A trip into the Menger sponge

Hi,

Just thought some readers might like to see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fcRzvRBqk

Created using an escape-time formula I've written for Ultrafractal
based on Hart's paper:

http://graphics.cs.uiuc.edu/~jch/papers/rayifs.pdf

It's implimented with a pseudo-z-buffer method where 4 extra adjacent
(partial) rays are cast to get the normal when a point is found on the
fractal because using a full z-buffer is awkward in Ultrafractal.

The formula also has an implimentation of the method for getting the
normals suggested by Hart but I found it not to be that successful
especially for the sponge. If anyone has ideas on how to improve it
I'd love to hear them.

Anyone wanting to take a look at the algorithm can find it in
"mmf4.ufm" in the Ultrafractal formula database here:

http://formulas.ultrafractal.com/

You can look at the formula without Ultrafractal if you wish - the ufm
file is just a text file in disguise.
If you want to try it for yourself the easiest way is to do so in
Ultrafractal:

http://www.ultrafractal.com/

There are some more 3D IFS fractals of mine on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MakinMagicFractals

I should add that it's actually a RIFS formula with added extra
transfom control based on depth which is how I got this:

http://makinmagic.deviantart.com/art/Menger-Homes-2-69784548

bye
Dave

http://website.lineone.net/~dave_makin/
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/browse.php?username=MakinMagic
http://djm.digitalart.org/
http://makinmagic.deviantart.com/
http://makinmagic.storm-artists.net/
.