Layer Properties tool window
The Layer Properties tool window edits the selected layers in the active fractal window. Layers are selected in the Layers tab of the Fractal
Properties tool window. The title bar shows which layers are currently being edited.
To open the Layer Properties tool window if it is hidden, click Tool Windows
on the Window menu, and then click Layer Properties.
The Layer Properties tool window contains five tabs:
- The Location tab specifies the coordinates of the layer. The coordinates
define which portion of the fractal is visible. The coordinates are shown
in two different forms: as the center coordinate with magnification, and as
the coordinates of the corners of the layer. Although it is possible to enter
coordinates directly here, you will usually use the zooming,
panning and rotating capabilities of the fractal window instead. The Copy
and Paste buttons are useful for copying locations from one layer or fractal
to another. The Reset button resets the location to the default for the currently
selected fractal formula.
- The Mapping tab contains a list of geometric transformations
that are applied to the layer. These are used to transform the shape of a
fractal. (Ultra Fractal Creative Edition and Extended Edition only.)
- The Formula tab specifies the fractal
formula (fractal type) that is used by the layer. The fractal formula
defines the shape of the fractal.
- The Inside and Outside tabs specify how the data from the
fractal calculations is interpreted to obtain the final coloring of the layer.
By selecting different coloring algorithms
here and adjusting the parameters, many different images can be created with
the same fractal formula. See also Inside
and outside.
To understand how the controls on the tabs work together, it helps to remember
that in a way, the calculation "flows" through the tabs from left
to right, starting with the location, and ending with the coloring algorithms.
For more information on a specific control, see Context-sensitive help.
See Also
Keyboard shortcuts for the Layer
Properties tool window
Tool windows