I have been following a discussion in the Apophysis mailing list regarding single transform flames, and following on from that discussion, I was experimenting a little and came up with the following method of creating funky flames from scratch...

So here is that method - free for your own use - no strings attached...

1. Open Apophysis. Open the Script editor, select New, and paste the following into the blank space...

Clear;
AddTransform;
AddTransform;

Run the script...

This will clear whatever is in the window, then add two very basic Linear transforms (triangles)...

1. Save the resulting (really basic looking) flame to a .flame file of it's own. I called mine "messingabout.flame"

2. Then open that .flame file in Notepad and delete one of the lines that starts with "xform weight=" then Save the file.

3. Now open that .flame file in Apophysis... it will still look pretty boring - but you will have only ONE transform/triangle... and here it starts to get really funky...

4. Open your Editor window and select the Variation tab - see how it says Linear and 1? Change the Linear Value to 0 and set the Spherical Value to 10 (yes, 10)

5. Now go to your Options and select the Random tab. Set the values for Number of Transforms and Mutation Transforms to min = 2 and max = 2 - set Forced Symmetry to "None".

6. Then go to the Options/Variations tab and click on the "Clear All" button - then put a check ONLY in the Spherical checkbox. Click on OK to save your
   settings...

7. Now open your Mutation window and move the speed slider down to about 0.05 and start clicking on the centre image...

For more fun and experimentation - try changing up the instructions for steps 5 through 8 to settings of your own choice...

Disclaimer

I have had some flak regarding my posting of this method of creating flames - due to the fact that the resulting flames are very similar in nature to flames created by Mr P some 18 months ago.

Now - here's the kicker...

Mr P has never (to my knowledge) published his methods used to create his ALF or CDC series of flames - and also has never actually copyrighted that method - only the flame parameters he has published have been copyrighted.

I have since checked a large number of Mr P's flames and found that my method has significant differences in the resulting flame parameters - significant enough differences to negate Mr P (or anyone else) laying claim to having "discovered" or "owning" said method.

That said, however, if someone uses Mr P's starter flames - he should get full credit for those... as is his right being the one who owns the copyright to THOSE flame parameters.

If anyone wants to use my method above - you may do so with no such restriction... what you create with this method is your own to do with as you like, OK?

I'll also credit datagram for providing to the Apophysis mailing list the little 2 transform script - and to ulli for the instruction on how to remove one transform from the .flame file - thanks guys!

T.

Message edited on: 08/04/2005 01:31

Thanks for thanking! You can also use negative values for the variations ( like -1.5) to get different results.

Now that's what it's all about! Thanks for the tip Ulli! I love the sharing of information! It's what I live for! I love to learn and to share what I've learned with others. I also like to encourage others to experiment with anything that I have shared - and together we all can grow as artists with this particular medium. T.

"I also like to encourage others to experiment with anything that I have shared - and together we all can grow as artists with this particular medium." Well said Tracey - the very essence of what an art community like this should be about.

Attached Link: apo resource site

whats the problem?

if you want to get some free flames without any copyright issues go to the above link

"hey all my flames are copyright free now!!! whats the problem?" Who mentioned your flames or said there was a problem?

Mr P is making a very fine gesture here... his flames are truly awesome things, and in light of the fact that this technique produces some very similar styled flames to his ALF/CDC collections, his input is most welcome. Thank you for sharing Mr P! The issue of what technique produces what, and whether this technique spawns flames of exactly the same nature as Mr P's has been resolved amicably between myself and Mr P at the FracFan forum - in public... Full credit to Mr P for offering up some of his copyrighted flames totally free of any restriction! T.