XaoS Instructions

Simple Instructions for “XaoS”

First, Download the correct version of the program for your computer.

Installation (PC): Unzip the folder “XaoS” onto the desktop. Within this folder, there is a directory “bin”. Use the “XaoS” icon inside to run the program.
Macintosh: Save “XaoS-3.2.2-MacOSX.dmg to the desktop and click on it to install. Run the “XaoS” icon.
Note: You must keep the program icon in the same directory with its files, or else the tutorial and help files won’t work.

When you run the program, it opens with an image of the Mandelbrot set. To navigate: point the mouse and click! On a PC, the left button zooms in and the right zooms out. On a Mac, use ctrl-click to zoom out. To pan the image around, use both buttons together, or shift-click on the Mac.

Set the defaults: From the ‘Filters’ menu, enable Palette Emulator. From the “Calculation” menu select Iterations, and raise it to 2000. From the ‘File’ menu, select Save Configuration so you don’t have to make these changes again.

Color palettes are randomly generated, and can be changed with the “P” key. To enable or disable color cycling, use “Y”. There are many filters and effects to explore from the menus.

XaoS can create many different fractal types, which can be accessed by using the number keys.
Keys 1 to 5 are Mandelbrot sets with various powers. The “normal” X^2 Mandelbrot set is on key 1.
(Hitting “1” is a good way to reset yourself if you get lost!)
Key 6 is a Newton fractal, exponent 3, illustrating Newton’s method for finding roots to 3’d order polynomial equations.
Key 7 is the Newton fractal for exponent 4.
Key 8,9, and 0 are Barnsley fractals.
Key A – N are several other fascinating fractal formulas

Julia Sets: Every point in the Mandelbrot set (and several of the other fractals) corresponds to a unique Julia set. To explore the relationship between the Mandelbrot and Julia fractals, press “J” to enter fast-Julia mode. When you find a Julia set you like, switch over to it by pressing “M”.

Finally – use the Help file and explore the excellent tutorials! Though written by Jan Hubicka – the initial programmer – originally in Czech, they are very useful both to learn how to use the program as well as to learn about the fractals. Enjoy!