A Guide to the Wavy Background Generator
Selecting colors
The generator creates layers of colorful waves stacked one on top of another, and offers two color inputs, with only the first used by
default. With only the first color, the design has that color at its center and a gradient to a lighter color above and below it.
With only the second color, that color is used at the top and bottom of the design, with the same gradient to a lighter color in the
center.
With both colors, the first color is placed at the bottom of the design and the second at the top, with a gradient connecting the two.
The gradient is designed to avoid the dingy gray that usually appears between colors on opposite sides of the color wheel. The swap button switches
the roles of the two colors.
Controlling smoothness
After choosing colors, control the overall complexity of the design with the Smoothness slider. Less smoothing gives a busier, bumpier
design, while more smoothing gives a cleaner, flowing one.
The Waves menu
The Waves menu sets how the waves are built. Most importantly, it sets the number of layers, from 2 to 20. Fewer layers make a
simpler design with fewer colors; more layers make a more complex design with a wider range of colors. Use an odd number for a clear central
color.
You can also set how each layer's wave is built. Each wave adds up copies of a root mathematical function placed on randomly generated points,
and each point roughly corresponds to one bump in the wave. Both the number of wave points and the root wave function can be set.
Fewer wave points make simpler designs, and more points add complexity. The default root function is a bell-shaped curve, which gives smooth
designs. Switch it to a triangle or a rectangle for a "pointy" or "blocky" look. The root function's effect is clearest with fewer wave points.
The Motion menu
Unlike most tools in this space, the Movidmo Wavy Background Generator creates animated motion graphics by default. The motion settings are under
the Motion menu.
Control the speed with the Period input, the time in seconds for the animation to complete one full cycle. A short period gives quick,
energetic motion, while a long period slows the movement for a calm, relaxed effect.
How the speed changes over each cycle is set by an easing function. The default gives a smooth rate of movement, and many other options
are available. If you prefer still designs, switch off the Animate toggle.
The Size menu
Set the width and height of the design, in pixels, under the Size menu. Besides the manual inputs, buttons offer common sizes from 2:1 to
1:2, based on full 1080p high-definition standards.
Generating a new design
Perhaps the most important feature of the generator is making new random designs. Click New to create a design from the generator's
current settings, and keep pressing it to browse designs until you find the ideal one.
Exporting and sharing a design
Once you've found the design, click Export to see the download options: an animated GIF, or a still frame as a PNG image or
a scalable SVG file. The GIF and PNG are written at the width and height set in the Size menu, up to 1920 pixels on the long edge,
while the SVG is resolution independent and can be scaled to any size.
To share a design for feedback, click Link to copy a custom URL to the clipboard, then paste it into a text message or email. When the
link is opened, the exact design you created is displayed. Save links to your favorite designs to revisit them any time.
