File Release Notes and Changelog
Notes:
endlos http://endlos.sourceforge.net/
A multithreaded fractal generator.
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License:
--------
GNU General Public License. See enclosed file 'license_GPL.txt'
or http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html .
Requirements:
-------------
Correctly installed Java virtual machine (runtime environment or developer kit) version 1.5.0 or above.
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 the following files into a directory of your choise:
1. endlos.jar : this is the only mandatory file as it contains the main application.
2. ColorMaps/ : optional subdirectory is not included in the download endlos_X.Y.Z.zip file
but can be downloaded as a separate package from the endlos download site.
It contains over 1600 color maps and is highly recommended to download as
there are lots of beautiful handcraftet maps. And the demo fractals just don't
look as nice as intended if the ColorMaps/ are unavailable.
3. Demos/ : optional subdirectory that contains some fractal settings. If available, a new
menu "Demos" appears in the applications menu bar.
4. startCustomUnix.sh : optional start script to run endlos on a linux OS.
5. startCustomWindows.bat : optional start script to run endlos on a Windows OS.
Optional:
6. MIDI/ : if a subdirectory "MIDI" is available, endlos plays a random MIDI file from this
subdirectory. E.g. you can create a shortcut "MIDI" in the installation directory
of endlos that points to your main MIDI directory somewhere else.
Start:
------
Start application by
a) double clicking "endlos.jar". If Java is correctly installed on your computer and your system is properly
configured to start *.jar" files with Java, endlos will start. But it's also likely that some of your
archive applications grabbed the file suffix ".jar" to show its contents. Then you can use one of the
following options.
Note: this method of starting a Java application is intuitive, but it just runs with the default Java
settings. If you want to improve speed, choose one of the following options that can be customized with
the java parameters you like.
b) running one of the enclosed start scripts (startCustomUnix.sh, startCustomWindows.bat). Remember to first
make "startCustomUnix.sh" executable before you can start it (e.g. GNOME: right mouse click > properties >
rights > execute file as application). Look into the script for further start alternatives.
c) executing the following command in a console/terminal:
java -jar endlos.jar
Troubleshooting:
----------------
1. An OutOfMemoryError occured (e.g. when using zoom preview and a big zooming level). Try to increase the size
of the maximum memory (RAM + swap space) Java is allowed to use from the system. E.g. to allow Java to use up
to 256 MB, use "-Xmx256m":
java -Xmx256m -jar endlos.jar
2. System is overloaded (up to 100% CPU usage) - GUI responsiveness is bad. Try using the Java parameter
"-XX:+UseParNewGC", that results in less CPU usage of 90-95% and a more fluent desktop:
java -XX:+UseParNewGC -jar endlos.jar
3. I noticed crashes on some Linux machines when using the "-server" parameter and invisible modal dialogs
when they were moved that I solved by disabling OpenGL support:
java -Dsun.java2d.opengl=false -jar endlos.jar
Optimization:
-------------
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 for Windows 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 hierarchy as the existing "client" directory of the JRE). Then you can call
the Java VM with the "-server" parameter:
java -server -jar endlos.jar
2. Try enabling OpenGL hardware acceleration with the parameter "sun.java2d.opengl":
java -Dsun.java2d.opengl=true -jar endlos.jar
3. There are many more Java parameters and some of them might improve speed of endlos. Here's a list of
parameters that speed up the demo fractal "Sun" on my Ubuntu Linux 64 Bit/Java 1.6 64 Bit:
-XX:+UseBiasedLocking : 1% faster
-XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=31 : 3% faster
4. Use more threads! Yes even on a single core CPU, using more threads can speed up calculation! I also
noticed this on my dual core CPU: 9 threads are most times better than 4 threads. Often 25 threads are
even faster! I guess it depends on the threading scheduler of the operating system. Just play around with
the number of threads to find the best setting on your system.
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).
Uninstallation:
---------------
Delete the files you copied in step "Installation". The endlos preferences are stored via the standard
Java Preferences API. For this reason, you also might want to delete your endlos preferences which are stored at:
- on Windows: registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\JavaSoft\\Prefs
- on Linux (and other OSes): ~/.java/.userPrefs/
See also: http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/guide/preferences/index.html
Something (un)completely different:
-----------------------------------
If you like strange computer music or just remind the famous and addictive Mindwalker game on Amiga, listen to this:
http://www.blachford.info/computer/walker/Bill_Williams-Mindwalker.mp3
:-)
Changes:
2007-02-22 : Version 0.19.0 - flexibel formulas
---------------------------
CHANGED:
1. Fractal definition XML file. Migration:
<x0> => <custom><cr>
<y0> => <custom><ci>
2. Tabular "Fractal" is full generic now, i.e. all fractals are decoupled from the main
iterator.
FIXED:
1. Open new fractal didn't use the mouse click location.
NEW:
1. Parameters of formulas configurable in settings GUI.
2. Demo fractals "Blossom", "Eye", "Protozoan".
3. Fractal class "Newton".
