Instructions:
This applet
lets you explore the Iterated Function System (IFS). Think of the main drawing
area as a unit square, and the rectangles on the main drwing area as transformations
from the unit square to each rectangle. So each polygon can be thought of as
a function that maps a point on the unit square to a cooresponding point in the
function rectangle. During the drawing loop, the function rectangles are iteratively
applied in a random sequence repeatedly until the stop button is pressed.
The result is that what ever is drawn in the unit square, is also drawn in each
function rectangle, only distorted by the function. The entire image is made of little
copies of the entire image.
Controls:
When the START button is pressed, the functions are hidden and the drawing loop begins.
You can clear the drwing at any time by pressing the CLEAR button. The AUTO CLEAR
check box specifies that the drawing be cleared each time the START button is pressed.
Tools:
You can make new functions, rotote them, scale them, skew them, and reflect them. You
can also add pinch and twirl to a function. To set the value for the PINCH and TWIRL
tools, click/drag on the number beside the letter V.
There is a weight value for each function that detarmines how often a particular function
is applied on average. You can set the weight value by click/dragging the number beside
the letter W.
The other letter F stands for Function, and the number beside it indicates the currently selected
function. All tool operation affect the current function only. You can select the current
function by click/dragging the the funtion index number. You can also click on the F to select
the next function on the screen.
Short cuts:
When using the rotate tool,
click the W to rotate the corners clockwise one position.
click the V to rotate the corners counter-clockwise one position.
When using the reflect tool,
click the W to swap the red and yellow corners.
click the V to swap the green and blue corners.
Grid:
(not epplemented yet)
Color:
Multicolor Mode: When on, drawing is done first in green/yellow, and progresses toward blue/magenta.
Click/drag the forground and background swatches to set their colors.
Note:
IFS explorer is best run using Apple's MRJ. It runs a lot faster.