As a member of the UF mailing list, I've watched folks new to UF ask the same questions over and over again.  The sections posted here answer some of those questions as well as questions that come to me from people who've seen my website and wonder how to get the most from UF.

• Starting Out - a prioritized list of how to learn UltraFractal
• UF Workshop - an exploration of coloring and shaping images using UF's tools
• Printing UF Files - getting from images on your monitor to prints to frame without breaking the budget
• Download Mark Townsend's Emails to the UF List - Mark's own explanations about using his coloring methods and transformations
• Rendering Demos - see the difference between a UF image and the same image exported for printing or use on the web
• Download Red Williams' Emails to the UF List - Red covers not only his own coloring algorithms and transformations but provides invaluable help with Scissors, etc.
• Hints and tricks
• Using the Switch Function - your key to great Julias and swirls
• Using the arrow keys - an alternative to the mouse
• Advanced Topics
• Taming Monster UCL's and Formulas
• Masking in UF2
• The Art of Masking - discussion and examples using masks

Starting Out with Ultrafractal

OK....you've downloaded UF and you've tried to make a few images.  They look good but are not nearly as fabulous as what you've seen on the web.  You want to know how to get those great fractals....fast.  The recommended steps, in order of priority, are:

1.  Go through Janet Preslar's Jump Start tutorials - they are simply a "must"
2.  Do all of the mailing list challenges.  These exercises are meant to provide you with the technical skills you will need to make great images in UF.  Almost without exception, the people who do the best work in UF have done the challenges.
3.  Go through my UF workshop....it is basic but adds additional information to the topics Janet covered
4.  Check out the information provided by experts like Red Williams, Damien Jones, Kerry Mitchell, Paul deCelle, Brian Prentice and Linda Allison.
5.  Join the UF mailing list.  As a member, you will see hundreds of UF images each month and they will be in a format such that you can examine how there were put together.  Also, you can ask questions from seasoned UF'ers regarding the program itself.  One warning....the list is extremely active and if you don't have the time or if your web connection is outside the US, you may be overwhelmed.  The list members are very friendly and welcome newcomers with open arms.  Ask lots of questions.....many will end up in a tutorial/demo.