FA 4 – Imaging – What’s New

What’s New

This is our largest release ever with so many new features!

The monster new addition is the First Ever Fractal Animation Sequencer.

Non-Animation Related Changes


Let’s look at all of the new non-animation related features first.

Chain of Variation Groups per Transform


  • Adds new fractal image capabilities – so many new fractal possibilities
  • Almost as strong an affect as Final transforms
  • So Powerful, yet so Easy – Far Easier than Xaos linked transforms
  • Variations are grouped into Variation Groups, which are linked together as a Chain
    • i.e. Normal
    • i.e. Pre ⇒ Normal ⇒ Post
    • i.e. Pre#1 ⇒ Pre#2 ⇒ Normal ⇒ Post#1 ⇒ Post#2
  • Each Transform has its own Variation Groups Chain
    • Variation Group’s point Output become the Input to next Variation Group
    • Ordinary Variations can now behave like Pre or Post Variations
    • Supports classic Apophysis Pre/Post variation types too
    • Flexibility of Serial + Parallel Variation Evaluation
      • Inside a Group: Parallel – features are blended together
      • Between Groups: Serial – much larger affect than parallel
  • Supported Throughout the App
    • Random Fractal Generator
    • Lua Scripts
    • Triangle Editor
    • Cross Breeder Morphs
    • Custom Animations
    • Sequencer
  • Natural Extension to Apophysis/Flam3 Algorithm
    • Transform with 1 Variation Group gives same output as Apophysis/Flam3
    • Fully Backwards Compatible with FA 3D, Apophysis, Flam3
  • Variation Instancing
    • Transforms can have 2 or more variations of same type (with different parameters)
    • i.e. julian#1, julian#2

Lua Scripting


  • Create & Change Fractals with Lua Scripts
    • Lua 5.2.3
  • Random Generator, Variants Editor, & Super Variants Editor Supports Lua Scripts
  • Example scripts ported from Oxidizer, Apophysis, JWildfire
  • No Need for Xcode
    • Everything you need is in the App
    • Use either app’s builtin Text Editor or your favorite Text Editor

Scripted Random Generator


  • Use Lua Scripts to create random fractal batches
  • Includes assorted Lua scripts to get you started
  • Example scripts ported from jWildfire and Oxidizer
  • Can modify random fractals further with optional Lua tweak scripts

Create Standard Variants with Lua Tweak Scripts


  • Standard Variants Editor has new Lua Script variant category
  • Can be combined with other variant categories

Custom Variations


  • Create Your Own Variation Types from Scratch
    • Hack Existing Variation Types to Create New Ones
    • Does Require C Programming Skill and Knowledge of Computer Graphics
  • Send Your New Variation Types to Friends
  • No Need for Xcode
    • Everything you need is in the App
    • Use the builtin Text Editor or your favorite Text Editor
    • OpenCL Compiler gives instant feedback
    • Convert Apophysis Variation Source Code to OpenCL C
    • App is a big custom variation playground!

Super Variants Editor


  • Uses Animation Configurator to set parameter value ranges for variants
  • As much control as Triangle Editor
  • Lots of control – but not as easy as Standard Variants
  • As powerful as Lua scripts – but NO scripting required

Coloring Related Improvements


  • Photo-Editor Like Luminance, Red, Green, and Blue Color Curves
  • Smooth Palette Mode for Color Gradients
    • Color Gradient Editor allows editing of:
      • Gradient’s Hue, Saturation, and Luminance Curves
    • Smoothest possible Color Gradients
  • Support for irregular spaced Color Stops in Gradient Editor

GPU Trial Rendering


  • OpenCL GPU Rendering is now optional In-App purchase
  • GPU OpenCL Driver compatibility issues present on some Mac models + OS X versions
  • Free GPU Trial Rendering
    • You can render a selection of 16 fractals using GPU to any size/quality
    • Performance statistics
    • Risk free way to see if GPU rendering works on your Mac

Other Improvements


  • New Builtin Variation Types:
    • target, circlize2, squares, lazyTravis, squish
    • uni, julia3Dx, curl_sp, sph3D, julian3
  • QuickSpin
    • Fine Control Slider – for very slight changes
  • Random Fractal Generator
    • Pre, Normal, & Post Variation Group Categories
    • Lua Tweak Scripts can be applied to all random fractals
  • Triangle Editor changes
    • Duplicate as new Keyframe & Add to Stash buttons
    • Variation Group Chain and variation instancing
    • Color Curves Popover RGB(Luminance)/Red/Green/Blue curves
    • Custom Animations – multiple parameter animations
    • Fine & Very Fine Triangle Editing – for extremely small precise changes
  • Preview Window
    • 3D Fly-Throughs and Orbital Camera Playground
  • Fractal Info and XML Viewers
    • New Text Search Field
    • Support for European Number Formatting (Info Viewer)
  • Cross Breeder
    • Cross-Breeding Permutations – many new morph combinations
    • Variation Group Chain & Variation Instancing and morphs
    • Custom Animations – multiple parameter animations

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