how to create this effect?

[ppenguin]

http://interfacelift.com/wallpaper/downloads/01018_neutronrevolver_1024x768.jpg

it's a free wall paper, pretty popular. I'm wondering how to make an effect like this? Any photoshop plug in? Or 3D?

[Joshua Stubbles]

Usually, a fractal generator of some sort is used. Something like Fractal Explorer (http://www.eclectasy.com/Fractal-Explorer/).

[CheapAlert]

GIMP's Fire filter can do this crap too

[Eric Chadwick]

Cool pic. Comments at bottom of the page say this was used... http://www.apophysis.org/
"Freeware fractal flame editor for Windows."