Fractal Imaging (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "This story begins with magic..." (more)
Key Phrases: bubbling algorithm, region origin locations, fractal codes, Golden Hill, Plava Laguna, Iterated Systems (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Fractal image compression technology, one of the major digital image compression techniques, has been a well kept secret for many years. While there are many books written on other technologies, such as DCT/JPEG andwavelet theory, few books touch the subject of fractal image compression. Fractal Imaging presents the logic, technology, and various uses of fractal imaging by analyzing a complete, usable fractal image representation system. This detailed work will be a must for engineers interested in building fractal imaging systems. It will also be of interest to the general public, showing how mathematics once again plays a central role in our lives, where art and science intersect. Included is a CD-ROM containing fractal images and a freeware version of Iterated Systems fractal imaging utility.

Key Features
* Modeling realistic images
* Efficient, fractal image representation and enhancement
* Data compression and coding algorithms with Sample C code
* 16-page color insert
* Includes Fractal Imager Software
* Fractal Imager is an award-winning Windows" product that produces Fractal Image Format (FIF) files;This software helps you to create interactive Web page images that download fast and look sharp.
* Put interactive images on your Web site
* Give great image quality and resolution independent zoomability
* Super fast Internet progressive display
* More content without taking more space!

From the Back Cover

Images can enhance the meaning of almost anything.
One problem that arises with the most meaningful images is the "cost" of either storing or communicating them electronically. If this is a problem for you, then fractal imaging can be a very useful technique, in which case Ning Lu's Fractal Imaging is an invaluable tool.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (June 16, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0124580106
• ISBN-13: 978-0124580107
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,092,702 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book that shows the art of science., November 25, 1998

By A Customer

It is an amazing book that presents fractal theory and compression algorithms in such a poetic manner. I was glad finally there is a book that covers fractal image compression in such a complete and systematic way from Iterated Systems. The book also displayed the linkage between science, philosophy and art by using fractal image compression as an example, which is awesome. Most C-codes are very efficiently writen as for the performance, so I wish there were more explanations for better understanding. It is a book quite difficult to read for it is unique in its style as well as many subjects. Again, more details will be helpful. Overall, I am very much enjoyed the reading, found as the author said: you will find "something new every time you open it." P.S. It's nice to have the free product Fractal Imager too!

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A frustratingly unstraightforward book., July 26, 1999

By A Customer

This is not a book I would recommend. Whilst the subject matter is very interesting the style of presentation of the material is not to my liking. As opposed to simply explaining how fractal image compression works, the author indulges in chapters of overly philosophic theory. There is a plethora of mathmatical and logical notation (which you are left to fend with for yourself). In its more pretentious moments it's almost comical, with the author becoming ridiculously poetic.

This book really takes itself far too seriously. Less philosophy, less poetry, and more explanation of extremely generalised equations would make it much more readable.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great IT described and worked by a mathematican!, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

There are a lot of details about fractal imaging, including IFS, RIFS, techniques. What is more, it provides many very good examples of worked images, figures, tables. All these make the book easier to read. I like it!