---
name: "helix"
section: "6x"
platform: "linux"
package: "xscreensaver-data-extra"
version: "6.09+dfsg1-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/helix/6x"
---

# helix(6x)

draw helical string-art patterns

## NAME

helix - draw helical string-art patterns

## SYNOPSIS

**helix** \[--display *host:display.screen*\] \[--foreground *color*\] \[--background *color*\] \[--window\] \[--root\] \[--window-id *number*\]\[--mono\] \[--erase-speed *usecs*\] \[--erase-mode *integer*\] \[--delay *seconds*\] \[--install\] \[--visual *visual*\] \[--fps\]

## DESCRIPTION

The *helix* program draws interesting patterns composed of line segments in random colors.

## OPTIONS

*helix* accepts the following options:

- **--window**

  Draw on a newly-created window.  This is the default.

- **--root**

  Draw on the root window.

- **--window-id *number***

  Draw on the specified window.

- **--mono**

  If on a color display, pretend we're on a monochrome display.

- **--delay *seconds***

  This sets the number of seconds that the helix will be on the screen.

- **--subdelay *microseconds***

  This sets the amount of time to pause periodically while drawing.

- **--install**

  Install a private colormap for the window.

- **--visual *visual***

  Specify which visual to use.  Legal values are the name of a visual class, or the id number (decimal or hex) of a specific visual.

- **--fps**

  Display the current frame rate and CPU load.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **DISPLAY**

  to get the default host and display number.

- **XENVIRONMENT**

  to get the name of a resource file that overrides the global resources stored in the RESOURCE\_MANAGER property.

- **XSCREENSAVER\_WINDOW**

  The window ID to use with *--root*.

## SEE ALSO

**X**(1), [**xscreensaver**(1)](/xscreensaver/1.md)

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 1992 by Jamie Zawinski.  Permission to use, copy, modify,  distribute, and sell this software and its documentation for any purpose is  hereby granted without fee, provided that the above copyright notice appear  in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation.  No representations are made about the  suitability of this software for any purpose.  It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

## AUTHOR

Jamie Zawinski \<jwz@jwz.org\>, 13-aug-92. Screen eraser improved by Johannes Keukelaar \<johannes@nada.kth.se\>, \
  18-sep-97.