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Hey I was just wondering if anyone works with structure synth?  I really enjoy this program...I didn't know if there was a place to discuss this or post images etc.
Thanks!
Seied

Syntopia (the author) has a blog and also also posts here regularly.

Cool!  I have visited the blog but I didn't know that they are a member of the forum.   :beer:  I guess what I meant was if there was any place to post images or discuss structure synth on the fractal forums?  

Hi Seied, I do visit Fractal Forums regularly, but I'm not sure I can answer whether this is the right place to discuss Structure Synth creations - I guess that is up to the admins. Structure Synth surely can be used to create fractals, but I wouldn't place the program in that category myself.

But it raises a good question (to the admins): lately there has been some great post about knots and 3D/4D polytopes, which are not really fractals. And there are lots of other topics, which I think are close in the spirit to fractals, and could be interesting to include. For instance:
- Pure math visualization (example (http://sketchesoftopology.wordpress.com/))
- Generative art (for instance stuff like Dave Bollinger's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebollinger/) creations)
- Physical and biological systems, with emergent properties, like the reaction-diffusion systems (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanmccabe/5580740891/).

I do think these topics lacks proper discussion forums, but I don't know if the Fractal Forums admins are interested in expanding the domain, and whether they would attract the required critical mass.

Thanks for the reply Syntopia.  I really love Structure Synth, Context Free & Fragmentarium.  I have especially enjoyed learning and using Structure Synth! (I will never be done learning it) :)  Thank you  for creating all these amazing programs!

 I have been following some of the recent posts regarding the knots and polytopes.  I'm hoping to get to use Fragmentarium more in the future. My computer doesn't like it at the moment unfortunately.  I have been messing around with some of the amazing possibilities with Mandelbulb3D using some of the new (& older) formulas. I'm not really sure how to classify some of the new ideas that I see emerging. Quite a few of the generative art & fractal programs offer the ability to make classic shapes, knots, and minimal surfaces etc.  What I find fascinating is the programs that are opening up these new doors of creative possibility with this type of geometry, through the use each programs unique features. I'm mainly thinking about Fragmentarium, Structure Synth, Mandelbulb3D & XD but there are obviously many others! The links you provided are quite interesting, thanks for sharing! They are great visualizations and definitely in the spirit of fractals. I am new in the forums so I don't really know what is necessary in regards to 'expanding the domain' as you mentioned. I definitely support these creative pursuits & the discussions surrounding them & I look forward to reading & learning more.

Knots are not exactly a classic as isosurfaces ;)
Now I found an old program that contains some cool parametrizations, there were also an iso-knot
It is a challenge!
Try to search on google "k3dsurf forum" those guys made an insane amount of surfs over the years :o

Some surfs and curves are not explicitable in terms of normal functions, it's needed to do infinite sums (the clothoid and many recently studied minimals like Costa)

Also I have seen a helix made of smaller helix ... So somewhere exist a fractal helix ;)
 
Infinite challenge....

Ahh yes I am familiar with k3dsurf. I made a bunch of stuff in it last summer but I still have yet to join the forums there, meaning to do that. I have definitely checked out some of the insane surfaces people have made.  Inspiring.  I remember a discussion on the idea of using parametric equations in MB3D or Fragmentarium in fractal forums & if I remember correctly it was not possible for one reason or another.

 I want to see the DNA helix made from smaller helix tho....sounds intriguing :)

& Darkbeam I have learned so much reading your posts as well. Your work is astounding. THANK YOU!

It is possible to "import" a parametric surface (but harder and slower) - implicit surfaces are way better and very fast :)

Example, I am still trying to figure out how to do the snail surface and the "normal" (easy) minimal surfaces. There is an implicit expression for Enneper "butterfly" but how about his cousins ... ;D

If you found interesting implicit surfaces please post them :pray2:

Any word about Structure Synth getting it's own child forum?

Because I have a few questions about obj export - running into a couple errors and can't seem to find anywhere a forum for the software.
1.Terminated because maximum number of generations reached (1000)
or
2.Terminated because maximum number of generations reached (300)
I have been only able to export one item from the program every thing else falls under error 1 or 2.

These are not errors. Structure Synth systems are recursively defined, so you need some kind of rule to avoid an infinite number of objects (well, strictly speaking some systems may die out by themselves, if a rule only produce output, and not call other rules - but in general you need a termination rule).

You can raise the limits if you want more polygons. Take a look at the termination rules section:
http://structuresynth.sourceforge.net/reference.php

Thanks for the help.
I went ahead and saved out the file as obj but it would not save as an obj just as the all files file - I then added the .obj extension and it opens fine as an obj.

I can't show you that but this thing I have made by hand from a torus with Wings3D (long and tedious process) should give you an idea of what it may look like: