Mandelbulb3D: Bringing Hidden Dimensions to Life Through Math
Dutch Fractal Artist Julius Horsthuis is an explorer of hidden dimensions. He transitioned into the world of fractal animation by pioneering his own visual language, initially intrigued and “mesmerized” by 3D fractals after working for years with traditional CGI software. To create his visuals, he uses the open-source software Mandelbulb 3D (MB3D).
WHAT IS MANDELBULB 3D?
When we think about digital art software, our minds may imagine programs where like a painter to a canvas, artists are able to bring ideas to life limited only by their imagination.
Fractal art is unique in that scenes are not created, but rather discovered. Mandelbulb 3D is an open-source fractal visualization software that allows artists like Julius to ‘drive’ a camera through landscapes hidden within the mathematical formulas of a Mandelbulb fractal. As you uncover an area you’d like to capture, you then have the option to capture a still image, or a video fly-through, as seen in Fractal Worlds.
Fractals display infinite detail, meaning that no matter how much you zoom in, you’ll keep discovering new patterns and details. This characteristic makes fractals infinitely complex, and is why observing fractal art can often be described as meditative, transcendent, and a revelation of hidden truths.
“There’s an infinite amount of different worlds that I could show. So it’s really choosing what to show, what not to show, in what light or what colors. That’s the creative process; much more like filmmaking or photography than it is then like sculpting or painting.”
– Julius Horsthuis
DOWNLOAD THE FREE SOFTWARE: Mandelbulb3D
Become a fractal artist using this open source tool! Mandelbulb3D can be downloaded for PC using this link below:
Mandelbulb Masterpieces
The below images are scenes within Fractal Worlds by Julius Horsthuis, currently on view at ARTECHOUSE Houston. The largest Fractal art series ever to be exhibited, Julius’ work demonstrated the beauty and limitless capabilities with the software.
