Global Settings

Overview Video

mtFractal takes polygonal or spline child objects and distributes copies of these around geometric points of different fractal formulas.

mtFractal with a Core Shape setting of Tree.

Object tab

Core Shape

Set as Tree, by default.

The other options are: Dragon, Fern, Fibonacci, Koch and Sphere.

Each Core Shape option has its own specific option settings, which will change the parameters available.

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The six Core Shape modes of mtFractal.

For individual manuals, giving detailed instructions on each of these Core Shape modes, follow the linked pages below.

Dragon

The Dragon shape functions by duplicating all previous entries in the node (clone) list and rotating them around the end point.

Fern

The Fern shape shares similarities with the Tree shape but, due to the self-replicating manner, an increase in iterations can quickly produce a mass number of clones.

Fibonacci

This mode uses the Fibonacci number sequence to generate a curve, along which clones will be placed along at equal spacing.

Koch

This mode uses the Koch Snowflake fractal technique to generate infinitely divisible triangle patterns.

Sphere

This fractal shape focuses on different ways of distributing points around a center.

Tree

This shape repeats the clone out onto multiple branches, with options to change the angle and quantity.

Each clone is positioned at the top middle of the previous branch segment.

Clone Type

Set as Render Instance, by default, this dictates the format that clones will be produced.

The alternative options are: Polygon, Single Mesh and Multi-Instance.

Polygon

Each clone is an individual polygon clone object.

Single Mesh

All clones are combined as geometry into a single polygon object.

Render Instance

Produces a single parent object, with each clone being an instance of it.

Multi-Instance

Produces a single parent object, with a single multi-instance object containing all clone data.

Center

Set as Fractal Tool, by default.

The other option is Mesh.

Fractal Tool

The center of the resulting clones will be at the origin of the mtFractal object itself.

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In this scene, with Center set as Fractal Tool, the two primitive objects are being combined to create a single fractal object.

Mesh

Each fractal shape is created from the child polygon object.

Making multiple polygon objects children of mtFractal will result in multiple individual fractal shapes.

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With Center mode set as Mesh, mtFractal is generating two separate fractals, both respecting the geometry and position of the two input objects.

Bounds Type

There are two types: Automatic and Fixed.

Automatic

The box’s own radius will be used as the Y-height of the bounding box.

The highest point on the Y-axis of the polygon object will be used as the point from where the clones originate.

$mtfractalXXXautomatic.PNG$

In this image, with the Bounds Type set at Automatic, the Cube has a Y-height of 200cm, which is being used to generate the bounding box.

Fixed

You can set your own Y-height, using the Bounds Size setting.

The Bounds Size value will be the point from where the clones originate.

$mtfractalXXXfixed2.PNG$

In this image, the Bounds Size value is raised to 200, with the Bounds Type still in Fixed and this gives the same result as when the Bounds Type is set to Automatic because the Cube has a Y-height of 200cm.

$mtfractalXXXfixed3.PNG$

Now the Bounds Size value has been raised further, to 225, offsetting the fractal by 25cm.

Bounds Size

Use this parameter to set the Y-height of the bounding box.

Mesh Offset Y

Enabled by default, this offsets the mesh in the Y-axis, based on clones being created from the lowest point of the Y-axis.

Disabling this setting will use this same point of the Y-axis, but this time clones will be created from the center of the object.

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Mesh Offset Y, enabled on the left, offsets the child Cube on the Y-axis. Disabled on the right, this generates copies from the center of the mesh.

X-Particles tab

$mtfractalXXXxparticles_v03.png$

This image first shows the mtFractal object, then the resulting two Position settings: the Per Vertex and the Per Node.

Emitter

Drag and drop a scene emitter into this field, to utilize its settings.

Add Emitter

Click this button to add a new scene emitter and automatically set it up as a controlled emitter.

Position

Set as Per Node, by default.

The other option is Per Vertex.

Per Node

Generates a particle for each node/clone of the object.

Per Vertex

Generates a particle for each vertex in the cloned objects.

Particles Inherit Scale

Enabled by default, the particles follow the Subsequent Scale value in the individual options settings, to determine their size (dependent on emitter Display settings).

$mtfractalXXXxparticlesscale.PNG$

Here, Particles Inherit Scale is disabled in the first image, then enabled in the second.

Display tab

Mode

Set at Mesh, by default.

The alternatives are: Box Shaded, Box, Dot, Spline and Hide All.

$mtfractalXXXdisplaymodes_v04.png$

This image shows the five different Mode settings: Mesh, Box Shaded, Box, Dots and Spline.

Mesh mode

This mode allows you to see copies of your original object in your scene.

Box Shaded mode

A much better viewport-efficient way of viewing your clones, with them all being ‘boxed in’, in the manner of Minecraft.

Box mode

This mode displays box outlines of the clone shapes.

Dot mode

This mode replaces every clone with a single dot.

Spline mode

Creates a simple spline model of the object.

Hide All mode

Removes the display entirely from the viewport.

Color

With the Mode set as Box or Dot, this color picker can change the color from the default green setting.