
                                Features
                                ========

                   Some of the features of this program.

Texture Garden generates algorithmic textures using a range of techniques
including inverse two dimensional fast-fourier-transforms of filtered noise. 
Genetic methods are used to seed the textures enabling breeding, selective
mutation, cultural transmission of colour and sexual recombination to be
implemented.

Its features include support for:
  * Seamless tesselation;
  * Bump mapping with multiple lightsources;
  * Three-dimensional solid texture carving;
  * Extensive anti-aliasing;
  * Twenty-four bit colour;
  * Dynamic resizing of textures;
  * Multi-layered textures;
  * Native Floyd-Steinberg dithering;
  * Texture animation.

Genetic methods are used to seed the textures, enabling:
  * Breeding of individual textures;
  * Variable mutation rates;
  * Cultural transmission of texture palettes;
  * Sexual recombination.
  
The algorithms it uses include:
  * Inverse two dimensional fast-fourier-transforms of filtered noise;
  * Ray-tracing with multiple light sources using Gourad and Phong shading;
  * Cumulative distortion producing a wide variety of marbling effects.

It has a built in texture generation language supporting:
  * Conditional execution;
  * Subroutines;
  * For ... Next loops;
  * Repeat ... Until structures;
  * Branching and named subroutines;
  * System and user variables.

Other features include:
  * Built in mutating and breeding facilities, enabling the computer to
    generate textures.
  * The syntax of the language is fully documented, enabling users to create
    new species of textures.
  * The language is extensibe, supporting third party extensions.
  * Full documentation and support for writing extension modules is provided.
  * The program contains an interface to "!ChangeFSI, providing:
    * Mode and eigen-factor adjustment;
    * gamma correction;
    * brightening;
    * sharpening;
    * smoothing;
    * JPEG export (useful for web page backgrounds).
  * Extensive anti-aliasing may be used in all distortions employed.
  * Colour paradigms supported include:
    * RGB;
    * HSV;
    * CIE.
  * New palettes may be generated by:
    * selecting from a wide variety supplied with the program;
    * importing them from other textures;
    * or mutation from existing palettes.
  * Built in random and Floyd-Steinberg dithering routines.
  * Textures may be animated in a wide variety of ways.
  * Support for batch processing is provided for ultimate flexibility in
    texture animation.
  * Textures can be sculpted from three-dimensional solid blocks of texture.
  * Computer Concepts' Colour Card is supported.
  * For those with old machines and no Colour Card there is a screen blanking
    option.
  * Texture Garden has its own !Zap syntax-colouring mode for those who want 
    to edit their texture generation files directly.  This also provides
    support for Studio24 Pro.
  * Interactive help is available on all icons and menu entries.

Applications:
  * Texture Garden should prove useful to those who:
    * Are involved in designing World Wide Web pages;
    * Need textures for desk top publishing purposes.
    * Work with 3D computer graphics;
    * Are interested in generating Single Image Random Dot Stereograms;
    * Design computer games;
    * Have an interest in computer animation;
    * Just want to spruce up their desktop's backdrop and window backgrounds.
