Tutorial - the making of "Lords of Arrakis" -- Part 4

Galleries Fractal Gifts

Ultra Fractal Tutorial - The Making of "Lords of Arrakis"

Part 4. Creating the "star" layer.

Pages in Part 4:
1. Preparation and assessment.
2. Create temporary file.
3. Magnify layer.
4. Apply coloring.
5. Adjust location.
6. Apply Kaleidoscope transformation.
7. Copy layer.
8. Adjust layer properties.

Layers Chart: Click to view.
Tutorial Map: Click to view.

Page 1. Preparation and assessment.


Step 1. Open development file.
	A.	Open the development file.
Step 2. Assessment.
	A.	The lighting of the image in this phase of its development, with the first three layers completed, is self-consistent, consisting of foreground lighting and elevated back lighting. These emerge from the choice and adjustment of formula, coloring algorithm, and color gradient. Technically it's not necessary to show either light source in this image, since the back-lighting light source could be positioned out of sight above the top border of the image, and the foreground-lighting light source would be out of sight toward the viewer in the z-direction. But artistically it would add character to the image, as well as interest, to include the back-lighting source in the visible image. It would also add dimensionality, since the light source would be deeper into the image, along the z-axis. And it would more obviously tie the scene more to a "space" environment by showing such a celestial body. Finally, through this last fact, it might more powerfully tie the image to the scene from "Dune". I have decided to try various fractal formulas for this layer until I find one with some sort of straight arms radiating from a point, then apply the "Kaleidoscope" transformation to increase the number of arms in a symmetrical fashion. Then I will follow the artistic lead that develops.

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	© 2005 Troy R. Bishop