home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Floppyshop 2
/
Floppyshop - 2.zip
/
Floppyshop - 2.iso
/
art&graf.ix
/
art-3871
/
chaos_c2
/
chaos_c2.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1985-11-19
|
9KB
|
216 lines
CHAOS CALC 2
============
cha'os (k-) n. Formless primordial
matter; total and utter confusion.
Fully Featured Fractal Generator
(c) 1993 Shareware by Tektonix
Matthew Sephton in GFA Basic 3.5
INTRODUCTION
------------
Chaos Calc 2 (CC2) is a fully featured fractal generator, and is
remarkably fast considering it is programmed entirely in Basic. It
boasts such features such as zooming (into infinity), colour cycling,
a number of different palettes, and variable plotting methods. This
document does not intend to be a Mathematics lesson, so we will only
touch on the theory of fractals once - right now.
The Mandelbrot is a graphical representation of an equation which
is repeated fed into itself (recursive), if the results of this
equation do not shoot off into infinity then the numbers used to start
the equation are members of the Mandelbrot set, and if they do - then
they are not members of the set. A colour is then plotted on the
graph (your STs screen) according to the number of recursions needed
to gain a result. There - the Mandelbrot set!
Throughout this document there will be references to several
example Chaos Definition Files (CDFs) which can be found on disk with
the program and this document. These will be given as examples in
bracket and in (UPPER CASE).
PROGRAM USE
-----------
CC2 is easy to use and is an extremely fast program, taking into
account that it was written in basic. This speed was achieved by use
of the GFA Basic Compiler. This resulted in vast speed increases:
'simple fractal' 91% inc 'complex fractal' 87% inc
(eg DEFAULT) (eg FOURSTAR)
Most functions are controlled using the mouse, apart from input of
numerical values and so on. Each menu option is also accompanied by a
key press, for more experienced users. All the features of CC2 will
be explained fully now in Layman's Terms (simply!).
TOUR OF FEATURES
----------------
Here follows a guide of the GEM menu system adopted by CC2. It's
aim is to guide you through the program easily, telling you where the
multitudes of options can be found.
DESK
This menu contains information about the program, as well as any
desktop accessories that are currently loaded.
NOTE: The SHAREWARE version has all of the accessories disabled.
Yet another reason to register.
FILE
This branch of the menu tree contains all the file or disk related
commands. More precisely these are: loading and saving CDF files;
saving the current picture as a Degas (uncompressed) picture file.
Disk functions include the ability to view how much space is on
the drive from which the program was run, and the option to delete
files from disk, using the fileselector. The option of quitting or
leaving the current program is included at the end of this menu.
NOTE: The SHAREWARE version has a limit of one CDF save per session.
Yet another reason to register.
SET
This is the menu which contains almost every setting that controls
the appearance of the fractal being processed. Values can be reset to
their initial state, or simply changed at will. This is done using
the simple text input system. Take note that the image size will not
be allowed to exceed the low resolution screen size (320x200). Also
depth settings upwards of about fifty will also tend to slow image
processing down, as will large images.
With this system of text input some handy tricks are possible. If
you wanted any special characters in your images TITLE for instance
they can be entered by pressing CONTROL-A, followed by the ASCII code
of that character (eg. space=ASCII 32).
NOTE: The SHAREWARE version has the Julia Set option disabled.
Yet another reason to register.
PLOT
From this menu the current plot's picture can be wiped (advised to
do this before drawing with any GRID speed). Options to reDRAW the
plot with the current settings or look at it are present. When
viewing the plot, the colours can be cycled by pressing SPACE.
The plot can also be zoomed into infinitely (this practically
depends on the accuracy of the ST's maths). This is achieved by using
the mouse to define the size of the area to be viewed, which can then
be moved about more precisely to suit.
The Chaos Calc 2 also offers a wide range of drawing techniques,
which will try to be explained now.
Firstly, you have plotting methods - DUAL and LINE. Line is
faster than dual. These can be SILENT or not. SILENT involves each
scan-line of the plot to be plotted after it has been calculated,
which increases plot times - slightly.
You then have four drawing techniques - NORMAL, ROUGH, GRID a and
GRID b. These range from the slowest but most detailed NORMAL, to the
fastest but least detailed GRID b. Generally, the two grid methods
should only be used for large sized plots. The default settings are
LINE on, SILENT off, ROUGH. The drawing modes are not saved with the
CDF of a plot.
COLOURS
Before I start this section, I would like to thank the authors of
Phraqtal (ST User edition) and Hendy.... (ST Format edition), for
borrowing the palettes used in their two excellent fractal progs.
This menu is used to control the palette used to display the
current plot picture. There are currently six built in palettes, with
more on the way. Once a plot has been drawn it does not have to be
redrawn to see it in a new palette.
Colour cycling speed is also dictated from this menu. It can be
increased or decreased, or simply given a new value. This can bring
about some psychadelic effects! (eg CYCLE_ME)
NOTE: The SHAREWARE version has the cycling direction disabled.
The first person to register with me will have a new palette
named after him/her, and their name in the registration release.
Yet more reasons to register.
CDF FILE FORMAT
---------------
When a plot is saved in this format, it takes up far less space
than a Degas picture file, but it has to be replotted each time to see
it. This is because it is stored as a list of the numbers needed to
plot the pattern, along with the palette used and colour cycling
details. Each file takes up 1k of space compared with the wasteful
32k of a Degas picture. If you require a precise outline of the CDF
format (to develop program compatability?), then register with me!
THANKS - The following thanks go out for this program:
------
Frank Ostrowski ............................. GFA Basic
all of his books
ST Format .............................. Excellent Mag!
Han Kempen .................. Your 2nd GFA Basic Manual
(2nd edition)
Various Authors ........................... Their progs
ADVERTS - Some of my other useful/useless) programs include:
-------
MR. MENU - A series of powerful menu programs, with squillions
of features. Registered users receive PRO version.
off COLOUR - A palette restoration program, which can memorise a
palette and restore it at a mouse click.
FUJIboot PRO - Displays the Atari logo at boot up ( la TOS 2.06).
THERMOboot - Allows a user instigated warm or cold boots of the
computer - better than switching off!
SqUIrt - A launch base for QRT ray tracing system, allowing
easier user choice and running of several related
programs.
...and even more SHAREWARE programs!
DISCLAIMER
----------
This program has been thoroughly tested and the author will take
no responsibility whatsoever for any incompatibility or damage caused
by the use or misuse of this program.
Finally all trademarks or copyrights used within this document
are hereby acknowledged by the author.
SHAREWARE
---------
This program is Shareware. A registration fee (5 sterling) with
the author will guarantee any further updates of this and other top
quality shareware programs.
I would also be grateful to hear about any bugs, problems, or
suggested additions (or subtractions) for the program!
Matthew Sephton,
17 Hamilton Road, Mark envelope: CHAOS CALC 2
Everton,
Liverpool,
Merseyside,
ENGLAND. L5 4RT.