Hello to all! As I am prepared to help in the Fractal community in any way I can, I am asking for your help and any ideas that you may have to make this section a fun and exciting place to visit. A little background, here: I started off in 3D modelling about 3 years ago after I stumbled on a free 3D application (Blender). After designing a few logos, several mediochre pics and even a few, insignificant animations, I found this website whilst looking for inspiration. I joined, posted a couple of pics, subscribed to the magazine, then really started combing the galleries. I was blown away by the possibilities of working with fractals. At first, i'll admit, I was a little shy about commenting on the wonderful images I saw, as I myself had a pitifully small gallery. I then picked up Apophysis, posted a couple more pics and received some really wonderful comments. I gained a little more confidence, started really looking into the forums, and realized what a great group of people we have on this site. It was only natural for me to take the next step and offer to help. I am here to do what I can for our Fractal community. I want to help make this place a 'first-stop, must-see' area. So, please, if you have any ideas, suggestions, etc., let me know. I would like to start a monthly challenge, and have sections for tips, program recommendations/links, and just a place to share fractal stories (inspiration behind the scenes). I am here to help! Have a great day! Nick

Just a few ideas: The Terragen community has a nice setup: links to the software and plug-ins, various member websites, etc. The first link I'd put here are Scott Draves, Mark Townsend (Apophysis) and the Ultra Fractal and Fractal Explorer sites. There is only 1 fractal Free Stuff contribution (that I've found) but maybe putting a link to it would encourage more. I think challenges are a great idea. Maybe the winner could define the next one? Maybe the community could develop a Tips and Tricks section? A while back someone suggested a fractals and poetry coffee table book, maybe the group could collaborate to create one?

Don't forget to link 'BringitintoUF3'! Speaking of free stuff, I have been trying to figure out what could possibly be donated there. Maybe gradients? There seem to be hundreds of free generators out there, maybe there could be some links to those in the back room. Tres

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I'm gung ho, but a little slow. December is such a busy month! We're going to get this ball rolling soon, though. We definitely need some free stuff. Everybody likes free stuff! Nick

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/freestuff.ez?Form.Contrib=aartika&Topsectionid=0

Hey everyone - Thanks so much for the great link suggestions. To help us along a little bit, could you please post the actual URL - Once you do that Nick can post them to the Community Center page :) HeyNow - I just noticed that there is no Fractal FreeStuff upload - Going to see if we can get one of those ready for you right away. Oh, and in the meantime - aartika has uploaded some nice items to the misc freestuff area that would be worth checking out :) ladynimue

Attached Link: http://markch85712.home.mindspring.com/utility.html

Link to Mark Hammond's BringitintoUF3 utility. HTH Tres

Some links to start with: http://www.eclectasy.com/Fractal-Explorer/ http://www.ultrafractal.com/ http://flam3.com/ http://www.apophysis.org/ Fractal Loop http://www.fractalus.com/ifl/ http://spanky.triumf.ca/www/fractint/fractint.html Some members have really great galleries they might like to link as well.

I will help nick with posting these tomorrow :) Thanks again - and keep them coming in :) ladynimue

Attached Link: http://home.att.net/~Paul.N.Lee/Fractal_Software.html

Here is the link to Paul N. Lee's site. He has one of the longest lists of fractal generating programs in existence. You could either do some research of your own and post some of his links or just link to this site and let people make their own choices.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/subcom.ez?ID=21

Thanks you again so much tresamie and Wyvern7 for the excellent fractal links. We are still working on getting the backroom up and running - until the construction phase is done - I have posted the Fractal Links to the Fractal Community page - Click on the above link :) We have room for lots more, so keep them coming :) ladynimue

Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 ArtMatic Pro Graphics synthesizer generates graphics & animations http://www.uisoftware.com/ Easy Fractal Generates 3D looking fractals, Mandelbrot and Julia sets http://www.berkhan.com/easy/easyfrac.htm Fractal Domains generates fractal images http://www.fractaldomains.com/ FractalTrees X draws silhouettes of fractal designed trees http://simonwoodside.com/fractaltrees/ IFS3D draws 3D fractals http://www.leppik.net/david/software/IFS3D.html Spangfract mac fractal generator http://home.cinci.rr.com/fractalman/Programs/ naturally there are many other ones for other operating systems, for that ya can go to http://www.versiontracker.com and search for fractals ... and of course @ http://home.att.net/~Paul.N.Lee/Fractal_Software.html smile Harmen

Thanks TONS Harmen - Great links - I have added them to the Fractal community page until we can get the backroom up and running :) Dee-Marie

A couple of suggestions. Perhaps we could have a contest for designing the welcome page and back pages for the backroom. Go check out the backroom links for the Writer's gallery and you will see what I mean: http://market.renderosity.com/~tavern/writers/index.htm Also, check out the innovative method of putting banners on the Bryce Forum that Agent Smith worked out! I know there is probably a way to make it use the whole pool, like a screensaver program does, but this method allows the entire community to donate banners for the forum header and they will all be viewed! He is now working on Gallery banners! He has said he shared this information with several other mods, so I am sure he would help us out! Tres

Things are really shaping up here! Thanks for the great link suggestions and ideas! Now, that's what a community is all about! Keep 'em coming. Nick

Hey Tres - get out of my mind - I thought it was a little crowded in there yesterday :) Actually all the excellent comments that you made are in the process of being implimented. Just trying to give Nick some time to get his feet under him, before I sprang "Da List" at him ;] I am so happy that we are all on the same page [no pun intended] on what everyone would like to see in the Fractal Forum! Keep the great ideas coming! Dee-Marie