I've uploaded a "prototype" of a new Apophymator version. I recommend downloading this new version despite the "proto" in it's name. There is more info here: [link]
EDIT (12-March-31): Important notice!
Apophymator is not usable with Apophysis 15C, up to hotfix 7, at least.
This [link] screenshot shows the input dialog in 7X 15C when Apophymator starts up. There is nothing I can do... the problem is apparently the result of 7X's update to the Scripter Studio software used internally by all Apo versions. Apophymator 10x itself has not changed and still runs on other Apo versions, including 7X 15b. (.....12-March-31 Edit end.)
..... Use the download link for a zip file which includes the latest version of the Apophymator script for creating animation frames with Apophysis. A pdf guide to using the script is included in the zip package along with the script itself. The script is not so difficult to use as a large instruction guide might make it seem, but the pdf covers all of the input boxes and more, and is a general reference source for the script. Apophymator is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3.
Some of my journal entries contain information similar to what you see in the guide, but the guide is searchable and more convenient to use.
All of the support materials still need updating so the package contains the new script but the 10m version of the pdf.
I am still only running Windows XP so I haven't personally tested Apophymator under Vista or Windows 7. With Windows XP the script works (for me) in all 2.08 and 2.09 versions as well as recent 7X versions starting at 14. The latest 7X version (15) provides complete script access to all flame values that may possibly be used to compose a flame. Earlier Apo versions may lack script support for flame elements like opacity or gamma threshold. The script will warn you if any of your set of animating flames includes unavailable variations or plugins (no matter which Apo version you're running).
There are two major new features in this 10x version of Apophymator.
The first new feature is the option to include a "revolution segment" in between the interpolation (morph) of the flames used as keyframes. For those familiar with Electric Sheep, this "revolution segment" would correspond to a "sheep loop". However, with Apophymator you can choose between several different types of circular motion which determine the way the triangles revolve. Alternatively, the revolution segment can be disabled while still applying the different types of circular motion to the interpolation of triangles producing the standard "morph" segment. An Apophymator morph segment would be equivalent to a "sheep edge".
In a revolution segment only the triangles from one flame create the animated movement of the image. In a morph segment, all of the values of two flames are combined gradually and it is the "interpolation" of these two sets of flame values from the first flame to the second flame which creates the animated moving image.
Editing the script is required to use the new revolution features (in contrast to the script presenting "input dialogs"). But the edits are quite easy. They merely require changing between 0 or 1 according to which type of revolution should be disabled or enabled, respectively.
A text document named "Revolution-Motions_Settings_Draft" is in the Apophymator package. It is mainly a duplication of the text from the following DA scrap link intended to illustrate the various types of circular movement that Apophymator will generate. [link] But the "Revolution-Motions_Settings' text document in the package also includes what the actual settings in Apophymator look like that produced each of those "maps" on that scrap page.
Almost forgot... The second new change to Apophymator is the ability to use non-uniform time intervals for keyframe spacing. This feature is slightly more difficult to use - it requires that the flames in your flame set possess a "time" value, which designates the frame number for that keyframe. (The attribute is named "time" but I'm afraid that might be a little misleading - it's actually the frame number as I just indicated.)
This is more or less an "advanced" feature, although not that difficult once you get the hang of it. I've yet to put together any info about the feature either. For now I'll just offer to answer any questions anyone may have about using the non-uniform intervals.
Aside from new features, I've generally tuned things up and there have been a few fixes that should actually have been released earlier. So please upgrade to this latest version. The new features will simply be transparent and do not complicate the use of the script if you don't intend to use the features. The input dialogs are all essentially the same as the 10m version. Sorry to say I don't seem to be able to improve the "performance" of the script. That appears to stay just about the same no matter what I do. But there's a lot I don't know about optimizing code.
Please enjoy using the script or... alternatively, it would be helpful for me to know what it was about the script that you didn't like. Notes about any specific problems or bugs usually help my progress with the script and are always welcome.
I am both happy and sad to see your animation. I'm happy to see you use my script to make a very nice animation. I'm sad because when I was a boy I crushed fireflies under my shoes to watch them glow on the sidewalk. It was a bad boy stunt in the Midwest USA. We also tried to keep fireflies in old plastic ice cream containers with holes in the top that we filled with grass and other greenery. I wonder if there are still fireflies in the Midwest? I do not see any in California. I am so pleased that you made the animation. Did you use the 10x version? There is this ([link]) newer version available. Thank you for using my script.
[link] there you have it on deviantART too I think I used the 10x version, yes! I'll check your link right now, planning to make more videos soon now that I have a powerful enough pc I'm sure the fireflies have forgiven you for your deeds as a child your script can somehow bring them to life again it seems
Well, I dunno... there's a massive war against insects these days and I suppose whole swaths of them are not feeling so forgiving toward whatever is waging war on them. At least I quit stomping on the bugs. I'm being a bit of a card, sorry.
It's sweet you have a fast computer. Gobs of kind thanks for using the script.
Will this allow me to use depth, pitch and yaw settings still in my 3d fractals if I wanna animate them? I tried flam3, but it didn't add my depth/pitch/yaw settings so it was a flat image
Hi, yes the script will handle the 3D camera settings and many other Apo flame parameters that flam3 doesn't. But you should get the latest version 12 of the script (currently 12d) because some things have been fixed and others improved, most importantly the input dialogs. [link]
I call the 12 series scripts "beta" but they've been more tested than the 10x version.
I hope you are able to enjoy the script. Thank you for your interest!
Unfortunately the pdf is kind of shabby. I think I've probably made using the script *appear* to be much harder than it is. On the positive side, images of dialog boxes take up most of the space in those 23 pages.
Even so, updating the pdf and other associated info is what's holding back a new Apophymator release. The script itself is essentially ready to go.
Did you mark up the changes to the original PDF or make in-line comments in the script that I could help incorporate into a new document. I have Word 2007 which can be finalized as a PDF.
I'm happy
I'm sad
I wonder if there are still fireflies in the Midwest? I do not see any in California.
I am so pleased that you made the animation.
Did you use the 10x version? There is this ([link]) newer version available.
I'm sure the fireflies have forgiven you for your deeds as a child
At least I quit stomping on the bugs.
I'm being a bit of a card, sorry.
I tried flam3, but it didn't add my depth/pitch/yaw settings so it was a flat image
But you should get the latest version 12 of the script (currently 12d) because some things have been fixed and others improved, most importantly the input dialogs.
[link]
I call the 12 series scripts "beta" but they've been more tested than the 10x version.
I hope you are able to enjoy the script.
Thank you for your interest!
On the positive side, images of dialog boxes take up most of the space in those 23 pages.
Even so, updating the pdf and other associated info is what's holding back a new Apophymator release.
The script itself is essentially ready to go.