Getting started - instruction manual
Please note! this application is made for desktop and laptop computer only, it will not work on a mobile
device. It uses a combination of mouse and keyboard controls.
SCREEN LAYOUT
The screen is divided into three sections:
1) The Fractal display section:
The area at the top left of the screen is the the Fractal display section. This is where the fractal is
displayed. In this panel you can use your mouse to select an area to zoom in to.
2) The Control panels section:
To the right of the screen is the Control panels. These controls are used to help you explore the
fractal, download an image of the fractal as well as save and reload a fractal.
3) The Colour palette section:
At the bottom of the screen is the Colour palette section. This control contains colour pickers and
sliders that are used to set the colors of the fractal.
ZOOMING IN
To zoom in to the fractal, first move your mouse pointer to the top left of the area you want to zoom in
on. Next hold your mouse button down while dragging down and right. You will notice a white zoom box
square being drawn over the screen. This is the area you will zoom in to. When you are happy with the
area release the mouse. If you are not happy with the area you selected you can release the mouse and
start a new zoom box elsewhere.
To zoom in to the area you have select click over the Zoom button at the top of the Control panel.
After a short period the area you selected will fill the screen.
UNDO
If you want to go back a step you can use the undo button under the zoom button to retrace your steps.
Each click goes back a step and you can go back multiple steps.
RESET
If you want to start again you can choose the reset button below the zoom button.
ZOOM OUT
To zoom out you can use the slider and button in the Zoom out control panel. First choose the level of
zoom using the slider then hit the zoom out button.
MOVE AROUND
If you want to move the area on displayed up, right, down, or left first choose the amount you want to
move using the slider then use the arrows to choose the direction.
DOWNLOAD IMAGE
If you which to save the fractal to your computer first set the pixel size of the image then choose the
Download image button. The image will then appear in your download folder. Note! larger image may take
some time to download.
SAVE PARAMETERS
If you which to save your fractal to a file on your computer first enter a filename then choose the Save
parameters button. The file will then appear in your download folder.
LOAD PARAMETERS
To load previously saved parameters select the Choose file button then select a Parameter file you have
saved previously.
STRIPES
If you want to combine two color palettes to create a stripy effect, first select the Stripes check box
at the top left of the palette controls. Next choose the Update palette button to re render the fractal.
SHRINK / STRETCH
To stretch and shrink the colour palettet first set an amount using the slider then choose the Shrink or
Stretch buttons. Next choose the Update palette button to re render the fractal.
MOVE LEFT RIGHT
To move the colour palette first set an amount using the slider then choose the Left or Right buttons.
Next choose the Update palette button to re render the fractal.
BACKGROUND COLOR
You can use the background color control to set the areas of the fractal not colored by the Palette. Next
choose the Update palette button to re render the fractal.
DEPTH
The 'depth' of the fractal can be set using the depth input box. Note higher number will take more time
to render so this control may need to be adjusted as you dive into the fractal. Every time this is
adjusted the fractal will need to be refreshed using the update button. Next choose the Update palette
button to re render the fractal.
COLOR PALETTE
The color palette controls can be used to add color detail to the fractal. It uses a color bar that runs
left to right and each step represents an iteration of the fractal.
To add a new color marker to the palette click just above the colour bar and a new marker will appear.
To remove a marker first select a marker then choose the X at the top of the marker.
To move a marker move the mouse over the center of the marker hold down the mouse button and drag the
marker left and right.
To change the color of the marker click over the color block and a color choice will appear.
If the palette exceeds the level of iterations, for instance if the iterations are reduced the color
markers will still appear, however they cannot be dragged beyond the end of the palette.
Fractal Artist
