Lucky Randomness!

Usually, when you create a random batch in Apophysis, you have a good chance of having something that is decently usable, with some modification. Rarely do you ever get more than one (in my usual batch size of 20) And rarely do you get something that is great as is.

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of something usable. First you can limit the number of triangle in the random batch. I usually start with 2 or 3. Its easier to get a good start if there are fewer variables to contend with. That's also why I usually only pick from 2-4 different variations for a random batch. I can always add more triangles and adjust variations, but a simpler starting point makes it easier to get a good idea of where to go with it.

Well the other day, I had THREE that were great and one that was just perfect as it was. I tried to add to it, but everything I did to it, just made it look more busy or less interesting or just plain weird.

Although I did do a bit of Photoshopping to add contrast and deepen the colors and adjust the view to align with the frame, the first one is exactly how it was when it was generated, even the color gradient. The others I did adjust a bit, but not too much.

Calliope Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Nautilus Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Bloop Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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A Happy Accident - Seclorum

Ever have one of those days when NOTHING seems to go right? Well, a couple days ago, I did. Among other things there were stressing me out, I could not not get any of my designs to come out looking good at all.

When I reopened one of the designs I was working on that day, I somehow clicked something that changed it into this design called "Seclorum". Why "Seclorum"? Well I don't know, it just sounded cool, OK. (I don't have to have a reason for EVERYTHING I do, do I?). I really have no idea what I changed cause I don't know what the old settings were and have no idea what I clicked that changed, but the design that came up was pretty cool and I decided to just take it and run.

Personally I thin this one works really well on the iPad cases from Zazzle. No I just have to make enough sales to get an iPad AND this case. (hint hint)

Seclorum Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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What's in a name? Mind Over Matter

In case you haven't already noticed, I like to name my fractal art work. Although I do like to give them titles, that is not the whole reason why. In fact, there are a few reasons to name abstract artwork.

1. First, by naming them, it makes it easier for you to keep track of them and remember them. its far easier to remember if you blogged about your creation titled "Mind Over Matter" than one you just called "Fractal 47".
2. If you are selling your art or prints or other related items with your image on it, your customers are more likely to remember the name if its something familiar to them. I can't count the number of times I have seen an image and couldn't find it again because I didn't bookmark it and couldn't remember what number it was. "Was that Apophysis 45 or 54 that I really liked?" People will be more likely to find it again by its name.
3. If someone is looking through a gallery of thumbnails, unless they are an artist or a connoisseur of the program you use, a name like "Bluebirds" is more likely to catch their eye, and potentially snag them as a customer, than "Apophysis 01072011"
4. Using common words like "Tunnels" or 'Dispute" is more likely to be found by a search engine. That's not to say that you will end up near the top of the results for those common words, because that may never happen. BUT if you end up on page 10, then it still came up in search results and some search engines rank partially on how many times you come up in results. (I am NOT an SEO expert by any means so please do not ask me any SEO questions.)

So even though I do like to name my abstract designs, its not just something I do just because I like to. It does serve a purpose and, even though the impact of doing so may be small, it is a POSITIVE impact.

You can check out my most recent fractal design, titled "Mind Over Matter" below

Mind Over Matter by ArchetypusDigital
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Another round fractal - Incantation

The marbleizer script I posted about earlier has really been lots of fun to play with. I have a long list of designs that are good, but just need something else. I've been working through these with the marbelizer script and a few have had terrific results.

This one, I titled 'Incantation' was one of those. I really liked some of the patterns it created, but there was just something lacking. I ran it through the marbleizer and I really liked it as a circular design. tell me what you think? (personally I like it best on the dark tee shirts, but that's just me.)

Incantation by ArchetypusDigital
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Sometime, it just needs post editing - Laguna

Although most often I do very little post editing on my designs other than contrast, brightness, and adding a background, sometimes, I come across one that really just wants more done to it.

Originally this design was rather boring and I was honestly not happy with the fact that I had used a couple hours of rendering that I could have made something better. I decided that I was not going to just waste it, though.

I repeated the design, shrinking each one proportionally smaller than the layer above it and also lightened each one as they shrink. On a light blue and white gradient background and they worked really well. I'm pretty glad I didn't just toss this one aside.

EDITED TO ADD: I just realized that this design had been selected as a Today's Best Award on Zazzle. Quite a shock since I had just had one a few days ago as well. Now I'm REALLY glad I didn't scrap this one.

Laguna by ArchetypusDigital
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Lunch Time Fractal

I know that sometimes, I have trouble naming my designs. I know that many artists just call them by technical names like "JuliaN 17" but I like to give them all names. I don't really know why, but I do.

Sometimes, the design just makes me think of an object or it reminds me of a certain idea or has a feeling. Other times, it is, in all honest, totally random. that is where this design falls.

I was working and really all I could think about was going to get some lunch. I only eat out one day a week and this was the day so I was REALLY looking forward to getting some pizza. After a few setbacks, I was starving and so I names this design "Lunch" and set it to render in Apophysis while I was off eating.

Lunch Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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X marks the Spot!

This fractal design is more than just a big X. It has lots of levels of complex patterns and colors. I really have to admit that this is one of the favorites I have made in a while.

Crux Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Marbleizer script for Apophysis.

Here is a great scrip I came across that makes any of your designs or a random batch in to marbles, well with a bit of tweaking that is.

MARBLEIZER SCRIPT

It suggest to make a random batch or to use some files you already have loaded and the just run the script. I found that using a random batch you kinda get hit or miss results, but overall it works really well.

Please feel free to post links to your images you make with this here.

This is one of the best results I got using it and some toying with just two triangles. I'm sure that much more complex designs are possible.

Leaves of Change Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Can you say NEON?

Most of my designs, I have no plan at all when I start out. I just jump right into Apophysis and make a random batch and see what comes up interesting. Sometimes, I have to make a few batches before I get anything good, but sometimes I'll get a few good ones from a single batch.

This design, though, I decided to challenge myself. I wanted to plan a design and see how close I could come to making it. So I thought about it and I had another design made with a different program that almost appeared to be a neon sign because of the bold colors and high contrast. I decided I wanted to make a neon spiral with various shades of blue.

After some playing around, I just couldn't come up with exactly what I had envisioned, but this design certainly does fit the description.

Cradle Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Musician Bag

I was in Apophysis playing around with some setting after completing a tutorial on making splits-cylinder designs (link here) and this was what I came up with...well one of them. I really think this basic design (the one you get at the end of the tutorial) had a ton of potential. I will be making more desings with it.

I called this one "Musician" because the flowing folding lines reminded me of a musical staff and trebel cleff. The colors and the swirl represent the music as you hear it.

Musician Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Spiraline Tee

Like art? Why not wear it?

This shirt has a spiraling flame fractal on it. The bold design and colors always get tons of compliments when I wear it. Yes, I do actually own this shirt and wear it myself and I always get compliments on it.

Spiraline by ArchetypusDigital
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My First Today's Best Award on Zazzle!

After a long rough day yesterday, I just wanted to come home and go to bed. I'm really glad I didn't. I checked on my Zazzle store, along with several other things and to my total shock, I had gotten a Today's Best Award on one of my designs!

Honestly, this one is not even one of my personal favorites, though I was very happy with how well it turned out. It was made with Apophysis and only used 2 triangles and linear and spherical variations. I think what made it so well received it the lighting. I didn't take long to set up the design, but the lighting on it took me about an hour to get it just the way I wanted it.

Evolve Flame Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Tunnels iPad Case

A great way to show off your style and protect your iPad is with a custom designed iPad case. This case features a flame fractal design I titled Tunnels. It looks to me like a series of tunnels in a strange cave system.

Tunnels Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Green Feather & Fleur

Flame fractals come in as many different styles as there are artists creating them. One of the first that most Apopysis users learn to make are simple and elegant designs that feature flowing swirls of color. Its probably the easiest to create without lots of trial and error, plug-ins, scripts, or a detailed tutorial. Just move the triangles around until you get a flowing pattern that you like.

Although I have come a long way, I still like to make some of those beautiful swirling designs. When I was first learning, I always put them on a black background. Although this does bring out some fine details, it also hides other qualities. So in an attempt to be less monotonous and get away from just plain black backgrounds, these are both on colored backgrounds (which is a particular challenge for me as I am partially colorblind...lol)

Here are the two designs that I created in this endeavor.

Green Feather Flame Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Fleur Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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Torrent

As you may know, I am always searching for new tutorials for different programs I use. Lately I have been finding all kinds of new tuts for Apophysis. This is great because I use that program the most for my fractal designs. I love it because its free, lots of people use it (so there are plenty to help with issues), it is fairly actively updated, and there is always someone coming up with a new tutorial.

Recently I came across a long list of great tutorials on DeviantArt.com. One of my new favorites is this one (LINK) "Splits-Cylinder Tuto for Apo" . It is fairly simple and produces some spectacular results. Please note - READ THE COMMENTS AT THE BOTTOM. The creator left out one tiny setting change and it makes a world of difference in the end result.

So anyway, after a few tries of playing with some of the basic settings, this was what I came up with.

Torrent by ArchetypusDigital
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Vernian Jewel

I have to admit, I am a HUGE fan of Jules Vern and his amazing tales of impossible adventures. I's also a growing fan of the steampunk style on everything. The are both similar in many ways to each other. Lots of gadgets and gears and vehicles that are out of the ordinary. I really just like to be different and Jules Vern and the steam punk style are both exactly that.

Besides delving further into the realm of steampunk, I also have decided that I should take some of my fractal art to the next level. Rather than just changing colors or adding a frame, I'll be trying out more detailed work and photo-manipulations on them. (I hope my friends and family are ready to get a bajillion pictures take of them for stock...lol)

I know this really isn't anything too exciting, but its a beginning. I had made the fractal part of this image a while back and loved it, but it just felt like it was missing something. So I added some layers and other bits around it to look like it is an imaginary sky out of a window. I hope everyone likes it.

Vernian Jewel by ArchetypusDigital
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FRACTAL ART - Time Flare

Math as Art. This circular flame fractal design has a red brown background to showcase a pattern of reds, greens, yellows and browns and shows that math is art too.

Time Flare Fractal by ArchetypusDigital
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FRACTAL ART - Unraveled

I have a habit of creating mostly symmetrical design that I am trying to break. I have a few that are not, but most all are very symmetrical. My latest design, titled Unraveled, I tried to keep a balanced feel while shying away from the "everything must me symmetric" mentality. This design is available in my Flickr gallery (here) as a free desktop wallpaper or background as well as on Zazzle in one of my shops.

Unraveled by ArchetypusDigital
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FRACTAL ART - Mirage

This fractal art image features a mirrored design in shades of purple, violet, yellow and orange on a black background to really make the colors bright and bold.You can check it out on various gift products like the mug below or find it as a free lower resolution download in my Flickr gallery HERE.

Mirage by ArchetypusDigital
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FRACTAL ART - Cored

More Apophysis creations.  Remember, you can download the free lower resolution wall paper from my Flickr gallery or check out the higher resolution on various print to order gifts on Zazzle.

Click the pic to go straight to this image or check out my entire Flickr gallery of free wallpapers and backgrounds HERE

Cored by ArchetypusDigital
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