Creating Fractal images
Fractal art is a graphic representation of mathematics
History:
The word Fractal comes from the Latin word "fractus" and means fractured. Graphical images known as fractals are many seemingly endless fragmented shapes. What makes them unique is that when you zoom into a fractal you see endless patterns and shapes that look like the larger original. This is called self-similarity. Much of this was defined by Benît Mandelbrot in 1975. Most fractal art started gaining attention in the mid-1980's.
1) Go straight to Fractal Forge tutorial
2) Go straight to Tierazon tutorial
3) Go to video and let me demonstrate first
My "Submergeek Oil Leak" created in Fractal Forge
What we'll do in this tutorial is teach you how to make amazing patterned images using free programs. On the next and more advanced page we'll combine those with your photographs for some out-of-this-world appearances. You can skip down to the programs below if you simply want to create fractal art without understanding it. The idea is simple enough however.
Fractal Concept :
The idea of fractals comes from objects in nature. A fractal is a curve and generated by a computer over and over for long repeating patterns. For this reason fractals are associated with computers because of their better processing ability for extremely long and boring repetition.
In real life you see objects like clouds and trees and they keep detail as you go from overview to zooming in and seem to have infinite detail. So viewing branches on a tree you see a great deal of detail. When you zoom in toward the leaves you see similar detail and it keeps going. Closer still you view a leaf with a microscope and little branch like patterns are present. This is similar to what fractal patterns do graphically using mathematics. To create beautiful fractal images you will not need to be a mathematician. In fact you don't need to know any math at all. These programs come with built-in formulas for gorgeous designs. You could plug in guess-work math if you wanted to experiment. Most of the time I'm so dazzled by the colors and patterns that I don't get that far myself.
Fractals found their place in practical use. Once upon a time computer-generated movies looked unrealistic. Fractal math was later used and this brought a wealth of detail to otherwise simple appearances. Now when your favorite computer-generated character runs toward a mountain, that mountain has detail. Once they arrive at the mountain you see hills in the mountain and fractal generated grass. Thanks to fractals computer graphics now have that real-world feel and appearance. Fractals can be used to computer model vegetation, weather, liquids, and even music.
Make no mistake in that fractal imagery is a science and certainly an art too. The art is because the program and calculator we call a computer are just instruments through which the colors are made. Each fractal is a formula with an endless amount of changes that can be made to it. Likewise all of the colors and other aspects can be tweaked by the artist. Initially it will be you who decides the unique colors and unique patterns that are focused on and created. Later you may be the one who creates a unique math formula for fractals. Who knows? In any case the end goal and final image will artistically be yours.
My "Silky Whey" created in Fractal Forge
Fractal Tips :
My personal method is to find the best colors and then zoom into the most interesting part of the fractal. Remember that fractals keep detail with every zoom inward. In this way it is like looking into a microscope and discovering more each time you zoom.
My "Under Capillary Tree" created in Fractal Forge
Your goal while making fractal images is to compose, balance, and create a visually pleasing image for your audience. By changing the colors, altering the view point of the software, and changing the math you can align and re-tweak until you get the perfect combinations.
My "Can't see the forest" created in Fractal Forge
Free Programs
So how do I actually go about making some fractal art images?
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Click here to Download Fractal Forge v2.8.0 by Uberto Barbini
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1) Download Fractal Forge from the link above and choose Open for this zipped up file. Then extract files into a folder to run the program from. There is no setup or installation. Simply extract the program and the zip file will automatically create a folder for Fractal-Forge2.8.0. Consider putting it in the main hardrive under program-files. Next for future convenience, right-click the "hammer" icon for the executable and choose "Send to >> desktop(create shortcut) ". This will give you a quick link on your desktop area.
2) After starting up the program try zooming into one of the smallest details that catch your eye. You can use the magnifying glass given to you when the image is open. The details are endless.
3) Use the middle tab on the right side of the screen and on the top to change your image size. Look for the tabs.
4) When you are done with your first image go into the menu of FILE-->SAVE AS (or use the disk icon on the top right). Be sure to change the file type to JPEG toward the bottom before you save it.
5) On the right side menu change the tab back to DATA and switch the formula pull-down menu for different results. Change the Color by pull-down menu as well. This is where the fun of Fractal art starts.
Notice many formulas are present but it doesn't allow you to type your own original formula.
6) Use the black colored disk icon in the upper right to save the image. Use the pull down to change the image from PNG native to JPG standard.
Your ultimate goal is to make a picture that pleases you with the type of design and colors you enjoy. That means changing the mathematics, colors, patterns, and anything else you can think of to achieve your results.
The HELP menu of this program explains the software's workings in complex detail but is available. Go to the "Contents" tab in the help window of the software and read the Reference section to guide you through the nuts and bolts level detail of this program.
My "Journey to the Past" created in Fractal Forge
Tierazon doesn't have a help or tutorial file within the program. However, right-clicking on the image as you go will give you many different options.
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Click here to Download Tierazon v2.9 by Stephen Ferguson
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1) Tierazon also doesn't have a fancy install program. It will create the folder needed when you extract it from the zip file. The folder will be called Fractal_Tierazonv29. Double click and start the program with the blue flowery looking icon called Tierazon.
2) Maximize the tiny window with the brown colored factal image in it. Right-click and change the color controls. For instance if you want a blue fractal chage the box on the most left to be a higher blue number while lowering the green and red. After you adjust to a color scheme you push the apply button.
3) Next right-click again and choose XY-Size or click the XY icon on the left side of the window . Next set desired image size. Use at least 1024x768 as it is a decent resolution that won't bring your computer to a crawl and yet allows you to see some detail.
4) Drag your mouse over a desired detail on the fractal image. Notice the rectangle with an 'X' inside of it. Right-click again and choose Zoom into rectangle. You are off and running.
5) Experiment with the endless formulas and colors in the menu. Again if you right-click then you'll see the option to change the fractal parameters. This will help you change endless amounts of details.
6) Tierazon only saves in a BMP format. If you want JPG as your final image, then you will need another program to perform the conversions. Conversion programs are plentiful and free so you shouldn't have any problems. For instance you can download the free program called GIMP. Gimp is powerful like Photoshop and can convert images from one format to another easily. It can also be used on the next page to help you combine your photographs with Fractal artwork.
My "Western Spur" created in Tierazon
Finished:
If you've made it this far you are finished with the tutorial. There are always more creative processes we can do with your images. That is, if you are ready to go on to the next level. If not then bookmark this page and come back later. Are you ready for the next level yet? On the next page we'll combine these beautiful fractal images with your existing digital photographs.
Next Level: Now merge Fractals with Your Digital Photographs-- >>
Video overview demo about fractals
Written April08 and updated Nov10 by Tracy Rose