Apart from the name (which shows as sterlingwar2 in the title bar and on the About screen), the program looks just like the original Sterling.

Parameter files made by Sterling can be used in Sterling2 and vice versa, though they will draw different images.

Sterling is based on the notion that one way to generate interesting fractal images is by using elaborate color filters and shading.

In many images, the main interest lies in the filters rather than the actual fractal boundaries themselves, as in traditional fractal-generating programs.

Sterling has a simple GUI interface with a limited number of functions.