Organize UF Resources
From Ultrafractal Wiki
I have separate parameter files for Textures, Frames, Shapes, and Lighting. Next off of the root UF directory structure I have a sub-directory called "Images." Within images, there is a sub-directory for each of Textures, Frames, Shapes, and Lighting. When I find a new texture, I add it to the Textures parameter file, but I also export an image to the Images/Textures sub-directory. That way I can browse the thumbnails of the hundreds of textures quickly. Almost all the UPR's in these categories are rendered in B&W. Most are also designed to be used in Overlay blending mode. That is in Overlay, mid-gray (128,128,128) has no impact. Things darker and lighter than mid-gray changes the image. By using B&W, I don't get strange/unexpected shifts of color, and it is easy to visualize how a particular layer will impact an image. Lastly most of the UPR's are only a single layer, and I've taken the time to label the layer. That way when I use the layer it already has a meaningful name.
Rob
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Excellent advice, Robert. I have a parameter directory for textures as well but hadn't thought to do frames, shapes, and lighting. I do have a separate directory that I call prototypes where I store what look like interesting starting places from various formulas. Do you keep those in shapes?
One thing I do when I run across an interesting texture or a shape that looks interesting( but maybe not right in the fractal I'm working on), is I immediately create a new image with just that layer and save it in the appropraite parameters folder. That way I have them to choose from when I'm ready to start something new. It takes awhile to build up a good library (mine is nowhere near extensive enough yet), but it is worth the time to do so.
Periodically, since I'm still in the processs of building up my personal library, I'll take a session and just look for interesting shapes or textures for the library with no intention of creating a finished prodcut that day. When I do this I pick out a lot of formulas that I haven't tried before to see whther they have something that might be a good way to go. Also when someone here posts a new formula, I will go play with it for awhile to see if I can get some things to add to my library.
judith Moffitt
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"Excellent advice, Robert. I have a parameter directory for textures as well but hadn't thought to do frames, shapes, and lighting. I do have a separate directory that I call prototypes where I store what look like interesting starting places from various formulas. Do you keep those in shapes?"
No. Shapes is a small file with just things like spheres. I tried creating separate layers for things I might be interested in like you do, but found the process too labor intensive. So instead when I'm finished with a fractal (or abandon a fractal) I just save images of any layers I'm interest in. For example, if I had a fractal image named BH0304.ufr, the reference image for the whole fractal would be named BH0304.jpg. Any interesting layers would have a letter attached: BH0304a.jpg, BH0304b.jpg, BH304c.jpg... I have a fast image browsing tool and can look though my complete collection in a few minutes. If I want a layer, I open the original file (BH0304.ufr in this case), and grab the layer.
"Periodically, since I'm still in the process of building up my personal library, I'll take a session and just look for interesting shapes or textures for the library with no intention of creating a finished product that day. When I do this I pick out a lot of formulas that I haven't tried before to see whether they have something that might be a good way to go. " I do too. Often the exploration of a new formula is triggered by something cool that comes across the list.
Rob
"I still have one question though, what are parameter files of Lighting? Could you possibly send me an example?"
The layers in my Lighting folder create variations of lightness and are typically B&W. The file contains layers with names like Cone, Corner Light, Curved Rays, Dappled light, Dark Corners, Rays, Spotlight, Sun, Vignette...
A few change the color of an image...often simulating what a warming or cooling filter would do in photography. They have names like: Cool Light, Warm Light, Morning Light, Irregular Warm Light
I'm posting a UPR called "Landing_Gear" now which uses some Spotlights and Dappled Light so you can see how these layers might impact an image.
Rob
Hi Lale, Another senior here. I'm sure there is probably a slicker way to do it, but here is what I do. In UF 4 I get up a fractal window and start putting preset layers on it. Then I copy and paste into UF 5, and offload them. I organize and rename as I go if the presets need it. I also make folders to save these layers in, for the next time UF is upgraded. I do the same with gradients. Maybe someone else can tell us both a better way to do it.
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Hi, probably I don't understand the question correct, because... I did it way more simple : I have stored a folder named uf4 in my documents, and also a folder named uf 5 I just copied all that was in folder uf-4 into folder uf 5, in wich I created an extra folder named : Uf4-copies. that's all; I can use them all in uf 5 now juliette
