Endlos - Multithreaded Fractals

File Release Notes and Changelog

Release Name: V 0.9.0

Notes:

   endlos

       A multi-threaded fractal generator.

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Requirements:
-------------
Correctly installed Java virtual machine (runtime environment or developer kit) version 1.5.0 or above.

Note 1:
On non "Server class machines" (see http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/technotes/guides/vm/server-class.html),
like non-64 Bit Windows, the client JVM is used by default. If you want more performance, you need to
call the Java virtual machine with the "-server" parameter. Unfortunately, the Sun JRE doesn't include the
server JVM, so you also need to download the JDK and copy the directory "jre/bin/server/" from the JDK into the
JRE bin/ directory (same hierachy as the existing "client" directory of the JRE).

Note 2:
I highly recommend the latest version of Java, as endlos is up to twice as fast when using Sun's Java 1.6 JVM
compared to Sun's Java 1.5 JVM!


Installation:
-------------
Copy file "endlos.jar" and the optional "ColorMaps" directory to any (installation) directory you want.
If you want to use the enclosed start scripts, also copy "start.sh" (Linux) or start.bat (Windows).


Start:
------
Start application by either running one of the enclosed start scripts (start.sh, start.bat) or by
performing the following command in a console:

    java -cp ./endlos.jar de.dentaku.endlos.Endlos

You can use the server JVM by setting the "-server" parameter to improve performance (see also Note 1 of
requirements above):

    java -server -cp ./endlos.jar de.dentaku.endlos.Endlos

I noticed crashes on some Linux machines when using the "-server" parameter that I solved by disabling OpenGL
support (that isn't needed anyway by endlos):

    java -server -Dsun.java2d.opengl=false -cp ./endlos.jar de.dentaku.endlos.Endlos


Manual:
-------
I didn't enclose a manual because real intuitive software shouldn't need a manual ... and nobody wants to
read it anyway. Of course, the current version is not "user fail save" and therefore not as intuitive as I would
like to achieve it. But I keep improving the user interface to somewhen have a release where no questions will
arise. I prefer explaining functions right at the function component (tooltip, context sensitive help).


History:
--------

2006-12-19 : Version 0.9.0 - smoothed colors look nice!

1. Fixed bug in color map loading (now ignoring invalid color lines in .map files).
2. Fixed bug in image saving if fractal was calculated with more than 1 thread.
3. Introduced smoothed coloring (much more colors even with low iteration count!).


2006-12-17 : Version 0.8.0 - we're close to the first full release ...

1. No command line parameters anymore - we have a full featured GUI!
2. Introduced high precision calculation (up to unlimited precision).
3. Supports standard color maps.
4. Introduced saving of images (in all formats supported by the Java Virtual Machine).


2006-12-04 : Version 0.7.0 - first public release.


Changes:
2006-12-19 : Version 0.9.0 - smoothed colors look nice!

1. Fixed bug in color map loading (now ignoring invalid color lines in .map files).
2. Fixed bug in image saving if fractal was calculated with more than 1 thread.
3. Introduced smoothed coloring (much more colors even with low iteration count!).