What’s New

This is our largest release ever with so many new features!

The monster new addition is the First Ever Fractal Animation Sequencer.

Non-Animation Related Changes

---

Let’s look at all of the new non-animation related features first.

Chain of Variation Groups per Transform

---

• Adds new fractal image capabilities – so many new fractal possibilities
• Almost as strong an affect as Final transforms
• So Powerful, yet so Easy – Far Easier than Xaos linked transforms
• Variations are grouped into Variation Groups, which are linked together as a Chain
  • i.e. Normal
  • i.e. Pre ⇒ Normal ⇒ Post
  • i.e. Pre#1 ⇒ Pre#2 ⇒ Normal ⇒ Post#1 ⇒ Post#2
• Each Transform has its own Variation Groups Chain
  • Variation Group’s point Output become the Input to next Variation Group
  • Ordinary Variations can now behave like Pre or Post Variations
  • Supports classic Apophysis Pre/Post variation types too
  • Flexibility of Serial + Parallel Variation Evaluation
    • Inside a Group: Parallel – features are blended together
    • Between Groups: Serial – much larger affect than parallel
• Supported Throughout the App
  • Random Fractal Generator
  • Lua Scripts
  • Triangle Editor
  • Cross Breeder Morphs
  • Custom Animations
  • Sequencer
• Natural Extension to Apophysis/Flam3 Algorithm
  • Transform with 1 Variation Group gives same output as Apophysis/Flam3
  • Fully Backwards Compatible with FA 3D, Apophysis, Flam3
• Variation Instancing
  • Transforms can have 2 or more variations of same type (with different parameters)
  • i.e. julian#1, julian#2

Lua Scripting

---

• Create & Change Fractals with Lua Scripts
  • Lua 5.2.3
• Random Generator, Variants Editor, & Super Variants Editor Supports Lua Scripts
• Example scripts ported from Oxidizer, Apophysis, JWildfire
• No Need for Xcode
  • Everything you need is in the App
  • Use either app’s builtin Text Editor or your favorite Text Editor

Scripted Random Generator

---

• Use Lua Scripts to create random fractal batches
• Includes assorted Lua scripts to get you started
• Example scripts ported from jWildfire and Oxidizer
• Can modify random fractals further with optional Lua tweak scripts

Create Standard Variants with Lua Tweak Scripts

---

• Standard Variants Editor has new Lua Script variant category
• Can be combined with other variant categories

Custom Variations

---

• Create Your Own Variation Types from Scratch
  • Hack Existing Variation Types to Create New Ones
  • Does Require C Programming Skill and Knowledge of Computer Graphics
• Send Your New Variation Types to Friends
• No Need for Xcode
  • Everything you need is in the App
  • Use the builtin Text Editor or your favorite Text Editor
  • OpenCL Compiler gives instant feedback
  • Convert Apophysis Variation Source Code to OpenCL C
  • App is a big custom variation playground!

Super Variants Editor

---

• Uses Animation Configurator to set parameter value ranges for variants
• As much control as Triangle Editor
• Lots of control – but not as easy as Standard Variants
• As powerful as Lua scripts – but NO scripting required

Coloring Related Improvements

---

• Photo-Editor Like Luminance, Red, Green, and Blue Color Curves
• Smooth Palette Mode for Color Gradients
  • Color Gradient Editor allows editing of:
    • Gradient’s Hue, Saturation, and Luminance Curves
  • Smoothest possible Color Gradients
• Support for irregular spaced Color Stops in Gradient Editor

GPU Trial Rendering

---

• OpenCL GPU Rendering is now optional In-App purchase
• GPU OpenCL Driver compatibility issues present on some Mac models + OS X versions
• Free GPU Trial Rendering
  • You can render a selection of 16 fractals using GPU to any size/quality
  • Performance statistics
  • Risk free way to see if GPU rendering works on your Mac

Other Improvements

---

• New Builtin Variation Types:
  • target, circlize2, squares, lazyTravis, squish
  • uni, julia3Dx, curl_sp, sph3D, julian3
• QuickSpin
  • Fine Control Slider – for very slight changes
• Random Fractal Generator
  • Pre, Normal, & Post Variation Group Categories
  • Lua Tweak Scripts can be applied to all random fractals
• Triangle Editor changes
  • Duplicate as new Keyframe & Add to Stash buttons
  • Variation Group Chain and variation instancing
  • Color Curves Popover RGB(Luminance)/Red/Green/Blue curves
  • Custom Animations – multiple parameter animations
  • Fine & Very Fine Triangle Editing – for extremely small precise changes
• Preview Window
  • 3D Fly-Throughs and Orbital Camera Playground
• Fractal Info and XML Viewers
  • New Text Search Field
  • Support for European Number Formatting (Info Viewer)
• Cross Breeder
  • Cross-Breeding Permutations – many new morph combinations
  • Variation Group Chain & Variation Instancing and morphs
  • Custom Animations – multiple parameter animations