Gnofract 4D is a fractal-generation application designed for exploring mathematically generated images such as Mandelbrot and Julia sets.
Its unusual strength is its ability to treat fractals with multiple parameters as four-dimensional objects. Users can view different slices of these objects and alter their orientation, producing images that go considerably beyond conventional Mandelbrot exploration.
The program also includes a formula compiler. This lets users work with a large body of existing Fractint and UltraFractal formulas rather than being limited to a fixed collection built into the application.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Generates Mandelbrot, Julia and many other fractal types.
- Treats multi-parameter fractals as four-dimensional objects and displays arbitrary two-dimensional slices.
- Supports Fractint and UltraFractal formulas and colouring algorithms.
- Compiles fractal formulas dynamically for fast rendering.
- Offers smooth gradients together with numerous inside and outside colouring methods.
- Includes orbit traps, biomorph colouring and fate-based visualisation of fixed points and critical values.
- Provides anti-aliasing for cleaner rendered output.
- Supports very large output images rather than restricting rendering to the current window size.
- Includes unlimited undo while experimenting with parameters and positions.
- Offers Explorer Mode for investigating interesting areas of a fractal.
- Provides AutoZoom to automate movement into promising regions.
- Supports full-screen viewing and previews while adjusting parameters.
- Can create video output when FFmpeg is available.
- Uses GTK for its graphical interface and Meson for its build system.
Website: github.com/fract4d/gnofract4d
Support:
Developer: Tim Whidbey
License: BSD 3-Clause ‘New’ or ‘Revised’ License

Gnofract is written in Python and C++. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Fractal Tools | |
|---|---|
| Mandelbulber v2 | Creatively generate three-dimensional fractals |
| JWildfire | Very powerful and flexible flame fractal generator |
| Gnofract 4D | Four-dimensional, inter-relational Mandelbrot and Julia set generator |
| XaoS | Real-time interactive fractal zoomer |
| NextFractal | Create amazing fractal images and other algorithmically generated images |
| Rsfrac | Terminal-based fractal explorer written in Rust |
| Fraqtive | Draws Mandelbrot and Julia fractals |
| Electric Sheep | Screensaver showing collective dream of sleeping computers |
| Qosmic | Cosmic recursive flame fractal editor |
| Fractals Explorer | Render and explore fractals in real time |
| Par Fractal | GPU-accelerated renderer for exploring 2D and 3D fractals |
| Fractorium | Qt-based fractal flame edito |
| FractGen | Extensible tool for generating and exploring fractal images |
| Fractalshades | Create static and interactive fractal visualizations |
| fractal-generator | Mandelbrot and Julia fractal generator |
| FLAM3 | Cosmic recursive fractal flames |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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