dethbludjustG

I tried that one earlier, but it didn't work either. Just tried again, and it's fine. Thanks much for the backup link, I wonder what's going on with the site...justG

I don't know what e-mail client you use, Paul, but if you don't want to sift through the ebot messages, why not set up a filter/rule to automatically dump them into a separate folder? That way your personal messages will still get through and be seen.Hope that helps,
justG

OK so I'm nearly a month late on this thread, but better late... right? :) Anyhoo, I didn't see these mentioned in the thread, so I thought I'd throw them out there:- Ultra Fractal Formula Database.

• ChaosPro: Freeware. About 80% compatible with Ultra Fractal and its formulas (if I remember correctly).
• Kaos Rhei: Freeware.
• Visions of Chaos: Freeware. Fractals rendered as 3D objects may be exported in .dxf format.
• Fractovia: General Resource.

justG

leather-guy,nice nick ;) i'm new to modeling as well, and have been for the past 10 years. in that time, i've read a lot, but in practice haven't really progressed beyond purty bump-mapped sphere over checkered plane. i spent so long researching the perfect application (for me), and never took a moment to realize that software is just a tool. i kept overly-emphasizing the power of the tool, and how it would make me a better crafts(wo)man, and under-emphasizing the power of my own creativity and innovation (or lack thereof). it's always the simplest things that elude me ;)

then i saw "the killer bean", by jeff lew. i'm sure there are countless other examples, but this is the one that captured my fascination (probably because i watched it on a 60" tv). it was created in animation: master, which costs $300(US). that's when it occurred to me that maybe i should stop reading so much, and start doing (like i sad, it's the simplest things...)

i ended up buying truespace. i'm not discounting some great freeware that's out there, but i can download and try freeware anytime (except when its developer goes belly up - RIP blender), whereas the discounted price for which i got truespace was a limited-time offer. i'm not experienced enough yet to argue its merits compared to other applications. the reason i bought it is because working in it is like playing with play-doh, and that paradigm works for me (i think). it was affordable, is powerful (from what i've heard, read and seen), extensible, and didn't overwhelm me the moment i started the application.

anyhoo, i hope that's helpful in making your decision. have fun at the trade show - i'd be interested to know what you finally decided to buy :)

justG