FOTD -- November 28, 2004 (Rating 7) Fractal visionaries and enthusiasts: Advancing through the Fractint formulas, I checked the 'popcorn' formula and skipped over it because it appears to draw orbits. The present tour of the program is limited to the escape-time formulas. But then, for some reason, I decided to check the 'popcornjul' formula, and much to my surprise found that it does indeed draw what appears to be escape-time images -- and an over- whelming variety of them at that. With four functions and four variable parameters to adjust, and only an hour or so in which to do the adjusting, I was able to only scratch the surface of what this formula might do. I tried using the evolver on the formula, and found that it gave such a huge variety of images with so little relation to each other that it was of little help in finding the best that the formula has in it. In the end I settled on the parameters and functions used in today's image. I named the image "The Great Mystery". Studying the picture, I had the impression that it hints at monumental things, but what those things might be remains a mystery. It could be an edge-on view of the planet Saturn as seen from the upper atmosphere of its large moon Titan. But if so, the ringed planet is in the process of melting. It could be someone's idea of an atom of uranium floating in some multi-dimensional theoretical space. But atoms are not objects that can be pictured as we picture the things in the world around us. It could even be something not yet scientifically proven, which is presently considered para- normal. Whatever it is remains and always will remain a mystery, and this is why I gave the image its name. I rated the image at a 7, mostly because I enjoy mysteries. And one thing not very mysterious is the render time, which is a zippy 15 seconds. When combined, the rating and render time give the image an overall worth of a grossly exaggerated 2726. For those who would rather not render, the GIF image is avail- able on the WWW at the URL: <http://home.att.net/~Paul.N.Lee/FotD/FotD.html> With a mixture of sun and clouds, and a temperature of 52F 11C, Saturday was comfortable enough for the fractal cats to enjoy nearly 2 hours in the yard. When they came in, only a small treat of tuna was necessary. This morning is starting cold, and wet from overnight rain. The rain has ended however. I hope it dries out fast enough for the cats to enjoy a reasonable time in the yard. I have every intention of having the fourth day in a row with nothing to do but take it easy. If this keeps up, I might even start to enjoy it. The next fractal will appear on schedule in 24 hours. Until then, take care, and be a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Jim Muth jamth@mindspring.com jimmuth@aol.com START PARAMETER FILE======================================= The_Great_Mystery { ; time=0:00:15.41--SF5 on a P200 reset=2004 type=popcornjul function=cotanh/ident/\ atanh/acos passes=t center-mag=-5.71433/1.31077/0.\ 06972817/1/45/-5.05012698326368081e-014 inside=0 params=0.05/0.1/1/-0.01 float=y maxiter=300 bailout=25 outside=summ logmap=yes periodicity=10 colors=000AUmATlAQjANeAK`AHXAETABQA8NA5LB3KC2JD1IE\ 0HF0GG0FK0EP0DU0CZ5BcABcFAcKAcPEcUIcZLccPchTcmWcr_\ cuccvfcudctccsbcracq_cpZcoYcnXcmVclUckTckScjQciPch\ OcgNcfMceLcdKccJcbIcaHc`Gc_FcZEcYDcXCcWBcVAcU9cT8c\ S7cS6cW8cZ9cbBceCchDclFcoGcsIcvJcyKcyMcyNcyPcyQcyS\ cyTcyVcyWcyYcyZcy`cyacybcwacu`cs_cq_coZcmYckXciXcg\ WceVccUcaUc_TcYScWRdUReSQgQPhPPiTUiXZj`cjdhjhlteys\ dxravqZsqWpoUmnRjlOgkMeiJbhG_fEXdBUc8Ra6Pd9ReCSgET\ iHVkKWlMXnPZpR_rU`tXbuZcvadwdexfeyieykeulgqmimmkin\ lennaopYorUpsQpuMqwJqxFmyCjzEhxGfvIeuKcsMarO`pQZoS\ XmUWlJUhGViDWiAXj7Yk5Yk6Xi6Wg6We6Vc6Va6U_6TY6TW6SV\ 6ST6RR6QP6QN6PL6PJ6OH6OG7NJ8NL9MOAMQBLTCLVDKYEK_FJ\ bGJdHIgIIiJHlKHnKHpJMiJQcJVYJZSJbLJgFJk9Jo3In4Hm5H\ m6Gl7Fl8Fk9EkADjBDjCCiDBhEBhFAgG9gH9fI8fJ7eK7eL6dM\ 6dM8eLAeKCeJDfIFfHHfGJgFKgFMgEOhDQhCRhBTiAVi9Wi9Ug\ ATeBRcCQaCP`DNZEMXELVFJTG } END PARAMETER FILE=========================================