Copyright: Fractal Texture Composer version 1.0 Help


F.T.C. Help Index

Overview :

Fractal Textures

Texture Documents

Commands :

File Menu

Edit Menu

View Menu

Window Menu

Help Menu

Dialog Bars :

Command Block

Library

Palette


Fractal Textures

Fractal Texture Composer is derived from the latest texture creation techniques for the needs of  three dimensions. It uses a fractalization method combined with the generation of a random distribution. This technique is applied to simple 2D elements, such as : concentric circles, stripes, sinusoids etc..., and also to colors of the texture.

Color gradation is used to generate the color associated to the graphic elements.

This gradation and the graphic elements can be duplicated to infinity, an element being situated between 0 and 1. By associating a random disruption during the geometric distribution of the elements, a fractal texture is obtained.

The software also simulates the aspect of the texture. When a texture has relief, or coarseness by the association of bump-mapping, you create the visual impression of relief. The texture must be illuminated in order to simulate shading and reflections. You will be able to set the parameters of your lighting, as well as the properties of the material.

Some texture ideas garnered from SIGGRAPH '85 Volume 19 Number 3, "An Image Synthesizer" By Ken Perlin.

Further Ideas Garnered from "The RenderMan Companion" (Addison Wesley).


Texture Document

The texture document is represented by the window where it displays your texture. The software will recalculate the texture by a double-click inside the window. The texture can be calculated to infinity. It is possible to move the texture within the window. Click in the window, keep the left mouse button pressed down, then move your mouse. You will see a red line displayed that represents the movement of the texture. When you have repositioned your texture correctly, release the mouse button, and the software will recalculate the texture at its new position.


Command Block

Click the area that you would like more information about.

The Command Block permits you to set the parameters of the current texture.


Material Type

Choose the type of material that you would like to apply to the current texture.

The software currently offers 14 different types of materials. When you click on one of these types from the list, it is immediately applied to the active texture.


Detail

This parameter represents the number of iterations during the fractalization of the texture.

The higher the parameter’s value is, the more detailed the resulting texture will be. But also note that the calculation will take longer. Its value must be between 0 and 100.


Turbulence

This parameter represents the intensity of the disruptions introduced during the calculation of the texture.

The higher the parameter’s value is, the more disrupted the texture will be. Its value must be between 0 and 100.


Scale of the Texture

This group permits you to increase or decrease the part of the texture visualized in the window.

For a scale factor of 10, the texture is calculated between 0 and 1 , for a scale factor of 20 , the texture is calculated between 0 and 2.

You can independently assign scale to the X axis (horizontal axis), and the Y axis (vertical axis).

Its value must be between 1 and 1000.


Relief Type

Choose the type of relief that you would like to apply to the current texture.

The software currently offers 5 different types of relief. When you click on one of these types from the list, it is immediately applied to the active texture.


Intensity

This parameter permits you to set the visual intensity of the relief. Its value must be between 0 and 100. If the intensity is 0, the software will not calculate the relief.


Scale of the Relief

This group permits you to increase or decrease the part of the relief visualized in the window.

For a scale factor of 10, the relief is calculated between 0 and 1 , for a scale factor of 20 , the relief is calculated between 0 and 2.

You can independently assign scale to the X axis (horizontal axis), and the Y axis (vertical axis).

Its value must be between 1 and 1000.


Reflection

This button permits you to set the parameters for the physical aspect of the illuminated material, by a light source. The software displays a dialog box named Reflection Parameters.


Reflection Parameters
Reflection Parameters dialog box

Click the area that you would like more information about.


Confirm

Confirm and close the dialog box.


Cancel

Cancel and close the dialog box.


Color of the reflection

Permits you to adjust the color of the reflection generated by the lighting. Click and move one of the red, green or blue components. The resulting color is displayed in the window on the right. By clicking on this, you can adjust the color with the windows dialog box.


Brilliance of the texture

Permits you to adjust the brilliance of the texture, according to the three RGB components. The greater the value is, the more limited the dimension of the reflection is. Click and move one of the red, green or blue components. The resulting color is displayed in the window on the right. By clicking on this, you can adjust the color with the windows dialog box.


Lighting

This button permits you to set the parameters of the light source.

The software displays a dialog box named Lighting Properties.


Lighting Properties
Lighting Properties dialog box

Click the area that you would like more information about.


Confirm

Confirm and close the dialog box.


Cancel

Cancel and close the dialog box.


Color of the light source

Permits you to adjust the color of the light source. Click and move one of the red, green or blue components. The resulting color is displayed in the window on the right. By clicking on this, you can adjust the color with the windows dialog box.


Direction of the light source

Permits you to adjust the direction of the light source.

After adjusting the direction, the reflection is positioned differently on the texture. The half sphere simulates a bump in the texture. The vector that links the sun to the center of the sphere, indicates the current direction of the lighting. To modify this direction, click inside the sphere, and the sun is immediately repositioned at the place where you have just clicked. Keep the mouse button pressed, move the mouse and you will see the vector move. When you release the mouse button, the software recalculates the position of the reflection on the sphere.


Preview

This button permits you to launch the calculation of the current texture.


Texture Librairies
Texture Libraries

Click the area that you would like more information about.

The texture library permits you to visualize a group of textures residing on the disk. The software supplies a startup library by default, consisting of a group of textures that represent the possibilities of the software.


Add a Texture to the Library

The software provides a dialog box to select a texture to add to the library.

The selected texture is opened and an icon is added in the display window.


Load a Texture Library

The software provides a dialog box to select a library.

The selected library is opened and all the textures are loaded and displayed in the display window.


Delete a Texture from the Library

Delete the selected texture from the library (surrounded by a blue frame).


Save a Texture Library

The software provides a dialog box to give a name to the library.


Display the Library

Every texture in the library is displayed in a window. A scroll bar permits you to move inside-left/-right. The selection of a texture is performed by a simple click, it is then surrounded by a blue frame. To apply a texture from the library to the current texture in the work plan, you need only to double-click on it.


Colors Palette

Click the area that you would like more information about.

This dialog bar, displays the color palette associated to the current texture. These colors permit the software to calculate the gradation in your texture.


Degrade two Colors

This button initiates the degrade option. To execute the operation, click on the first color to degrade, then on the second color, in the display part of the palette. The software calculates a linear gradation between these two colors and the display in the palette.


Modify a Color

This button permits you to modify the color selected in the palette (surrounded by a blue frame).

The software displays a dialog box for adjusting windows colors. Modify your color, then click OK. The box is erased and the degraded color is displayed.


Display the Palette

Display the colors in the palette. To select a color, simply click inside the corresponding box. A double-click permits you to modify this color with the windows dialog box.


File menu Commands

The File menu provides the following commands :

New	Create a new texture.
Open	Open an existing texture.
Close	Close an open texture.
Save	Save an open texture under the same file name.
Save as	Save an open texture under a new file name that you specify.
Print	Print a texture.
Print Preview	Display the texture on the screen as it will appear to the printer.
Printer Setup	Select a printer and a printer connection.
1,2,3,4,5,6...	Select and open a recent file.
Exit	Quit Fractal Texture Composer.


Edit menu Commands

The Edit menu provides the following commands :

Image Format	Modify the image format.


Image Format Command (Edit menu)

The texture is displayed with a default format of 160X120 pixels. The software permits you to modify this format and provides a dialog box named Image Format.


Image Format dialog box

To modify the format, select one of the predefined format options, then click OK. The new format is applied to the current texture, the associated window is repositioned and the texture displayed.

If you choose free format, the software provides a dialog box named Free Format.


Free format dialog box

Enter the horizontal and vertical resolution required in the editing box, then click OK.


View menu Commands

The View menu provides the following commands :

Toolbars	Display or hide the toolbars.
Status bar	Display or hide the status bar.
Library	Display or hide the texture library
Palette	Display or hide the colors palette
Command	Display or hide the command block.


Command block Command (View menu)

Use this command to display or hide the command block. A checkmark appears beside the command when the command block is displayed.

See Command Block to obtain help on the use of the command block.


Library Command (View menu)

Use this command to display or hide the library. A checkmark appears beside the command when the library is displayed.

See Texture Libraries to obtain help on the use of the library.


Palette Command (View menu)

Use this command to display or hide the colors palette. A checkmark appears beside the command when the palette is displayed.

See Colors Palette to obtain help on the use of the palette.


Window menu Commands

The Window menu provides the following commands, that permit you to arrange the window display for several documents in the application window :

New window	Create a new window that displays the same document.
Cascade	Arrange the windows to overlap so that each title bar is visible.
Tile	Arrange the windows to fit next to each other on the desktop.
Arrange icons	Arrange the icons along the lower edge of the desktop.
1, 2, Window .	Go to the specified window.


Help menu Commands (Help)

The Help menu provides the following commands, that give help on this application :

Help Topics	Provides a help index in which you can obtain help.
About	Displays the version number of this application.
Visit Uppercut	Connect to Uppercut Software's website


New Command (File menu)

Use this command to create a new document in Fractal Texture Composer.

You can open an existing document with the Open command.

Shortcuts

Toolbars :

Keys :	CTRL+N


Open Command (File menu)

Use this command to open an existing document in a new window. You can have several documents open at the same time. Use the Window menu to pass from one document to another. See the help topic 1, 2, Window command.

You can create new documents with the New command.

Shortcuts

Toolbars :

Keys :	CTRL+O


Open dialog box

The following options permit you to indicate the file that you would like to open :

File Name

Type or select the name of the file that you would like to open. A box displays a list of files that support the extension that you choose in the “ File Types ” field.

File Types

Select the type of file that you would like to open :

*.ftc

Drives

Select the drive where Fractal Texture Composer saved the file that you would like to open.

Directories

Select the directory where Fractal Texture Composer saved the file that you would like to open.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network drive, by assigning a new drive letter.


Close Command (File menu)

Use this command to close all windows containing the active document. Fractal Texture Composer prompts you to save the modifications made to your document before closing. If you close a document without saving it, you will lose all the modifications made since the last save. Before closing a document without a name, Fractal Texture Composer displays the Save as dialog box and suggests that you name and save the document.

You can also close a document by clicking the x on the right side of the title bar


Save Command (File menu)

Use this command to save the active document under its current name and directory. When you save a document for the first time, Fractal Texture Composer displays the Save as dialog box that permits you to attribute a name to your document. If you would like to change the name or directory of an existing document before saving, choose the Save as command.

Shortcuts

Toolbars :

Keys :	CTRL+S


Save as Command (File menu)

Use this command to save and name the active document. Fractal Texture Composer displays the Save as dialog box that permits you to name your document.

To save a document under its current name and in its existing directory, use the Save command.


Send command (File menu)

Use this command to send the active document by electronic mail.  This command presents a mail window with the active document attached to it.  You may then fill out the To: field, Subject: field, etc., and add text to the body of the message if you wish.  When you are finished, you may click the "Send" button to send the message.


Save as dialog box

The following options permit you to specify the name and location of the file that you would like to save :

File Name

Type a file name to save a document under a different name. A file name can include up to eight characters and its extension up to three characters. Fractal Texture Composer adds the extension that you specify in the “ Save as Type ” box.

Drives

Select the drive where you would like to save the document.

Directories

Select the directory where you would like to save the document.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network drive, by assigning a new drive letter.


1, 2, 3, 4 Command (File menu)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Command (File menu)

Use the numbers and names of the files displayed at the bottom of the File menu to open one of the last six documents that were open. Choose the number corresponding to the document that you would like to open.


Exit Command (File menu)

Use this command to terminate your Fractal Texture Composer session. You can also use the Close command from the application’s System menu. Fractal Texture Composer asks you if you would like to save documents when modifications have not been saved.


Undo Command/Impossible to undo (Edit menu)

<< Your application's user interface for Undo may differ from the one described below. Modify this help text accordingly. >>

Use this command to cancel the last modification operation, if possible. The name of the command varies according to the last action performed. The Cancel command becomes the Impossible to cancel command if the last action is irreversible.

Shortcuts

Toolbars :

Keys :	CTRL+Z or

ALT-RETURN-BACK


Cancel redo Command (Edit menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>


Toolbars Command (View menu)

Use this command to display or hide the toolbars, which includes buttons that execute the most frequently used commands in Fractal Texture Composer, such as Open File. A checkmark appears beside the command when the toolbars are displayed.

See Toolbars to obtain help on the use of the toolbars.


Toolbars

The toolbars are displayed above the application window and under the menu bars. The toolbars permit you to quickly access a number of tools used in Fractal Texture Composer, with the help of the mouse.

To hide or display the toolbars, choose View Toolbars (ALT, V, T).

Click	For

Open a new document.

Open an existing document. Fractal Texture Composer displays the Open dialog box, in which you can select and open the file of your choice.

Save the document or active texture under its current name. If no name has been given to the document, Fractal Texture Composer displays the Save as dialogue box.

Print the active document.


Status bar Command (View menu)

Use this command to display or hide the status bar, which describes the action executed by the command chosen or the button pressed on the toolbars, and the status of the keyboard lock. A checkmark appears beside the command when the status bar is displayed.

See Status bar to obtain help on the use of the status bar.


Status bar

The status bar is displayed at the bottom of the Fractal Texture Composer window. To display or hide the status bar, choose View Status bar.

When you move through the menus with the help of the mouse or arrow keys, the left part of the status bar describes each of the commands. Likewise, when you click the buttons on the toolbars, this part displays messages describing the actions associated to each of these buttons. If you don’t want to execute the command, position the mouse pointer somewhere other than on that button, then release the mouse button.

The area on the right side of the status bar indicates when the following keys are locked :

Indicator	Description

CAP	The CAPITALS LOCK key is locked.

NUM	The NUMERIC LOCK key is locked.

SCR	The SCOLL LOCK key is locked.


New window Command (Window menu)

Use this command to open a new window that has the same contents as the active window. You can open several windows to display different parts or views of the same document. If you modify the contents of one window, all of the windows containing the same document will reflect these modifications. When you open a new window, this becomes the active window and is displayed over top of all the other open windows.


Cascade Command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange the open windows to overlap so that each title bar is visible.


Tile Command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange the open windows in smaller sizes to fit next to each other on the desktop.


Tile horizontal Command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange the open windows on top of each other.


Tile vertical Command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange the open windows side by side.


Arrange icons Command (Window menu)

Use this command to arrange the icons of minimized windows along the lower edge of the main window. If one open document window occupies the bottom of the main window, it could be that the icons are not all visible in the bar or that they are hidden by the document window.


Split Command (Window menu)

Use this command to split the active window into panes. To move the splitting bars, use the mouse or the arrow keys. When you have finished, click with the mouse or use the Enter key to set the new position of the bars. The action of pressing the Escape key maintains the splitting bars in their original position. << In a single document interface application, this command will appear on the View menu. >>


1, 2, Command... (Window menu)

Fractal Texture Composer displays the list of open document windows at the bottom of the Window menu. A checkmark appears beside the name of the document in the active window. Choose a document to start from to make it the active window.


Index Command (Help menu)

Use this command to display the opening help screen. Starting from the opening screen, you can consult detailed instructions concerning the use of Fractal Texture Composer and gain access to different types of reference information.

Once the help file is open, you can click on the “ Index ” button each time that you would like to return to the opening screen.


Using help Command (Help menu)

Use this command to obtain instructions on how to use help.


About Command (Help menu)

Use this command to display copyright text and the version number of your copy of Fractal Texture Composer.


Visit Uppercut Software Web Site (Help Menu)

Use this command to initiate an internet connection to Uppercut Software's company website to obtain

the most recent versions of FTC and Beyond 3D software. The website is also a useful resource for information,

tips, and materials for your software.


Contextual help Command

Use the Contextual help command to obtain help on anything about Fractal Texture Composer. When you choose the “ Contextual help ” button from the toolbar, the mouse pointer changes to an arrow and a question mark. Click on something in the Fractal Texture Composer window, for example, another button in the toolbar. The help topic for the element that you have just clicked on is displayed.

Shortcuts

Keys :	CAPS +F1


Title bar

The title bar is situated at the top of a window. It contains the name of the application and the document.

To move the window, drag the title bar from the top with your mouse. Note : you can also move  dialog boxes by dragging their title bars from the top.

A title bar can contain the following elements :

The application’s System menu button

The document’s System menu button

“ Maximize ” button

“ Minimize ” button

Name of the application

Name of the document

“ Restore ” button


Scroll bars

Scroll bars are displayed at the right and bottom of the document window. The scroll box is found inside the scroll bar, indicating the vertical and horizontal position in the document. You can use the mouse to scroll through other parts of a document.


Resize Command (System menu)

Use this command to display a four point arrow that permits you to resize the active window with the help of the arrow keys.

When the mouse pointer has taken the form of a four point arrow :

1.	Use one of the arrow keys (LEFT, RIGHT, UP or DOWN) to move the pointer towards the border that you would like to move.

2.	Use an arrow key to move the border.

3.	Press on the ENTER key when the window has attained the size that you would like.

Note : this command is not available if the window has been enlarged.

Shortcuts

Mouse :	Drag the resize bars from the corner or border of the window.


Move command (System menu)

Use this command to display an arrow with four points, that permits you to move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note : this command is not available if the window has been enlarged.

Shortcuts

Keys :	CTRL+F7


Commande Réduction (menu Système de l'application)
Minimize command (application’s System menu)

Use this command to reduce the Fractal Texture Composer window to an icon.

Shortcuts

Mouse :	Click on the Minimize icon [image] in the title bar.

Keys :	ALT+F9


Maximize command (System menu)

Use this command to increase the size of the active window to take up all the available space.

Shortcuts

Mouse :	Click on the Maximize icon [image] in the title bar or click twice on the title bar.

Keys :	CTRL+F10 increases a document window.


Next window command (document’s System menu)

Use this command to proceed to the next document window. Fractal Texture Composer determines what the next window is by recalling the order in which you have opened the windows.

Shortcuts

Keys :	CTRL+F6


Previous window command (document’s System menu)

Use this command to proceed to the previous document window. Fractal Texture Composer determines what the previous window is by recalling the order in which you have opened the windows.

Shortcuts

Keys :	CAPS+CTRL+F6


Close command (System menu)

Use this command to close the active window or dialog box.

Clicking twice on the System menu box equates to choosing the Close command.

Note : if you have several open windows for the same document, the Close command in the document’s System menu closes only one window at a time. You can close all the windows at the same time by using the Close command in the File menu.

Shortcuts

Keys : 	CTRL+F4 closes a document window

ALT+F4 closes the window or dialog box <<YourType>>


Restore command (System menu)

Use this command to restore the size and position that the active window had before you used the  Maximize or Minimize command.


Task list command (application’s System menu)

Use this command to display a list of all the open applications. Use the Task list dialog box to activate or close an application represented in the list.

Shortcuts

Keys :	CTRL+ESC

Dialog box options

When you choose the Task list command, you see a dialog box appear containing the following options :

Task list

Select the application that you would like to activate or close.

Switch to

Make the selected application active.

End task

Close the selected application.

Cancel

Close the Task list dialog box.

Cascade

Arrange the open application windows to overlap so that each title bar is visible. This option does not affect applications reduced as icons.

Tile

Arrange the open windows in smaller sizes to fit next to each other on the desktop. This option does not affect applications reduced as icons.

Arrange icons

Arrange the reduced icons of all applications at the bottom of the screen.


Choose a color dialog box

Define a new color and place in the current palette :

1	Modify or create the color with one of the techniques or a combination of the following techniques :

*	In the custom color selector zone, drag the cursor to the area where the desired color is found.

*	Drag the arrow on the brightness bar to the top or bottom to adjust the brightness of the color.

*	In the "Red/Green/Blue" or "Hue/Saturation/Luminosity" text boxes, type the desired values.

You can type the values in the text boxes or click on the arrows situated at the right to increase or decrease values.

When you modify a color, the new color is displayed at the left of the "Color/Solid" zone. The right part of the zone displays the solid color that is closest to your choice. A solid color is a color directly available on your monitor. All unrecognized colors are represented by a screened color.

If you have selected the solid color, click on the right part of the box.

Note : if the brightness is equal to 0, all the colors are black. When the brightness is equal to 240, all the colors are white.

When the color is satisfactory, click on "OK".


Commande Répéter (menu Edition)
Repeat command (Edit menu)

Use this command to repeat the last modification action performed. The Repeat command becomes the Impossible to repeat command if the last action can’t be repeated.

Shortcuts

Key :	F4


Modification of document


Help not available

No help is available for this area of the window.


Help not available

No help is available for this message.


File Print command
Print command (File menu)

Use this command to print a document.   This command presents a Print dialog box, where you may specify the range of pages to be printed, the number of copies, the destination printer, and other printer setup options.

Shortcuts

Toolbar:

Keys:	CTRL+P


Print dialog box

The following options allow you to specify how the document should be printed:

Printer

This is the active printer and printer connection.  Choose the Setup option to change the printer and printer connection.

Setup

Displays a Print Setup dialog box, so  you can select a printer and printer connection.

Print Range

Specify the pages you want to print:

All	Prints the entire document.
Selection	Prints the currently selected text.
Pages	Prints the range of pages you specify in the From and To boxes.
Copies

Specify the number of copies you want to print for the above page range.

Collate Copies

Prints copies in page number order, instead of separated multiple copies of each page.

Print Quality

Select the quality of the printing.  Generally, lower quality printing takes less time to produce.


Print Progress Dialog

The Printing dialog box is shown during the time that <<YourApp>> is sending output to the printer.  The page number indicates the progress of the printing.

To abort printing, choose Cancel.


File Print Preview command
Print Preview command (File menu)

Use this command to display the active document as it would appear when printed.  When you choose this command, the main window will be replaced with a print preview window in which one or two pages will be displayed in their printed format.  The print preview toolbar offers you options to view either one or two pages at a time; move back and forth through the document; zoom in and out of pages; and initiate a print job.


Print Preview toolbar

The print preview toolbar offers you the following options:

Print

Bring up the print dialog box, to start a print job.

Next Page

Preview the next printed page.

Prev Page

Preview the previous printed page.

One Page / Two Page

Preview one or two printed pages at a time.

Zoom In

Take a closer look at the printed page.

Zoom Out

Take a larger look at the printed page.

Close

Return from print preview to the editing window.


File Print Setup command
Print Setup command (File menu)

Use this command to select a printer and a printer connection.  This command presents a Print Setup dialog box, where you specify the printer and its connection.


Print Setup dialog box

The following options allow you to select the destination printer and its connection.

Printer

Select the printer you want to use.  Choose the Default Printer; or choose the Specific Printer option and select one of the current installed printers shown in the box.  You install printers and configure ports using the Windows Control Panel.

Orientation

Choose Portrait or Landscape.

Paper Size

Select the size of paper that the document is to be printed on.

Paper Source

Some printers offer multiple trays for different paper sources.  Specify the tray here.

Options

Displays a dialog box where you can make additional choices about printing, specific to the type of printer you have selected.

Network...

Choose this button to connect to a network location, assigning it a new drive letter.


File Page Setup Command
Page Setup command (File menu)

<< Write application-specific help here. >>