Hi all!

Though Im still newcomer in Renderositys Fractal Land I would like to share some tricks for making images with Ultra Fractal 3.05. I believe they will be useful to those who use it. It would be fine if other UF masters share their experience in themes titled Ultra Fractal Tips (No): How to I hope the Forum Moderator does not mind. Vclaszlo?

So, here are my first two advices:

1. How to create a real like frame around an image.

All parameter values given below are for fractal image at Magnification: 1 and Center: Re. = 0, Im. = 0

Square image (for instance 640x640)

1.1. Apply circle-limit transformation (Public Formulas, plk.uxf) to the chosen fractal image.
1.2. Set the following parameter values of the transformation:

• Inner radius first ring: 1.9
• Thickness first ring: 0.072
• Decrease factor: 0.4
• Maximum number of rings: 2

1.3. Make the Solid Color of the transformation transparent (Opacity: 0)
1.4. Apply Circle <-> Square transformation (Public Formulas, sam.uxf) to the fractal image. (This transformation should be over circle-limit one.)

You are done. Play with Gradient controls to set coloring. Change fractal image in case you dont like carving of the frame. The layer of the frame should stay over the rest layers that form the picture inside the frame.

Rectangle image (for instance 640x427)

1.5. After completing items 1.1-1.4 change the size of the image to 640x427 (1.5:1).
1.6. Change value of Im. Coordinate (Location/Center(Im.)) from 0 to 0.745
1.7. Change the inner radius first ring parameter of circle-limit transformation from 1.9 to 2.15.
1.8. Duplicate the layer.
1.9. Apply Cut-Out transformation (Public Formulas, akl.uxf) to the top layer. It should be over the other two transformations.
1.10. Set the following parameter values of the Cut-Out transformation:

• Cut Out: Lower
• Line of Cut, 1. Point (Im.): 0.745 (This is the third field from the top.)

1.11. Make the Solid Color of the transformation transparent (Opacity: 0)
1.12. Go to the second Layer (the lower one) and change the Im. Coordinate (Location/Center(Im.)) from 0.745 to -0.745.

You are done. These two layers should stay over the rest that form the picture inside them.

1. How to facilitate usage of Glass Hemisphere transformation (Standard Formulas, Standard.uxf)

Sometimes when Glass Hemisphere is applied you can hardly see where is its edge. That is why temporarily (until the work is completed) you can apply mjd Advanced Grid (Public Formulas, mjd.uxf). The important thing is that the Grid should be under Glass Hemisphere transformation. Thus you will see the sphere like a globe. If necessary set Grid Spacing, Grid Scale and Line width of the Grid in accordance to the size of the Glass Hemisphere and magnification of fractal image. After completing your work the Grid may be switched off or removed.

Thank you and sorry for my not perfect English.

Have a nice day.

Message edited on: 04/07/2005 05:23

I tried this and it is useful for square images with magnification 1. Everything else - and this might be a lot - should be easier to do with the "Frames"-coloring of the sdc.ucl. It has no structure by default, but with some practice in layering and coloring you'll get very nice results - at any magnification.

I did not know about this coloring algorithm. It is simpler than the tip that I gave above, but in the same time it makes only frames with smooth surface. With my suggestion can be created rugged (carved) frames. By the way it can be used at any magnification of the fractal image - as bigger is the magnification as smaller are the thickness and the inner radius of the first ring in circle-limit transformation. Anyway thank you again for sharing your experience. Have a nice day.

Nice discussion... I think for both procedures you need a little expierience to control the results. If you combine the simple frames of sdc.ucl with other layers you can get much more than smooth surfaced framees. although i use them mostly to let the image overflow the frame smoothly. It needs a bit trial and error work to figure out how to get "rugged" results... if you want this. carpe diem