Learning about transformations

Note: This tutorial assumes that you have completed the 

Quick Start

, 

Basic Skills

, and 

Layers

tutorials. This includes: opening a new fractal, selecting fractal formulas and coloring algorithms, 

opening and working with the gradient editor, adding layers and changing merge modes.

In this tutorial we are going to use the Newton 1 image we created in the 

Quick Start

 tutorial.

G     

Locate and open its parameter set. (Hint: You will want to Browse the tutorials.upr file.) 

We are going to make a square image this time, so click on the Image tab of the 

Fractal Properties

tool window.

G     

Uncheck the Maintain aspect ratio box and change the Width setting to match the 

Height setting.

In Ultra Fractal, transformations are formulas that 

apply special effects to the fractal. They are selected and 

applied to a layer on the Mapping tab of the Layer 

Properties tool window.

Transformations

To add a transformation, switch to the Mapping tab and click the Add button.

G     

Select the Lake transformation in the 

Standard.uxf file of the "Select 

Transformation" browser. This applies a rippled 

The 

Lake

 transformation 

water effect to this layer of your fractal.

You will notice that the first two parameters for this transformation are Water level (Re): and Water 

level (Im):. This means that the coordinates that provide the location of the water level are a 

complex number. The default setting is 0, 0 and on our fractal, this places the water level at the 

middle of the fractal.

To change this, right click in one of the Water level parameter fields and select 

  Eyedropper from the menu that appears.

Now move your mouse cursor over the fractal image. You will notice that the cursor has become an 

eyedropper with crosshairs at the tip. The 

Fractal Mode

 tool window shows what the fractal would 

look like with the value currently under the mouse cursor.

G     

Choose a new placement for the water level with the crosshairs and click the left mouse 

button.

The fractal immediately redraws, placing the water level at these new coordinates. Try different 

locations.

G     

When you are finished playing with this nifty tool, Check the Use screen center option on 

the Mapping tab.

This will override any Water level settings and return the level to the center of your fractal so that 

your image looks like this:

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