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1991-05-11
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Fractal Paint User's Manual
Copyright (c) 1990-1991
International ComputerSmiths
3726 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6R 2C1
tel: (604) 224-5242
bbs: (604) 224-5247
Version 1.06
May. 12, 1991
1. Introduction to Fractal Paint
Fractal Paint is an interactive graphics design
program. Fractal Paint can draw lines, rectangles, ellipses
and text like any other drawing program. However, Fractal
Paint also lets you draw more complex images called
fractals. Before Fractal Paint, fractals were drawn out
laboriously on computer screens often taking overnight to
calculate. With Fractal Paint you can create fractal shapes
instantly.
- Fractal Paint is a tool for artists and scientists to
create complex landscapes quickly.
- Fractal Paint eliminates the tedium of computer graphics,
allowing different levels of self replication without
manually drawing in every line.
- Fractal Paint allows users to create their own unique
fractals.
- Fractal Paint can inspire designers of all mediums.
- Fractal Paint is an ideal program for producing business
cards, advertisements and other copy that benefits from
eye-catching graphics.
Fractal Paint runs under Microsoft Windows (Version 3.0
or higher) on any computer with a mouse that will run MS-
Windows. Fractal Paint objects can be exported into
Microsoft Paint as well as many other Windows-based programs
through the Windows Clipboard.
To run Fractal Paint, Microsoft Windows must be
installed on your hard drive. To install Microsoft Windows
refer to the Microsoft Windows manual. If you do not have
Microsoft Windows, then contact a local Computer Software
Dealer and purchase it. Make sure you purchase version 3.0
or higher. If you own a lesser version of Windows, it is
well worth your while to upgrade.
:1.1 Installation of Fractal Paint
To install Fractal Paint copy the files from the Program
Floppy Disk to a directory on your computer's hard drive.
For instance, to install Fractal Paint on the C: Drive
in its own directory C:\FP: and to create the subdirectory
type:
C: - select C: drive.
cd \ - start at the root directory.
Fractal Paint User's Manual/2
mkdir FP - create the FP subdirectory.
Fractal Paint User's Manual/3
Now you must copy the program files to this directory so
type (this assumes you have just typed what is above and
that the program floppy is in drive A:):
cd FP - enter the FP subdirectory
copy a:*.* - copy all the files over.
Now the easiest way to run Fractal Paint is to install
its icon in a program group in the Program Manager and
double click on that icon. First start Microsoft Windows,
and when in the Program Manager select the Windows
Applications program group as the current window. Then
choose File - New and select program item, then for the
program path choose C:\fp\fp.exe and choose the icon. Refer
to your MS-Windows manual for more information on the
Program Manager.
:1.2 Introduction to Fractals
What is a Fractal?
"A fractal is a curve whose Hausdorff-Besicovitch dimension
is larger than its Euclidian dimension." Dr. Benoit B.
Mandelbrot
Fractals are mathematical objects with the property of
being self-similar. Fractals are everywhere, they are the
geometric patterns found in nature: in tree branches, in
contours of a coast-line, in peaks of mountains, in veins on
leaves, in cumulus clouds.
Formerly called "monsters" and "dragons" by traditional
geometricians, fractals are now an accepted part of
geometry. These are objects that have a similar structure
when observed at any magnification. For instance, when you
look at a coast-line it looks similar no matter how closely
you look at (i.e., from 20,000 feet you see big bays and
peninsulas and from close up you see little bays and
peninsulas).
Fractal Paint User's Manual/4
2. The Menus
:2.1 The File Menu
+-----+
|File |
+-----+-----+
|New |
|Open... |
|Save |
|Save As... |
+-----------+
|Print... |
+-----------+
|Exit |
+-----------+
The file menu is used to clear the current drawing, load
a new drawing, save the current drawing, print the drawing,
or exit the program.
New. . .
Selecting New clears the current drawing and all
associated fractal or L-system definitions.
Open. . .
Selecting Open, brings up a dialog box with a list of
files to choose from, and space to enter a different file
spec or file name. You can use this dialog box to move
around directories as well. To choose a file select it and
then press return or click on OK, or alternately double
click on the file you wish to select.
By default this dialog box lists files with the ".FPL"
(for Fractal Programming Language) extension. If you want a
different extension enter "*.ext" where ext is the extension
you wish in the file name field and press return or click on
OK. To traverse directories select [..] to go up a
directory. Directories are listed in bold; to enter a
directory, select it. If you decide you don't want to
choose a file click on Cancel or press the escape key.
Save. . .
Selecting Save will save your file with no further
prompting if you already have a file name associated with
the drawing (through Open or Save As). If there is not
already a file name (indicated in the title bar of the
program), then the Save As dialog box will be presented.
Fractal Paint User's Manual/5
Save As. . .
Selecting Save As will bring up a dialog box that allows
you to type in the desired file name. Type in the entire
file name including any path information, using the standard
DOS syntax for files and paths. If you do not provide an
extension then a default of ".FPL" will be used. Click OK
or press return to carry out the save, or click Cancel or
press escape to return to the drawing without saving.
Print. . .
Selecting Print will print the drawing to the printer.
Printing can take a long time, so while the drawing is being
composed for printing a dialog box is presented allowing you
to cancel the printing process. If you have the spooler
installed then the spooler will be given a temporary file to
print.
Exit. . .
Selecting Exit, terminates the program and returns you
to the MS-DOS Executive.
If you select Open, New or Exit and the drawing has been
altered without being saved then a dialog box asking you
whether you want to save the changes or not before exiting
the program will be displayed. To Save the drawing click OK
or press return. To exit without saving click on No to
return to the drawing without saving or exiting click on
Cancel.
:2.2 The Edit Menu
+-----+
|Edit |
+-----+------------------+
|Undo Alt+BkSp |
+------------------------+
|Cut Shift+Del |
|Copy Ctrl