July 2017 Challenge - Image Panels

Hello all. Here is July's Ultra Fractal challenge for you. The theme this month is "Image Panels" - please read on for full details and rules...

So, what do I mean by "panels"?
I will be looking for two or more clearly divided areas within your image, each containing a distinct fractal design of some kind.
These areas could be the same design in different colours or complimentary designs in each space (e.g. a common theme like Four Seasons). You could also consider a single design that is cut up to fill the panels (e.g. two halves of a Julia form) or a single design structure placed over panels which have different backgrounds. Some of these ideas are shown in the feature below - have a good look at those. Just try to find design/s that all work together in some way.

The following panel compositions would all be acceptable, just remember you need a minimum of two distict panel areas:

• Diptych (two panels)
• Triptych (three panels)
• Square image with four equal square sub-panels
• Any other combination or number of panels you can come up with! See below for some examples.

In addition there are a few simple rules you must follow if you choose a more irregular arrangement of panels:

• Panels can be different sizes but must be square or rectangular in shape.
  
• Panels can be randomly placed within the image if you wish, like little windows or individual pictures.
  

I was inspired to create this challenge by seeing a fairly new "Panels" transform (mapping) in jam.uxf which enables a variety of interesting and more unusual design spaces. This transform could be particularly useful to new users who may be unfamiliar with making panels - if this is you I've added a  few instructions on how to use Panels at the very bottom of this journal to help you get started with it.

Here are just a few of the type of compositions you could maybe use with this transform, if you wish:



Tip: Note that any "borders" you specify in the parameters of this new Panels transform may look different if rendered at a different size to the on-screen image. So be sure to check the spacing and adjust as required for a larger picture or if you are rendering large then reducing again for viewing.

You can, of course, make your panels in any way you wish. Just make sure the fractal elements are the major feature of your image.


I found plenty of great examples of paneled works to inspire you... have a look at the following for some possible ideas you could adapt in your own work:




Thanks and have fun!


1. Make your first fractal layer
2. Go to the Mapping tab. Browse to the file jam.uxf in your Public folder and open the Panels transform
3. Play with the params to see how they work. Decide on your layout and which panel you want your fractal in.
4. Make the Solid colour of the transform transparent. You should now see just a segment of your fractal.
5. Duplicate this layer and pick a different panel for this second layer. Change the design or colour.
6. Keep going with new layers until all panels are filled.
7. A plain colour layer at the bottom of the layer stack will serve as the border colour around all panels. Use a pixel formula with Basic colouring and pick the colur you want. You could add a texture or tiled pattern here instead if you like, it doesn't have to be a plain colour.