PLUGIN: Buzz
VENDOR: Fo2Pix http://www.fo2pix.com/, a division of Segmentis
PLATFORMS: Win or Mac
OS: Windows 95 or higher; see site for current info on Mac OS status
WORKS WITH:
* Photoshop
* Paint Shop Pro
* PhotoDraw
* Corel Photo-Paint
* Fireworks 3
and most other leading graphics programs

Though I’ve barely scratched the surface of this plugin's capabilities, I’ve been amazed at the fairly decent looking “photo art” this plugin can generate.

In many cases the renderings can stand alone, but in others they look better when used as a basis on which other filters or effects are applied, or are combined through blend modes with other layers.

Notes:
* The company makes a stand alone PC-only application called PhotoArtMaster that I’ve read has similar capabilities as the plugin.
* Buzz is packaged a couple different ways. For example the Buzz “Pro” package contains more filters and presets (and costs more) than the Buzz “Lite” offering.

Pictures / examples worth many, many words. Here’s couple reviews containing sample before / after images:

* Review1: http://www.wdvl.com/Reviews/Graphics/buzzpro2/
* Review2: http://www.ephemeralvisions.com/pv_to_ev/review-buzz.html
* Review3: http://www.pspug.org/reviews/buzzpro2/rev-buzzpro2.shtml
* Review4 from About.com: http://graphicssoft.about.com/library/weekly/aa0105buzz1.htm

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BUZZ TUTORIALS

Check them out here (http://retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25067#post25067). (Scroll down 5-6 pages near the bottom.)

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GALLERIES OF ARTISTS WHO USE BUZZ

Click HERE (http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4120)

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SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT!

Use this thread to post some of your favorite Buzz creations. If you would, provide as much detail as possible on “how you got what you got.”

KEEP HAVING FUN!

~DannyR~

Here’s one I did tonight while attempting to get watercolor-like results.

Not sure if this is more watercolor or more pen and ink. Does it matter?

Layer stack
1. Levels adjustment layer (grouped with layer 2) to bring out some edge detail; Normal, 100%

2. Buzz, Overlay, 100%

Used the watercolor.stk preset, modified as follows:
* Simplifier 1, Remove, 312, both
* Edges Color
* Simplifier 1, Remove, 12530, both

3. Original background image, Normal, 100%

Are you having fun yet? I am!

~DannyR~

Buzz Pro is a far more versitile program. Photoartmaster, while a stand alone program, only works with JPEG, and really is somewhat slow and akward interface wise. I own both and find that Buzz pro when used in conjunction with the history brush, layer blend modes and Brus Stroke routines in PS is a fantastically powerful plug-in. Tom

Oops....heres one done with Buzz Pro and PS....Tom

Hi All,

I must say - I'm amazed at how versatile this program is! I love it. I tried it out on this image using Simplifier Three. It's my favorite of the filters. I adjusted so that the outer area was blended enough. The inner only slightly (1 or 2) and the middle 1.

Then I applied Splat Oddity Texture and voila!

Lisa

Here is another wonderful example of using the watercolor technique and finishing with Buzz Pro - Simplifier three and finally a splat texture.

Thanks - I'm really enjoying taking a photo and transforming it into a painting!

Here's how I made this one....

1)Duplicate layer

2) Stylize - Find Edges... change blending mode to Multiply

3) Flatten layers

4) Play around with brightness/contrast, Hue/Sat

5) Buzz Pro - Simplifier 3

6) Finally, Alien Skin Splat Texture

Lisa

Look what I did with the Rusty Truck picture... KTP Effects (Vortex) and good ole Buzz Pro.

Lisa

More good links. Thanks for posting those, Danny.

I want to add something here. I've tested buZZPro and PhotoArtMaster and I think they are different. IOW, people with buZZ might also want to give PhotoArtMaster a test drive.

CherylH posted this link in another thread. It goes to a site owned by Linda Vich, who does some really nice work using the Buzz plugin.

There are several examples and mini-tutorials on her site.

http://www.dynamicdesign.biz/gallery/gallery1.htm

Thank you, Cheryl
... this is a great find.

~Danny~

Buzz simplifier with a sketch overlay

Straight buzz simplifier.

I have to say--I love this filter. I have the pro version and since finding the tutorial link Danny shared I'm glad I have the whole thing. If I hadn't found the tutorials, I'd probably never have used anything besides the simplfier.

DannyRaphael said:
>Thank you, Cheryl [/b]
>... this is a great find.

I'll second that! I love the way the site has the tips so condensed, but still so clear.

Cheryl: love the spider.

Buzz Simplifier is my favorite 3rd party PhotoShop plugin without exception. I use it a lot. I don't use the rest of BuzzPro - prefer PS for that work - but the Simplifier is pure GOLD.

Hint: For those who are short on cash - Simplifier is available separately and is much cheaper.

Only problem with Buzz that I encounter is the RAM requirement. If you are working with a large base file - say 10 MB or better (I get these all the time with scanned images) - Buzz can have real problems (and I have half a GB of RAM in my PC).

Sorry - no posted pic right now - just Buzz feedback.

There is another problem with buZZPro. Sometimes the preview is completely blank. It gives the impression that the setting washed things out, but if you zoom way out you see the effect.

If you want to see this in action, load a picture of a flower or something with large areas of color. Then load the preset called "Soft Color Wash."

I wrote to fo2pix about this, and they said the preview is only supposed to be an approximation. Which, of course, doesn't respond to the problem because a blank preview doesn't approximate anything.

I have Photo Art Master and did not know it contained spyware. I had bought it last year. Just wanted to warn you all of spyware.

Hi guys and gals.

I love your Buzz-y works. There's one small thing - not a critisism, but a critique - most buzz-y pictures look very similar (buzz-ed LOL).
I feel that buzz should be a *step* in a process, not THE process.

As an example - that first yellow rose piccy, try dupe layer, chalk & charcoal, then set to overlay or softlight - voila, sketchy effects.

The spider (GOOD pic BTW) how about an overlay or screen layer using an embossing effect - that spider will jump out at you..

Also, try using buzz in a middle of three layers, back is untouched, buzz is screen 80%, next is eg watercolour/paintengine/ etc overlay 40%.

I doo like those pix tho. And thanks for the stack settings - we need more of these.

ADMINS - how about a depository wehere we can drop these buzz settings and paint engine presets, etc, and then refer to them inline in the forum?

That way we don't have to wade through forums posts to find any bunch of things? Maybe a silly idea - part of the fun is wading thru the forums.. haha

The Simplifier filters are unique--you can't replicate them in PS. You can buy the Simplifier filters on their own at a much lower price than BuZZPro or PhotoArtMaster. Most of the other filters in BuZZPro can be duplicated in PS. The filters have the advantage over PhotoArtMaster in that you can utilize layers and layer blending modes that provide an endless number of unique effects.

If you can lay your hands on a copy of Computer Arts Projects magazine, issue #52, there is a FREE Buzz Simplifier Plugin on the accompanying CD. This is NOT a demo! After installation, you email the company for the serial. This will allow you to upgrade to other Buzz products and also receive a 25% discount!

Happy Buzzing! :D

Linda V.
http://www.dynamicdesign.biz/gallery
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalnuts/
http://www.pbase.com/lvich

Linda V.
http://www.dynamicdesign.biz/gallery
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalnuts/
http://www.pbase.com/lvich


http://www.dynamicdesign.biz/gallery
Beautful work!

Dear all,
Even with the few tutes availble for Buzz in the net, all I see everyone is using the Simplifier 1, 2 and colour edge and colour mono.
Anyone using this oil, watercolour,......... or presets? any links???
Thx
Manju :dizzy:

Hint: For those who are short on cash - Simplifier is available separately and is much cheaper.



I'm trying to resist reading threads that I just know will clue me in to yet one more plug in I'll *have* to have...thanks for the hint on the cheaper version!

Lynn

The link to this gallery of examples and mini-tutorials has been posted previously in this thread (courtesy of a CheryH find).

In case you missed it, it's worth repeating because it is simply outstanding:

http://www.dynamicdesign.biz/gallery/gallery1.htm

I've had Buzz Simplifier a few weeks now and haven't stopped using it since. It would have to be my favourite filter right now and I enjoy thoroughly experimenting and applying other filters after buzzing. I've not been disappointed at any stage, each result is always a surprise! This one no different.

Buzz (using setting 3)
Auto Hue/Sat - Strong
Xero/Illustrator
Duped layer - Photo Wizz/Luma Negative (free filters)
Layer Mode - Soft Light
Merged all.

The results posted here are beauties and I've enjoyed viewing them. Thank you. Thanks for the great links too.

PSP8.01

This is another example I did last week. I was aiming for a colourful poster effect so made sure to select a very colourful photo. I've tried it also on busy street scenes and liked the results.

Buzzed - http://www.fo2pix.com/applications/applications_more.php?id=8_0_6_0_C

Filter/Adapt Equalization - http://www.reindeergraphics.com/free.shtml

Buzzed again

Optional - Cutout/8/1/4

Aim Filter/USM - http://www.aim-dtp.net/aim/plug-ins/fifo/

Dupe layer - Mode Soft light

Merge and increase contrasts and levels if required.

You can further experiment with layer blend modes after duping your result.

Just starting with BuzzPro and haven't found the best technique yet. This one came out pretty well.

Can you recall Henk how you got such a great result!? :bigthmb:

Cheers

Just starting with BuzzPro and haven't found the best technique yet. This one came out pretty well.

I'd say this one came out EXCELLENT. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your creations.

~Danny~

I hate to be the one to dash cold water on the nice things being said about the Buzz plugins.

I was impressed with what I saw people doing with these plugins too. So I downloaded and installed the Buzz Simplifier demo and tried it about 2-3 times out of the possible 30. I decided that Buzz Lite might be more what I was looking for, so I uninstalled Buzz Simplifier and attempted to install the Lite demo. Whereupon the install program locked up and would not install the Lite demo. So I tried uninstalling the Lite and reinstalling the Simplifier and no go. The programs all will stop in the middle of installing and none will now install on my pc.

I contacted the tech support dept. and they only suggested that my downlods were corrupted and to try other copies. I did as they suggested but something the programs put on my pc, possibly in the registry, will not let me install anything of theirs. I know they do not want anyone using up their free demo tries and then reinstalling to get more free tries, but that was not my intention.

Now I am out of luck as to purchasing a Buzz program because it would not install.

If anyone comes across a similar program that will approximate Buzz Simplifier, I would really be interested.

The last I heard from the company was an email asking me if I had decided to purchase a full program yet?

Steve

Steve

Just a thought. If you have system restore activated you could go back to a time before the installation. This should correct your registry and then you could reinstall.

Ken

Try deleting these two files from your windows folder, then reinstalling.

Buzzp2lic.dll
Buzzp3lic.dll

great stuff! thanks, danny :)

but i'm wondering, is there a current link to the freebie? the one way back on page one seems to have expired. or does anyone have this version that came in that magazine?

Craig

Did a search, but not able to locate either of these DLL's on my drive. Must have removed them when I uninstalled.

The company won't admit it but they had to have installed a file in the registry to prevent re-installing.

I appreciate your help.



Try deleting these two files from your windows folder, then reinstalling.

Buzzp2lic.dll
Buzzp3lic.dll

It has been a few weeks since I had the problem with Buzz and I have made changes to my drive since that time. A predated restore will remove some new registry items I have added.

If I had done this at the time, it probably would have worked.

And I thank you for your interest.

Steve


Steve

Just a thought. If you have system restore activated you could go back to a time before the installation. This should correct your registry and then you could reinstall.

Ken

Sorry this is turning out to be such a hassle, Steve.

Under Windows 2000 I just did a RegEdit and under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (and nowhere else) found two keys related to Buzz (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\buZZ plugin file, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\buZZ stack file).

If you're into this sort of tinkering at your own risk you could do a Registry backup, then delete the Buzz related keys and see if that gets you around the problem.

~Danny~

I usually break out in a cold sweat at the mention of editing the registry, but in this case I am so fed up with this mess that I may be tempted. Thanks for the names of the files.

Give me a day or so to get up my nerve. 8-)

Steve

Sorry this is turning out to be such a hassle, Steve.

Under Windows 2000 I just did a RegEdit and under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (and nowhere else) found two keys related to Buzz (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\buZZ plugin file, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\buZZ stack file).

If you're into this sort of tinkering at your own risk you could do a Registry backup, then delete the Buzz related keys and see if that gets you around the problem.

~Danny~

Removed these two files from the registry yesterday. Then tried installing Buzz Lite. Same message, as to the installer being interrupted and that the installation could not continue.

Would still bet that there are files in the registry from my first attempt that are causing all this trouble. A company that won't admit this is not worth buying from anyway....IMHO.

Steve




Sorry this is turning out to be such a hassle, Steve.

Under Windows 2000 I just did a RegEdit and under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (and nowhere else) found two keys related to Buzz (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\buZZ plugin file, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\buZZ stack file).

If you're into this sort of tinkering at your own risk you could do a Registry backup, then delete the Buzz related keys and see if that gets you around the problem.

~Danny~

steve,

two quick thoughts on this. remove ALL your previous folders and files for buzz, then try installing again. and two, look in your computer account stuff for extra files. you know, the name you log into windows with, that account stuff. companies often put files and folder in there that have .ini type files in them, or even .dll's.

and yes, there could still be reg entries, possibly even encrypted entries, especially if you installed a demo version with some sort of limits on it, like a 30 day trial. these can be very hard to find and remove.

Craig

I run "Clean Sweep" on all installations to my pc. I removed the Buzz demo using it and normally it does a pretty thorough job of cleaning things up. Obviously something is still there. So the encryption of some files makes sense.

I don't want to keep bothering everyone on the board with this. It's really no big deal, I guess, unless I really wanted to buy and use a Buzz product. Doesn't seem to affect anything else. I'll probably just do a bit more checking, as per your suggestions, then forget it.

Thanks Craig, and to all who responded.

Steve


steve,

two quick thoughts on this. remove ALL your previous folders and files for buzz, then try installing again. and two, look in your computer account stuff for extra files. you know, the name you log into windows with, that account stuff. companies often put files and folder in there that have .ini type files in them, or even .dll's.

and yes, there could still be reg entries, possibly even encrypted entries, especially if you installed a demo version with some sort of limits on it, like a 30 day trial. these can be very hard to find and remove.

Craig

steve,

you're welcome.

now, this wont help you with the current problem, but it might save you hassles in the future. get a program called 'Total Uninstall'. it's similar to clean sweep, but a bit better. whenever you're going to install something, particularly something that might be a bit suspect, you run total uninstall first and use it to install the other program. in other words, it acts as a parent installer.

however, it goes one step further. it also monitors the total installation AND logs it. the way it does this is by monitoring the API calls. nothing can be written to the harddrive without an API call. that means files, folders, images, registry and everything. total uninstall monitors the api calls and logs all of them. nothing can be written to the harddrive without total uninstall seeing it.

that means several things in use. one, you can find those idiot things that some programs put in the programs, like spyware, find exactly where they've been put and in some cases wipe them out without killing the program. it means you can find all the 'hidden' files that some programs install. it means you can find .dll writes that some viruses use to embed themselves. and it means you when you go to uninstall a program, you once again use total uninstall, the log it kept of the install, and COMPLETELY uninstall the unwanted program.

the downside to this is, it takes about 3 times as long to install any program. you have to run total uninstall, set it up to install the child program and wait a longer time for all the logging and finalizing and so on.

the reason i say total uninstall is better than clean sweep is based on a conversation i had with one of my brothers who uses clean sweep. we compared notes on how each one works and the upshot was he was going to try total uninstall. i dont recall the differences between the two, and clean sweep may just be fine and do essentially the same things, but i do seem to recall that there was something about total uninstall that made more sense.

Craig

Sounds like it might be something to consider. I know I would never install anything without Clean Sweep running. Has saved me a lot of disk space that junk from uninstalled programs can leave. Just for my own info I have tried uninstalling programs with their built-in uninstaller. Then uninstalled with Clean Sweep and am amazed at what was left that CS found.

Thanks again.

B.T.W. anyone know which thread it was where someone posted a lady playing a harp on the street?

Steve


steve,

you're welcome.

now, this wont help you with the current problem, but it might save you hassles in the future. get a program called 'Total Uninstall'. it's similar to clean sweep, but a bit better. whenever you're going to install something, particularly something that might be a bit suspect, you run total uninstall first and use it to install the other program. in other words, it acts as a parent installer.

however, it goes one step further. it also monitors the total installation AND logs it. the way it does this is by monitoring the API calls. nothing can be written to the harddrive without an API call. that means files, folders, images, registry and everything. total uninstall monitors the api calls and logs all of them. nothing can be written to the harddrive without total uninstall seeing it.

that means several things in use. one, you can find those idiot things that some programs put in the programs, like spyware, find exactly where they've been put and in some cases wipe them out without killing the program. it means you can find all the 'hidden' files that some programs install. it means you can find .dll writes that some viruses use to embed themselves. and it means you when you go to uninstall a program, you once again use total uninstall, the log it kept of the install, and COMPLETELY uninstall the unwanted program.

the downside to this is, it takes about 3 times as long to install any program. you have to run total uninstall, set it up to install the child program and wait a longer time for all the logging and finalizing and so on.

the reason i say total uninstall is better than clean sweep is based on a conversation i had with one of my brothers who uses clean sweep. we compared notes on how each one works and the upshot was he was going to try total uninstall. i dont recall the differences between the two, and clean sweep may just be fine and do essentially the same things, but i do seem to recall that there was something about total uninstall that made more sense.

Craig

ust for my own info I have tried uninstalling programs with their built-in uninstaller. Then uninstalled with Clean Sweep and am amazed at what was left that CS found.

yup, so am i. and i'm doubly surprised that windows doesnt log all installs and install paths and have a built-in uninstaller. quite amazing that it doesnt. seems like it would be a standard thing for an o/s.

as for the lady harpist, she's in the photo-art stuff....somewhere. i think it's in the main sub-menu, down below the stickied sub-sub-forums.

Craig

edit: in fact, it's just a few threads down from the one we're in right now.
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11209

I have been reading with interest all the great reviews for the Buzz Simplifier filter. I am running Mac OS 10.3.9 and Photoshop CS. Looking at the links in this post, if I want to buy the Simplifier only - it only works on Mac OS 8 or 9. Does anyone know if the plug-in is available for OSX? Or would I have to purchase the PRO version - which is more than I want to spend?

I have enjoyed this site. I just discovered it last week and have downloaded some wonderful actions. Thanks! I look forward to learning more.

I have been reading with interest all the great reviews for the Buzz Simplifier filter. I am running Mac OS 10.3.9 and Photoshop CS. Looking at the links in this post, if I want to buy the Simplifier only - it only works on Mac OS 8 or 9. Does anyone know if the plug-in is available for OSX? Or would I have to purchase the PRO version - which is more than I want to spend?

I have enjoyed this site. I just discovered it last week and have downloaded some wonderful actions. Thanks! I look forward to learning more.Thanks for your kind words. We're glad to have you. Welcome aboard.

I was able to reach someone at fo2pix on your question: In a nutshell, "No" as of 9/2005.

Sorry about that.

~Danny~

I finally have Buzz Pro installed!

Bought Buzz Pro 2 and loaded it on my laptop. Had no trouble loading it there.

In order to work around the Buzz installer which seemed to hang up on my desktop, I just moved the entire installed Buzz file to my desktop from my laptop. Works great!

So I will be boring you folks with it for awhile. 8-) Attached is first one.

Steve

NOW! How about some Buzz tutorials for PSP 9????

Anyone?

Steve

NOW! How about some Buzz tutorials for PSP 9????

Anyone?

SteveGood for you, Steve. Glad you got past the installer and were able to crank out your first Buzz rendered interpretation.

re: "How about some Buzz tutorials for PSP 9"
The content for Buzz (only) tutorials would be the same regardless of hosting application or did you mean something else?

Check out this tread (scroll down to the Buzz links) for links to a couple sites that have exceptional Buzz tutorials:
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3244

As I recall there are some pretty meaty tutorials on the installation CD if you went that route. I don't know if they are be included with the download version.

Hello Danny. Thanks for the note.

When used in different host programs the tutorials can be quite different, as you know. People like to tweak Buzz or add steps or tools from their program. Sometimes I can improvise, but a lot of the time I bog down trying to convert these functions to PSP9. I was just hoping that those who use Buzz with PSP would post tips on how they use Buzz with it.

Steve


re: "How about some Buzz tutorials for PSP 9"
The content for Buzz (only) tutorials would be the same regardless of hosting application or did you mean something else?

Steve, I use Buzz Pro in PSP 9, and I've had it for several years. When I first got it, I Buzzed everything that would hold still, but lately I use it in moderation, usually to add color or to simplify in layers. I don't know if this link has already been posted, but this lady's site has always inspired me to try new things with Buzz Pro.
http://www.skydancers.com/_fo2pix/buzz_tutes.html

I have indeed tried this site for Buzz....and it IS a good one. I thank you for posting it.

I still find new things all the time that Buzz can do. It's great alone and when used in combination with other plugins can be exceptional.

Steve

Steve, I use Buzz Pro in PSP 9, and I've had it for several years. When I first got it, I Buzzed everything that would hold still, but lately I use it in moderation, usually to add color or to simplify in layers. I don't know if this link has already been posted, but this lady's site has always inspired me to try new things with Buzz Pro.
http://www.skydancers.com/_fo2pix/buzz_tutes.html

I love Buzz Pro. Maybe you should start a thread using only that program, if there isn't already one going somewhere, and we could all learn from one another's techniques. Let me know if you do. I hate to miss stuff! :)

I have tried something like you suggest on other web sites, not Retouch, and I always get ignored. As in "Ho hum, another Buzzed image."

I will, however, share anything unusual I post using Buzz as all or part.

The attached image was done using Buzz, blends, and brush strokes from Impressionist.

Steve

I love Buzz Pro. Maybe you should start a thread using only that program, if there isn't already one going somewhere, and we could all learn from one another's techniques. Let me know if you do. I hate to miss stuff! :)

There's nothing ho-hum about this painting, Steve! I haven't gotten around to trying this pic yet, but I can't think of a better treatment for it. I'll keep this thread in mind, and when I do something in Buzz Pro that I like, I'll post it here, and maybe others will join us. :)

I go hiking every couple of weeks with a group, and here are my latest photos. I used Buzz Pro on several of them, along with some color tweaking.
http://www.pbase.com/catbounds/lake_sylvia_trail_05

I go hiking every couple of weeks with a group, and here are my latest photos. I used Buzz Pro on several of them, along with some color tweaking.
http://www.pbase.com/catbounds/lake_sylvia_trail_05
I especially like this one...

http://www.pbase.com/catbounds/image/50778670

Do you recall which Simplifier you used?

The chimney and passion flower are nicely done, with my favorite being the chimney. These two especially lend themselves to the Buzz effect you used.

Steve

I go hiking every couple of weeks with a group, and here are my latest photos. I used Buzz Pro on several of them, along with some color tweaking.
http://www.pbase.com/catbounds/lake_sylvia_trail_05

I am a huge T.Lautrec fan and this is my feeble attempt to emulate his style.

Thanks.

Steve

There's nothing ho-hum about this painting, Steve! I haven't gotten around to trying this pic yet, but I can't think of a better treatment for it. I'll keep this thread in mind, and when I do something in Buzz Pro that I like, I'll post it here, and maybe others will join us. :)

Catherine, was just rummaging around your gallery and this one practically jumped off the page! http://www.pbase.com/catbounds/image/38100326.

A great photo in it's own right, with the painterly look it's a knockout. I love photos that tell a story without the need of captions of any kind, (my free-lance spot news photographer background, I suppose.)

Steve

steve,

i agree. that's an incredible image. reminded me immediately of a norman rockwell.

Craig

Thanks so much, guys! :)
Danny, I used Simplifier one, and for some reason a setting of 440 works on most photos for me. Then I tweaked the colors using hue/saturation, did some layers in soft light to get more luminance. I really love the look of Buzz Pro on trees and leaves.
Steve and Craig, I'm glad you like that photo. That's my husband with our granddaughter; some of my favorite photos are of the two of them together. They have a great chemistry. He adores her, and she loves being adored! :)

They have a great chemistry. He adores her, and she loves being adored! the perfect granddad/granddaughter relationship :)

Craig

"In Her Own Magic World"

Duped image, ran Buzz simplifier, played with blends, and masked out the little girl.

Steve

VERY cool, steve! really tells a story. nicely done!

Craig

I took this at the local county fair a few days ago. This little lady was thoroughly enjoying herself.

Thanks.

Steve

VERY cool, steve! really tells a story. nicely done!

Craig

well, it's adorable, so thank you :)

Craig

Steve, that's a cool idea, to leave her realistic and make the rides look magical.

Don't know who the little girl is. I was just shooting at random on the midway & spotted her on the ride.

Thanks.

Steve

Steve, that's a cool idea, to leave her realistic and make the rides look magical.

Here's an entire gallery of photos that have been buzzed. I think they're well done. You can use PBase's "search" option and find quite a few Buzz Pro paintings.
http://www.pbase.com/lilwings/buzzedphotos

Catherine, your buZZed photos are beautiful. I just purchased BuZZ.X (Mac) and I am just starting to use it. I love it, and I hope to get some amazing results like you have achieved. Thanks for sharing.

Cathy :bow:

Thanks for that web site info Catherine. That's a beauty. I am especially fond of the barn images. Barns and Buzz just seem to go together.

Here's a Buzz I did a few days ago.

Steve

Here's an entire gallery of photos that have been buzzed. I think they're well done. You can use PBase's "search" option and find quite a few Buzz Pro paintings.
http://www.pbase.com/lilwings/buzzedphotos

Merry-Go-round buzzing. County Fair......Florida.

Steve

Here are some buzzed boats with a little PS thrown in.

Cathy

Nice one Cathy. That's so peaceful you want to stretch out and take a long nap. 8-)

Steve

Here are some buzzed boats with a little PS thrown in.

Cathy

Catherine, your buZZed photos are beautiful Thanks so much, Cathy! You and Steve have posted some wonderful Buzz Pro paintings. I love the look of Buzz, and I have a friend in Canada who has a greeting card business, all Buzzed photos she has taken, and they're gorgeous, too.

Thanks Steve, I really like what you are doing also.
I was inspired by all the nice flowers.

Cathy :wink:

Same flowers using different buzz layers in different layer modes.

Cathy :grin:

"Rose Buzz"

Steve

Buzzed crowd watching an outdoor show. Some interesting faces.

Steve

Very nice effect on crowd Steve.

Buzzed mantis this time for me.

Cathy :grin:

Good Buzzing......and a nice image too.

Steve

Very nice effect on crowd Steve.

Buzzed mantis this time for me.

Cathy :grin:

I am having way too much fun, but now I need to get back to work. I have buzzed some gulls.

Cathy :nod:

well, you two really have this place buzzing :)

sorry, someone had to say it.

love the pictures, guys. i was particularly taken with the first flower one, cathy. very lovely! thank you :)

Craig

Thanks Craig. I am buzzed (sorry, I had to say it too) with excitement with this program.

Cathy :bigthmb:

A Lady Buzz.

Steve

Very cool, Steve. How'd ya do that??

Been a while, but I used Buzz as starting point, and I think I then played with blends for the final effect. My Lautrec interpretation.

Here's a similar one using Buzz.

Steve



Very cool, Steve. How'd ya do that??

Been a while, but I used Buzz as starting point, and I think I then played with blends for the final effect. My Lautrec interpretation.
Both are very impressive, Steve. I like this look a lot. Sorry I missed the first one. (Busy time of year.)

Since I'm doing a hard disk defrag at the moment, I'm unable to experiment. So just for fun if I was trying to recreate your results this is what I would try...

Duplicate the Background and apply Buzz using one of the presets... perhaps a variation of Watercolor. Duplicate BG again and move this layer above the Buzzed layer. To that apply some sort of edges effect (via Buzz or some other filter or plugin), desaturate and set the blend mode set to Darken (or muliply). You might need to apply Levels to this layer of edges to get rid of the grayish mid-tone noise, which will make the lines more distinct. Lower the opacity, too.

After flattening these layers, apply another filter effect to give it the uniform, rough textured look.

How am I doing so far? In the ballpark? :)

In any event, it's a very appealing style. Have you printed any of these types of interpretations? I'll bet they would show well.

- - - - - - - - -

Later... HD Defrag done.

Mine isn't as appealing as Steve's, but for those interested in going the direction he did, here's an attempt on poor ol' Bara. Turned out my guess above was "close, but no cigar." The Layers Palette screenshot shows the layer progression.

Thanks for the inspiration, Steve.

~Danny~

I think you're awfully close, Danny. There's a tad more depth in Steve's renditions, and my first thought was Caravaggio, though I don't think Steve used it. Maybe Steve will give us some more of his technique, but in the meantime, we'll have fun working on it.

Yup, I'd say Danny is pretty close.

I usually start by playing with the Buzz presets until I find what works on a given image. I dup this and work with blends and opacities to get the end result. Sometimes I hit it right away, then again nothing works. I also may have to paint in some detail on some images. But nothing I have posted here is anything but Buzz. No other plugin was used.

On some postings on other threads I may combine other plugins with Buzz, but these here are strictly Buzz with blends.

Steve

I think you're awfully close, Danny. There's a tad more depth in Steve's renditions, and my first thought was Caravaggio, though I don't think Steve used it. Maybe Steve will give us some more of his technique, but in the meantime, we'll have fun working on it.

I hope pretty Ms Ali doesn't mind my using her photo again.

I hope pretty Ms Ali doesn't mind my using her photo again.She was tickled. :)

I have download frpm internet, buzzpro, an his stay on: C:\program files\buzz\
Bud i see nothing else,i think it must place in a map from PS,or else?
Were i kan place this? how i doe this?
Sorry,my englisch is not so wel :o:
Thanks for help.
Rogier.

I have download frpm internet, buzzpro, an his stay on: C:\program files\buzz\
Bud i see nothing else,i think it must place in a map from PS,or else?
Were i kan place this? how i doe this?
Sorry,my englisch is not so wel :o:
Thanks for help.
Rogier.Rogier:

Here is where to get help with Buzz. They are able to help in many languages.

http://www.fo2pix.com/techsupport/techsupport_more.php?id=298_0_19_0_C

Thank jou very mutch DannyRaphael. i wil ho see it.

Hi all. I was impressed by the artwork here done with Buzz Pro..I downloaded the trial and decided to purchase but the Fo2PIX site has this message for anyone trying to buy: WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO PROCESS ANY ORDERS MADE ON OUR WEBSITE. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

Too bad..it looked like a great plug-in.

Indeed a shame... it appears this company has gone "out of business" -- at least for the time being. See http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-art-resources/18722-whats-going-fo2pix.html

In any event WELCOME to RetouchPRO. Hopefully you'll not run into this type of thing again.

If you don't yet have the Impressionist plugin installed and you're a PC user, it's way more fun than Buzz. Click my name above this post and send me an e-mail and I'll get you setup with Impressionist. :)

I downloaded the Buzz Simplifier quite awhile ago, just started trying it, and now need an authorization key. Naturally just when I figure out this is going to be my favorite plugin I can't purchase? Any suggestions?

I downloaded the Buzz Simplifier quite awhile ago, just started trying it, and now need an authorization key. Naturally just when I figure out this is going to be my favorite plugin I can't purchase? Any suggestions?Ideas, but not very good ones I'm afraid:

* Consider posting a "wanted" notice at sites like Craigs list, eBay or the RetouchPRO Classifieds forum. Someone who no longer uses Buzz might want to sell.

* Try fishing at the Digital Nuts Yahoo group: http://www.pbase.com/digitalnuts Many folks there used to belong to a Buzz (only) group that folded.

* Before I got into Buzz myself (like 3-4 years ago) Fo2pix 'gave away' Buzz 1.0 simplifier via a CD that came with various magazines. If you can find someone with one of those CDs who would e-mail you the free plugin, you'd at least have 'something.'

* I just surfed eBay: None for sale at the moment or sold recently. A "watch and send e-mail alert" when someone puts one up for sale is yet another possibility.

Sure hope you find a solution here... Wish I could help more.

Thanks for the input.

I'm heartbroken. I downloaded the trial version of Buzz Pro2 and LOVE IT. Now I learn that they are out of business and there is no way to buy it or even purchase a valid Authorization Key. What do I do now?
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/productreviews/l/blbuzz1.htm