, open the terminal inside it and run the same command.

Step 2: Create two files

We will use two Python files:

1. main.py – this is the file where the animation will run.
2. <strong>Animation.py</strong> – this will store helper functions like making the line and figure.

main.py

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pylab as plt

def initLine(ax):
    # changed color from white → yellow
    return ax.plot([], [], color='yellow', linewidth=1.5)[0]

def SpiralAnimation(frame, trace, z):
    trace.set_data(np.real(z)[:frame], np.imag(z)[:frame])
    return trace

def initFigureWindow():
    fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(5, 5))

    fig.patch.set_facecolor('k')   # black background
    ax.patch.set_facecolor('k')
    return fig, ax

Animation.py

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pylab as plt

def initLine(ax):
    return ax.plot([], [], color='yellow', linewidth=1.5)[0]

def SpiralAnimation(frame, trace, z):
    trace.set_data(np.real(z)[:frame], np.imag(z)[:frame])
    return trace

def initFigureWindow():
    fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(5, 5))

    fig.patch.set_facecolor('k')   # black background
    ax.patch.set_facecolor('k')
    return fig, ax

Output: Spiral Animation in Python using numpy and matplotlib

Step 5: Run the code

• Save both files in the same folder.
• Open terminal in that folder.
• Run:

python main.py

Final Words

That’s it! You just made your own spiral animation in Python. This is a fun project to start with if you are new to Python graphics. You can change numbers, colors, speed, and even save the animation as a video later.