Frequently Asked Questions

This page explains Mandelcloud in everyday language. For legal details, the Terms, Privacy Policy, and the information shown at checkout apply.

Version 2026-09-30 · effective 2026-09-30

Getting started, devices, and browsers

Do I need to install anything?

No. Mandelcloud runs in the browser. Cockpit creates images directly on your device. It needs WebGPU, a browser feature that uses your graphics hardware.

Which browsers and operating systems are suitable?

We recommend a desktop or laptop with the current Chrome or Edge on Windows or macOS. Safari 26 or later and Firefox 142 or later on Windows, or 147 or later on Apple Silicon Macs, can also provide WebGPU by default. ChromeOS, Linux, and Android depend more strongly on the browser, GPU, and driver rollout. What matters is that WebGPU is available without experimental flags and Mandelcloud's startup check obtains a suitable graphics adapter. See the continuously updated browser matrix at https://caniuse.com/webgpu.

Which browser settings do I need?

Use a current stable browser, enable hardware or graphics acceleration, and keep the operating system and graphics driver current. If WebGPU is available only through an experimental or unsafe browser flag, that environment is not considered supported.

Which graphics cards are suitable?

Whether your graphics card works also depends on your browser, operating system, and drivers. The Cockpit startup check tells you whether your device is suitable. Current dedicated GPUs, Apple Silicon, and capable integrated GPUs usually provide more headroom; older integrated or mobile GPUs should start with Auto or Low and use Safe Mode if needed. Passing the startup check does not guarantee a fixed frame rate for complex scenes or large exports.

Can I use Cockpit on iPhone, iPad, or Android?

Public pages and account features work like a normal website. Cockpit can start on newer mobile devices with WebGPU, but it is currently tested less broadly there than on desktop systems; Standard Mode has not yet been fully checked on Android and iPad. Start with Auto or Low and use Safe Mode if the viewport is black, the browser crashes, or the device becomes very hot. Test the free Cockpit on your exact device before subscribing for that use.

Can I browse without an account?

Only the landing page and a small Staff Picks preview are public. Stream, creator pages, detail pages, Cockpit, Collection, and account pages require sign-in.

Do I need a credit card right away?

No. You can start free and move to a Starter or Pro plan later.

Why can an old imported scene look different?

Mandelcloud tries to open older Mandelbulb scenes as closely as possible. Some works still need tuning before shape, light, or material match the original.

Cockpit, Diary, and local files

What is Diary?

Diary is your private archive for your own scenes and drafts.

What stays local?

Still images, image sequences, videos, and lightweight animation drafts stay on your device by default.

Are local exports uploaded automatically?

No. Mandelcloud does not automatically upload finished images or videos.

Can browser storage be lost?

Yes. Local browser data can disappear when browser or device storage is cleared, so export important work.

Publishing and remix

Who can see my scenes?

Private Diary scenes stay private. You decide what others can see only when you publish.

What does image only mean?

Others can see the published presentation, but they cannot open the scene as a remix.

What does image + scene mean?

Others can open the shared scene in Mandelcloud, make their own work from it, and the credit trail stays visible.

Can I change the sharing choice later?

Yes, but a public work must be unpublished before you switch between image only and image + scene.

Does a public work disappear when I downgrade?

No, not just because of downgrade or payment failure. Visibility changes when you unpublish or delete a work, when moderation/legal action requires it, or when very unusual usage is reviewed.

Plans and storage

What counts toward cloud storage?

Profile images, banners, and the preview, detail, and optional 4K images of public works.

What distinguishes the Free, Starter, and Pro plans?

The Free plan provides local stills at device-supported resolution, animation playback, and social video up to 720p/30 and 12 seconds without sound. The Starter plan adds animation with saved views, 1080p/30 with sound, transparency images, cloud Diary, publishing, profile media, 2 GiB of storage, work detail up to 1280px, and Coffee & Caramel. The Pro plan adds precise keyframes and automation, 4K, higher frame rates, image sequences, depth and surface-direction images, up to eight shape and material areas, 20 GiB of storage, work detail up to 1920px, an optional 4K visitor download, and Sci-Fi.

Which image sizes are published?

New publications receive a fast preview up to 640 px. Work published on the Starter plan shows up to 1280 px in detail and work on the Pro plan up to 1920 px. Your local exports can be larger. Image size follows the publishing creator's plan, not the viewer's plan.

How do I get a work at full resolution?

If the scene was shared for remixing, open it in Cockpit and create an image at the resolution you need. Creators on the Pro plan can also offer an explicit 4K download up to 4096 px and 8 MB.

What does not count toward cloud storage?

Small account data, settings, bookmarks, local Diary thumbnails, and local exports.

What happens if I am over my new limit?

Existing content remains accessible. New uploads are blocked until you free space or upgrade.

Can I still delete or export while over the limit?

Yes. You should still be able to open, export, unpublish, remove your own content, and clean up files.

Does a full storage limit block my whole account?

No. Actions that do not add new uploaded files should keep working when your plan otherwise allows them.

Animation and audio

Can Mandelcloud export animation or film?

Yes. Scope and limits depend on the plan: The Free plan lets you play animations and export social clips up to 720p/30 and 12 seconds without sound. The Starter plan adds animation with saved views and 1080p/30 with sound. The Pro plan offers precise keyframes, automation, 4K, higher frame rates, and image sequences. Available video formats also depend on the browser.

What does audio reactivity mean?

You can load an audio file and drive motion from volume, bass, mid, and high bands. Preview and export use the same motion.

How do achievements and unlocks work?

Participation and genuine community response lead to status medallions and staged achievements. Some lasting achievements unlock additional theme worlds. Points cannot be purchased or transferred and are not account credit.

What is the Early Supporter badge?

A separate, lasting thank-you for early subscription support: Starter Silver or Pro Silver with monthly payment. Both variants share 1,000 places across First 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 cohorts. Your first confirmed subscription payment during the launched campaign determines your fixed edition; renewals also qualify. It awards no points or additional features. Billing shows availability and conditions; Rewards lets you display your initially private badge on your profile.

Payment, downgrade, and cancellation

What happens if payment fails?

Paid features pause for new actions until billing is fixed. Existing content is not automatically deleted for that reason.

What happens during scheduled cancellation?

Your paid plan remains active until the end of the period you already paid for.

What happens after the subscription ends?

The account returns to the Free plan. New cloud saves, publishing, and uploads are unavailable, but existing content remains readable and exportable.

Will old uploads ever be deleted if I remain unpaid for a long time?

No. Ending a paid plan does not automatically delete existing uploads. New uploads may pause when your storage limit is reached; existing content remains readable and exportable.

What is the difference between withdrawal and cancellation?

Withdrawal concerns statutory reversal of a withdrawable contract during the withdrawal period. Cancellation ends future renewal of a running subscription.

How do I cancel?

From account Billing, or without signing in through the public cancellation page.

Withdraw from contract Cancel subscription

Data export, deletion, and support

Can I download all account data?

Yes. Account Settings offers a ZIP export with structured files you can keep for your records.

Are uploaded images and files included in the data export?

The export lists your uploaded files and where they belong. The images and videos themselves are not included in the ZIP file.

Can I export only my creations?

Yes. The creations export focuses on your private Diary scenes and reference information for your own published works.

Does restore delete or republish public works?

No. Restored creations become new private Diary drafts so you can review them first.

How do I contact support?

Product questions go to support@mandelcloud.com. Use Report a bug in Cockpit to send a bug report to bug@mandelcloud.com and receive an email confirmation. Billing, privacy, and legal questions have dedicated channels on the contact page.

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