is needing some money right now. She recently stopped her job, and applied for unemployment bonuses to get through the time being until she finds a job; HOWEVER something went wrong and the agents did not explain to her exactly the procedures... So right now she is of need of some funds to get through these days.

She is offering commissions for her encaustic pieces, for quite cheap a price - 9 x 12 pieces for $10 + $4 shipping; smaller sizes are available and prices would be negotiated. At any other time than now, a 9 x 12 would cost at least $40, so right now the prices are _very_ discounted.

I know, most of my watchers are fractalists; however you could go help her out by commisioning her, or at least go check out her encaustics work. Initially I do not have any idea what encaustics are (encaustic = painting using wax), but her encaustics, mostly abstract, are beautiful - just the same way fractals are beautiful.

For more details, view her LiveJournal blog entry: [link]

If you want to see more of her works - not restricted to encaustics alone, she works on fractals, drawings, jewelry, photography, poetry - talk about a varied artist - check out her galleries:

- mostly encaustics, fractals, some drawings
- jewelry
- photography
- fractals. these fractals inspired me to try Apophysis way back in 2005.


I can't submit anything because my rendered images are in another computer, which is temporarily unavailable to me. So in the meantime, if you have nothing to do, go check out . She indirectly introduced me to Apophysis, by the way.

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Anyone has information about the book "The Thumbprint of God"? It's a book on fractals, and it may be a documentary too, but I can't find any more info.

Apophysis 2.06 and 2.07 update guide: [link]

[link]

I just found a plugin pack for those plugins in the Z+ versions of Apophysis. (Z+ hack is made by =Gygrazok.) I've been wanting the variations "Square Blur" and "Move" in particular, but I couldn't find them.

This plugin pack would add 22 variations to any Apophysis version 2.06 and later. Some plugins are in Z+ hack, some are experimental and not included in the Z+ versions, and some are modified variations. However take note that Apo has a 30 plugin limit; besides that, more plugins would cause Apo to lag slightly. So pick and choose.

Thanks to for making them available! He even wrote a PDF paper (bundled in the plugin pack) on the installing instructions, and also the formulae for every Z+ variation. Talk about serious enthusiasm (He's a mathematician, after all.) Perhaps Scott Draves, the creator of flam3 would include them (or at least some of them) in future releases flam3. In the not too distant future, perhaps...

Note: Read through the comments on the Plugin Pack's page as some users found that certain plugins causes Apo and Windows to crash.

Get it here:
[link]


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Half a year ago I was in one of Melbourne's numerous art galleries (Melbourne- ) and I talked to a gallery curator about art and... fractals. There were no fractals exhibited anywhere in Melbourne yet; anyways he told me that if I want to learn more on fractals or have a deeper understanding, he recommended me the book "The Thumbprint of God".

So the problem is here:- I tried searching on Google, Amazon, and I couldn't find the book. So I would ask, any of you have heard of this book? How is it like? I could find a documentary, but Google Video removed it. ._.

The art gallery curator talked to me for a long while, and he went into deep discussion of the Mandelbrot Set, which at that time I had no idea what is it or why it is so important. >.> He's doing his job fine, he showed me his sketchepad containing the replications of the images in the gallery. He studied, and know a lot about fractals, but he hasn't heard of Apophysis yet.
--

P/S: [link]

This composer's songs are playing in my mind - atmospheric instrumental music that are sweet for the ear. I thought I would pimp this composer (he's from Australia) - I would buy his music if they were available on iTunes. He offers full samples of his songs for you to listen. Drop by, check his music out. I particularly like the album "Time and Tide".

That's all for now.

Apophysis 2.06 and 2.07 update guide - [link]

A few days ago , returning from her Apophysis break, asked me to tell her what's going on lately with Apophysis and what updates there has been. I thought of posting it here, in case for anyone hasn't been touching Apophysis since 2.05 beta 2 (around early last year).

...Can't think of a suitable journal title.

What's What currently

There are now 2 branches of Apophysis. The latest _official_ version is, "Apophysis 2.07 beta".

The other branch is "Apophysis 2.06 3D Hack". The word "hack" doesn't always mean bad; as in this case, this version has been modified by one of the main developers of Apophysis. As the name suggests, this version is capable of 3D.

So far, the GUI/the interface of the 3D Hack hasn't been modified. This means you have to edit a 3D fractal using a 2D interface. In other words, this means that editing in 3D is a bit hard to learn, but if you give it some time, proficiency in 3D editing is very handy.

Which version to get?

Now I will talk about which version to get. The main reason the developers release 2.07 beta is to implement the features introduced in 2.06 3D Hack, except the 3D. In other words 2.07 beta is equal to 2.06 3D Hack, minus the 3D.

So, which to get? I say, get both. Use 2.06 3D Hack for 3D editing, and for everything else, use 2.07 beta. 2.07 beta is slightly faster, and there's another reason it's better to use them separately - I'll tell you later.


What's new?

What's new? I assume the version you used last is Apophysis 2.05 beta 2, so I'll start with that.

The new things in 2.06 are "minor changes & bugfixes", according to the Apo project head, Zueuk, "...except... The long awaited variation plugin system!" The plugin system is made so that there will be no more unofficial versions made just for the extra plugins. (Up till 2.05 beta 2 there are at least 3 popular "hacks" - gygrazok's Z+, cyberxaos's C++, and JoelFaber's hack.)

What's new - the plugin system

What is the plugin system? This system allows you to add new variations to Apophysis. Just create a new folder named "Plugins" in the folder containing Apophysis. For example, if your Apophysis program is located in C:\Program Files\Apophysis, create the Plugins folder so that the folder path would be C:\Program Files\Apophysis\Plugins .

There is a downside to this plugin feature - you will notice a slight to moderate increase in rendering time.


What's new in Apo 2.07 beta?

What's new in Apophysis 2.07 beta? According to Zueuk's journal,

"What's new in the version 2.07 beta:

+ in Adjust: preview panning (a-la 3D hack)
+ in Scripter: variables enumeration (there was one in 3D hack)
+ in Plugin system: duplicate variation checking (that's from 3D hack too)
+ in Renderer: "pre_" and "post_" variation support (again, like in 3D hack)
+ somewhere else: small bug-fixes (...)"


Preview Panning

All of these changes are less significant or not that important to us, except the first one. Preview panning is a new feature fist seen in the 3D hack, also available in 2.07 beta. It allows you to change the camera position of the fractal using the preview window. In other words... open the "Adjust" window, it's the window that allows you to change the X, Y, Zoom, and Rotation of the fractal. You should see a preview of the fractal. Use your mouse, click on the preview, and drag it. Try it, it sounds complicated but it is a major time-saver, especially on the 3D Hack version.


More on Plugins

Apophysis 2.06 3D Hack also saw the removal of some of the less-used variations such as "power, cosine, exponential" (which I rarely use anyway and they are troublesome to use) and "heart, julia, fisheye, handkerchief, bent, ex" aka the original variations found in Apophysis 2.02 (which I use). Sure, you can still add them as plugins, but I miss them T_T

Enclosed here are links to two plugin packs I found useful:

[link] - These plugins cover the "unofficial" plugins made by JoelFaber, Gygrazok, CyberXaos, all in their Apophysis "hacks" version, plus some plugins made by Lu-kout. Compatible with all versions of Apophysis with the plugins system.

[link] - These plugins are the "old" variations, mentioned earlier. Compatible only in Apophysis 2.06 3D Hack, because these variations are found in 2.07 beta.


Where to get Apophysis?

[link] - You can get BOTH versions of Apophysis here. Easy and neat. : )


Examples of 3D Apo in usage, images by Zueuk

[link] - This is a fractal from the pre-3D era. It's called a "JuliaN fractal" because it makes heavy use of the variation JuliaN. Now, prepare to see what the 3D can do to a similar JuliaN...

[link] - See? 3D Apo in usage. 3D Apo is more like a 3D rendering program now. You change the "Z coordinates" to extend the fractal into the third dimension, and you pan the camera position, effectively changing the point-of-view.


Final Notes

-Apophysis is still, sadly, a Windows program. It is still not available for other Operating Systems yet. EDIT: Check out ~Apophysis-J @ [link] . It can run on any OS that supports Java. Very nice!

-Watch [link] for the latest news concerning Apophysis's development. After all, zueuk -is- the head of the Apophysis Development Team.

-You can always get the latest versions of Apophysis at [link] .

-To ensure the plugin folder works, do not pin Apophysis to your Start Menu's bar... Wait, I'll get a screenshot.

[link] - Where Apophysis shouldn't be. Why? Because, if you pin Apophysis to that portion of the Start Menu, when you run Apophysis, Apophysis will run in the Start Menu folder. In other words, Apophysis may not detect the plugins.

[link] - Anywhere else in the Start Menu is good.

[link] - This is how I run Apophysis. I would click the Shortcut to Apophysis's folder. I then choose which version of Apo to run. I can choose whether to move the "Plugins" folder into Apo's folder, thereby determining if Apophysis will run with or without the plugins.

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I'm reaching 10,000... breaking the fifth digit barrier now. Won't be doing the kiriban thing, but it makes me feel better after a bad day.

I need help on Apophysis's scripting. I want to make a script that deletes the triangles that creates symmetry, and then adds new symmetrical triangles, in effect changing the symmetrical order of the fractal. (An example: Change from Dihedral, symmetrical order 8, to Rotational, symmetrical order 3.)

The problem I have is when the script deletes triangles. The problem arises when I use the script to delete from triangle #3 onwards. The script works fine if I use the script to delete from triangle #2 and onwards. It also works fine if I use it to delete triangle #4 onwards, triangle #5 onwards, etc.

When I run the script to delete the triangles, there is always one triangle that is left out from being deleted.

Sure, I could run the script twice to delete that leftover triangle, but it adds a bit of inconvenience.

I've included the script and two example parameters: The script will work properly in one, but not in the other.

Thanks in advance for the help rendered. :>

Example Parameters 1: Script does not work properly: [link]
Example Parameters 2: Script Will Work: [link]

Script: [link]

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EDIT: I forgot that I could have just included the script in my journal instead of hiding it in a zip file. >.>

Here is the script. Remember that this script will _not_ work as planned if you input the number "3" in the first dialog box. The script will _not_ delete the fourth triangle, ie the 4th triangle will be left out.

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EDIT 2: I think I just found out where the error with. The error is, when I delete a triangle, the total number of transforms will change, so will the ActiveTransform's transform number. Right now I'm working on ways to solve this. I'm also working on an automated way to delete symmetrical triangles. If this manual way does not work I might just want to ditch this. Thank you...


//Begin script

y := 3
If not InputQuery('Lowest Symmetry Triangle', 'Input the Transform Number "#" of _lowest_ numbered triangle that controls symmetry:', y) then Exit;
a := y - 1


z := 6
If not InputQuery('Highest Symmetry Triangle', 'Input the Transform Number "#" of the _highest_ numbered triangle that controls symmetry:', z) then Exit;
b := z - 1

While a <= b do
Begin
SetActiveTransform(a)
DeleteTransform;
a := a + 1
end

//end script

I was reminded of Apo starfields when looking at ~Teknowizard's pieces, which made use of fractals, along with photomanips, to depict celestial scenes. (They're good!)

"Apo starfields" are star fields generated in Apophysis. They are basically almost the same as Photoshop-generated starfields (PS starfield), but they are Apophysis generated. In my opinion, they are more pretty then your usual PS starfield. Other then that, the only real benefit I can think of is that you can brag that your new fractal is 100% Apophysis made. Example? I have one fractal from April last year making use of an Apo starfield: [link]


How to make one:

(1) Choose a gradient with the colors you want. Blue seems to work well.

(2) Create a new blank flame. Make sure there are 2 triangles. If there's only one, add a new triangle.

(3)Set triangle #1's Linear variation to 1, and make sure all other variations are set to 0. Linear is 1 by default, just making sure.

(4) Set all of triangle #2's variations (including Linear) to 0.

(5) Set triangle #1's weight to 500 or any similar exuberantly large number. Just don't crash Apophysis.

* You don't have to move the triangles. Have them sitting at their default positions. Now you can probably see a few dots. Time to increase the density...


(6) Set Master Scale (in the adjust window) 50 to 100. I find 60 works the best for me.

(7) Set display quality to 10 to 100. Higher quality translates into higher density of dots. Alternatively, you can render using said quality.

* You may have to adjust your Gradient to see the starfield appearing. If it's too dark, it's probably swallowed by the black background.

What I came up with: (Click Download to see it in 1024 x 768) [link]


Actually this method isn't the exact method I used to create starfields in the past - it seems like the newest Apo works differently at producing starfields. The old method was just to create a triangle without any variation, and the effects were more obvious.

When I was making "The Blue Planet" [link] I used another way at making a starfield, this time using a tile script (forgot which script). If you're interested I have the parameters here: [link]


Well, that was more like a rambling. Hope this may be helpful Remember a starfield is just a random array of dots without a proper fractal. It is best used as a background filler, not a foreground image, except for creative ways.

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By the way, is it illegal in dA to post a MIDI of a song composed by someone else, but made into MIDI form by me? The song is composed by a contestant in a contest, copyright belongs to YAMAHA Music Foundation. I made a MIDI so that I can listen to the song without having to practice it. Song title is 'A Legend of Nome'.