[Doug Nelson]

"On the surface, Filter Forge is just a Photoshop plugin, a pack of filters that generate textures, create visual effects, enhance photos, process images. However, there are 3 things that make Filter Forge unique:

1. You can create your own filters. Filter Forge comes with a visual node-based editor allowing you to create your own filters – textures, effects, distortions, backgrounds, you name it. All filters automatically support 16- and 32-bit modes in Photoshop, real-world HDRI lighting, bump and normal maps, huge resolutions and seamless tiling.

2. Anyone can submit filters to our online Filter Library where other users can download them – for free. This means that the more people use Filter Forge, the better it gets. Currently, the library contains 51 user-created filters.

3. Contributors get Filter Forge for free. You submit filters, they get popular with the users, we send you a free copy of Filter Forge. Sounds simple but don't expect a giveaway, you will have to earn it."

http://www.filterforge.com

[Stroker]

Shaderman7 + Ayam + Pixie = da bomb. Or Shaderman7 + K3D + Aqsis.
But it would be nice to be able to do it right in Photoshop.

I applied.
~ crosses fingers ~

[Kraellin]

signed up also. thanks doug!

craig

[Cameraken]

I also signed up as a beta tester.
Then I got an email saying approved,
But I still can’t download anything????
Am I missing something??


Ken

[byRo]

same here, Ken.

Seems like the site is in Beta also.
Everything works - except the most important bit.

Rô

[byRo]

Originally Posted by Stroker

But it would be nice to be able to do it right in Photoshop.

From what I read - while clicking on everything trying to download - it's a plug-in like Deep Paint.
In other words, it is really a stand alone program, but it has a small loader / unloader plugin to interface with Photoshop.

Rô

[filterforge]

Hi everyone! Doug, thank you for posting the link to Filter Forge!

Ken, ByRo -- regarding the download problem: the download is enabled when 1) you have filled in the beta testing section in your profile when registering, 2) we have approved you as a beta tester, and b) you are logged in. The link is as follows:

http://www.filterforge.com/download/

I guess we will need to go through the beta signup/download chain again to make sure people have no problems using it.

[filterforge]

Originally Posted by byRo

it is really a stand alone program, but it has a small loader / unloader plugin to interface with Photoshop.

Yes, that' correct. It is marketed as a Photoshop plugin, but it works as a stand-alone app.

[Stroker]

I got approved and I didn't have a problem.
Downloaded and installed.
Doesn't look too hard as I'm already familiar with Shaderman and DarkTree.

I'm off to play.

[Doug Nelson]

Does Filter Forge actually generate 8bf files, or do you need a copy of FF installed to use the filters?

[filterforge]

Doug -- you need a copy of Filter Forge installed.

[Doug Nelson]

Perhaps it might generate demand for the filters if a free read-only version were offered? I mean, otherwise the only potential filter users are also potential filter developers, which might demotivate development.

[filterforge]

Originally Posted by Doug Nelson

Perhaps it might generate demand for the filters if a free read-only version were offered?

Yes, we've discussed that idea and even tried to do a test implementation -- we wanted Filter Forge to switch to read-only mode after the trial expires. The biggest problem was that everyone can use a screen-capture tool or a PrintScreen key to save the results the filter produces, so we can't actually make it read-only. We tried to distort the results, but that also can be circumvented.

Also, the filters are saved in an open XML format, so anyone can edit it manually, or write a simple generator to simplify the creation process. So, even if we lock the Filter Editor into read-only mode, that won't stop people from makin their own filters.

[happysnapper]

Two thoughts:

1) put a water mark over a trial version. There are several programs that take this approach already.

2) Screen grabbers are only going to get certain resolution unless they are seriously determined. Perhaps limit the output to VGA res with the proviso that if people use an image on a website the must provide a credit and link to your website. Granted not everyone is going to do that but some will and that's free advertising for you. It also strikes me that all the things that take off big time these days have given some sort of freebee.

Just my two cents worth.

Just reread the postings, I would ask, why would you want to stop people making filters? IMHO That's your life blood. The more filters you have, the more useful your program is, the more popular your program becomes.

Question: how do you make filters to get a free copy without an existing way of doing so? Or is that only for the beta period? If so what is the continuing incentive to develop filters?

And a further two cents :-)

Sorry if I've misunderstood something and good luck with your program.

[filterforge]

Originally Posted by happysnapper

why would you want to stop people making filters? IMHO That's your life blood. The more filters you have, the more useful your program is, the more popular your program becomes.

Of course we don't want to stop people from making filters -- quite the opposite Under "read-only", I meant "you can create filters but can't apply them" -- I'm just so tired that I can't explain things clearly Our ideal approach would be to make Filter Forge free to create filters, but to require a paid version to apply them -- that's why we offer a free copy to good authors.

Originally Posted by happysnapper

Question: how do you make filters to get a free copy without an existing way of doing so? Or is that only for the beta period?

No, this is not a beta-only feature. People can use the free trial version to build and submit their filters -- the trial period will be 90-day long, that should be enough to learn the Editor. Plus, we're thinking about offering an extension of the trial period for every successful filter the user submits. Simply put, if you keep submitting good filters, you won't run out of trial days and will get the free copy eventually.