In this study, we presented 22 Quicktime movies, and related figures, that illustrate the progressive development and final 3D geometry of simulated spirals. We also documented the effect on spiral geometry of varying simulation conditions. Both the rotation and non-rotation simulations, in their simplest forms, produce similar 3D spiral geometries, although the mode of spiral formation is different in the two models. Movies of serial slices through the simulated spirals can be used as an aid to interpret the wide range of inclusion trail geometries commonly observed in thin sections in terms of the orientation of the thin section with respect to the spiral axis. While growth rate of the sphere doesn’t influence spiral geometry, factors such as degree of coupling between sphere and matrix, and simple shear/pure shear ratio have a strong effect on the resulting pattern of inclusion trails.