I have been trying to model a bow wave and the sea surrounding it, and was told that a bow wave creates a perfect fractal. Excuse my ignorance, but I haven't a clue what that means. Could anyone help me out here, I don't know anything about fractals so how would I make this fractal? Could I then use the resulting 'pattern' as a bump map on my sea? All help/advice appreciated. Shanna :-)

The person is most likely correct much as a lighting bolt and its branches are fractal but I don't think a fractal program would be the best way to model either one. Which rendering program are you using? Chances are someone has already made a bump map for waves. The crest of the bow wave would still be best done with a model. The foam and overspray I would be temped to say use your favorite paint program. Having said that I should also note I am first a modeler and have just started exploring fractals.

I'm using C4d r8, for modelling and rendering (which does have a bump map for waves, but it's pretty naff.) I wanted to try and make my own. I am modelling the bow wave, well, trying to anyway. Water is difficult. Thanks for replying. Shanna :-)