Since then, many advances have been made, both in fractal rendering capabilities and in the understanding of fractal geometery. Fractals are typically created on a digital computer, using an iterative numerical process. Lately, images that are not technically fractals, but that share the same basic generating technique and environment, have been welcomed into the FA world. Fractal images typically are manifested as prints, bringing Fractal Artists into the company of painters, photographers, and printmakers.
Fractals exist natively as electronic images.
This is a format that traditional visual artists are quickly embracing, bringing them into FA's digital realm. Generating fractals can be an artistic endeavor, a mathematical pursuit, or just a soothing diversion. However, FA is clearly distinguished from other digital activities by what it is, and by what it is not. The work is executed on a computer, but only at the direction of the artist. Turn a computer on and leave it alone for an hour.