MacPlasma is the Macintosh port of the original "Plasma" program by Bret Mulvey for MSDOS machines. The program calculates a random, fractal image based on the texture settings and displays it using the selected palette. The image is then animated using the Palette Manager routines.
MacPlasma was written as an exercise in the utilization of some of the "Inside Macintosh - Volume 5" toolbox routines and to provide Mac users with an interesting way to display the graphics capabilities of their machines. MacPlasma has some features not present in the MSDOS version in the support of multiple default palettes and imported palettes generated by NCSA PalEdit. The texture or roughness of the fractal image is also user-selectable to enhance experimentation with the program.
Distribution:
Read Me First - This file
MacPlasma V1.1 - Base version
MacPlasma V1.1fpu - FPU version
Palette Folder - Some interesting palettes generated from NCSA PalEdit
Usage:
An image is initially created by invoking the "Create" command from the "Image" menu. After a short period to calculate the fractal image, the result is displayed onscreen. A new image maybe generated at any time by invoking "Create"; a random number generator insures that a completely new image results. The image may be animated or frozen by the appropriate "Image" menu commands.
The texture or fractal roughness of an image may be manipulated through the "Texture" menu. Several default values are given to exhibit the spectrum of the behavior of the fractal image.
The color palette used to display and animate the image may be selected through the "Palette" menu. Some interesting default values are presented and the ability to import NCSA PalEdit raw palettes is included under the "Import ..." menu item.
Menus:
File:
Quit - Terminates the application
Edit:
Disabled, left for future compatibility with desk accessories
Image:
Create - Creates a new fractal image
Animate - Animates the current image
Freeze - Stops the animation of the current image
Texture:
An array of default fractal roughness parameters
Palette:
Default System - The default system palette
GrayScale - 256 grayscale level palette
MacPlasma - The original palette
History:
Version 1.0 4-26-91 Initial Version
Version 1.1 4-4-92 Added multiple default palettes,
improved interface, added import
feature
Version 1.1fpu 4-4-92 FPU version
Program Versions:
MacPlasma is distributed in two versions, one requiring a FPU and one not. The algorithm
to calculate the fractal image is computationally-intensive, so the FPU version is about
5 times faster due to the numeric coprocessor ( 23 seconds versus 117 seconds to render
an image). Use the version appropriate to your machine.
Caveats:
Due to the nature of the program and its use of animated palettes, some deviation from the official Mac user guidelines had to occur. The most apparent is that the application utilizes the entire screen to display the fractal image. Also, in order to speed up and smooth the animation of the image, MultiFinder-friendliness has been sacrificed. The application should run without affecting most other programs with the exception of those that rely on regular and precise timing for their operation (ie. terminal emulations, telecommunications programs, networking apps, etc.).
The program also requires 32-bit Color QuickDraw and a monitor depth of at least 8 bits to support the underlying graphics and animation routines. The program has not been tested
on all color Mac configurations but has been written to be relatively platform-independant.
Let me know of any problems you may encounter with the execution of the program.
Legal Disclaimer:
MacPlasma is freeware, meaning the program is free for personal use but the copyright and all other associated legal rights remain the property of Severum Software. No warranty is either expressed or implied with respect to this software. This program may not be sold or distributed for profit, or included with materials sold or distributed for profit without the consent of the author.
