Hello there, I started out with Fractal Explorer, a freeware programme. and I got hooked about 4 years ago. http://www.eclectasy.com/Fractal-Explorer/ A good friend then got me UF3 which I am learning, very slowly, but there are some great Fractal Artists here who absolutely get the last drop out of this programme with beautiful results. My advice would be to download and try a free one first, you will always get help and advice from here on anything, they are generous with their time. Jennyfnf