Synth

Variations that emulate a number of other variations, adding wavy effects using a technique from audio synthesizers.


synth v1

The first version of synth is still available, but superceded by synth V2. It doesn’t have as many options, but otherwise works the same as the later version, so see its description below for details.

Type: 2D; blur with mode 2
Author: Neil Slater
Date: 24 Sep 2008

https://www.deviantart.com/slobo777/art/Apo-plugin-Synth-98877432


synth v2

Combo variation (emulates several others) with added wave functions.

Type: 2D; blur with modes 2, 3, 4, 12, and 13
Author: Neil Slater
Date: 7 Jul 2009

Synth is complicated because it has so many parameters. Understanding the basic structure of the variation is helpful. Synth is divided into a main module and five waveform modules, named ‘b’ through ‘f’. The main module takes the input point and transforms it like a typical variation; the mode parameter determines how it works. The waveform modules each generate a waveform based on the input point and the mode and apply it to the output of the previous module (module b uses parameter a as the input); mode determines the direction (radial, horizontal, etc.). The outputs of the main module and the final waveform module are then combined to produce the final output.

Main module

The main module applies a variation to the input point; some match other variations, some are unique to synth. Parameter mode specifies the variation to use; the others modify it.

ParameterDescription
aThe baseline for the waveform (normally 1)
modeSelects the variation to use, the wave direction, and how the waveform is applied (see next table)
powerFor modes that use the distance of the point from the origin (the “radius”), power controls how this is done (it isn’t the power itself, but used to calculate it). For other modes, it is a parameter for the variation. For the rest, it is ignored.
mixHow much of the final waveform to mix in; 1 is normal, 0 ignores the waveforms, values between 0 and 1 interpolate, values outside that range extrapolate
smoothFor some modes, 0 uses normal linear mapping and 1 uses quadratic Bezier mapping that makes it less aggressive near the origin or away from the unit circle, smoothing the effect. For some modes, 0 selects multiply and 1 selects mixing to apply the waveform. For some modes, smooth is ignored (linear mapping is always used).

The following table describes the modes.

ExampleMode, Direction, Application, and Description
Synth variation sample 270: spherical, radial, multiply
Reflects the plane across the unit circle, like the spherical variation.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; -2 to match the spherical variation, 0 to act like linear.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 261: bubble, radial, multiply
Maps the plane to a sphere, like the bubble variation but not 3D even in 3D flame programs.
Power is not used.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 252: blur (v1), radial, multiply
A circle or disc; included for compatibility with synth version 1. Mode 3 works better (but power works differently).
Power adjusts the effect: -1 is a circle (not filled in); higher values fill in towards the center, lower values fill in away from the center (inside-out disc).
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 243: blur (v2), radial, multiply
A circle or disc; improved version of mode 2.
Power adjusts the effect: 0 is a circle (not filled in); lower values fill in towards the center, higher values fill in away from the center (inside-out disc). -1 is similar to sineblur.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 234: zigzag blur, vertical, multiply
A horizontal line or bar; the waveforms will turn it into a zigzag shape. Useful for visualing the waveforms.
Power controls the thickness; 0 is the thinnest, increasing or decreasing it thickens it into a bar.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 225: raw circle, radial, multiply
Pass the input (like linear) to be multiplied by the waveforms radially. With a single waveform enabled, the effect is similar to blob.
Power is not used.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 216: raw x, horizontal, multiply
Pass the input (like linear) to be multiplied by the waveforms horizontally.
Power is not used.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 207: raw y, vertical, multiply
Pass the input (like linear) to be multiplied by the waveforms vertically.
Power is not used.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 198: raw x and y, horizontal and vertical, multiply
Pass the input (like linear) to be multiplied by the waveforms both horizontally and vertically.
Power is not used.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 189: shift x, horizontal, add
Pass the input (like linear) to be added to the waveforms horizontally.
Power and smooth are not used.
Synth variation sample 1710: shift y, vertical, add
Pass the input (like linear) to be added to the waveforms vertically.
Power and smooth are not used.
Synth variation sample 1611: shift x and y, horizontal and vertical, add
Pass the input (like linear) to be added to the waveforms horizontally and vertically.
Power and smooth are not used.
Synth variation sample 1512: blur ring, radial, multiply
A circle or ring.
Power controls the thickness; 0 is the thinnest, increasing or decreasing it thickens it into a ring.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.
Synth variation sample 1413: blur ring 2, radial, multiply
A circle with a different intensity distribution than mode 12.
Power controls the thickness; 0 is the thinnest, positive values thicken it towards the inside, negative values thicken it towards the outside.
Smooth is not used.
Synth variation sample 1314: spherical swirl, circular, add
Reflects the plane across the unit circle, like the spherical variation and add the waveform to rotate it, giving a swirling effect.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; -1 to match the spherical variation, 1 to act like linear.
Smooth is not used.
Synth variation sample 1215: shift tangent, tangential, add
Pass the input (like linear) to be added tangentially to the waveforms.
Power modifies the waveform, but not the input.
Smooth is not used.
Synth variation sample 1116: shift theta, circular, add
Pass the input (like linear) to be rotated by the waveforms, giving a swirling effect.
Power modifies the waveform, but not the input; same as mode 14 when power is 1.
Smooth is not used.
Synth variation sample 1017: mirror x, vertical, add
Mirror the input across the x axis and add the waveform vertically.
Power and smooth are not used.
Synth variation sample 918: mirror xy, horizontal and vertical, add
Mirror the input across both the x and y axes (same as rotating 180°).
Power and smooth are not used.
Synth variation sample 819: spherical 2, radial, multiply
Reflects the plane across the unit circle, like the spherical variation, but applies the waveform differently from mode 0.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; -1 to match the spherical variation, 1 to act like linear.
Smooth selects between linear (0) and Bezier (1) mapping.

Modes above 1000 are labeled “failed experiments” by the author. But he kept them available so that others could try them out.

ExampleMode, Direction, Application, and Description
Synth variation sample 71001: sinusoidal, horizontal and vertical, mix
Transforms the plane like the sinusoidal variation and mixes the result with the waveform, controlled by the mix parameter: 0 is pure sinusoidal, 1 is pure waveform.
Power and smooth are not used.
Synth variation sample 61002: swirl, circular, multiply/mix
Transforms the plane like the swirl variation and applies the waveform.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; 2 to match the swirl variation, 0 is like linear
Smooth selects between multiply (0) and mix (1).
Synth variation sample 51003: hyperbolic, radial, multiply/mix
Transforms the plane like the hyperbolic variation and applies the waveform.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; 1 to match the hyperbolic variation.
Smooth selects between multiply (0) and mix (1).
Synth variation sample 41004: julia, radial, multiply/mix
Transforms the plane like the julia variation and applies the waveform.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; 1 to match the julia variation (it is not like the julian power parameter).<brSmooth selects between multiply (0) and mix (1).
 Synth variation sample 31005: disc, radial, multiply/mix
Transforms the plane like the disc variation and applies the waveform.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; 1 to match the disc variation.
Smooth selects between multiply (0) and mix (1).
Synth variation sample 21006: rings, radial, multiply/mix
Transforms the plane like the rings2 variation and applies the waveform.
Power works like the rings2 val parameter except when it is 0.
Smooth selects between multiply (0) and mix (1).
Synth variation sample 11007: cylinder, horizontal, multiply/mix
Transforms the plane like the cylinder variation (2D only) and applies the waveform.
Power adjusts the radius calculation; 0 to match the cylinder variation.
Smooth selects between multiply (0) and mix (1).

Waveform modules (modules b, c, d, e, and f)

The five waveform modules are invoked in sequence, and, if enabled, apply a waveform. The parameters for each are the same.

ParameterDescription
b, c, d, e, fAmplitude of the waveform for the given module; 0 to disable the module
x_typeShape of the wave
0: sine
1: cosine
2: square
3: sawtooth
4: triangle
5: concave
6: convex
7: ngon (x_freq is the number of sides)
8: inverse ngon
x_freqFrequency of the wave (1 repeats once around the circle if radial, or once per unit otherwise); fractional values are allowed, but create a discontinuity
x_skewSkew effect, between -1 and 1; 0 for normal, -1 for just the left half, 1 for just the right half
x_phsPhase of the wave in radians; 0 for normal
x_layerHow this waveform combines with the input:
0: add
1: multiply
2: maximum
3: minimum

Resources

https://www.deviantart.com/slobo777/art/Synth-V2-128594088

https://jwildfire-forum.overwhale.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1219

https://www.deviantart.com/slobo777/art/Apophysis-Synth-Pack-106698622

https://www.deviantart.com/anystasia/art/The-Beginnings-Tutorial-131305834

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bt7se699hhfcx8v/AACGi-yoJllws_A1Lf2XJzvza/JWILDFIRE%20JULIA%20N_S%20SCARY%20SYNTH%20TUTORIAL.ppsx?dl=0

https://www.deviantart.com/fractal-resources/art/BC-and-BDs-Synth-Gardens-2-107145254

https://www.deviantart.com/fractal-resources/art/BD-s-Curled-Synth-Script-105586976

https://www.deviantart.com/fractal-resources/art/BD-s-3D-Curled-Synth-106005764

https://jwildfire-forum.overwhale.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1861

https://www.deviantart.com/zweezwyy/art/Simply-Synthfull-128453759

https://jwildfire-forum.overwhale.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2087

https://jwildfire-forum.overwhale.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2604

https://jwildfire-forum.overwhale.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2584



This information has all been created by Rick Sidwell as a guide to the more popular variations used in fractal flames, and very generously allowed me to reproduce it here. Not all of the variations are included with JWildfire, but a great many are, so it is worthwhile learning about them.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


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