O V E R K I L L . D O C


  I'll try to keep this short.  Honest.

  FILES >>>
    OVERKILL.DOC:  This one.

    OVERKILL.FRM:  Formulas for use with the FRACTINT fractal generation
    program.  Most of the formulas have already been released (in a
    different form) in BLB.FRM or MONGO.FRM.  They are collected here with
    ten new formulas.

    OVERKILL.PAR:  Parameters for use with FRACTINT -- preselected options
    to create 199 interesting (I hope) fractal images.  Most have been
    previously released, with differences of varying significance, in one
    of the following files: BEACHAM2.PAR, BLBFORMS.PAR, MONGO.PAR, and
    SLACK.PAR.  Many new ones have been added.


  RIGHTS >>>
    These files are copyright (c) April 1994, and may not be used for
    commercial purposes without my consent.  I encourage you to copy and
    distribute them, but only if they are unaltered.  I welcome any
    comments or questions.

    CIS: 74223,2745    Internet: 74223,2745@compuserve.com

    U.S. Mail: Bradley Beacham
               1343 S. Tyler
               Salt Lake City, Utah  84105
               U.S.A.


  REQUIREMENTS >>>
    You'll need a copy of the FRACTINT program, some of the standard .MAP
    files that are included with it, and a PC that can run it.  I suggest
    using version 18 or higher of FRACTINT; while most of the parameters
    should work with earlier versions, some may not.  You should also have
    a color monitor, and the higher the resolution the better; for many of
    the images in the .PAR file, their visual impact depends on your
    ability to see similar features at very different scales.  I created
    them at 800 X 600 resolution with 256 colors; if you use fewer colors
    or much lower resolution, I can't vouch for how they'll look.  (Sorry
    if that sounds snotty...)


  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS >>>
    Thanks to Jon Osuch and the creators of 'FRACTAL ECSTASY' for ideas
    that triggered several of my formulas.  Thanks also to the many
    talented FRACTINT artists whose examples have taught me and inspired
    me, including Peter Moreland, Richard Sherry, and Caren Park.  Most
    especially, thanks to the authors of FRACTINT and 'FRACTAL CREATIONS'.


  APOLOGIES AND EXCUSES >>>
    Apologies to any of the above-mentioned people who may be embarrassed
    to have their names associated with these images and formulas.  Please
    don't blame them for my silliness or lack of sophistication.

    Some of my images use color palettes that came from other .PAR files; I
    hope no one is offended.  When I created many of my formulas and images
    I emulated techniques used by others, but I tried not to duplicate
    anyone's work.  If I have inadvertently done so, please let me know.

    I chose the name 'OVERKILL' for a reason.  Yeah, I know this is a lot
    of stuff to sort through.  Sorry.  I couldn't stop myself.  And yes,
    the formula names are meaningless and the image names and descriptions
    are usually silly if not downright stupid.  That's me...


  USAGE >>
    Put the .FRM and .PAR files in the same directory that holds your other
    FRACTINT files.

    To use the formula file, start up FRACTINT and hit 'T' for the TYPE
    menu.  Choose 'FORMULA'.  Now hit 'F6' for a menu of the available
    formula files and choose OVERKILL.  Pick a formula and let 'er rip!  I
    suggest first setting all numeric parameters to 0 and functions to
    IDENT, and varying one or two at a time, but that's up to you.

    To use the parameter file, hit the '@' key.  Hit 'F6' for a menu of
    available parameter files.  Choose OVERKILL.

    A hint: If one of the formulas from OVERKILL.FRM was used in an image,
    the description line in OVERKILL.PAR will tell you which one was used.
    Use this to locate formulas that you want to explore.


  FLOATING POINT >>>
    Most of these parameters specify floating-point math, mainly because it
    is faster on my machine but also because some images look different
    with integer math.  If you don't have a math coprocessor, you may find
    integer math to be faster and most of the images will not be
    significantly changed, but some won't come out as intended.  On the
    other hand, some of the images (Pyramid_Power for instance)
    deliberately use integer math for special effects.


  MY TOP TEN LIST >>>
    Try these first:  Apollo_13, Criswell, Demon, Elvisism, Landscape,
    Moire_Spiral, Primate_Skull, Surprise2, Triangulation and Tricky_Parts.


  FOR MORE INFORMATION >>>
    The .PAR and .FRM files both contain more verbiage (sheesh!) in
    'comment' braces.  And remember, I welcome any mail, E- or otherwise.