One of my favorite features in Chaos Pro is the ability to Export your 3D Fractals in the ".obj" format.

This creates a true 3D Model of the fractal at whatever zoom you choose.  The detail level becomes fixed, as with any still image of a fractal, but the model can be imported to 3D Animation Software and Played With in many amusing ways.

Here is an example (made in the Daz 3D Studio freeware with a standard Mandelbrot set exported as a 3d Object) (it loops a few times because it's a short animation):

<a href="http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/3dmandy.flv" target="_blank">http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/3dmandy.flv</a>

I would LOVE to see more Fractal Generators that render in 3D offer this option.  Frankly, I have made few useful models.  But 3D is not Chaos Pro's strong point.

I have no clue what's involved in coding the export feature, but Chaos Pro is open source, so maybe some of our Talented Programmers may consider making this feature a part of their own software.  The possibilities for landscapes and material for game programming are Limitless!

Hey, that's pretty neat, though I'd like to see it higher res and with slower rotation. I happen to use Chaos Pro too, but haven't explored its 3D ability much yet.

Here's that site Lycium was talking about:

http://www.skytopia.com/project/fractal/mandelbrot.html

Hope you enjoy - it's at version 1 atm!

Here's one done with a 3D Mandala shape from Chaos Pro.  Coloring it as such was impossible, so I just went with it as a sort of monochrome.

And made it shoot fireworks in post production because I happen to like fireworks.

<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src=" <a href="http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/dalaboomy.flv" target="_blank">http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/dalaboomy.flv</a>">

Sorry if some code shows through there...  these things are not the same in all browsers.

Here is a direct link if there is trouble with the player:

<a href="http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/dalaboomy.flv" target="_blank">http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/dalaboomy.flv</a>

I hope more 3D Fractal Generators incorporate the ".obj" export feature.  It would really open up possibilities!

I'm on a Roll with these.

Here is the same thing as above, but with more contrasting textures and a bit of Reflection tossed in for practice.   

<a href="http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/a.flv" target="_blank">http://i106.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/sockratease/a.flv</a>

I really like this way of playing around.

I managed to remove the extra spike from the tail of the mandelbrot bit  of the model for this render.

OK...  that's the whole reason for this topic!  It was not rendered in a fractal generator.

And also why I keep hoping more folks who program 3D Stuff will consider incorporating ".obj" file export in their programs!

I used Chaos Pro to make a very simple mandala type fractal with a baby mandlebrot in the center.

Then used it's "3D Transform" Feature - adjusted it using it's "spline" editor (Not the same as spline in animation - more in the 3D Object sense of the word) and then exported it as an obj file which I then Imported in to my 3D Animation program. To my knowledge, Chaos Pro is The Only fractal generator to offer 3D .obj file export as a standard feature (it also exports in ".pov" format for fans of the open source ray tracing software which uses that format).

The animation and, colors / textures, were all done in that program. The shadows were a result of the way I set up the animation.  I flattened the Z Axis of the fractal model to a plane and tilted it just a little.  Then placed it just below another plane which does not move.  As I raised the Z Axis to grow the details out again I also raised it slightly above the other plain.

The light source was in a fixed position (but it could have been animated too!) so when I rotated the camera around to the back, the shadows fell as they would if the two 3 Dimensional Objects really were in those positions and you can see under the fractal just a little bit.  Shadows can be modified in the program too.  They have various parameters as well as a complete on / off switch.

I'll post some images of the wireframe model later - I'm on my lunch break now and can't get to the program.

I started doing this in the Daz 3D Studio Freeware - but am seriously considering buying Carrara.  Carrara is their Higher End 3D Render Software and it does a Wonderful job!  My Trial period is ending soon and will try to work in in to my strained budget.  It does some Amazing Stuff!