Filter Forge becomes less expensive

[Andrew B.]

Filter Forge has added two less-expensive versions of their software.

Basic edition costs $99 and allows full use of all filters in the library. As I am typing this there are 2265 filters in the library, and the number is always growing.

Standard edition costs $199, and adds the ability to build and modify filters. But it leaves out some high-end features like support for 16- and 32-bit images, bitmaps larger than 3000x3000 pixels, image maps (bump, diffuse, normal, etc.) and a couple other things.

Professional edition is $299 and has no limitations. This is the same as the original version that was released awhile ago.

You can also get a free or discounted copy by developing high use filters.

http://www.filterforge.com/

[zekeode]

Re: Filter Forge becomes less expensive

Is there a way to improve preview speed in Filter Forge? Even with small jpegs it seems to take nice amount of time. Or is my old P4 3GHZ with 2GB RAM just too slow?

[Andrew B.]

Re: Filter Forge becomes less expensive

I was a beta tester, and I remember this coming up. I think you are just stuck with the slow preview, but it would not hurt to ask at the FilterForge forum.

[Craig Walters]

Re: Filter Forge becomes less expensive

yes, you can speed up the preview view, at least in some cases. in fact, FF will do this for you in the case of large images. it will show the preview in a lower resolution, which can be changed to full res if you want (look in the options). you can also turn off the anti-aliasing feature, which will cut the preview time in half. make your settings with it turned off and then turn it back on for the final run before saving.

your p4, 3ghz, 2gig ram shld be fine. you might try the options setting to run FF on a single core processor rather than a dual core.

filter preview speed is dependent on a LOT of factors. image size and the type of components used in the filter are the main factors. anti-aliasing is the other big one. you can find a post by vladimir in the FF forums regarding what components are 'slow' and which are 'fast'.