Fractal Farm Help - Parent Frames

• Load Button: The Load button will load a fractal you select from the adjacent select box. Clicking it when no fractal is selected will have no effect.
• Random Button: Generates a random IFS.
• Add Button: If an image is currently displayed, the Add button will bring up a set of data entry fields (see below) you can use to augment the current fractal. If the data entry fields are displayed, clicking Add will store the contents of the data entry fields and then clear the screen for further data entry.
• IFS Data Entry Fields: The Iterative Function Systems that generate the fractals are composed of several pieces of information -

  IFS Level Parameters

  When entering the first Affine Transformation (AT) in a new IFS, you will need to fill in the fields listed under "IFS-Level parameters" (though defaults have been provided):

  • a background color, entered as separate red, green and blue values, each one a whole number between 0 and 255,
  • an Intensity, which affects how many points are calculated when displaying the fractal,
  • and one of four color Modes

  AT Level Parameters

  Each IFS is composed of one or more ATs, each of which contains the following information:

  • Coefficients A through F, whose purpose is explained in the help screen on Iterative Function Systems,
  • a Weighting value P, which determines how dominant the AT will be in any IFS in which it appears,
  • and a foreground color, which determines what colors are used in the Transform and Distance color modes.

• New Button: Clicking the New button will allow you start over with a new IFS.
• Display Button: Clicking the Display button will display the fractal generated by the current IFS. Clicking it after filling in the data entry fields will add them to the IFS definition before generating the image.
• Fractal Image: Aside from being visually striking, the fractal image may be clicked on to bring up the Readout screen, which allows you to modify the Coefficients of the IFS and generate .png files of the images.
• Mutate Button: Clicking the Mutate button will randomly alter one of the IFS elements and then redisplay the image.
• Refresh Button: Clicking the Refresh button will regenerate the image. This may be useful to reflect changes made on the Readout screen.
• Save As Button: You may save new fractals by entering a name for the fractal and clicking the Save button. If you wish to replace the definition for an existing fractal, you must click the "Overwrite" checkbox first.