14.2. Flame

14.2.1. Overview

Figure 17.325. Example of a rendered Flame

Filter “Flame” applied

With the Flame filter, you can create stunning, randomly generated fractal patterns. You can’t control the fractals as you can with the IFS Fractal filter, but you can steer the random generator in a certain direction, and choose from variations of a theme you like.

	Warning
	Unfortunately, this filter is not working properly for larger images. Sadly, its developer is not around anymore, so there seems no quick fix in sight.

	Note
	This plug-in was given to GIMP by Scott Draves in 1997. He also holds the copyright for the plug-in. A descriptive page for the plug-in, provided by the author, can be found on the internet [PLUGIN-FLAMES].

14.2.2. Activating the filter

You can find this filter through Filters → Render → Fractals → Flame….

14.2.3. Options

Figure 17.326. “Flame” filter options

In the main window, you can set Rendering and Camera parameters. The first three parameters in the Render display are Brightness, Contrast and Gamma. The result of these options is visible in the Preview window. However, it’s generally better to stick to the default values, and correct the rendered image later with Image/Colors.

The other three parameters affect the rendering process and don’t show in the preview window. Sample Density, which controls the resolution of the rendered pattern, is the most important of these. The Camera parameters allow you to zoom and offset the flame pattern, until you’re happy with what you see in the preview. Flame also offers the possibility to store and load your favorite patterns.

Edit

Pressing this button brings up the Edit dialog:

Figure 17.327. The Edit Flame dialog

The dialog shows nine different windows. The pattern displayed in the center is the current pattern, and the eight windows surrounding it are random variations of that pattern. Clicking on the central image creates eight new variations, which can be adjusted with the Speed control. You select a variation by clicking on it, and it instantly replaces the image in the middle. To pick a certain character or theme for the variations, you can choose from nine different themes in the Variations menu. You can also use Randomize, which replaces the current pattern with a new random pattern.

Open

This button brings up a file selector that allows you to open a previously saved Flame settings file.

Save

This button brings up a file save dialog that allows you to save the current settings for the plug-in, so that you can recreate them later.

Rendering

Brightness

Controls the brightness of the flame object.

Contrast

Controls the contrast between brighter and dimmer parts of the flame.

Gamma

Sets a gamma correction for parts with intermediate brightness.

Sample density

Controls the resolution of the rendered pattern. This does not have any effect on the preview. A high sample density results in soft and smooth rendering (like a spider’s web), whereas low density rendering resembles spray or particle clouds.

Spatial oversample

What does this do?

Spatial filter radius

What does this do?

Colormap

This menu gives you several options to set the color blend in the flame pattern:

• The current gradient as shown in the Toolbox.

• A number of preset colormaps.

• The colors from images that are presently open in GIMP.

Camera

Zoom

Allows you to zoom the flame in or out.

X, Y

Allows you to move the flame around in the image area.