Tutorial 7: Using Julia Set Explorer

Introduction

When you first use it, you will notice the pop-up screen gives its true name Fractal Explorer V 2.0. It was part of the original Kai's Power Tools (from HSC / Metatools / MetaCreations, now taken over by Corel). This explains the unusal interface -- and perhaps the poor spelling! (Check how they spell valley.)

Incidentally, I used to wonder who Julia Set was. When I looked through the KPT documentation one day, I found out where the reference to Julia comes from. The original Fractal Explorer (you'll see this as the title on the interface screen) has six fractal shapes: Mandelbrot, Julia, M-J Hybrid I, M-J Hybrid II, Julia II and Julia III. I guess that for this particular filter in Photo-paint, they just went for the Julia fractal shape. Except -- the Photo-Paint version shows only the classic Mandelbrot shape. I give up!

Obviously, the filter is a wonderful generator of backgrounds for your images-- but it is also very suited to making special text effects quickly and easily. Note that by moving your mouse onto the central screen of the interface, and clicking, you can move the image-- this helps when you want the fill exactly right (e.g. when applying it to an object or text).

Text Effects

Below, I have applied the filter to a nice chunky text. Select Effects - Fancy - Julia Set Explorer and choose Snowflake in Waldo World from the preset menu at the bottom. I moved the picture as explained above to get the right result.

After that, all I did was employ the emboss filter and add a drop shadow.

Experiment!

Note that there are two places on the panel where you can change settings (by clicking on the - or + signs). You can also click on the center and change the spiral in that way.

And, finally -- another example of this filter, created by using the shuffle button at the top of the interface screen. This has used the Ground Zero preset with modifications, and lets some of the original image shine through. (the transparency is achieved by clicking on the Options button and selecting Tie Me Down). Remember: if you like the results, you can save them in the presets list.