I just learned that there is an Open Source application in three parts called FLAM3 which appears to be closely related to Apophysis, if not completely equivalent. I gather it can produce animations as well as still images, in 3D as well as 2D. Suddenly "fractal flames" look like something I should try.
According to the docs: "Flam3-animate makes animations, and flam3-render makes still images. Flam3-genome creates and manipulates genomes (parameter sets)."
I downloaded and installed it on my Linux box, haven't figured out how to use it yet.
Other part of the breakthrough is that I suspect I now understand what an IFS is. Somehow the paper I read years ago didn't make it clear at all. I'll believe I really understand it when I manage to actually produce something with FLAM3.
According to the docs: "Flam3-animate makes animations, and flam3-render makes still images. Flam3-genome creates and manipulates genomes (parameter sets)."
I downloaded and installed it on my Linux box, haven't figured out how to use it yet.
Other part of the breakthrough is that I suspect I now understand what an IFS is. Somehow the paper I read years ago didn't make it clear at all. I'll believe I really understand it when I manage to actually produce something with FLAM3.