HOME | DD
ChaosFissure — Starting Out: Learning Apophysis
Published: 2014-01-24 21:15:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 13452; Favourites: 170; Downloads: 1273
Redirect to original
Description
I promised a guide to beginning fractal artwork using Apophysis, and here it is. No, it's not a video tutorial -- I made the executive decision to make it written, because it would be a one-time download and could be used offline, plus I find it easier to explain these concepts in a static context, and had troubles slowing myself down enough to put them into video.
I hope you still are able to find use out of this tutorial! Here are some useful resources to pursue as well!
//-------------------- Apophysis Itself --------------------//
The program itself.
sourceforge.net/projects/apoph… - Newest version of Apophysis, though I do not recommended due to possible incompatibilities with prior versions and things discussed in this tutorial, as well as possible interface differences.
sourceforge.net/projects/apoph… - for older versions of Apophysis, including the versions I use. I recommend using Apophysis 7x v15C for 64-bit, and Apophysis 7x v15B for 32-bit. Although you cannot use plugins in this version of the 64-bit system, I generally use 32-bit versions if I need plugins because it's harder to find the 64-bit DLL's, and there are a lot more written for the 32-bit version.
//-------------------- Plugins --------------------//
Links to useful plugin packs, gallery sections of DeviantArt users who have made plugins, or individual plugin packs. All are 32-bit plugins unless otherwise specified, meaning you need to use a 32-bit Apophysis build to use them.
phoenixkeyblack.deviantart.com… - The #Aposhack plugin pack, which includes a large number of plugins that are commonly used. DO NOT PUT THEM ALL IN YOUR PLUGINS FOLDER OR APOPHYSIS WILL CRASH. Only use the ones you need!
fav.me/d3j8rvx - FarDareisMai gutted the Aposhack Plugin Pack above to contain ones that were commonly used and hopefully shouldn't crash Apophysis you put them all in your plugins folder.
zy0rg.deviantart.com/gallery/3… - zy0rg 's plugins for Apophysis can be found here. Out of the list, I personally use the Blur Package the most.
xyrus-02.deviantart.com/galler… - Xyrus-02 's plugins for Apophysis can be found here.
zueuk.deviantart.com/gallery/4… - Zueuk 's plugins for Apophysis can be found here.
michaelfaber.deviantart.com/ga… - MichaelFaber 's plugins for Apophysis can be found here.
//-------------------- Tutorials and Things --------------------//
Other tutorials to take a look at.
Shameless spam of my own tutorials:
- fav.me/d6rllvj - Rendering and presentation strategies.
- fav.me/d5omsp6 - Linear Triangulation Tutorial
- fav.me/d5gyh1i - Bokeh Tutorial
- fav.me/d4tqjj4 - Fractal "Painting" - setup and Apo Rendering.
- fav.me/d4u8uf9 - Fractal "Painting" - Chaotica Rendering
Some tutorials from C-91
- fav.me/d5gsbxb - How to go about tweaking parameters
- fav.me/d5r545c - Spherical Plants
Some stuff from Fiery-Fire
- fiery-fire.deviantart.com/art/… - Interface guide for Apo 2.x.x
- fiery-fire.deviantart.com/art/… - Spherical tile setup.
- fiery-fire.deviantart.com/art/… - Some complex but cool tile setup.
- fiery-fire.deviantart.com/art/… - JDiscs (Julian Discs).
clairejones.deviantart.com/gal… - A collection of tutorials from ClaireJones .
lindelokse.deviantart.com/gall… - A collection of tutorials from lindelokse .
pillemaster.deviantart.com/gal… - A collection of tutorials from pillemaster .
fractaldesire.deviantart.com/g… - A collection of tutorials and resources from FractalDesire .
satania.deviantart.com/gallery… - A collection of tutorials and resources from SaTaNiA
meckie.deviantart.com/art/Simp… - 3D Julian Tutorial by Meckie
fav.me/d30940s - Spherical Disc Tutorial by heavenriver
__________________________________________________________
This tutorial, may not be uploaded, reuploaded, destributed, redistributed, modified, or claimed as your own without my prior, written permission. © ChaosFissure 2014
Related content
Comments: 73
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I think I'm getting the hang on using Apophysis, your beginner's guide really helped me a lot. Thank you very much and Happy Holidays my good Friend.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks for the beginner's guide my friend. It really helped me a lot. 🙏
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glad it could help! If you have any lingering questions or curiosities, I'd be more than happy to help where I can!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank You very much. I tried what you suggested in the tutorial and it's great! Take care and best wishes for the holiday my friend.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
There are some parts to fractals that might be inherently slow -- rendering in general isn't the fastest process in the world. You have three choices:
1) get a faster CPU (which would help for multi core rendering, but double preview speed at best.
2) tough it out. Some fractals are just slow as dirt to render, and there's no way around that without removing the elements making it slow.
3) if you're using Apo and didn't check "preserve speed" in the zoom settings, I'd recommend it so you at least have control over the density vs time trade off better.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you,i'll keep those points in mind
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Hi Fissure.
What would you suggest for making 3d blooms (like from Lindelokse's tutorial) with 64-bit version?
I want to print my blooms!
PS. i am asking because some of the crucial plugins are not working with 64 bit version
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Although I'm not the best person to ask about blooms (or rendering in Apo), I know that certain 64 bit versions of Apo support plugins. However, they must be compiled for 64bit.
I don't quite understand what you want suggestions for, and it would be easier to address your question if it was a bit more specific!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ok...I need pre_circlecrop variation... to work on 64-bit version since I intend to print my designs.
How other fractalist are managing that issue?
I researched a lot and didn't found the info regarding that issue.
I have that variation in a plugins folder but it is not showing in the editor...
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
You'll need a 64-bit version of that plugin and at least Apo v15D, which supports x64 plugins, if you want to use 64-bit Apophysis. I'd stick with the 32-bit version since you're more likely to run across compatible plugins, and just tone down the oversampling in the render so it doesn't break the 2gb RAM limit.
Nonetheless, I do keep a selection of plugins built in x64 based on things people have asked over the years, and that appears to be in my collection. Find the sources and compiled versions here --> Plugins64
If you move these into your plugins folder and still don't see anything at the bottom of the variations list, then you probably need to check that your Apophysis version isn't too old. (sourceforge.net/projects/apoph… , "Apophysis.7X15D.x86_amd64.zip").
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hey, i solved my issue!
The secret is that one guy created gpu accelerated fractal flame editor called fractorium!
It has over 300 plugins installed and is preety much the same as Apo, and kicks ass, it is better!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I can't say I've used it, but I'm glad you've found something that does what you need it to
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
That variation is mentioned in lindelokse's tut, and C-91 mentioned it as well, but i am not sure what is the way around when working with 64 bit version of apo
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks for this tut, I am starting with Apo (I needed something to enhance my fractal works) and it's good not to have to spend time figuring everything out by trial and error.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
thanks for sharing will get onto this all asap
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The darkness around the edges is probably because you aren't using a high enough density. However, I'd need to see a screenshot and some idea of what it /should/ look like to confirm that would be the case!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
hi thanks for the reply
after you mentioned density i change dit all the way up to 1000 and still it is ark around the edges. i did upload to my scrapbook a screen shot. Unfortunatly I dont knwo how to add it to this comment box.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Aah, the darkness in that is probably because the gamma is too low. If you change the gamma to be in the 2-4 range, you should see more structure, and if you also change the brightness to like 8, it should also be easier to see as well.
Gamma affects how much of the shape is possible to see before it fades into darkness. More gamma means the fractal appears to have more "body" or substance to it, while lower values of gamma add more contrast to the fractal, fading out the less structural parts of the image and causing brighter parts to glow.
Having gamma that is too low means that it'll be hard to see anything unless you crank up the brightness, while having gamma really high (like 9999) typically will make brightness irrelevant as everything would be "flat."
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
thanks, that was a really good explanation. I tried it an and yes it was brighter but now you can see the colour bleeding. I will add another screen shot. I really appreciate the hellp. thanks again
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
What do you mean by color bleeding? Do you mean the background of the fractal not being perfectly black, and instead having that red/orange color? That's likely due to how the fractal interacts with the final transform, which causes that patch to spread out. I think this is correct behavior
I'm assuming that you're using one of lindelokse 's tutorials here (Apophysis Blooms Tutorial ). Step 1 shows a bunch of shapes that are expanding from the center, step 2 has the variation preview of the final transform showing it scattering stuff away from the center and outward, and if you look at the final image in the tutorial, you'll also notice that it has that background that's colored as well.
I could be mistaken by what you mean by "color bleeding," so please let me know if you mean something else!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
fav.me/daau9mk
lets see if this link works to my scrap book. i think you are right. This is something i would fix up in photoshop.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
If you are a complete beginner you really should do this tutorial! This tutorial enabled me to make my first fractal using lindelokse's Blooms Tutorial. Thank you so much!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
As you've found this useful and have gone through it, I'd be interested in knowing what you found most helpful, and if there was anything in particular I missed or should have covered a bit more to make it more useful.
Cheers!
Chaosfissure
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
oh hello sir! I was not expecting you to contact me haha. Its cool, I'm sure you ask everyone this question. Um all of it was most helpful because I couldn't use apo at all until I did your tutorial and I'll be telling all beginners to do it. The only problem I had is as soon as I tried to do lindelokse's bloom tutorial I saw that my Color Tab has color speed, opacity and direct color unlike lindelokse's tutorial which has weight, transform color and color speed. After a while I realised I had Weight too but I still didn't have transform color and lindelokse doesn't mention opacity or direct colour. At first I tried downloading different versions of Apo to try to find one with a Color Tab like lindelokse's but I couldn't find one. So maybe some more explanation of the Color Tab. Or perhaps a separate tutorial on the Color Tab. In the end I just followed her color instructions where i could and ignored the ones I couldn't and just made do. Hope I helped.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Part of what I'm doing is providing a resource; I want it to be useful, and the best people to tell me what they thought about it are the people who have just used it
Lindelokse's tutorial was created in 2010, and likely uses an older version of Apophysis. Direct coloring wasn't added until the Apophysis 7x releases, which occurred in 2013, and I think is a feature in certain variations - and normally doesn't do anything otherwise. There's a lot of changes between versions of Apophysis.
Transform Color Is Here (Apo7x v15b). You can change the number and move the slider bar. Is this what you're looking for?
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
I just realised that talking to you on Deviant art is like the opposite of talking to someone in any YouTube comment section. Like its a weird experience. You're being nice and helping me. I got a fractal mentor today, piethein21, he is going to help me for free. Its weird. Its like an ideal world where people just help you...for no reason! lol I'm not used to it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Youtube comments are often hives of scum and villainy. While I think the videos themselves are reasonable resources to see how people do things, it's not nearly as personal as talking to people on an art website. Those comments are social, meant for quick blurbs (...READ MORE *cough*) -- not for in-depth analysis or things of the sort.
Trying to help people is something I strive to do. I get as much enjoyment discovering something interesting in the artwork I create as I do in helping people understand things and teaching what I know.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Perhaps you can guide me in the right direction. These are the type of fractals I like:
boxtail.deviantart.com/art/Win…
and this
katdesignstudio.deviantart.com…
and
piethein21.deviantart.com/art/…
and
www.deviantart.com/art/Macro-G…
and
zy0rg.deviantart.com/art/City-…
Is there any tutorial you know of that would help me along the way to making something like this? I'm a complete beginner so any advice is welcome.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The artwork seen from Boxtail and Piethein are stylistically known as "elliptic splits." Boxtail's image uses blur (unsure if it's sineblur or falloff, you can just ask him) for those effects, and I'd imagine Piet threw in some xaos loops for those circular elements.
Elliptic Splits: [Tutorial - Splits elliptic ]
Xaos Loops: [Double Bubble Tut ] (more advanced to setup)
Bokeh: I think it's based on a tutorial I made - [Creating Bokeh ] - with a bit of motification and using more specialized plugins.
As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Ah ok yes I see Transform color now. That just leaves Opacity.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Are you looking for information on what opacity does, or where it can be found? Sorry, it's a bit late and my brain is stopping for the night XD
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
A generic definition for opacity is:
- "The major shape and structure of this transform is hidden."
However, this is a crude generalization, and isn't entirely correct. AFAIK, the technically correct definition is:
- "Whenever I am going through an iteration of the IFS and am on this transform, don't plot a pixel at the current position."
That's probably a bit too technical for people who haven't coded graphics stuff before. What this really means is:
- "This transform still affects how the whole fractal looks, despite not being visible."
Example:
1) Take a random fractal created of two transforms. You can look at the random examples for one like this.
2) If you set the opacity of a transform to 0, you'll notice a section of the fractal disappears.
3) Likewise, if you reset the opacity and set the other transform to 0 opacity, the other half disappears.
4) If you delete either transform, you'll see the structure disappear (most likely, or a few dots will show up in places -- but there will be a drastic change in the shape!).
5) What this shows that each transform interacts with ever other transform.* Rather than preventing them from interacting with each other, opacity just hides that specific part of the fractal. This is sometimes very useful - if a transform has a shape that overlaps the rest of your fractal, setting the opacity to 0 means that that it'll stop doing so.
*this is not always the case. There's this Xaos tab, but it's well beyond the scope of this tutorial and is much more technical in nature.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ah I see. That's good to know that putting opacity to zero doesn't stop the interaction between the two transforms.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you for this tutorial very good and helpful.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
It would've been nice if I saw this sooner. I appreciate it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, there's unfortunately not much I can do about that shy a time machine... Still, glad that you found it interesting nonetheless
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
What a god sent this tutorial is! Thank you so much. So many people tend to forget that a Beginners knows NOTHING . Thank you for explaining "all the buttons"!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
As a person who himself like pushing all the buttons, I found that Apo was pretty confusing, especially since the interface and concepts to design fractals are rather abstract.
If I can help at least someone get past the interface more quickly, then that might be a few days, or more, of a head start that fractals become fun or interesting to make...rather than confusing or impossible to do anything with.
I'm glad you found the tutorial useful! If there's anything else I can help with, don't hesitate to let me know.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Bring it 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you!!! Been quite some time since I have done much fractal artwork so this is a very concise and broad look at all of the resources I need. Finding the version of Apo which will work as well as the links to the plugins is very much appreciated and I thank you for getting it all together.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glad you found it helpful; that was my goal
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
It most be me, but can't find the tutorial above.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You need to download the zip file provided with this near the top right of the page -- the image here is just a header and not a tutorial itself.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
| Next =>