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Fractal noise

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Fractal noise is a Generate effect.

The frame before Fractal noise is appliedThe same frame with Fractal noise applied
Drag the handle. Fractal noise applied on the right, the original frame on the left.

Making a repeatable pattern of fractal noise, with options for animation and complexity. Normally used as a base for more complex effects or textures.

ParameterControlRangeDefaultUnit
Noise typeDropdownValue · PerlinPerlin-
Fractal typeDropdownBasic · TurbulentTurbulent-
Invert noiseCheckboxOn or offOff-
ContrastSlider0 to 400; higher100Per cent
BrightnessSlider-200 to 200; any value by typing0Per cent
RotationDialAny angle; snaps every 15° while a modifier is heldDegrees
Uniform scalingCheckboxOn or offOn-
ScaleSlider1 to 2000; higher200Pixels at composition size
Scale widthSlider1 to 2000; higher200Pixels at composition size
Scale heightSlider1 to 2000; higher200Pixels at composition size
Offset xSlider0 to 3840; any value by typing960Pixels at composition size
Offset ySlider0 to 2160; any value by typing540Pixels at composition size
ComplexitySlider, whole numbers1 to 106-
Sub influenceSlider0 to 100; higher60Per cent
Sub scalingSlider5 to 10055Per cent
EvolutionDialAny angle; snaps every 45° while a modifier is heldDegrees
Cycle evolutionCheckboxOn or offOff-
CycleSlider, whole numbers1 to 301-
SeedSeedAny whole numberA fresh random seed per instance-
MixSlider0 to 100100Per cent
BlendDropdownNormal · Darken · Multiply · Colour burn · Linear burn · Darker colour · Add · Lighten · Screen · Colour dodge · Lighter colour · Overlay · Soft light · Hard light · Linear light · Vivid light · Pin light · Hard mix · Difference · Exclusion · Subtract · Divide · Hue · Saturation · Colour · LuminosityNormal-
MatteLayerAny layer in the compositionNone-
InvertCheckboxOn or offOff-
ChannelDropdownLuminance · Alpha · Red · Green · BlueLuminance-

In the Effect Controls panel:

  • Transform groups Rotation, Uniform scaling, Scale, Scale width, Scale height, Offset x, Offset y.
  • Sub settings groups Sub influence, Sub scaling, and starts closed.
  • Evolution options groups Cycle evolution, Cycle, and starts closed.
  • Scale is editable while Uniform scaling is on.
  • Scale width is editable while Uniform scaling is off.
  • Scale height is editable while Uniform scaling is off.
  • Cycle is editable while Cycle evolution is on.
  • Matte is an input to an effect, scaling the strength. Invert inverts the mattes for calculating strength.
  • Noise type: Perlin is the smooth, cloud-like pattern. Value is cheaper and squarer.
  • Fractal type: Basic adds layers as they are. Turbulent folds each layer about its middle.
  • Invert noise: inverts the finished pattern.
  • Contrast: increases the difference between white and dark areas of the noise.
  • Brightness: lifts or darkens the noise after Contrast.
  • Rotation: turns the noise pattern.
  • Uniform scaling: when off, Scale width and Scale height scale separately.
  • Offset x and Offset y: offset the noise pattern’s position.
  • Complexity: how many layers of detail are contained in the fractal noise.
  • Sub influence: amount to scale down how much each layer of complexity adds to the noise relative to the last.
  • Sub scaling: amount to scale down the size of each layer of complexity relative to the last.
  • Evolution: the current phase of the fractal noise.
  • Cycle evolution and Cycle: make Evolution loop. With Cycle at 3, the evolution at 0 revolutions and the evolution at 3 full revolutions are the same, which allows for seamless looping.
  • Seed: which random pattern is drawn.
  • Mix: how much of the result replaces the original.
  • Matte and Invert drive the strength of the effect from another layer’s brightness; see Effects.