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- Julia Set Display Package
- Version 4.0
-
- NOTE: Version 4.0 will not work with files saved with versions of Julia earlier
- than version 3.5. This is due to a change in the way files are saved
- and cannot be avoided. Sorry for the inconvenience. A conversion
- program is being developed to convert your old picture files to the
- new version and should be available soon. Also Note that it has been
- found that if Julia is run with the Microsoft Mouse driver V 4.0 on a
- Leading Edge Model D2 with the program DOSKEY loaded that it will crash
- when the mouse is enabled. I have not been bothered with this problem
- on my XT Clone with a Mouse Systems Mouse.
-
- This set of files contains all of the programs and support files you need to
- generate plots of the Mandelbrot Set as described in Turbo Technix (May-June
- 1988). The program has been extended to the complete Julia set of which the
- Mandelbrot Set is only a minute fraction. The main file is Julia.EXE which
- is a Turbo Pascal Version 4 program. This program allows you to generate plots
- of the Complex plane and save them to disk or zoom in for a closer look.
- The text below explains the Mandelbrot set and the Julia program. For a more
- detailed explanation of these sets see the October, 1985 Scientific American
- article.
-
- Complex Numbers
-
- The Mandelbrot Set consists of complex numbers in the region of the complex
- plane between -2 + -2i and 2 + 2i. In this case 'i' represents the square
- root of -1 and is an imaginary number. A complex number is a number which has
- a real and an imaginary component. The complex plane is defined by a vertical
- axis consisting of the imaginary number line and a horizontal axis consisting
- of the real number line. Complex numbers exist as points on this plane and
- are located by plotting their real and imaginary components as coordinates for
- the plane.
-
- The Mandelbrot and Julia Sets
-
- The Mandelbrot Set is a subset of complex numbers which can be found between
- -2 and 2 on the real axis and -2 and 2 on the imaginary axis. The members of
- the set have the following property:
-
- When subjected to the equation z = z2 + c repeatedly, the value of
- z never exceeds 2.0. (In the Mandelbrot Set c is set equal to the point
- on the complex plane being examined (the initial value of z). In the
- Julia Set c is set to any value between -2 + -2i and 2 + 2i. Both c
- and z are taken as complex numbers. )
-
- In this same region of the complex plane of course there are numbers which do
- not satisfy this criterion. It is the boundary between the two regions
- that is interesting. As we cross between the Mandelbrot (or Julia) and the
- non-Mandelbrot (or non-Julia) regions there is a boundary where z exceeds 2.0
- only after a number of iterations. If one arbitrarily assigns colors to these
- points based on the number of iterations needed to get a value greater than
- 2.0 then one can generate interesting displays. That is what this program
- does. The user inputs the boundaries of a region of the complex plane and
- the program generates a plot of the resulting Mandelbrot (or Julia) set.
-
- The Program
-
- Julia.EXE:
- The program requires the *.BGI files, specifically, the BGI file which
- corresponds to the type of display in the target machine. A MATH
- COPROCESSOR IS REQUIRED FOR USING Julia.EXE. If you have Turbo Pascal
- Version 4.0 or 5.0 you can compile a version that will run without the
- math coprocessor but it will be 4 to 6 times slower!
-
- Running the Program
-
- When run, the program asks if you want to load a file. If you have one
- saved, it is much faster to load and display than to recalculate.
-
- Entering Limits
-
- If you answer no to this question, then you will be prompted for the limits
- for the horizontal real axis. These limits must be entered as two real
- numbers separated by a space (i.e. -2.0 2.0). After entering these numbers
- you will be prompted for the limits for the imaginary (vertical) axis. Input
- these limits in the same manner. Do not include the 'i'.
-
- Number of Iterations
-
- Next you will be prompted for the number of iterations that will be executed
- before assuming that the number will never exceed 2.0. The bigger the number
- the slower the program if you are looking at a region with a lot of black
- space. However, the bigger the number the better the resolution of the border
- areas. The best approach is to use small numbers 40 or 50 for large regions
- and increase as you zoom in to values of 250 to 300.
-
- The next prompt is for the real and imaginary parts of the constant to be added
- to the equation. For the Mandelbrot Set you should enter 0, but for the Julia
- Set, any value between -2 and 2 for either/both of the parts of the constants
- will take you into the land of the Julia set.
-
- The last prompt is for a note, but this is never seen again so it can be
- ignored if you like.
-
- When Done
-
- When the plot is finished, press a key and you will be asked if you want to
- save the picture. If you do save the picture be aware that each image takes
- ~126 kbytes for an EGA display, less for a CGA display but still these are
- large files.
-
- Zooming In
-
- In this version of Julia.EXE, the ability to pick regions to expand has been
- greatly enhanced. If you have a mouse, the program senses it and allows you
- to pick a region by clicking at the upper left and lower right corners of the
- region with the left button. Clicking with the right button resets the points
- and allows you to begin again.
-
- If you do not have a mouse, the program puts a crosshair on the screen
- which can be moved with the arrow keys 1 pixel at a time or with shifted arrow
- keys to move 10 pixels at a time. Pressing the enter key inputs the
- coordinates of the point you have chosen, pressing the ESC key resets the
- cursor and lets you begin again.
-
- If any bugs in this are found, please contact Brian Maxwell at the TERC BBS
- (615) 229 4222 or write at
- 2815 Big Ridge Rd
- Johnson City, TN 37601
-
- Version 4.0 :
- This version allows you to pick a picture file from a directory and to change
- paths to look at other directories. The source code has also been streamlined
- somewhat. The source for all units are included.