Experimental BBS Explossion 3/Experimental BBS Explossion III.iso/graphics/frctlpnt.zip/MANUAL.TXT

Text File | 1993-02-02 | 15KB | 417 lines

                                  T H E

                       F R A C T A L   G R A F I C S

                              O N - D I S K

                               M A N U A L


                    Copyright, 1991-1993 by Dick Oliver
                Cedar Software, Morrisville, VT  05661-9605
                              [phone]

                      Version 2.02GM, February, 1993


Compatibility:

Required: * IBM-PC, XT, AT, PS/2, or compatible
          * DOS version 2.1 or higher
          * Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, or Super-VGA graphics adapter
          * Minimum of 384K of memory

Optional: * Microsoft compatible mouse

For file compatibility, this product uses the PCX and GX Graphics toolkits,
Copyright 1989 by Genus Microprogramming, Inc.  Other products mentioned
are trademarks of their respective companies.



CONTENTS
--------

     I. What is Fractal Grafics?
    II. What Can I Do With It?
   III. Getting Started
    IV. The Fractal Grafics Guidebook
     V. Installation
    VI. Running the Program
   VII. Start-up Files
  VIII. The Juliman Program
    IX. Registration

I. WHAT IS FRACTAL GRAFICS?
---------------------------


Fractal Grafics is a drawing program and an educational tool.  As with
any drawing program, you use the mouse and keyboard to create pictures
on the screen from dots and lines, with full control over coloring and
shading.  The images you design are limited only by your artistic skill
and imagination.

Fractal Grafics gives you a new, powerful drawing tool called a "fractal
template".  You use the template to create complex shapes with rich detail,
and assemble these shapes into eye-catching, colorful images.  With
practice, you will be able to make pictures more realistic than anything
you've ever created on a computer (or, more than likely, on paper).  Many
of the most difficult things to draw with other programs (like plants,
landscapes, and other flowing natural forms) can be drawn in great detail
in seconds with a single "imprint" of a fractal template.

But realism is only half the story.  Even before you build your drawing
skills enough to mimic the "real" world, you'll embark on a breathtaking
journey into the fantastic world of fractal geometry.  The easiest shapes
to create are spiraling vortexes, other-worldly plants, enchanting galaxies
of color, and dazzling portraits of infinity.

Fractal Grafics is designed to be intuitive and easy to use for anyone: you
don't need to know any mathematics, or be any good at art--though you'll
find plenty of chances to use both skills if you have them!  The mission of
Fractal Grafics is to let YOU get creative with the geometry that has
revitalized both science and art, from the prediction of earthquakes to
state-of-the-art motion picture special effects.

II. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT?
--------------------------


Fractals are beautiful and fascinating, and you're sure to get a great deal
of entertainment from using Fractal Grafics.  You can also do some very
practical things with it:


     --You will learn through hands-on exploration about fractal geometry
and "chaos" theory, which are revolutionizing many fields of science.  Here
are just a few examples:

     * See with your own eyes why traditional linear systems go belly up
     when applied to most natural phenomena.

     * "Grow" plants on the screen by designing your own geometric genetic
     codes, and learn to reconstruct the genetics of real plants.

     * Learn to create visual graphs and models of non-linear dynamical
     data.


     --You can also create spectacular artwork and graphics designs.  A
sampling of your new artistic repertoire:

     * Sculpt a fractal mimicry of any existing (or imagined) image, and
     add coloring and shading highlights.  All shapes can be re-sized
     without loss of textural detail.

     * Then apply some of these effects:  Irregular or spiraling zooms,
     complex "cracks" and fragmentation, spray, blur, winding tendrils,
     fuzz, or anything you can imagine (and lots you can't)!

     * Tile any shape with copies of itself for dizzying "off to infinity"
     effects.

     * Exchange images with other "draw", "paint", and desktop publishing
     programs via built-in compatibility with the PCX file format.

III. GETTING STARTED
--------------------


What should I do to get           How long
going with Fractal Grafics?       will it take?

1. Install the program, and get   5 to 15 minutes
it running.  (The following
two sections tell you how.)

2. Follow the on-line help        1 to 2 hours
topics 0 through 9 to get
familiar with the program.
(Just run the program, press
the letter H and follow the
instructions that appear.)

3. Create some fractals!          At least an hour
Play, explore, and practice.

4. Follow the rest of the         1 to 2 hours
on-line help topics to learn
all the features of the program.

5. Practice some more.  Try to    At least an hour
imagine a shape and see if you
can create it on the screen.


If you wish to continue using the program at this point, you are asked
register your use with the author.  You will be sent a Guidebook which
picks up where the on-line tutorial leaves off.

IV. THE FRACTAL GRAFICS GUIDEBOOK
---------------------------------


When you register, you'll get a guided tour of the fractal universe, with
six educational sections and more than 150 hands-on examples.  The
following topics are covered:

1. ART

You'll master the use of fractal templates to create breathtaking
images.  Learn how to produce any design you can imagine, and a world of
shapes beyond imagination.


2. SCIENCE

Fractals have revolutionized almost every branch of science.
By modelling the natural world, you will discover the deep simplicity
behind Nature's complex face.  You'll also learn to graph fractal curves to
fit actual data.


3. MATH

Step into infinity and learn how fractals work.  If you want to
see the equations and algorithms, they're all here.  If you don't,
everything is explained visually and intuitively.


4. PHILOSOPHY

You'll discover the startling revelations of "non-linear"
thinking, and the intimate connections between fractals and Chaos theory.
Is the universe a fractal?  Are YOU?



5. HISTORY

You'll retrace the evolution of a new geometry, and find out
how "pathological" shapes which appalled their inventors have revitalized
science, mathematics, and art.



6. LITERATURE

You'll also get a complete bibliography of fractal books,
articles, software, and videos.  There's also advice on how to use Fractal
Grafics as a companion to several books.


And all the examples used in the Guidebook are indexed in the back so you
can browse through them on disk and then read about the ones that intrigue
you the most.

V. INSTALLATION
---------------


Follow these steps before you run Fractal Grafics for the first time:


1. Back up the Fractal Grafics disk(s).  Use the back up copy from now on,
and put the original in a safe place.  If you're not sure how to back up a
disk, here's how:

   --Insert a blank floppy disk in drive A.

   --Type FORMAT A: at the DOS prompt,
     and press Enter.  If you're sure you've
     inserted a blank disk, tell DOS by
     pressing Enter again.

   --When the formatting is done, take out the
     blank and insert the Fractal Grafics disk

   --Type DISKCOPY A: A: and press Enter

   --Follow the computer's instructions
     for inserting disks during the copy

   --Label the copy, and stash the original


2. Insert the back-up copy of the Fractal Grafics disk in drive A, type A:
(the letter A and a colon), and press the Enter key.  (The DOS prompt
should now say A>)

If, for some reason, you can't use drive A, just type the letter of the
drive you will be using, followed by a colon, and press Enter.  (Example:
To use drive B, type B:).  If you want to copy the disk to
a drive other than A (for example, drive B), use this command:

COPY A:*.* B:

NOTE: A "double-density" 3.5 inch disk holds twice as much as a "double
density" 5.25 inch disk.  Therefore, you can not backup a 3.5" disk to a
5.25" disk, unless the 5.25" disk is "high density".  You CAN copy two
5.25" disks onto one 3.5" disk if you want, though.  Just use the XCOPY
command above twice.  If this all sounds confusing, just
use one disk drive and the DISKCOPY command!


3. If you want TO INSTALL FRACTAL GRAFICS TO YOUR HARD DISK, simply
copy all the files to a subdirectory on the hard disk, like this:

C:
MD \FRACTAL
COPY A:*.* C:\FRACTAL

See the next page for instructions on starting the program.

VI. RUNNING THE PROGRAM
-----------------------


Once you've installed Fractal Grafics (see the previous page for
installation instructions), you can run it by entering FG from the
directory where the program resides.  For example:


--To run from a floppy disk, type this (pressing Enter after each line):

A:
FG


--To run from a directory on your hard drive (see previous page for
  instructions on copying Fractal Grafics to a hard drive):

(drive letter):                 (drive letter) is probably C.
CD \(directory name)            (directory name) could be FRACTAL.
FG


NOTE FOR MOUSE USERS: If you wish to use your Microsoft-compatible mouse
with Fractal Grafics, you must be sure to install your mouse driver before
running the program.  In many cases, the driver is installed automatically
when you start the computer, so you may not need to take any additional
steps.  See your mouse manual for more instructions.


The next page explains some advanced tricks for running Fractal Grafics.
You don't need to read it until you've used the program for a while.

VII. STARTUP FILES
-------------------


Whenever you run Fractal Grafics, it automatically loads a picture file
named STARTUP.PCX and a template file named STARTUP.FRT if they exist in
the current directory.  You can save any picture and/or template under the
name STARTUP and they will come up every time you start the program.

When you use a monochrome graphics mode such as /C (CGA 2-color hi-res),
/H (Hercules), or /M (VGA monochrome 640x480 resolution), the program
automatically loads the start-up files named STARTBW.FRT and STARTBW.PCX
instead of the ones named STARTUP.

You can specify another start-up file name on the command line.
For example, to start Fractal Grafics in 320 by 200 mode and bring up
picture and template files named MYSTART, enter:

FG MYSTART /L

Note that you can bring back the startup picture by picking Restore
from the menu as soon as the program begins.

To start up without loading any files, either delete the files named
STARTUP and STARTBW or specify a non-existent name (example: FG NOFILE).
The picture will come up blank and a simple triangular template will
be centered on the screen.

IX. REGISTRATION
-----------------


This is an unregistered "shareware" copy of Fractal Grafics.
You are encouraged to copy and distribute this program freely, but it is
NOT in the public domain.  If you continue to use the software in any way,
you must "register" (i.e. buy) it by sending $39 to Dick Oliver at:

        Cedar Software
        Box 5140-R1
        Morrisville, VT 05661-9605

When you register, you will receive the most recent version of the program,
a 160-page printed Manual and Guidebook, and over 150 fractal template
files used as examples in the Guidebook.  The Guidebook includes in-depth
sections on fractal art, science, philosophy, math, history, and
literature.  You will also receive a Quick Reference sheet, lifetime free
product support, a free copy of FRACTINT (which makes many types of abstract
fractals, including the Mandelbrot and Julia sets, MUCH faster than Juliman),
and discounts on all future Cedar Software products.

The shareware arrangement allows free information exchange while enabling
authors to focus on development and support of quality software without
huge advertising budgets, and resulting high prices.  The success of
shareware, and the freedom and benefits it offers all of us, depend on the
honesty and integrity of users, distributors, and authors alike.  Thank you
for supporting the shareware concept.

An order form/invoice is provided on next page for your convenience.
Phone orders are also accepted at [phone], although you may need
to leave a message on an answering machine.  Be ready with your Visa or
MasterCard number and expiration date, name, address, and phone number.
School purchase orders are also welcome.

Thanks for trying Fractal Grafics.  We hope to hear from you soon!


        INVOICE/ORDER FORM FOR FRACTAL GRAFICS COMPUTER SOFTWARE


Remit to:                        From: ________________________________
  Cedar Software
  Box 5140-R1, Dept. GM                ________________________________
  Morrisville, VT 05661  USA
                                       ________________________________
Voice: [phone]
  FAX: [phone]                  ________________________________


Check preferred disk size:   ___ 5.25" disks    ___ 3.5" disks   ___ HD


Qty   Item                                       Price Each       Total

___   Fractal Grafics Software (Single User)            $39      ______
        Includes 160-page illustrated Guidebook,
        200+ example files, free FRACTINT software,
        Quick Reference sheet, and lifetime support.

___   Fractal Grafics Unlimited Site License           $139      ______
        Designed and priced for schools, allows any
        number of users at one location or LAN.

___   Additional Documentation with Site License    each $8      ______

___   Full C Source Code & Programmer's Tutorial    add $39      ______
        Includes fast integer math kernal compatible
        with both Fractal Grafics and FRACTINT, an
        8-page illustrated tutorial and several example
        programs in Microsoft C to get you started.

      SPECIFY: ___ Microsoft C/QuickC   ___ Genus GX Graphics

___   Workshops/Seminars/Custom Programming:       Call us!      ______

                         Vermont residents add 5% sales tax      ______

      Shipping within North America, add $5.  Overseas, $10      ______

                                                     TOTAL:      ______


If ordering by Visa or MasterCard, please fill in:

      Card no.:   __ __ __ __   __ __ __ __   __ __ __ __   __ __ __ __

      Exp. Date: ___________   Signature: _____________________________