It's Fractal Week for Project Educate!
Fractal art is a form of algorithmic art created by calculating fractal objects and representing the calculation results as still images, animations, and media. Fractal art is usually created indirectly with the assistance of fractal-generating software.
So, you want to get started making fractals but don't know where to begin?
First you need a fractal generating program. Luckily there are a few out there to pick from!
Apophysis (freeware)
and a great plug in pack 
Ultra Fractal (paid) [link]
Fractal Explorer (freeware) [link]
Mandelbulb3d (freeware) [link] custom formulas [link]
:thumb192262583:
Mandelbulber (freeware) [link]
Incendia (freeware) [link]
Mind Boggling Fractals (freeware) [link]
XenoDream (paid) [link]
You have your program, so now you need to learn what to do with it! Luckily there are many great tutorials right here on dA. You can find these by browsing in Resources and Stock Images/Fractal Resources/Tutorials. Here are a few to get you started.
Apophysis
and *TaraRoys has a great series of tutorials at [link]
Ultra Fractal
and there's a good in program tutorial to get you started
Fractal Explorer
Mandelbulb3d
Incendia :thumb89694377:
Mind Boggling Fractals
XenoDream [link]
There are many great resources at
and 
Tutorials are great, but sometimes it's nice to have people to talk to as well! You can visit the #Aposhack chat room where people are happy to help. There is also the
where you can sign up for one on one help with someone who is experienced.
Lastly here are a few of the fractal groups that are active on deviantArt
Fractal art is a form of algorithmic art created by calculating fractal objects and representing the calculation results as still images, animations, and media. Fractal art is usually created indirectly with the assistance of fractal-generating software.
So, you want to get started making fractals but don't know where to begin?
First you need a fractal generating program. Luckily there are a few out there to pick from!
Apophysis (freeware)
and a great plug in pack Ultra Fractal (paid) [link]
Fractal Explorer (freeware) [link]
Mandelbulb3d (freeware) [link] custom formulas [link]
:thumb192262583:Mandelbulber (freeware) [link]
Incendia (freeware) [link]
Mind Boggling Fractals (freeware) [link]
XenoDream (paid) [link]
You have your program, so now you need to learn what to do with it! Luckily there are many great tutorials right here on dA. You can find these by browsing in Resources and Stock Images/Fractal Resources/Tutorials. Here are a few to get you started.
Apophysis
and *TaraRoys has a great series of tutorials at [link]Ultra Fractal
and there's a good in program tutorial to get you startedFractal Explorer
Mandelbulb3d
Incendia :thumb89694377:
Mind Boggling Fractals
XenoDream [link]
There are many great resources at
and Tutorials are great, but sometimes it's nice to have people to talk to as well! You can visit the #Aposhack chat room where people are happy to help. There is also the
where you can sign up for one on one help with someone who is experienced.Lastly here are a few of the fractal groups that are active on deviantArt
Thank you
PS. I'm not sure that listing the UF group as being an "active" fractal group was a good idea, though, that group has shown no hint of any official activity for over two years now.
And you are right, #UF-artists kinda took over where the UF group left off.