Fractal Parameter Use Policy

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I didn't think I needed one of these, because I trusted the fractal art community to be a little more decent, and it saddens me that I have to make this post now.

It has come to my attention that some of my parameters have been used by an artist who claims it was all 100% from-scratch Apo work, not based on anyone else's, when it's obvious that it's really a tweak. I know it's naive to feel this way, how I can't believe someone would do that, but I can't help it, and I recognize now that it would be in my favor to actually write up what I am and am not okay with. I thought it was common sense. I was wrong. So now, to be perfectly clear:

I DO want you to use my parameters. Study them, tweak them, make them into something new and unique, and LEARN from them. When I was learning Apophysis, I always found it frustrating that there were so many beautiful styles out there and no instructions on how to do it, and as such, I will always share my parameters on principle, just as I wished so many other Apophysis artists had done when I was new. I want to help other artists grow and the best way to do that in my eyes is to post parameters for everything.

I like credit, and it's the nice thing to do, but I recognize that people can forget and it is NOT the end of the world if you don't directly credit me in your artist's comments on images that contain parameters derived from my work. However, if you are directly asked if something you make is based on my parameters, then for heaven's sake, tell the truth! There is no shame in saying "Yes, this is a tweak" after the fact, and it reflects much better on you as an artist than claiming you figured it all out by yourself when the elements taken have already been recognized. If you kept drawing a character named 'Mona' with long, black hair, black Renaissance clothes, no eyebrows, and a mischievous smile, there's not a person in the world who would believe there's no Da Vinci in there. Fractal elements can be just as recongizable and you will gain no more respect than the Mona-draw-er for claiming it's all you when you tweak and say you didn't. Just tell the truth, that's all I ask.

I like to see tweaks of my work. In fact, I favorite them more often than not. For this reason, and it's not mandatory, tell me if you tweak! A comment on the artwork itself is great. I really want to see what you do, that's all.

DO ask me before using any of my rendered images, or unaltered parameters, for any purpose other than tweaking and creating a whole new image or purely personal use. If you want to use an image as wallpaper for your device/desktop, in its natural state or recolored, that's fine, go ahead, you have my permission. Likewise, you don't need to ask permission to use my parameters for learning or constructive purposes (read: actual tweaking that goes beyond the minimal, as described here by C-91 - c-91.deviantart.com/art/Apophy… ). Please ask permission for the following:
1. Usage of my fractals as components in photomanipulation or as a texture for a 3D model (I will probably say yes).
2. Uploading an unaltered, recolored, re-rendered, or minimally altered (e.g. changing the fX but nothing else, or cropping for use as a device wallpaper) version of one of my fractals to any part of the Internet. This includes using it as a background for your own personal blog, page, Facebook header, etc.
3. Uploading a script based on one of my fractals.

You do not need to ask if you want to share one of my fractals with your friends on some other site. If I didn't want people to see my art I wouldn't put it on the Internet. However, there is no need to re-upload anywhere, and please don't do it without asking; just share the link.


I don't want to take my parameters down, because I recognize that the majority of people who use them will be good about using them for their intended educational and constructive purpose. Please treat them, and me, with respect, as fractals are not just pictures made by a computer when a user presses a button, and I spent a lot of time and effort getting to the level of skill I am at today.
© 2013 - 2024 plangkye
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Namelom10's avatar
Sherlock Holmes Just discovered this site and read this journal: you're amazing...thx for sharingRelaxed