XaoS3.5

Art derives from various activities and can be combined with other forms for more diversity. With the computer giving birth to a lot more ways to unleash your imagination, different applications like XaoS want to provide just the right means to experiment with multiple tools and, in this case even math in order to create abstract wallpapers and images.

Large display area for comfortable exploration

With the setup process taking only a short while, you're free to take the application for a spin. If you're not familiar with the potential of math to create images, then you're in for a surprise. The program uses different variations of the Mandelbrot set so you can explore vast, stunning, and sometimes chaotic color patterns with infinite zooming and rendering capabilities.The main window is cleverly design so you have all the space reserved for exploration. All configurations and controls are found in the menu bar, organized in categories, leaving only zooming options to be triggered with the left and mouse buttons.

Unlimited number of areas to explore

You most likely get to spend a considerable amount of time with the initial set until you've had enough or reached the default number of iterations to load. However, there are consistently more ways to start off, with the easiest approach being to generate a random example.On the other hand, the fractal menu entry holds an impressive amount of formulas to use and generate unique visual landscapes. Different variations of the Mandelbrot set are at your disposal, as well as Newton, Barnsley, Octal, Phoenix and Magnet that use slightly different math expressions for graph generating.If those aren't enough, there's the more formulae menu entry that further expands possibilities. Hold on, because there's more. In case you know your way with numbers, the application also lets you write down a custom math formula to generate your own fractal. As such, we can say that the number of exploring possibilities is close to, if not endless.

Large variety of effects to combine and apply

Several technical details can be configured in order to have more areas generated as you zoom in, but you need to pay attention to system resources, since continuous processing of a formula can put some stress on your machine.Just so it makes a solid statement, the application comes with a handful of graphic filters and effects to apply to your images. These can be combined and range from edge detection, starfield, random dot stereogram, and emboss to antialiasing, motionblur, and even a pseudo 3D, which puts everything into a neat perspective.

A few last words

All in all, XaoS lives up to expectations by providing a well-organized environment so you can enjoy a visual psychedelic experience through endless generating patterns through complex and popular math expressions. The only disappointment comes in the poor export options, but this is only a minor inconvenience, considering the impressive array of sets, customization options and filters you can all combine.