Some formulas need to calculate random values. Ultra Fractal offers two ways of obtaining pseudo-random values.
The predefined symbol #random returns a new complex random number for every pixel. This exists primarily for compatibility with old Fractint formulas.
The preferred way of obtaining a random value is the random function. This function accepts an integer seed and returns a new random seed. To generate a series of random numbers, you should call the function repeatedly, each time supplying the seed returned by the previous call. Example:
int seed = 123456789 ; initial value seed = random(seed) ; seed is now the first random number seed = random(seed) ; seed is now the second random number
To obtain a random floating-point number between 0 and 1, divide abs(seed) by the predefined symbol #randomrange. To obtain a random integer between 0 and n - 1, use abs(seed) % n.
You can generate multiple independent, reproducible series of random numbers just by declaring and using multiple seeds. The random function will always return the same result for the same seed value.
Next: Symmetry
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Global sections