Getting Started Guide
This is a quick user guide that shows the basics of using IFSRenderer and to create your first fractal artwork with it. Hopefully more/better guides will be added to the wiki later.
Download the latest release and follow the installation instructions. Launch IFSRenderer with the shortcut placed on your desktop.
Optionally, click on Visit Settings or go to File / Settings. Configure your artist name and social link, these will be saved inside fractal params that you create or modify. There are also performance settings here - lower the workgroup count in case you're on a weak laptop.
Experienced fractal artists may start from scratch (File / New) and open the Editor right away. Beginners will find the Generator window useful, which can be used to easily create a starting fractal to build on. The idea is similar to how the mutation feature works in other fractal programs, using the power of evolution.
Create a New Batch of fractals and pick the ones you like the most. Your selections will be added to the sidebar and they represent the "fittest" fractals. Each new batch you generate will be based on these fittest params, so the population of fractals is becoming better and better by each generation.
Using the generator window
The center part of the main window is an interactive display which is used to explore the currently edited fractal in real time. Navigation works similarly to how first-person video games are played - click down with mouse and use the WASD keys to move around, use E to ascend and Q to descend. Click and drag the mouse to look around. Alternatively, you can use the IJKL keys to rotate the camera, and U/O for a rolling motion. You can also use the Navigation panel to precisely set position and orientation.
Interactive real-time exploration
The node editor shows the structure of the IFS fractal. Each node represents a transform and the arrows represent probabilities that one transform follows another in the iteration process (no arrow means 0 probability). Both the structure and the parameters of each element influence the look of the fractal.
You can navigate in the node editor by dragging LMB (Left Mouse Button) on empty space and using the mouse scroll to zoom. Left clicking on a node or arrow will make a selection and its properties are shown on the right column. You can also LMB the dragging area on nodes to rearrange the graph for clarity, but their positions don't make a difference in the fractal.
Pick a transform from the list on the left to add it to the node graph. If there was a selection previously, it'll be connected to the new node. Drag LMB between nodes to connect or disconnect them. (You can even have arrows that connect nodes to themselves!) The size of the node visually shows the base weight, and the brightness of the node shows the Opacity property.
Some of the variables in the right column might be familiar to veteran flame fractalers, just experiment in case they're new to you. To see the effect of a variable, drag LMB left or right and see the fractal real-time in the main window. You can also input exact numbers by clicking on them.
ℹ️ There are some extra options: The Delta coloring mode is sometimes useful when working with certain hard-to-color fractal types, such as gnarl, or 1-iterator fractals. The "Start Weight" value is again like a probability, but it tells how often the algorithm will pick this tranform to start the iteration.
Using the node editor
So, to design your fractal you'll be doing these 3 things until it's ready for final render:
- Editing the structure of the IFS using the node editor
- Editing the transform variables on the right
- Exploring the fractal in the main window to find interesting compositions
To change the palette colors you'll need a gradient. There are plenty of gradient packs created by fractal artists, or use the generator window to randomize it.
When you reach the point that the fractal is ready to be made into an artwork, give a title on the top of the main window and hit the Final switch in the render settings panel. Set the resolution of the image. Now is a good time to save the fractal params if you haven't already (File/Save as...). The Final rendering mode makes it less enjoyable to explore the fractal but now it's rendering the final image in full resolution. Let it render for a while and the noise will progressively clear up. There's no exact point when it's "finished" (the Target Iteration Level is only for animations). You can just save the image when the noise is down to an acceptable level (Export/PNG).
That's all the basics, have fun exploring IFS fractals! If you ever get stuck, hover over buttons for useful tooltips or see your options in the Help menu.
Next steps:
- See Advanced Topics in the wiki.
- Start a discussion on the IFSRenderer Forum.