How do you make these abstract and fractal brushes

[Niall-CX]

what programs do you all use for making your abstract and fractal brushes? is it that abotamy or whatever?
thx! :P

[.element]

photoshop? or apophysis

[Instinct]

I use Photoshop for most of my abstract, but sometimes Apophysis, and Apophysis is best for Fractals.