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MandelScope

The purpose of this application is to provide an easy and friendly way to explore the Mandelbrot set. It runs directly in a web browser, with no configuration required. You can pan around, zoom in and out, and adjust some basic color settings to reveal the intricate patterns that emerge. The goal is to offer a fun and interactive introduction to fractals and how they are created. While it can be used casually, it is intended to spark curiosity and encourage further exploration using more powerful fractal programs, such as those found in the Fractalware section.

Who is this for? Curious beginners, students, and anyone who wants a hands-on way to see how complex structure can emerge from a simple equation. If you’re hunting for tiny features, use higher iterations and high-contrast palettes.

Important note: Some presets (for example, the Julia Island) may take longer to render due to deep zoom.

How to use

MandelScope
  • Pan: Click and drag the image to move around the Mandelbrot set.
  • Zoom: Computers: Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out, or the Zoom + and Zoom - buttons. Mobil devices: Besides the buttons, you can also pinch to zoom.
  • Click and zoom: Click on any point to center the view and zoom in automatically.
  • Zoom by rectangle: Hold SHIFT, then click and drag to zoom into a specific area (mouse only).
  • Presets: Use the preset menu to jump to well-known regions of the set. Only one preset per region. Examples taken from the Navigating the Mandelbrot Set.
  • Coloring & palettes: Try different coloring modes and color palettes to reveal new structures. There are ten coloring modes and eleven palettes to choose from.
  • Contrast (Gamma): Adjust brightness/contrast to bring out fine details.
  • Palette shift: Cycle colors within the current palette without changing the structure of the image.
  • Enhance contrast: In case you need more contrast, use Normal/Strong to boost local contrast without changing the math.
  • Iterations: Increase Iterations when the boundary looks blocky, black or defuse. Use the slider to go from 50 to 2000 (current range limit).
  • Speed-up (Interior detection): Keeps the main cardioid and period-2 bulb black instantly for faster renders. It’s selected by default.
  • Zoom buttons: Use Zoom + / Zoom - for safe, centered zoom steps. If you need to keep the image centered in a given point, this is the safest way to go.
  • Go to coordinates: If you know where you want to go, input coordinate values to jump to a specific Center X/Y and Scale (optionally Iterations). Scale is required, but it can be any number.
  • Guided tour: Press Start to visit presets in order with short hints. You can stop at any step or end the tour at any time.
  • Glossary: Open “What am I looking at?” for definitions of key ideas, as well as brief explanations of app controls, image tuning options, and coloring modes.
  • History: Use the Back and Forward buttons to navigate through previous views. The app keeps record of the last ten steps.
  • Export: Save high-resolution images using the export controls. Save images as PNG or JPG, at 1x, 2x, 4x or 8x. The higher the number, the larger the file size (it will also take more time to process), but it’s a good idea if you plan on anti-alias in a graphics editor.
  • Mobile users: Pinch to zoom, drag to pan.

Quick help

  • If something feels slow: Deep zoom presets can take longer to render. Try zooming out, lowering iterations (if available), or switching to a simpler preset.
  • If contrast looks low: Try a different palette or coloring mode—some regions show more detail with different settings.
  • New image controls: If the image looks flat or washed out, try adjusting Contrast (Gamma) or Palette shift.
  • If you get “lost”: Use Presets to jump back to a known region, or use History (Back/Forward) to revisit earlier views.
  • On mobile: Use pinch to zoom and drag to pan (if your build supports gestures). If not, try the on-screen controls.
  • Controls: Wheel = zoom • Click = center/zoom • Drag = pan • SHIFT+Drag = rectangle zoom (mouse only).

Notes