I really need just a push a button or a slider and I guess that is the magic of UF... it takes a LONG time to create an original fractal and a lot of manipulation by things I just can't "get"..... as soon as I deviate from the tutorials, my fractals go all ugly and out of control...I CAN'T have fun and learn by doing as I keep forgetting where to go and what to do next...

I just had to both vent and in a teeny tiny hope...that I am missing something in UF... something that makes it FAST AND FUN to use?? I love the soft spheres...the incredible shapes I see in your gallery...and I "want to do that"...but I guess I am just not wired for it... Xenodream is beautiful, easy... but somehow not the same....

Thanks for listening. PS I already got Aphoasis and Chaos..but they are so soft you can barely see them, and more like spider webs of things instead of solid things... :/

Message edited on: 12/10/2005 20:32

I can't get UF or XD to do anything for me... lol! But I can get Apophysis to do things easily... I suppose it's the difference in how each of us prefers to work, and the types of images that we are ultimately seeking... T.

When I began with UF, I found it very intuitive. It was still a steep learning curve, and I feel I still have a long way to go. The thing that made it a bit easier is that I understood the way the gradient worked fairly early on, and that has made a huge difference. I am not very successful with many other fractal programs, mainly because I don't feel 'in control' of the coloring. In fact, I find XenoDream's interface very intimidating, and I feel 'blind' when I try to work with it. You should consider joining the UF Mailing List. There are lots of people sending in parameter files that you can study to see how they 'did that'. A warning though, they generate lots of emails (up to 60 a day) so you might want to get a free email account at yahoo or hotmail just for the List. Good Luck.

The problem in UF is using multi layers and the learning process of that in combination of using mask layers That process make,s it a difficult to understand program that need a long time of practise Without using this layers it is not more complex then each another fractal program in my idea But the succes story from the UF folks is using this multi layer tool :-) Tresamie her advice is a real goodone but you need indeed a special mailbox with all that fanatic UF folk on that list LOL My advice is ask a few friendly UF members for some parfiles in the style that you like to create and look good how it works Much succes Arend

What says Tresamie is a good advice. The Uf list is where I learnt the software and I met some people that became good friends and are still. The learning curve is too steep for a person by her/himself. I used many fractal programs: Fractint, most of Stephen Ferguson's ones, then tried UF in 1999. I tried since then other fractal programs but always returned to it. When I learnt it, I had already some experience with Photoshop so layers and masks were not a problem for me. For somebody having done such before, this is easier. I am not a mathematician and I exploit errors that I see will give aesthetically interesting results. So, don't feel discouraged because you deviate. Deviating can be very creative. Miche D.

Some of the people here have been using UF almost daily for years. Like anything that is worth while, it takes practice. I tried golfing a couple of times. I hate golf. I tried skiing once too. Too painful. I wasn't willing to give either one a chance.

Hear Hear! I definitely do not like UF and think it should work a lot more like apo. the scripting function make it next to impossible to make an original fractal! now, XD, ther's some cool stuf! XD images are always the top of my list, and I wish they had a trial version...

Well, my love affair with Ultra Fractal dates back a few years. I don't remember it being that difficult, but I have learned much over the past few years that has helped me to take more risks and develop my own style. When I first got strted, I found the UF list very helpful. It helps to be able to examine the work of more seasoned artists, especially when it comes to layering, masking and gradient techniques. I love XD, too, but I had a harder time learning it..and still feel I haven't a real grasp or working knowledge that would allow me to create some of the incredible work I've seen others create. I would be happy to send you a few of my UPRs (par files) for UF, if you think you could learn from them. Just IM me with your email address. Main thing is, keep trying and have fun!

Well I got so discouraged that I uninstalled..... but now I am considering all of your words... I felt strange using someone else's fractal to create one of my own (I downloaded that "public list" when I downloaded the demo) - because then it is not my own.... I AM well practiced using photoshop! I LOVE layers and masks.... what is confusing to my dyslexic mind is all the places in the menus to make changes to each fractal part or aspect, gradiant, or layer...and of course as a POSER PERSON I want "instant gratification"! LOL!! I do think I keep forgetting where to go to make the changes in the settings...and the fractals I see as I zoom are not even as pretty as the origninal Stephan's fractal maker...but perhaps that has to do with the render resolution...and so you do not (while working with UF) ever really have a "what you see is what you get".... Funny, with xenodream I just start with either a starter file or one of the presets and just push the boxes around...then let it render a while (that takes a long while!!) and then I have SUCH FUN with the color presets!! I click and click and click, saving many versions of the brightly colored objects! It is very easy to me... yet, as a FRACTAL it is almost too complex in it's fractal objects... I love the look of the smooth soft silk looking curves, spheres and shapes of UF.... but still.... when I just have some time that I want to RELAX and push buttons...and UF starts to make me crazy when I try to remember where to go to load this thing that will do that thing and so on... It is like my modeling...people cannot believe I love the OLD Ray Dream Studio to make my poser models...yet I learned on it and my "brain goes that way"... I did take a summer class "in person" at the local college for photoshop or I would have never gotten to know how to use it...and I am so glad I did... I almost wish there was a CLASS for UF that I could go to...even on line... Well... I shall try one more time... reinstall the demo and then load some of the public parameters... I do see art here in the galleries with credits to the person (and I see where in UF it shows the name of the person with the copyright)...and then see where it will take me...-So really this is "okay" to do? And as long as I give credit to the original creator THEY are okay with this?? - a hard concept in a world where "stolen art" is such a huge problem!

I hope I didn't cause a misunderstanding here. Unless I tweaked an image on the UF list (one that I didn't publish or exhibit as my own), I never started with someone else's fractal..or even a layer of someone else's fractal. I used the UPRs of others to examine and learn from their work only. IMO, it is not ever acceptable to use someone else's parameters, credit given or not. I do use the formulas and coloring algorithms of the formula writers..and I should take the time to credit them..but not a UPR or parameter set from another artist. That would be stealing, as far as I'm concerned.

Message edited on: 12/11/2005 17:41

Hi Lyne,

The answer to your questions about copywrite are here:
http://www.parkenet.org/jp/ufresources.html

There is also a very nice tutorial for beginners at the lower part of the page entitled, "Wizzle's Color Workshop."

Also, there is an online class in UF, and one on masking in UF that is taught by Janet Parke. Info on those classes is here:
http//visual-arts-academy.com

Learning UF can be very frustrating at times, and I understand what you're saying. But, having only been a UF learner for a year, I haven't found any quick solutions to making good and beautiful fractals. Most of my experiments are pathetic, but I learn something from doing every one of them. My attraction to UF was because of its fine-art capabilities and I have not lost site of that no matter how my experimental images look. Plain stubborness and hard-headed tenacity to learn the program keeps me going. And yes, I'm one of those UF fanatics that Arend referred to in his post above. LOL Why lie?

If you have questions, I would be glad to share with you if I know how to answer them - just send me an IM. I have no quick answers or solutions and there seems to be no way around spending a lot of time with the learning. I suppose we all must decide what kind and how much of personal investment is worth it.

Best wishes,
Stephanie

Message edited on: 12/11/2005 17:59

Message edited on: 12/11/2005 18:01

So for me...I am doing two things...enjoying the UF art here in the galleries (even more now! :) and...

running back to PLAY with xenodream...this "fantasy snail" is something I just did to PLAY with xeno and it's export...I was rendering and wondered what an obj export would do...I have not even really studied the export settings...just wanted to see if it worked...I would say it does?

I also experimented with the material settings of my color map in vue...those can be changed all around..

ANYWAY...I do appreciate all of your help and suggestions...perhaps what will come out of this is something fun and pretty from me and xenodream, who knows!? :))

I really enjoy that UF is not too easy to be used. A challenge. You are allowed to fight to find your own style. I am proud that my images are the result of work and not of lucky finding only. That gives me more satisfaction than simple instant joy. And the new version of UF introduces some "Apo features" so that a bit more user friendlyness is coming in. Just give it a try again and enjoy working in it. @Arend: The layers are not the problem of UF but one of its best features.

Hi everybody, This is my first post to the forum, my name is Lil and I use U.F.for a couple of years now. I have been reading this with great interest and everytime again it surprises me that Ultra Fractal is considered as such a difficult program to use, wich is a shame because it is such a versatile program.In fact even Apophysis thanks its existance to U.F. because it was originaly ment to use with U.F. and not as a stand alone program. Have a nice day, Lil

Message edited on: 12/12/2005 04:43

The beauty of the learning curve of UF is that it diminishes the fractal "generica" that you see with Apophysis.

Lyne, you had mentioned, "I almost wish there was a CLASS for UF that I could go to...even on line..." and Stephi mentioned Janet Parke's online UF classes. I just went through her masking class and it was PHENOMENAL! The class was very in-depth, but taught very well. Janet works hands on and closely with the students, plus you can go at your own pace. Right now she has two classes, "Working with Ultra Fractal" and "Ultra Fractal Masking Techniques"

They are $25 for a 7 week course. And the knowledge gained is priceless. You will definitely understand how to work UF through these courses.

http://visual-arts-academy.com/
Use the "Curriculum" link to find her classes.

Just my two cents....

Gary

Thanks, got a note from Janet...and had already looked into her classes... but told her my brain just was not "wired that way" so I was going to pass.... I will stick with xeno and apohphysis.... but thanks everyone!! I really tried and now I will just relax with the fractal generators that are relaxing for me! :)

At least with UF and Apopysis you can recreate your images exactly at any size at any time in the future. Good luck doing that with XD if you have a need to do that. UF and Apophysis (and many other programs) are tools, XD is merely a toy.