What tools can I use to create Fractal Art?

Question

There are many fractal generation softwares such as the free Xaos and Fractal Architect 2. I normally use Mathematica to generate fractals and process them later with editing tool but this time have to work with an art project where things must be perfect.

We are creating a large indoor print over the facade that will be up for a month. Our idea is to create a flower facade with fractals, orbifolds and other mathematical patterns -- we have so far worked with Mathematica but tools such as Fractal Architect 2 may speed up designing and crafting. For the print, we need apparently CMYK colors so have to be sure the software support it or other printing colors. And we need to make sure there is a way to export Mathematica things. So far, we don't know yet which softwares even support CMYK or similar.

Is there any superior fractal generation tool designed for graphic artists?

What kind of features should I look at in such tools?

Answer 1

Adding as a different answer because it's a different program :)

You can do a "fractal-inspired" look in Gimp, which is open source and free, using the Fractal flames plugin.

Curious note: Fractal flames are a member of the iterated function system class of fractals created by Scott Draves in 1992. Draves’ seminal open-source code was later ported into Adobe After Effects graphics software and translated into the Apophysis fractal flame editor.

To choose your type of flames, click on Edit and choose Random or Spherical, as Variation (also with Sinusoidal you can obtain something good). In Directions you can view the previews of some flames; if you don’t like anything, click on Randomise to generate other previews. When you find your best preview, click on it and click Ok twice (one for the Edit Flame window and one for the Flame window).

Another possible plugin is IFS, or Iteration Function System, that applies an iterated function system over an image, finitely, making it fractal-like.

You will need to install a plugin for CMYK support in Gimp. It might not be the best program for printing, but you mentioned you were open to other alternatives, and this is an extra option.

And, final note, The Flame Algorithm is also an open source software that lets you create some nice effects. Ok, one more. For inspiration, check Electric Sheep.

Answer 2

Since you mention you will be working with one (big) piece, you could create your fractal manually in Illustrator or Photoshop. This will give you more freedom to alter shapes and colors.

For PS, start by creating some guides to reference the center:

From the center you've just created, add some vector shapes and merge (smart object in Photoshop):

Duplicate this merged layer by pressing CTRL+J. Once duplicated, select the duplicate and then press CTRL+T to start transforming it. Reduce both the width and height values (to 90%, for example) and change the rotation angle to 20%. Make sure you reposition the new layer as needed so that we have a pivoting pattern from the center:

Repeat the process over and over:

You can then merge again, and create a 'pattern' with your first fractal:

Source (and detailed instructions): Irene Thompson

Answer 3

If you have access to Photoshop CS4 through CS5.5, you can use the Fractal Explorer Pixel Bender plugin (downloadable for free here):

Unfortunately, Adobe decided to discontinue Pixel Bender support in CS6, which is rather unfortunate, as this effectively means the huge library of Pixel Bender plugins people have written for Photoshop and AfterEffects will simply go to waste once everyone migrates to CS6.

Answer 4

Just another idea, there's a program called Apophysis. It's great for generating fractals and it's free.

It's a bit complicated, but you can get some great results from it. Here is the download link.

Here is an example of an image one of my friends made using Apophysis and Photoshop:

Source

Answer 5

I am not quite sure what is the problem concerning CMYK colors. It's not like fractals have some natural colors that need to be preserved as precisely as possible, the coloring of fractals is just algorithmically generated.

Why don't you just create your fractals in any old fractal tool, with high enough resolution and color depth, load them into photoshop, and tweak the colors in there?

You can even generate a bunch of grayscale images of the same fractal with different assignment of grayscale levels, load them all into photoshop as layers, and create a CMYK colored image from them.

Answer 6

I'd recommend ChaosPro. It's free for download and has served me well in a couple of fractal projects in the past. Some of the controls are nonintuitive, but it creates a myriad of different fractal types.

As per Yisela's comment, converting an RGB fractal image to CMYK in Photoshop or InDesign should be a snap. Case in point, this is what came off press for me:

Answer 7

Visions of Chaos. ( commercial software )

I've not used the application personally. I just know the author's blog because of great stuffs he has done with organic cellular automata - astonishing. For info, the blog is Softology (Fractals, Chaos Theory, Science, Space, etc)

So I have not used the software Visions of Chaos but here is a gallery of work done by users

And here are some eye catching ones taken from it: