In the next few pages you are going to master the art of spirals. Yes, it is that simple. Most of the time making the best spirals is not a matter of genius but a matter of knowledge. Following a few simple steps will let you create the most beautiful and complicated spirals, and with some practice and experience you will sure stable upon a masterpiece once in a while:)
The first step of a spiral is not different from any other fractal: you have to select a formula. Spirals are natural to fractals, so a vast amount of formulas have spirals. As a matter of fact, it is difficult to find a formula without a spiral. But to the beginner finding a spiral seems to be a difficult assignment for some unknown reason, so I will refer you to the best formulas for spirals. Some formulas are nothing but spirals, as the "Frame-Robert Julia" by Ron Barnet, the "Laris 1 (Julia)" by Samuel Monnier, "Big Spiral" by Joseph Trotsky, etc. As you will get some practice, you will find dozens of spiral formulas. |
 |
 |
 |
| "Frame-Robert Julia" formula | "Laris 1 Julia" formula | "Big Spiral" formula Download BigSpiral.ufm |
|
But we will not use these formulas for now. It is best to start with a clean cut "standard" Julia set, that could be found in the "Standard.ufm" file in the formula directory of Ultra Fractal. In order to open a new fractal and choose a new formula, go to the main menu (the bar at the top of the UltraFractal desktop). Click on "File". A pop up menu will be opened. Click on "New". Another pop up menu will be opened: now click on "Fractal" and the "Select Formula" dialogue box will appear. In the picture below you can see the "Select menu" box with the four standard formulas, in the "Standard" file. All these formulas were written by Frederik Slijkerman, the author of UF.  From this "Standard" file we "highlight" (choose) the "Julia" formula, and then click on the "OK" button. The UF program will quickly render you simple black over blue fractal, as could be seen here:  Now we have established the base step for every good spiral. But what has this airplane silhouette has to do with a spiral, and what is needed to transform it into one - well all these you will find in the location" page. |