Tutorials

To help you to get up to speed quickly with Ultra Fractal, this chapter contains a complete set of tutorials. Starting with the basics, you will soon learn how to create your own fractals, change the colors, add layers, use masks, and create animations.

The tutorials are organized in such a way that beginners can follow the steps in the main text without stopping to learn more advanced features. Small boxes on the right contain Tips, Hints and Learn More links for more experienced users.

The following tutorials are available:

Quick Start Tutorial
In this first tutorial, you will learn how to create a new fractal from scratch. You will experiment with formula parameters, add a coloring algorithm, and learn how to save and re-open fractals.
Learning basic skills
This tutorial explains the basics of working with fractals: using Switch mode, zooming, and working with gradients to adjust colors.
Working with layers
Now that you know the basics, learn how to add new layers, work with opacity and merge modes, and create transparent gradients.
Learning about transformations
To make things even more interesting, this tutorial shows you how to add transformations to your fractals to create all kinds of different effects.
Masking
The Masking tutorial extends the skills that you have learned so far and shows how to use the masking feature. Along the way, you will create a wonderful image to use as your desktop wallpaper.
Working with animations
This final tutorial explains how to use the animation features in Ultra Fractal. You will create a zoom movie, animate parameters, including gradient control points, learn how to use the Timeline tool window, and finally render your animation as an AVI or Quicktime movie.

All tutorials were written by Janet Parke (see Some final thoughts), except Working with animations.