Switch feature

The switch feature allows you to switch easily between related fractal types. One fractal type can be 

used as a map for another. This is very useful, since Mandelbrot sets, for example, are in fact maps 

of the corresponding Julia sets.

To use the switch feature with your own formulas, you must include the switch section as the last 

section in your fractal formula. Here is an example of a typical Mandelbrot formula using the switch 

section:

Mandelbrot {

init:

z = 

0

loop:

z = 

sqr

(z) + 

#pixel

bailout:

|z| < 

@bailout

switch:

type = 

"Julia"

seed = 

#pixel

bailout = bailout

}

The type setting specifies the identifier of the formula (in the same file) to switch to. The other 

settings can copy parameters and the pixel value from the source formula to the destination formula 

(the formula Ultra Fractal is switching to). The #pixel symbol returns the coordinates of the point in 

the fractal window where the user clicked to initiate the switch.

When switching, Ultra Fractal now loads the Julia formula, and tries to find the parameters seed and 

bailout in the Julia formula. If these parameters can be found, they are set to the pixel value and 

the bailout of the Mandelbrot formula. Otherwise, the settings are ignored.

So, you need to take the following steps to use the switch feature:

1.  Append the switch section to the end of your formula.

2.  Insert the type setting and use the entry identifier of the formula you want to switch to as 

the setting value, enclosed in double quotes (like all string values).

3.  Insert the setting "destination parameter = #pixel" to let the switch feature be dependent on 

the point where the user clicked inside the fractal window. If you want, you can use this 

setting more than once, or just leave it out. The parameter in the destination formula must 

be complex, otherwise this setting is ignored.

4.  Optionally, insert additional settings "destination parameter = source parameter" to copy 

other parameters from the source formula to the destination formula. Be sure that the types 

of the source and destination parameters are the same; otherwise, the setting is ignored. 

Parameters not explicitly copied here are set to the default values.

Here is an example of a Julia formula that could be used with the Mandelbrot formula shown above. 

Note that the Julia formula allows you to switch back to the Mandelbrot formula (of course without 

using the pixel value).

Julia {

init:

293