Using Fractal Programs to Create Over-The-Top Digital Art
A fractal is "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole." Mandelbrot, B.B. (1982).
Fractals are often considered to be infinitely complex because they are similar at all levels of magnification. Look around you every day. Natural fractals include:
* coastlines
* clouds
* mountain ranges
* lightning bolts
* snow flakes
* and many more
The more I work with fractals and the more I look around me; the more I realize that I've been surrounded by fractals all my life-the ferns in my garden, the shells of clams, the branches of trees.
Enjoy the fractals I create and place in the blog. Get brave and the explore the world yourself!
Fractals are often considered to be infinitely complex because they are similar at all levels of magnification. Look around you every day. Natural fractals include:
* coastlines
* clouds
* mountain ranges
* lightning bolts
* snow flakes
* and many more
The more I work with fractals and the more I look around me; the more I realize that I've been surrounded by fractals all my life-the ferns in my garden, the shells of clams, the branches of trees.
Enjoy the fractals I create and place in the blog. Get brave and the explore the world yourself!
The Beginning
Basic Mandelbrot
There are many styles of fractal images that can be used as the starting point for your fractal art. The two basic, classic styles are Mandelbrot and Julia. Another Beginning
Classic Julia
Another classic starting point is the Julia.Once you open one of these basic images, you zoom in on a spot and begin the process of exploring the mathematical, color, and mapping options available.
Fractal Software Programs
Although there are free fractal programs available, I found them to be less user-friendly and somewhat more limited in functions. Here are some of the best programs I've tried.
- Ultra Fractal 5
- This is the program I use. Ultra Fractal is very easy to use and yet more powerful than some of the other fractal programs I tried. They offer a free-trial, so you can decide of the program is right for you.
- Fractal eXtreme by Cygnus
- Fractal eXtreme by Cygnus offers a 15-day trial of the software. I tried this one at the same time I was experimenting with Ultra Fractal. For me, Ultra Fractal had many more options and tools.
- XenoDream
- This program offers a 3-D function to further enhance your fractal images.
- Apophysis
- This free program also uses mathematical calculations as part of its basic functions. Again, no math knowledge needed; the program helps you do anything you'd like.
- Google Earth
- Don't forget to look at some of the natural fractals that can be seen by looking at coastlines using Google Earth.
One of my First Fractals
Just playing with the basics in Ultra Fractal, this is one of the first fractal images I created.
This is When I Became Addicted
Southwest Delight
Other Squidoo Lenses on Fractals
Each individual artists sees different images when working with fractals. Check out these other Squidoo fractal fanatics.
- Beautiful Fractals
- James-Falconer explores the beauty of fractal art.
- Fractal Art by Vicky
- Vicky showcases some of hers and others' fractals.
- Apophysis: a fractal flame program
- AmandaBB explains what the Apophysis program is and gives us a nice tutorial on how to use it.
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