Fractal Art: Create a 3D Julian Fractal in Apophysis

Apophysis
is well known for its ability to create amazingly intricate 2D and 3D
flame fractals. In this tutorial you will learn how to create a 3D
Julian fractal. I will be using a 64 bit version of Apophysis 7x;
however, 32 bit versions will work the same for this tutorial. The
concepts are very similar to creating a 2D Grand Julian but will
include the usage of modifying variations to achieve a pseudo-3D
appearance.

1.
Setting Up the Scene

Step
1

Load
the Apophysis program, and then open the Editor window. Click the
New Flame button to create a blank canvas from which we will
work.

Step
2

Before
we begin adding any elements to the fractal, it is a good idea to set
a basic color scheme. This can easily be changed in the future. Close
the Editor window and open the Gradient Adjustment
window. Choose a gradient for the fractal. I have selected gradient
576_Gold_and_Blue to work with.

2.
Base Transforms

Step
1

We'll
begin by adding in the base of the fractal. I like to start with this
part because it is the foundation on which we can build.
Additionally, by starting here, you always know which transform is
the base and can easily modify it in the future. Working in a
consistent manner each time you create a fractal
can greatly improve your efficiency, allowing you to focus on the
creative aspects rather than the logistics.

To start, switch to the Variations tab and
remove the linear variation from the
transform by changing its value to 0. Next, add in a small amount of
hemisphere—about 0.35 should work nicely. To encourage the
base to stand out more and to remove unnecessary visual iteration of the fractal on itself, add in 0.5 of the
pre_blur variation. You should now see a big circle in the
preview window.

Step
2

Click
the Add Transform button to add in Transform #2. This
transform will control the structure and look of the fractal. It will
provide the basis for how the rest of the fractal will look, and you
can make any major modifications to the fractal's appearance from
this transform.

Still
in the Variations tab of the Editor, remove linear
by changing its value to 0. Add in a julian value of 0.85.
Additionally, place a small amount of distortion on this transform by
adding in 0.0125 of the hemisphere variation.

Step
3

The
structure of the fractal will need more emphasis or weight directed
to it than other transforms of the fractal. We can tell Apophysis to
focus its attention on the structure by increasing the Weight
value. Change this value to 10.

Step
4

Now
switch over to the Variables tab. The variables of the julian
formula give you great power and control over the appearance of the
fractal. Modify the variables so that julian_power is 2 and
the julian_dist = -1.

Step
5

Next
we will make some adjustments to the coloring of the fractal. Up to
this point, everything is one color. Select the Colors tab.
Change the Transform Color and Color speed values to
something you like. I have selected 0.281 for the Transform Color
and 0.6 for the Color speed.

Change
to Transform #1 and choose -0.5 for the
Color speed. Keep in mind that these color settings and the
entire gradient can be modified later if you find something not exactly to your liking.

3.
Going 3D

Step
1

Ready
to go 3D? Close the Editor window and open the Adjustments
window.

Modify
the Pitch value to something of your liking. This changes the
view of the fractal from an overhead view
to a side/profile view. A value between 35 and 75 will generally work
best. I have chosen 40.

Step
2

Next
we can modify the Yaw and Perspective. The yaw value
essentially changes the rotation of the fractal on the 3D plane. The
perspective simply adjusts the fractal to a new perspective. This
feature is not documented at all and thus requires some
experimentation to truly see what it does.

A
Perspective of 0.2 is a good place to start. Modify the Yaw
setting to something that you feel looks pleasing. I have gone with a
value of 125 for the moment, and may modify this setting later on
based on upcoming changes.

Step
3

Close
the Adjustment window and open the Editor Window.
Switch to the Triangle tab.

Make
certain that you have Transform #2, your Julian structure
transform, selected. Move this transform to the right by 0.4
units. Change the Scale value to 110 and scale down twice by
clicking the smaller Triangle button. The 3D Julian is now becoming
very evident!

Step
4

Here
we will be adding a new transform which will give our fractal more
detail. Click the New Transform button to add in Transform #3.
On the Variations tab remove linear by changing its
value to 0. Add in the julian variation by a value of 0.36.

In
the Variables tab, change julian_power to 6 and julian_dist
to -1.

Step
5

Within
the editor window, we want to modify the shape of the Transform #3
triangle. With your mouse, left-click on the Y-node of the
green triangle (Transform #3). Drag this node down until the triangle
is a flat line on the 0 degree mark with the X-Axis. This will give you
some nice spikes on the fractal.

Switch
back to the Variations tab, where we will make a few
modifications to the positioning of Transform #3. Add in 0.01 of zcone
and 0.108 of ztranslate.

Step
6

Let's
add one more transform to create more detail by clicking the New
Transform button. This adds Transform #4 to our fractal. On the
Variations tab, remove linear by changing its value to 0. Add
in julian with a value of 0.45. Change ztranslate to
0.025.

Switch
to the Variables tab and change julian_power to 10 and
julian_dist to -1.

4.
Refinements

Now
is the time to make refinements to your fractal. The entire base
structure is there as well as the details. I will provide a list of
modifications I made so that you can replicate the final design.

The
following is a list of adjustments I made to our 3D Julian fractal
design.

In
the Gradient Adjustment window I switched to the
gradient 600_Mystery. I then used the Rotate setting
and chose -115. I changed the Saturation to 70 and Brightness
to 82.

Next,
I switched to the Editor window and for Transform #2 in
the Triangle tab I scaled down by 110 once. I then moved
Transform #2 to the right by 0.05 units. In the Colors tab
I changed the Color speed to 0.7.

I
then changed the Weight of Transform #1 to a value of
2.

Then,
switching to Transform #3 and the Variables tab, I
changed the value of julian_power to 25. In the Colors
tab I changed the Transform color value to 0.06 and the Color
Speed to 0.5.

Next
I duplicated this transform by clicking the Duplicate Transform
button at the top of the editor. This created Transform #5. I lowered
the Weight to a value of 0.25. On the Variations tab,
julian was modified to 0.35. The ztranslate value was
changed to 0, zscale to 0.721 and zcone to 0.345. On
the Variables tab I modified julian_power to 8.

Finally,
I switched to the Adjustments window to make some
modifications to the camera. I changed the following values:

• Depth
  Blur: 0.01
• Pitch:
  38.25
• Yaw:
  229.4
• Height:
  -0.254
• Perspective:
  0.7427
• Scale:
  25.4265

5.
Rendering

Finally,
after all that hard work, there is no doubt you will want to render
your 3D Julian fractal!

Click
the Render button in the main Apophysis window to open the
Render Dialog window. Size settings are entirely up to you.
Remember that the larger the size, the longer the
render will take. Set the Density to 10000 and the Filter
Radius to 1. An Oversample value of 1 or 2 can be used, but
there is no need to go higher than this. The large filter radius will
give a smooth overall look to the rendered fractal.

Now click Start, and go grab a coffee!

Congratulations!
You've just completed your first 3D Julian fractal in Apophysis. It
certainly is a lot of work and involves many small details, but the
finished product is well worth all of the effort.