Calculation details

Ultra Fractal is fully multi threaded and can take advantage of multi processor computers to speed 

up fractal calculations. This is done by splitting the fractal to multiple parts so the processors can 

work on each part in parallel. You can even distribute calculations to other computers with the 

network calculations

 feature.

This works well with most Mandelbrot type fractals, where each pixel of the fractal can be calculated 

independently. However, with fractal types such as IFS and Flame Fractals [1], the entire image is 

calculated in one step and it cannot be subdivided. Therefore, multiple processors and network 

calculations will not speed up these fractal types. In Ultra Fractal 3, 

rendering

 these fractal types was 

not recommended, but that limitation does not apply anymore.

If you have a processor with HyperThreading, Ultra Fractal will recognize it as a dual processor and 

split up its calculations accordingly. In most cases, this will result in a modest speed improvement. 

Otherwise, you can force Ultra Fractal to use just one processor.

Open the 

Options dialog

 and go to the Fractal tab. In the Advanced calculation options area, the 

Minimum number of threads option sets the minimum number of threads that Ultra Fractal will 

use for a single fractal window. If this is set to 1, calculations will not be subdivided. Typically, this 

should be set to the number of processors on your computer. 

The Maximum number of threads option limits the number of threads for a fractal window. Ultra 

Fractal uses the minimum number of threads for each layer, subdividing calculations as necessary, 

until the maximum number of threads is reached. This ensures that complex fractals with many 

layers will not saturate the system by using too many threads. If you would like more layers to be 

calculated simultaneously, you can increase this setting.

[1] To use IFS and Flame Fractals, you first need to download the set of 

public formulas

 from the 

online formula database. Select Pixel in mt.ufm as the 

fractal formula

 and either Iterated 

Function Systems in mt.ucl, or Flame Fractals in enr.ucl as the outside 

coloring algorithm

.

Next: 

Default fractal

See Also

Fractal windows

Playing animations

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