got a demo of illustrator, trying to figure it out right now - not too much success though.
also have flashmx and photoshop. full versions. i know how to do it using photoshop with polar coordinates, but it isn't as good looking as I'd like. I figured illustrator would probably make it look best.
the final destination will be in flash, with it rotating in the background.
sorry for not being too specific.
whatever way which is easier to import vector graphics into flash so its real small would be best.