"Growing" 3D fractals on existing 3D models

[kschaer]

Hello Fractal Forums,
I am currently working on a project that will incorporate fractal forms (mostly the classic 3d mandelbulb form) into architectural models. So far I have successfully explored a few fractals in Mandelbulb3D and gotten the 3d forms exported for use in Rhino. These are a good starting point, but the meshes with millions of vertices are rather unwieldily. Also, I would like to have a bit more control over the structure of the fractal. My knowledge of fractals in general is very minimal, but here's what I'd like to do: create a general architectural model or form in a 3d program, and "grow" some 3D fractal forms along the surface.

Does anyone have input or tips that might help me with this? Thanks!

[PieMan597]

Welcome to the Forums!

What you are describing has already been done, see here: http://www.fractalforums.com/gallery/heightmap-geometry-injection-(with-parameters)/

I hope it helps you!

[kschaer]

Welcome to the Forums!

What you are describing has already been done, see here: http://www.fractalforums.com/gallery/heightmap-geometry-injection-(with-parameters)/

I hope it helps you!

Oh yeah! this could definitely work! Thanks so much. Now I just need to figure out how to get a depth map of my model I guess!

[Sockratease]

Oh yeah! this could definitely work! Thanks so much. Now I just need to figure out how to get a depth map of my model I guess!

Hello and welcome to the forums   

Is Rhino the 3D Renderer you use?  I thought it was just a modeler!

If it is not a render engine as well as a modeler, you will need more software.  I use Carrara, but Blender is free - just much harder to learn.

Depth Maps also go by other names like Z-Buffer and Height Map so be aware of that when you try to get one for your models.

Also, this technique takes a lot of trial and error.  I have not gotten good results yet, but am still trying.  It's possibly the coolest thing to happen to MB3D since the voxel stack export feature!

Good luck with it, and do post your results whenever you get any worth posting   

[kschaer]

Well Rhino has some plugins that can make lovely renderings but you're right, the base program is just a modeler. I have been using meshlab to make heightmaps of the structure I'm working with.

So far I have been having almost no success with applying the 3D fractal shapes to my model though! Here  is the structure I am working with.



I have successfully imported a heightmap of this form, but have had no success with integrating fractals in any way. Adding another formula (it has to be an IFS, whatever that stands for, right? I get errors if I try to add any other kind of formula) only results in strange things like this:



I wish I could simply input the 3d file and generate a mandelbulb like form inside its volume. Or at least, use the top surface of the dome as the base on which to grow fractal forms.

In the thread here: http://www.fractalforums.com/gallery/heightmap-geometry-injection-(with-parameters)/, the face model seemed to have a fractal form carved out of it. Has anyone made a tutorial to achieve an effect like that? I followed the tutorial on the clock image but have had no luck beyond the image I posted.

[Sockratease]

...In the thread here: http://www.fractalforums.com/gallery/heightmap-geometry-injection-(with-parameters)/, the face model seemed to have a fractal form carved out of it. Has anyone made a tutorial to achieve an effect like that? I followed the tutorial on the clock image but have had no luck beyond the image I posted.

Yes, the whole concept is VERY tricky and requires (at least for me) Many long hours of experimentation to get ... nowhere  

I do recall reading that thread and the statement was made by m2001 that the trick is to find the right fractal to fit your heightmap.  Not the other way round.  It may not work as you want, but you should be able to get some results.  Much effort re-scaling, re-positioning, and more than one Beer is required to get decent results like that one!

Remember - in 3D Modeling you create things.  But in Fractal Art, you Discover things!  Fractals are made from equations and as such you get the results of a mathematical process which may not be workable into your vision.

The face was a Masterpiece and will be hard to reproduce.  He found a fractal which fit over the map beautifully.  I don't even like most of the other examples anywhere near as much as that one!

Here's what I have to show for my few hours of trying to get a Cow into MB3D:



Not anything like what I wanted, but at least it worked.  I'll have to check and see if Meshlab exports 16 bit height maps.  Mine are 8 bit and I think that may be why I got so much banding.  But I not only have no idea what I am doing, I have not even posted any questions in the thread we're discussing  

Just keep trying and maybe one day you will luck into finding the formula that works best for you.

If this is for a commercial project, I would suggest just "doing it in post" - post work can achieve great things with a little practice.

Good luck with it!

[M Benesi]

  Looks like a dog, I like it!