Fractal Art Software

[Elements]

Follow up to my other thread, found [url=http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=874994] here [/url]

[highlight]Q: So what programs can I use to make fractal art?[/highlight]

A: Well, there are several programs available based on what you want

:biggrin:

[b][u]Apophysis:[/u][/b]
The first real fractal program I started out with, Apophysis uses the Fractal Flame algorithm to create fractals. It is intended to be for Microsoft Windows, but it can be ported into Apple's OS X with a special version. Generally, Apophysis flame fractals look not quite as "sharp" as other programs, but it is easier to understand the concepts of the fractal flame method. I recommend this as a starter program.

It generally works by moving and modifying "triangles"; giving them certain "variables" and changing their shapes. It is very fun to just drag them around randomly :buddy:

There are currently two versions out there, 7X and 2.09, written by two different people. Both are easy to use, but 2.09 is more stable while 7X has 3D transforms. 7X alos will not be updated anymore, while 2.09 is constantly (next release will be 2.10)

[b]Pros:[/b]
- Easy to use for beginners
- Easy to understand
- Lots of tutorials can be found
- Flexible and lightweight
- Plug-in and Script system

#On the plug-in and script system; This is only recommended once you have started playing around with Apo more. Scripts and Plug-ins can be found in DeviantART (click the link below)

[B]Cons:[/B]
- They don't look as good sometimes
- Not "clean"
- Renders can take forever
- Error prone to a degree (a small one)

[U]Images (from my gallery):[/U]
[img_thumb]http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/006/8/2/Between_Heaven_and_Earth_by_Element_Spirits.png[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs51/f/2009/273/f/8/Marbles_by_Element_Spirits.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs24/f/2009/251/f/6/Combined_Colours_by_Element_Spirits.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs51/f/2009/260/b/f/Fibre_by_Element_Spirits.jpg[/img_thumb]

[U]Links:[/U]
[url=http://xyrus02.deviantart.com/art/Apophysis-7X-134116371]Apophysis 7X[/url]
[url=http://sourceforge.net/projects/apophysis/]Apophysis 2.09[/url]
[url=http://apophysis.deviantart.com/]Apophysis Group on DeviantART[/url]
[url=http://www.deviantart.com/#catpath=resources/fractal/scripts&order=9]Apo Scripts[/url]
[url=http://www.deviantart.com/#catpath=resources/fractal/plugins&order=9]Apo Plug-ins[/url]
[url=http://www.deviantart.com/#catpath=resources/fractal/flamepacks&order=9]Flamepacks (already made fractals you can mess around with)[/url]

[B][U]Metaphysis[/U][/B]
Another flame fractal program, Metaphysis is coded by the same person who made Apophysis 7X, based on the Apophysis source code. It will feature a better render system, a better Plug-in system, and a Layering system like Photoshop.

Only problem is, Metaphysis is currently in Alpha state, and not many images can be rendered before it shuts down. It should go into beta soon, but that is up to Xyrus.

[url=http://metaphysis.deviantart.com/]Metaphysis on DeviantART[/url]

[B][U]Ultra Fractal[/U][/B]
The best "clean" Fractal software out there, Ultra Fractal (UF) has a layout like PhotoShop, where multiple layers of fractals can be overlayed, screened, burned, or whatever-ed to make a final fractal. It costs money though (unless you can find a way around that :3:), but it is still an amazing software to have. It is easy enough for beginners to randomly assign equations, making semi-good fractals with only one or two layers, and for experts to make amazing things with 40+ layers.

It generally works by having an equation (like the Mandelbrot equation) and then applying external and/or internal colouring methods to it to change the "look". You can use distort mapping, edit individual layers, and generally manipulate it in 3D-ish ways.

Currently UF is in it's 5th generation, but 4.03 is a wonderfully stable program too. There is a formula library that I suggest you update monthly, and gives you access to 500+ formulas and colouring methods

[B]Pros:[/B]
- Easy to use
- Colouring is awesome, with easier custom gradients
- Photoshop-like layer system
- Render times are easier
- Less error prone

[B]Cons:[/B]
- Looks complex
- Selecting formulas is weird
- Can be discouraging
- What you see is not always what the output is

[U]Images[/U]
(simple, from my gallery)

[img_thumb]http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/004/1/1/Connection_Point_by_Element_Spirits.png[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs50/f/2009/270/1/1/Ribbons_by_Element_Spirits.png[/img_thumb]

(complex, from Platinus (fractal art moderator))

[img_thumb]http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/125/9/b/9b72f5651cd62ed26a94aa4510568f99.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs51/i/2009/257/a/0/Devil_Ball_by_Platinus.jpg[/img_thumb]

[U]Links:[/U]
[url=http://www.ultrafractal.com/]UltraFractal Website[/url]
[url=http://ultra-fractal.deviantart.com/]Ultra-Fractal on DeviantART[/url]
For tutorials check DeviantART!

[B][U]Other "Clean" Fractal software[/U][/B]
I would check out Sterling, Tiera-zon, Sterling 2, or Xenodream. None of these are as polished as Ultra Fractal, but these may be simpler for you. I ain't posting links though :geno:

[B][U]Incendia[/U][/B]
The most polished 3D fractal software out there (in my opinion), Incendia is complex yet rewarding. It is jet black, with a slick UI and a strange preview window. It is, however, deep and intricate to learn, and it'll take you some time before you learn how to use this properly. It has a multi-core render engine 3D mesh export, texture import (anything that is a .bmp), and baseshapes.

It works by giving you "baseshapes", or basically the images you will see. You can then edit the quantity, spread, texture, count, iteration, position, rotation, and pretty much anything else about these baseshapes. And you can edit them INDIVIDUALLY, giving you great control over what you have. The textures are awesome and easy to make your own, and by God this is just great software.

It is free to download (check Links below) and only works on Windows. Currently, it is stalled production until more donations are given. O_o

[B]Pros:[/B]
- Rewarding
- 3D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Sweet Graphics
- Renders look great
- A good Wiki

[B]Cons:[/B]
- Complex
- Makes little sense at first glance
- Too much to edit, sometimes
- Slow render times when it gets complex

[U]Images:[/U](none are mine)
[img_thumb]http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs31/i/2008/186/9/7/Incendia_49_by_RCPage.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs28/i/2008/182/e/8/Incendia_2_by_xero_sama.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs25/f/2008/181/b/1/b1df3639c004ee8128207221598bb2da.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs28/i/2008/180/3/6/incendia_knotwork_by_cyberxaos.jpg[/img_thumb]

[U]Links[/U]
[url=http://www.incendia.net/]Incendia Official Site[/url]
[url=http://ww.incendia.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page]Incendia Wiki[/url]
[url=http://monochromatic-stains.deviantart.com/art/Incendia-Tutorial-1-1-89694377]Incendia Tutorial[/url]
[url=http://www.incendia.net/download/index.html]Incendia Download Page[/url]

[B][U]Tacitus[/U][/B]
The other option for 3D rendering, Tacitus is written by the [U]same guy[/U] who wrote Apo 7X AND Metaphysis. Tacitus is actually part of Metaphysis, by it works in 3D. (So I assume the final version of Meta will include Tacitus.)

Tacitus is simple to use- drag around sliders to zoom, rotate, change colours, properties, expand, cluster; basically a bunch of stuff! It features a plug-in system which INCLUDES THE MANDELBULB! So there you go. You want a mandelbulb? Just download Tacitus.

Tacitus is currently in the Beta Stage, but it is pretty dang stable. there are a lot of requirements though; DirectX 10, .NET framework 3.5 SP1, and some other things. Check the download page for more details.

[B]Pros:[/B]
- Soooooo simple to use. Seriously.
- MANDELBULB!!!!
- Renders great
- Will improve

[B]Cons:[/B]
- Beta stage
- A bit buggy
- CPU intensive
- I can't think of another con =P

[U]Images[/U]

[img_thumb]http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2009/348/4/b/Cosine_valley_by_Xyrus02.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/006/9/0/Ferrofluid_by_Xyrus02.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/004/7/1/Breeze_by_Xyrus02.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/007/7/e/The_mystic_gates_of_Zanubia_by_Xyrus02.jpg[/img_thumb]

[img_thumb]http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/002/7/a/Tacitus_by_Xyrus02.jpg[/img_thumb]

[U]Links[/U]
[url=http://xyrus02.deviantart.com/art/Tacitus-1-0-0-2-Beta-149203257]Tacitus Download[/url]
DevaintART group is same as the Metaphysis Group

[highlight]I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT FRACTAL ART SOFTWARE[/highlight]
Either (a) Send me a PM here on FP (b) Post in this thread or (c) Send me a note on DeviantART (my username is Element-Spirits)

Post any Fractal images you made =D

[Sajeno]

Fractals are cool. Good guide, thanks

[SweetSwifter]

Downloaded Tacitus and trying it now. It looks pretty good. I just wish I could change more of the object itself. Sliding stuff back and forth doesn't do a whole great deal. It sure changes, but it remains a spherical thing.

I'll google for some more plugins.

[onox37]

Do these fractal programs support multicore processing or GPU processing?

[Elements]

[QUOTE=onox37;19557420]Do these fractal programs support multicore processing or GPU processing?[/QUOTE]

I think Incendia does.

Metaphysis may once it develops more

[editline]05:44PM[/editline]

[QUOTE=SweetSwifter;19556805]Downloaded Tacitus and trying it now. It looks pretty good. I just wish I could change more of the object itself. Sliding stuff back and forth doesn't do a whole great deal. It sure changes, but it remains a spherical thing.

I'll google for some more plugins.[/QUOTE]

Have you tried the Julian Variation or Rayolas? They pretty much stop it from being Spherical.

They are already installed, so just move those around

And changing the Y Camera Position make it zoom into the fractal so you can see underneath

[blafnigem]

Why thank you.

[Biotoxsin]

I'm trying Apophysis atm, I had no idea Fractal art could be so beautiful.

[editline]06:35PM[/editline]

Trying Tacitus next.

[Elements]

[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;19581322]I'm trying Apophysis atm, I had no idea Fractal art could be so beautiful.

[editline]06:35PM[/editline]

Trying Tacitus next.[/QUOTE]

Tell me if you need any help :3:

[mynames2long]

I can't render my Apophysis fractals, It tells me it is done but the file doesn't show up :(

[Elements]

[QUOTE=mynames2long;19589008]I can't render my Apophysis fractals, It tells me it is done but the file doesn't show up :([/QUOTE]

Make sure the file path is set correctly

Here is the correct way to render;

Get your fractal ready, and then click "Render To Disk". If you Export Flame, the fractal sometimes comes out wrong because of flam3 and plug-ins. So, Render To Disk (looks like a gear).

Set the Destination File to the place you want to put it. Also you will name your fractal here.

Then, set your Width and Height (make sure the "Keep Aspect Ratio" box is checked to stop fractal from stretching weirdly).

For Density I use 4000 or so, Filter Radius of .4-.7, and Oversample of 4. Make sure "Save Parameters" and "Save incomplete Renders" are checked so you can go back to edit the fractal and it'll save the fractal incase the Render is shut off.

If you want to edit the fractal after render, check the "Post-Process after completion" box. You can adjust brightness, gamma, vibrancy, contrast... pretty good.

Then click Start and let it run! I usually render 2-3 fractals overnight so that i wake up to fresh pixels :biggrin:

[mynames2long]

Yeah, the problem is that the picture doesn't show up.

[Biotoxsin]

Rendered a few, I'll put 'em up. Now to read a few tutorials. xD
[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/Clouds.png[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/Spikesblack%20back.png[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/BlueWakeOB.png[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/Blade.png[/img_thumb]

[Biotoxsin]

[QUOTE=Elements;19590753]Make sure the file path is set correctly

Here is the correct way to render;

Get your fractal ready, and then click "Render To Disk". If you Export Flame, the fractal sometimes comes out wrong because of flam3 and plug-ins. So, Render To Disk (looks like a gear).

Set the Destination File to the place you want to put it. Also you will name your fractal here.

Then, set your Width and Height (make sure the "Keep Aspect Ratio" box is checked to stop fractal from stretching weirdly).

For Density I use 4000 or so, Filter Radius of .4-.7, and Oversample of 4. Make sure "Save Parameters" and "Save incomplete Renders" are checked so you can go back to edit the fractal and it'll save the fractal incase the Render is shut off.

If you want to edit the fractal after render, check the "Post-Process after completion" box. You can adjust brightness, gamma, vibrancy, contrast... pretty good.

Then click Start and let it run! I usually render 2-3 fractals overnight so that i wake up to fresh pixels :biggrin:[/QUOTE]

I'm going ahead and rendering a 15000 Density fractal, any ideas about how the quality is gonna be? It's estimating 18 hours left at the max res.

[Whiterfire]

Dayum, good luck.

[Elements]

[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;19619204]I'm going ahead and rendering a 15000 Density fractal, any ideas about how the quality is gonna be? It's estimating 18 hours left at the max res.[/QUOTE]

15000 density would make the quality much better than anything else; but as you can see, it stretches out the render time.

Seriously, you really should not be going that high unless the fractal looks like crap on the other renders.

[editline]10:28AM[/editline]

[QUOTE=mynames2long;19609992]Yeah, the problem is that the picture doesn't show up.[/QUOTE]

I really don't get what you mean when you say the picture doesn't show up.

How were you rendering? Is the picture just black?

[mynames2long]

[QUOTE=Elements;19622628]15000 density would make the quality much better than anything else; but as you can see, it stretches out the render time.

Seriously, you really should not be going that high unless the fractal looks like crap on the other renders.

[editline]10:28AM[/editline]

I really don't get what you mean when you say the picture doesn't show up.

How were you rendering? Is the picture just black?[/QUOTE]

At first when I rendered, well, the renderer didn't create anything. The files weren't there when it was done. But now it's working no idea what I did really.

[editline]05:00PM[/editline]

Rendering one right now :D

[Biotoxsin]

[QUOTE=Elements;19622628]15000 density would make the quality much better than anything else; but as you can see, it stretches out the render time.

Seriously, you really should not be going that high unless the fractal looks like crap on the other renders.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah, the time is a bit ridiculous, but I was curious as to the difference in actual quality.

Do you have any tutorials you could recommend? I'd like to advance a bit now that I've got the basics down.

[xelivous]

Just a couple of really old apophysis fractals I made what seems like forever ago.

[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/Apophysis-090610-275.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/Apophysis-090610-276.jpg[/img_thumb]

And a bonus penguin fractal.
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/Apophysis-090610-202.jpg[/img_thumb]

[b]edit:[/b]

I reopened that first fractal once more, and decided to re-render it now that i've got a decent computer. 12 minute render time with transparency, and I started editing it in photoshop. This is what I got:
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/awesomebackgroundfractal.png[/img_thumb]

[Elements]

[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;19631805]Yeah, the time is a bit ridiculous, but I was curious as to the difference in actual quality.

Do you have any tutorials you could recommend? I'd like to advance a bit now that I've got the basics down.[/QUOTE]

[url=http://apophysis.deviantart.com/gallery/?23752578]Apophysis Tutorials[/url]

I recommend the Tiles, Linear, and Spherical Bubble first

What version of Apo are you using?

[editline]11:48AM[/editline]

[QUOTE=HeroicPillow;19632334]Just a couple of really old apophysis fractals I made what seems like forever ago.

[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/Apophysis-090610-275.jpg[/img_thumb]
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/Apophysis-090610-276.jpg[/img_thumb]

And a bonus penguin fractal.
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/Apophysis-090610-202.jpg[/img_thumb]

[b]edit:[/b]

I reopened that first fractal once more, and decided to re-render it now that i've got a decent computer. 12 minute render time with transparency, and I started editing it in photoshop. This is what I got:
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/awesomebackgroundfractal.png[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]

These are pretty good

Try following some tutorials and downloading some plug-ins so that you get some really interesting results

[larikang]

Sort of unrelated, but [url=http://community.electricsheep.org/about]Electric Sheep[/url] is an evolutionary animated fractal screensaver that generates Apophysis-like flame fractals that can be quite stunningly beautiful.

It doesn't let you create fractals directly, but you can vote for fractals that you like which are then "bred" together to continue the evolution. It eats up a lot of bandwidth downloading new fractals, though. So you need a good internet connection.

[Elements]

[QUOTE=Larikang;19658791]Sort of unrelated, but [url=http://community.electricsheep.org/about]Electric Sheep[/url] is an evolutionary animated fractal screensaver that generates Apophysis-like flame fractals that can be quite stunningly beautiful.

It doesn't let you create fractals directly, but you can vote for fractals that you like which are then "bred" together to continue the evolution. It eats up a lot of bandwidth downloading new fractals, though. So you need a good internet connection.[/QUOTE]

Yea, I read about it, but because it doesn't really let you create fractals, I decided not to put it O_o

It looks cool though

[Biotoxsin]

[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3655261/blue.png[/img]

Newest render, I think it's better than the other one's. It's the one I mentioned earlier that took 25 hours.

[Wig Wam]

Did a usernote at Uni on Apophysis. One of the tasks I set made people create something close to :

[img]http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/008/d/4/Space__or_something__by_Shmeghead.png[/img]

Due to the random nature of Apophysis they all don't quite end up the same.

[Elements]

[QUOTE=Wig Wam;19692720]Did a usernote at Uni on Apophysis. One of the tasks I set made people create something close to :

[img]http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/008/d/4/Space__or_something__by_Shmeghead.png[/img]

Due to the random nature of Apophysis they all don't quite end up the same.[/QUOTE]

I've made a couple that look like that

I think it was Spiral + Oscilliscope on one variation and then edisc on another

[xelivous]

Another fractal I made in my spare time. I'm starting to fully learn everything apophysis can teach me, and next time I post something here i'll have used some plugins in it.
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/theuniversalfractal.png[/img_thumb]

Made with only 3 triangles by the way.

[larikang]

Apophysis looks cool, but I don't like how random it is. Ultrafractal seems more "realistic" as far as being able to create directly controllable, mathematical fractals.

Granted I've seen some Apophysis creations that were definitely deliberately planned out, but most of the stuff I see people make just look like random (albeit pretty) noise.

[Elements]

[QUOTE=Larikang;19775869]Apophysis looks cool, but I don't like how random it is. Ultrafractal seems more "realistic" as far as being able to create directly controllable, mathematical fractals.

Granted I've seen some Apophysis creations that were definitely deliberately planned out, but most of the stuff I see people make just look like random (albeit pretty) noise.[/QUOTE]

To some degree, yes, UF is more "realistic", as in you are able to see what each formula does before you select it, and it has layers, and therefore you can get a very fine degree of control.

But for some people, Apo is the same way. Xyrus02, for example, knows what each math behind each plugin looks like. He knows sinusoidal (which is sin(x) + sin(y) + sin(O) or something) will create an exact shape depending on the variation power and the variables you attach to it. Him and others can therefore, not randomly create fractals, but use specific variables to make specific fractals.

So, basically, I recommend Apo for beginners, because you CAN create beautiful fractals randomly. But also because you can really get in-depth with it (and you don't need to know the math) and create some really stunning stuff.

[editline]11:03AM[/editline]

[QUOTE=HeroicPillow;19773525]Another fractal I made in my spare time. I'm starting to fully learn everything apophysis can teach me, and next time I post something here i'll have used some plugins in it.
[img_thumb]http://filesmelt.com/dl/theuniversalfractal.png[/img_thumb]

Made with only 3 triangles by the way.[/QUOTE]

Well that is good, but I really caution you against actually thinking you are starting to fully learn everything Apo can teach you. Unless you have been using apo for more than 2 years or are a genius, you really won't understand it yet. You may START to understand the SURFACE stuff, like what variation power is, or how to control the mutation window, or how adding variables to the same triangle is different that adding each as a different triangle.

But have you used final-transforms yet? Post-transforms? Variations of each variable? 3D altering? Post-Proccesing? Have you even started with a blank flame yet? The experts usually can create anything they want, and it can take 50-100 triangles to get it. They may not understand the math, but they understand all the concepts so well they know what to do to get it.

Seriously, though. I thought I understood Apo too after about 3 months. Then I started gathering parameters from different people and started understanding how they do things i didn't even KNOW you could do. I realized I could make some pretty fractals, but they were random. I would select a random fractal, move triangles, maybe change the variables a bit, and I was done! But they take this to a whole new level by calculating the outcome of each triangle.

I don't mean to just lecture you; this is for everybody out there. It's just that if you think you have nowhere to go because you already mastered it, you will seriously miss out on the great potential of Apo :biggrin: