A question first:
How to stop or single-step a animated gif picture?
A very very simplified inrunner animation on this page:
A very simplified lrk outrunner animation

Two better inrunner animations, the controller uses sensors but that makes no difference to the motor itself. You can step through the sequence or maximise your window to get the speed down:
CD-rom outrunner motor computer simulation
(bigger version and colours explained).

The cd-rom motor simulation was done with a free simulation program:
LRK outrunner computer simulation, different colours for different magnetic field strength

Waveforms and signals in a brushless controller:
How to stop or single-step a animated gif picture?
A very very simplified inrunner animation on this page:
A very simplified lrk outrunner animation

Two better inrunner animations, the controller uses sensors but that makes no difference to the motor itself. You can step through the sequence or maximise your window to get the speed down:
CD-rom outrunner motor computer simulation
(bigger version and colours explained).

The cd-rom motor simulation was done with a free simulation program:
LRK outrunner computer simulation, different colours for different magnetic field strength

Waveforms and signals in a brushless controller: