Mandelbulb 3D Tutorial for Beginners.

[JodyVL]

At last, I've started the tutorial. I'll be working on it over the next two or three weeks, more or less. Could you guys go over this first post to make sure I've got everything down accurately so far? Thanks

http://mandelubber.blogspot.com/2011/06/mandelbulb-3d-tutorial-for-beginners.html

[DonTen]

Thank you for this. I'll be passing your tutorial on to some of my friends who are fascinated by the 3D Mandelbulb but intimidated by the software. 

[JodyVL]

My pleasure!  Though it's kind of like the blind leading the blind right now , since I still have so much to learn.

[Madman]

I see my answer from a few minutes ago in a different post hasn't revealed any secrets to you because they are all more or less in your tutorial   

Just a couple of additions (if you don't mind): The walking button is just that; it "walks" you through the fractal, except that your camera has a very good eyesight: It doesn't matter how close you get, the image is always sharp. These buttons are also very smart: If you get closer to an object, the buttons take smaller steps, so you don't "overshoot" the fractal border. ( I think this is done by some form of rough Distance Estimation, but I'm getting on shaky ground here, so ask Jesse  ). By checking "fixed zoom and steps" you tell M3D to ignore the proximity of parts of the fractal and just use the defined amount in the "sliding + Walking" and "Rolling and looking" dialogs.

As to saving: maybe you should add something about the fact that m3i files can become rather big. My favourite format is 3600 X 2400 pixels which creates an m3i file of 150 MB, while m3p files are a measly 2 kB...

[JodyVL]

Hehe... Thank you for all that, Madman. Actually, I have a few questions about that post which I'll ask there. As for what you've added here:

Thank you!  .. I think I'm gonna copy and paste some of your words exactly, in an edit of that page. You've really helped me understand the nav buttons a whole lot more. 

So walking is basically getting as close to the edge of the fractal as possible, and the closer you are, the more detail you can see. And how that detail appears to us depends on the Calculation tab in the main window(?).

I'll definitely add that about the size of saved files!
 

[Lashington]

A fantastic tutorial. You have started me on my first teetering steps with Mandelbulb. I will be reading over and over till I get it into my thick skull. Once again thank you for a great tutorial.

[JodyVL]

My pleasure Lashington! Good to know my tutorial is being used

I've been quite busy recently with various things, but I have learnt quite a bit since my last Tutorial post so I'll be adding a few more pages soon ... Please share anything you accomplish here on the forums so we can see what you do. Each new person brings something new to the game. I'm enjoying my "Fractal Worlds" idea at the moment, for example.

Cheers!

[kameelian]

Hi there JodyVL,

I haven't checked out your tutorials for some time (been busy 'doing').

They're really coming on.

I'm sure they're a great help to many. will check in more detail later.

Intrigued by your 'fractal worlds' comment. I like your 'sentinels'.

I too am lost in 'worlds' at the moment - but now I have to go in to work. 

regards
Kam

[JodyVL]

Hi Kam

Like I said to Lash, you should post your fractal explorations somewhere... I love to see what other beginners do, especially if they've learnt what they know from my Tut

Yeah - I too have to work now. Highly annoying. 

[Aura-Indigo]

As I've just started with M3D these tutorials were very helpful.
Thanks!