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Here's a new video, my second one using Mandelbulb 3d. Again, a very basic rotated box formula. This time vimeo's compression is not so good so you'd better download the original file (available for a week only and if you have a Vimeo free account). It took forever to render with my modest dual core, something like 2 weeks or so :)

http://www.vimeo.com/17719142

Another awesome vid!  Love the texturing, lighting, morphing on zoom out - very "bib"-like.
Actually, on my fast connection, Vimeo 720P works great. (My monitor can't do 1080p) (http://reallybigname.com/renders/fractalforums/weed-smiley.png)

Excellent.

Better than some Hollywood movies!

Thank you for the feedback guys !  :D

I think there are too many blurred and blocky artifacts in the darker areas because the file I uploaded was "only" 490Mb. I guess it is too much compression for this kind of HD clip (1280*720 - h264 codec - 17000kbps - AAC sound in 256kbps - mp4 encapsulation)... And Vimeo's compression only makes it worse^^

Next time I'll have to get a Vimeo plus account and try uploading a less compressed file.

By the way I'm looking for any good tips & tricks about video compression. It seems I'm doing it right but sadly the final result (the video people got to watch on Youtube or Vimeo) isn't very good looking. Rendering/working on those animations is a very long process and seeing all those compression blocky artifacts is kind of frustrating :)

it is great, the smooth camera path is good and the blending is well placed, pointing exactly through holes at that distance is quite cool ;)
really rocky, and the best is you incorporated smooth parameter variations, that is great

Very nice indeed. Zoom out, then some paramaters variations, that reminds me a particular style, the French touch isn't it?
The quality on Vimeo is obviously better then on Youtube but on the other hand you get less hits. I also have the same problems. Sometimes I see some vids in 720p that look really neat, whereas mine as always badly compressed. I use VirtualDub and the Xvid codec...

I usually use DivX.  Been meaning to do some Xvid comparisons.  :banginghead:

UPDATE:  I don't know why I never thought of it.  I just installed Avivo for my ATI Radeon 5830, and I'm converting a video right now super fast!  I don't know if it has codecs you can use in other apps, but it can convert from a bunch of stuff to a bunch of stuff.  Although, I read about some quality issues, but I will test it out.

Thank you Trifox and Bib ! :D

You're right Bib, I was inspired by your work^^ Dezoom, changing parameters, then zoom is a very convenient and clever structure. I should find an easy way to repeat the process once or twice in the same animation.

I am also using virtual dub to create a first .avi file, then import it in After Effect for color control, fades, title, audio placement and video compression.
I should try the Divx codec, however I read it isn't free. Also it seems h264 is the "next generation" codec and it's free :)

NB : A quick note about motion blur... Yesterday I made a test using After Effect's filter called "CC force motion blur" (native filter). Using default settings it is working pretty well with 3d fractals (though quite long to render). It adds a tiny amount of blur but in a very natural/realistic way and it doesn't ruin the details. I think I'll use this for my next animation.

In vdub, try "temporal smoothing" filter for doing motion blur.  Other programs like Vegas have more options (ie. type of blur to use, more possible steps), but temporal smoothing is adjustable, and gets the job done pretty well (unlike vdub's "motion blur", which is way too strong).  You can also make the temporal smoothing or motion blur into a blend layer and mix it with the original.  Or, mix the two together... although I haven't tried that yet.
 :D

Thank you for the tip, I'l have a try when my new sequence will be ready (only 227 frames to go as we speak^^).