ST5845%SIUCVMB.bitnet%lilac.Berkeley.EDU@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (11/27/90)
Koyn Software has released IFS Explorer(TM), an educational and
entertaining software package for the Macintosh that allows the user
to create and explore fractals.
The user may explore the Fractal Library(TM), a collection of over
60 premade fractals. IFS Explorer's powerful zoom function lets the user
zoom in up to 100,000,000 times, allowing observation of the infinite
detail in fractal images.
The user may create new fractals using iterated function systems
(IFS's for short). A fractal is described as a collection of pieces,
each of which is a geometrically transformed copy of the original. A
fractal description is entered in a spreadsheet-like window, where each
row specifies a geometrical transformation for one of the pieces.
Fractals are rendered by random iteration, a process involving
starting with a point and repeatedly applying randomly chosen
transformations to it. The variety of images that can be created by
this apparently chaotic means is surprising.
Fractal images may be exported to other applications via the
clipboard or PICT files. The endless variety of images IFS Explorer
produces are useful for advertising, stationery, and other graphic
design projects.
The educational user guide explains IFS's in an easy to understand
way that is accessible to anyone who has had some experience in algebra
and coordinate geometry. IFS Explorer is useful in college mathematics
courses that cover fractals or chaos theory because it allows students
to explore fractals by hands-on experimentation. It is also useful as a
self-study aid to enthusiasts of fractals, chaos theory, and/or math.
IFS Explorer requires a Macintosh 512KE or newer, an 800K floppy
disk drive and System Software 4.1 or newer.
IFS Explorer is available directly from Koyn Software for $49.95
plus $2.00 shipping & handling. Education discounts and a Classroom Kit
are available to universities and faculty.
Koyn Software may be reached at:
Koyn Software
1754 Sprucedale
St. Louis, MO 63146
(314) 878-9125.