Newbie Alert

[JodyVL]

Hello everyone,

Yes indeed, my interest began upon stumbling in on the page of Mandelwerk, at Deviant Art (mandelwerk.deviantart.com, I believe it is). The worlds he creates took me on a journey and created an adventurous, excitable feeling within me that I'd forgotten all about... The same sort of thing I used to experience when reading science fiction/fantasy novels as a teenager.

Then I went on to read about how 3D fractals were only invented/discovered in 2009, and went further to read about the original M-set discovered, whne was it, 100 years ago? And suddenly I'm remembering the deep discussions my maths teacher and I used to have after class...

How is it that we change as people so easily from one thing to the next... So easily forgetting our former selves? 

Anyway, I'm back! And can't wait to dig in to this incredible source of inspiration, and medium of expression. ... Fractals... The perfect union of art and maths. I think that'll make a great catch-phrase for the blog I'm going to start for Mandelnewbs like myself, within which I'll document my progress as I go along.   

So far all I've done is download the latest version of Mandelbulb 3D, and run it. Didn't understand a thing, but eventually discovered "move object in the Z direction" and had a bit of fun with that

Wish me luck! Any tips/suggestions for a complete newbie will be appreciated. 

[JodyVL]

Ok, so the blog has commenced!

http://mandelubber.blogspot.com/

Down the Fracbit hole I go...

[lenord]

Welcome to FractalForums. Mandelbulb3D is getting quite popular as is Mandelbulber. Hal Tinney at DeviantArt has some good tutorials there he has done. When I started there was nothing, for me the best way to learn it was picking apart the pre installed parameters files to see what made them tick. There are dozens of parameter files posted with the images in the Gallery. Plus a Forum Thread specifically for posting shared params with a good many there to use. It's really not hard and doesn't take long to get a grip on MB3D and everyone here is very willing to answer questions. The Mandelbulb3D section would be the place to post any questions and seek answers.
http://www.fractalforums.com/mandelbulb-3d/

[Madman]

Welcome Jodi. Great initiative, a tutorial blog! I concur with lenord; just start with the parameters that come with the program and see what formula's are used or use the param's posted on these forums (Select them, copy them, use the yellow "TXT" button in M3D en there you go. Reading the readme file helps a lot too! You may want to search the forums here too, before you ask a question. Loads of questions have been asked before... Enjoy your stay here!

[JodyVL]

Thanks guys, I'll check those tutorials out!

I'm now so often torn between simply running off and DOing/trying things, and slowing down in order to put all that I learn down "on paper" for my blog.

One question quickly: When I click on 3D Navigate, all I get is one big brown screen. Nothing I do to it changes it... I'm thinking lack of processing power? My PC is real good, but don't have a graphics card at the moment. It also happen if I zoom in more than just a little.

Hmm... Thinking I'll check Mandelbulber out too.

Thanks again!

And what do you think of my 5 posts so far? mandelubber.blogspot.com