The secret to this process (if there is one) is using a large number of replicator points. In the case of our wave, we'll use around 350. Remember, all these numbers vary depending on your shape and project size, so if your project is larger, you may need to use more points.

Increase the number of replicator points

1. Select the replicator and go to the Replicator tab in the Inspector.
2. Set the Points value to 350.

As you can see, we have so many points that our shapes are overlapping, creating an almost solid-looking wave. Thanks to the small line size and proximity, we do have a nice moiré pattern going on. We'll fix that with a little judicious blurring of our source shape.

Blur the source shape

1. In the Layers List, select the original source shape object.
2. From the Library or toolbar menu, add a Gaussian Blur filter to the shape.
3. In the Inspector, view the Filters tab and set the Amount to 3.

With our source shape blurred, the replicator looks a lot smoother. Let's add some color.

Colorize the replicator

1. Select the replicator and go to the Replicator tab in the Inspector.
2. In the Cell Controls section, set the Color Mode to 'Colorize'.
3. Open the Color disclosure arrow and set the RGB values to:
   • R = 0.50
   • G = 0.16
   • B = 0

Keep in mind that the Color Mode affects each replicator cell, not the whole replicator, so each shape is being colorized individually, not the replicator as a single image. Why is that important? Because you can turn on the 'Additive Blend' checkbox and get a nice blending effect.

Enable Additive Blend

1. Select the replicator and go to the Replicator tab in the Inspector.
2. In the Cell Controls section, check the 'Additive Blend' checkbox.

Now each colorized shape is adding its color values to the one before it, resulting in this smooth, striated glow you see. This also brings us back to why the source shape has its outline enabled but its fill disabled. If the source shape had its fill turned on, you'd see something like this:

Because the solid fill from all those shapes is being additively blended, the whole thing gets blown out. Using just the outline gives us more control. Now we need to put a twist in our wave.

Adjust the Angle End value

1. Select the replicator and go to the Replicator tab in the Inspector.
2. In the Cell Controls section, set the Angle End value to 270°.

By adjusting the Angle End, we've told the replicator to gradually rotate each cell along the wave, with the final cell being rotated 270°. This gives us our twisting effect. Try cranking up the angle even further: you can tie the wave into knots. What's left? Why, some animation, of course!

To make our wave flow from left to right, all we need to do is rotate all the cells counter-clockwise. Rather than set keyframes for the Angle values, we'll attach a parameter behavior that will take care of everything in one step.

Add a parameter behavior

1. Select the replicator and go to the Replicator tab in the Inspector.
2. In the Cell Controls section, right-click on the Angle parameter name and choose 'Rate' from the menu.
3. Set the Rate value to -40°.

And there you have your flowing wave, looking volumetric and oh-so-clever, but without touching a 3D program. For extra credit, try changing the replicator pattern type to 'Spiral' or 'Burst'. You may need to adjust the number of points, but you can get fun stuff like this:

You also might want to try playing with the colorization of the replicator. Try changing it to 'Over Pattern' and select a gradient preset, or even make one yourself. You can also animate the points of the source shape to make the animation more dynamic. Good luck, and have fun!