The Science of Fractal Images [Hardcover]

Heinz-Otto Peitgen (Editor, Contributor), Dietmar Saupe (Editor, Contributor), Yuval Fisher (Contributor), Michael McGuire (Contributor), Richard F. Voss (Contributor), Michael F. Barnsley (Contributor), Robert L. Devaney (Contributor), Benoit B. Mandelbrot (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387966080 | ISBN-13: 978-0387966083 | Publication Date: July 19, 1988 | Edition: 1

The first book to discuss fractals solely from the point of view of computer graphics, this work includes an introduction to the basic axioms of fractals and their applications in the natural sciences, a survey of random fractals together with many pseudocodes for selected algorithms, an introduction into fantastic fractals such as the Mandelbrot set and the Julia sets, together with a detailed discussion of algorithms and fractal modeling of real world objects. 142 illustrations in 277 parts. 39 color plates.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (July 19, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387966080
• ISBN-13: 978-0387966083
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best (if no the best) in the feild, July 25, 2000

By 

Warren (Perth, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Fractal Images (Hardcover)

You cant go past this book,

This book reads at any level, Great introduction to the field as well as an indespencible reference. Shows easy to implement code examples, and has lots of pictures showing what can be acheived.

This has been a main reference for a theisis I am currently working on. The question is, why is it out of print. If you can find it it's worth it's wheight in gold.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must, June 22, 2000

By 

Massimiliano Celaschi (Graffignano, Viterbo Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Fractal Images (Hardcover)

In my opinion, the best work ever written in the category not-for-beginner-but-available-to-non-specialist (such as Beauty of Fractals, by the same authors). An easy answer to question "How can I generate a fractal image with my PC?", from brownian motion to Julia sets. A must for reader interested in fractals (a bit out-of-fashion but still very interesting field).

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on fractals and imaging, May 7, 2006

By 

calvinnme - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Science of Fractal Images (Hardcover)

This old book is a timeless gem. It goes into the details of the mathematics of fractals and also shows well-commented C code for producing fractal imagery along with good color illustrations.
Chapter 1, "Fractals in Nature", uses computer generated images to build a visual intuition for fractal as opposed to Euclidian shapes. There is also a mathematical characterization with Brownian motion as the prototype.
In chapter 2, "Random Fractal Algorithms", randomness is introduced into the algorithms discussed in chapter one as a way of simulating natural phenomena. Ideas are extended to higher dimensions. C programs that produce mountain ranges using these ideas are presented, along with the resulting imagery.
Chapter 3, "Fractal Patterns Arising in Chaotic Dynamical Systems", turns to the topic of dynamical systems and is less mathematical than the first two chapters. There is some mathematics and some illustrations in 2D and black and white that should be familiar to any student of dynamical systems.
Chapter 4, "Fantastic Deterministic Fractals", demonstrates how genuine mathematical research experiments open a door to a new reservoir of fantastic shapes and images. Programs are shown that extend the ideas of chapter 3 into truly beautiful fractals. Ideas here stay mainly in 2D.
The final chapter, "Fractal Modelling of Real World Images", draws from the material of the previous chapters to present C programs that produce clouds, vegetation, smoke, and mountain ranges, all by altering a few of the parameters in the sample code presented by the authors.
This book is much better than more recent titles that bury their algorithms in complex high level languages or "toy books" on the subject that provide dumbed-down applications and in which the simplest possible explanation of fractals is given with no insight. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding fractal mathematics and in using that mathematics to produce stunning visual effects.