Amazing Seattle Fractals

How to create Julia Fractals

I promised when I put my first fractal tutorial online that I would share with you what I have learned along the way. This fractal tutorial is the second of a series and will help you get started using the Julia function in Tiera-zon. I am sure that this tutorial will lead you to making new discoveries, and a better understanding of using Tiera-zon. Let me know what you think, or if you have any suggestions!

If you are not that familiar with this fractal program I would HIGHLY recommend going through my basic fractal tutorial BEFORE using this tutorial. That will give you a much better understanding of this program and the techniques we will be covering here.

Julia Transformation Examples

I have put together a sample gallery below that demonstrates the changes possible using the Julia parameters with any fractal formula. This gallery shows the original fractal image above, and it's coresponding Julia fractal below. Each pair is from the exact same mathematical formula, but as you can see, you can achieve a dramatic difference by using these techniques.

My Approach

When creating fractals, I use the Julia parameter techniques in a structured or systematic way, changing each parameter carefully, and sometimes creating dozens of Julia fractals from the original image. Each of the Julia fractals are then explored using the zoom feature and refined using color controls, filters etc.

Understanding these parameter changes will allow you to "tweak" an image to your preferences, composing it in a way not possible without that understanding. As you understand these changes you will be able to start getting more specific results, as opposed to leaving the process to random chance.

As you will see, each of these fractal images have the potential of being modified almost infinitely. In addition to these parameters, you also have zooming, filters and coloring algorithyms which can bring many more interesting fractal images. Most of those techniques were covered in the first tutorial.

Ok, are you ready to start? Let's continue! Julia Fractal Tutorial Page 2