IFS Fractals with IDL

If a fractal is self-similar, you can specify mappings that map the whole onto the parts. Iteration of these mappings will result in convergence to the fractal attractor. An IFS (Iterated Function System) consists of a collection of these (usually affine) mappings. If a fractal can be described by a small number of mappings, the IFS is a very compact description of the fractal. An iterated function system is constructed by taking a point and repeatedly applying these mappings you end up with a collection of points on the fractal. In other words, instead of a single mapping x -> F(x), there is a collection of (usually affine) mappings, and random selection chooses which mapping is used.