Table of Contents

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 Working with Ultra Fractal

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

  • Spirals and Julia Sets
  • More Exploration of the Mandelbrot Set
  • Spirals, spirals, everywhere!
  • The Julia Switch
  • Creating some prototype structures
  • Homework

Lesson 3

  • Understanding the Gradient Editor
  • The Smooth coloring formula and Transfer Functions
  • The Gaussian Integer coloring formula
  • Layers
  • RGB vs HSL
  • Fun with the Gradient Editor
  • Merge modes
  • Gradient opacity and transparency
  • Homework

Lesson 4

  • Exploring Rose Range Lite
  • Installing Rose Range Lite and its Help file
  • Using the formula's Help to explore its parameters
  • Magnitude/Angle Layering technique
  • Special Merge Layers
  • Rendering Rose Range Lite Images
  • Homework

Lesson 5

  • Working with the Orbit Trap coloring formula
  • What are Orbit Traps?
  • Overall Parameters: Trap Mode, Trap Coloring, Threshold and Solid Color
  • Trap shapes, Trap-specific parameters, Aspect Ratio, Center and Rotation
  • Trap Drift, Rotation Step, Skew, and Skew Step
  • Limited Iterations
  • Multiple Traps
  • The trap only Trap Mode
  • A method for creating
  • Homework

Lesson 6

  • Aesthetic Layering Techniques
  • Working with layers
  • Layering with slight parameter changes
  • Averaging Layers technique
  • Luminosity/Color and Grayscale Shape layering
  • Pseudo-embossing
  • Rendering images to disk
  • Gallery of layering technique images
  • Homework

Additional Information

  • Where do we go from here?
  • How to "un-busy" a spiral
  • Exploring the Mandelbrot starting point and power parameters
  • How the disks are numbered
  • Evolution of Spiral Structure
  • More about Gradients, Transfer Functions and Color Density
  • Transfer Functions Redux
  • Coloring Deep Zooms
  • Another example of limiting Orbit Trap iterations

Glossary of Terms

Links and Resources

Map of the Mandelbrot Set

 Ultra Fractal Masking Techniques

Lesson 1

  • Transparency and Solid Color Masking
  • A demonstration of basic masking techniques
  • Using a Mandelbrot-shaped mask with texture
  • Using a Rose Range Lite solid color mask
  • Using an Orbit Trap solid color mask
  • Thoughts
  • Homework
  • Extra Challenges

Lesson 2

  • Transformation Masks (Part 1)
  • Exploring textures
  • How transformations work
  • Deluxe Clipping
  • Borders and frames
  • Screen-Relative mode
  • Screen-Relative Quiz
  • Even-width borders on rectangles
  • Diptych panels
  • Creating a diptych
  • Triptych panels
  • Creating a triptych
  • Homework
  • Extra Challenges

Lesson 3

  • Transformation Masks (Part 2)
  • Checkerboard Clipping and Ying-Yang Scissor
  • Two- and three-part mappings and tesselations
  • Polygonal and Intricated Rings
  • Homework
  • Extra Challenges

Lesson 4

  • Masking with gradient transparency
  • Modulated iteration masks
  • Trap only masks
  • Limited iteration masks
  • Homework
  • Extra Challenges

Lesson 5

  • Masking with fractal structure and coloring
  • Know thy gradient
  • Mask shape options
  • Tropical fortune cookies
  • Texture, but not everywhere
  • Red, white, and blue
  • Pretty slugs
  • Bow ties
  • All-in-one
  • Work flow redux
  • Homework
  • Extra Challenges

Lesson 6

  • Soft edges and subtleties
  • Patatas
  • Somers Isle
  • Special merge layer masks
  • Soft shape masks
  • Vignette variations
  • Homework
  • Extra Challenges

Additional Information

  • Masking Wrap-up

Screen-Relative Grid

Masking Rules

 Ultra Fractal Artistry

Lesson 1

  • Thoughts about artistry
  • Elements and principles of fractal art
  • Centering
  • Symmetry
  • Exploring pattern and rhythm
  • Digital perfection vs. human imperfection
  • Writing about art
  • Homework

Lesson 2

  • Focal point
  • Balance, proportion and the Golden Ratio
  • Eye flow
  • More eye flow
  • Cropping for unusual composition
  • Tapor
  • Asundriana
  • Kolibroj
  • Reach
  • Bleikr
  • Syntonia
  • Movement
  • Atmospheric images
  • Realism in fractals
  • Borders
  • Telling stories with composition
  • Homework

Lesson 3

  • Creating emphasis with contrast
  • What's wrong with this picture?
  • Exploring contrast in value
  • Sculpting and adding texture with gradations in value
  • Blending shapes and values
  • Bending some rules
  • Creating highlights and shadows
  • Angle/magnitude layering revisited
  • Lost edges
  • Homework

Lesson 4

  • Color (Part 1) - Working with hue and saturation
  • Monochromatic color wheel
  • Exploring analogous color palettes
  • Cool and warm palettes
  • Analogous color wheel
  • Making tonal adjustments outside Ultra Fractal
  • Homework

Lesson 5

  • Color (Part 2) - Subdividing the Color wheel
  • Using discord to add interest
  • More examples of discord
  • All-purpose color wheel
  • Unity and variety
  • Color and perception
  • Balancing tone and color
  • Homework

Lesson 6

  • Personal Issues - When is an image done?
  • Breaking the rules
  • Developing a style
  • The euphoria of creating and the desire for feedback
  • Nurturing the artist within
  • Homework

Additional Information

  • Where do we go from here?
  • Artistic Integrity
  • Loose ends

Recommended Reading