Interactive visualization of the Mandelbrot set for Oculus Rift* (legacy)

 

interactive visualization of the mandelbrot set for oculus rift* (legacy)

 

*this application will be updated and ported to meta quest 3. Stay tuned!

What is the Mandelbrot set?

 

 

One simple formula - endless complexity and breathtaking beauty! The Mandelbrot set has become very popular outside mathematics for its aesthetic appeal and as an example of a complex structure arising from the application of simple rules. It is one of the best-known examples of mathematical visualization. (Wikipedia)

The name goes back to the mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot. 

For more information about the Mandelbrot set and its theory click here!

What can you do with 'mandelbrot-VR'?

Whereas pictures of the Mandelbrot set are mostly seen in 2D, in "mandelbrot-VR" you are able to dive really into a 3D-universe of the mathematical formula. Thanks to the incredibly fast algorithms of the application, you can spontaneously decide what you want to see and you get it in an instant! Fly over spectacular mountains and valleys to inspect every region. But that's only the beginning. If you want to inspect a certain point you can zoom in to see more and more details up to a magnification of more than 1.000.000.000.000 (one trillion) times.

What do I need?

You need the Oculus Rift / Oculus Rift S, the hand controllers Oculus Touch and a fast computer with a modern graphics card.

(details below the pictures) 

How is it made?

To get a 2-dimensional representation of  'c' and 'x' from the Formula they are taken as complex numbers. In 'mandelbrot-VR' the set is a 3D-landscape because the number of iterations is taken as the height.

Using efficiently the capabilities of modern graphic cards (compute shaders) the needed complex and expensive calculations are executed extremely fast!

Please have a look to the following video to get an impression of the application  (also available on YouTube).

Features of mandelbrot-VR

  • Choose different sets of colors
  •  Control the height of the landscape
  • Control the number of iterations (the number how often the points are tested to belong to the Mandelbrot set)
  • Create cool color animations
  • Load 20 fixed presets and save up to 20 interesting configurations for later reviewing
  • Zoom in (and out) up to a magnification of one trillion
  • Transform the Mandelbrot set to spectacular nature-like sceneries
  • get easy access with an elaborate tutorial

Here are some screenshots from the application

Summary

  • different sets of colors
  • color animation
  • nature mode
  • adjust the number of iterations (without limits) 
  • adjust the height of the landscape. You can even reverse the values, so that the Mandelbrot Set is shown as engraving.
  • switch ON or OFF gravity. You can walk or fly. Physical behavior and collision detection is provided.
  • 20 fixed scenes for loading.
  • 20 free slots to save and load your own scenes (with screenshots)
  • piano music  by Johann Sebastian Bach, played exclusively for mandelbrot-VR by the German pianist Michael Schneidt

Details

Game Mode                             Single User

Supported Controllers           Oculus Touch

Language                                 English

Space Required                      only ca. 140 MB

 

For more information about the Mandelbrot Set and its theory see e.g. on Wikipedia

 

 

Since the Oculus Rift is no longer sold/supported by Meta, it's currently not possible to get a key for the application. Please write to info@munich-VR-lab.de to be informed about updates. Porting to Meta Quest 3 is planned.

 

What is 'munich-VR-lab'?

munich-VR-lab is a young softwarestudio enthusiastic for things which exist only in fantasy or mathematics.

Virtual Reality is the long desired medium to make this visions real!