Question on moral of filter editing

I think that using part or a whole filter to make a new filter is ok.
Anybody can download the filters from the library for free, then, even we copy something from another author, he doesn't lose anything. And he can also do the same with your filters.

I understand what you mean about "redo" the core.
For example, we want to make a mosaic on a cement wall.
The cement wall is not the main part of the filter. It is already available on the library. Then it looks easier if we use that cement wall filter for the wall, and we dedicate our time to make a good mosaic instead.

Other times we may see a filter and think "Very nice. But... I would change this and that...". Then finally it becomes a completely new filter, even if the core was made by somebody else.

As for me, you are free to use any of my filters (there are 410 now) to create new ones.
I'm happy if they can be useful and you post your new filters in the library, because I also can download and use them.

I think that it is ok and right to take a filter that is already made and make it even better and awesome as you say, specially if it to add something that was not available when the filter was published, I mean the PBR, and it would be really great idea to update many of the filters available to be able to use the new PBR, it would be really useful and interesting

I agree with what Ramlyn and Rachel have said, and if you use a filter of someone else, is good that you mention and give credit at the end of the description if you use a big part or the whole filter

What is not good from point of view is to take a filter and change it slightly with something that is not worthy and useful and then publish it again with your name

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SpaceRay wrote: What is not good from point of view is to take a filter and change it slightly with something that is not worthy and useful and then publish it again with your name

Yes, I agree. I saw somebody doing it. Doing like that they only create a copy of the previous filter, adding nothing useful in the library.

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Totte wrote: The next real dilemma is, if that filter was released a while back, but still sits in average usage, making a better version from it feels like stealing his/her possible future HU.

If a filter is new, it starts like Average. It may become Low or High Rank or stay as Average depending on the use. Then the beginning (the first months, or maybe the first year) there are really chances that making a filter that is very similar, the original filter will not go up of rank. This happens because the beginning many people test that filter.
But after longer time it is more difficult that making a similar filter may influence the rank of the original one, because less people will use it anyway.

Did they ever 'fix it', so that when you modify an existing filter the creator still gets the credit for it's use ? Not to be a jerk about it, but 90%+ of all filters either have too many controls (the most common problem, next to general uselessness) or not enough, to really make the best use of it - so I almost always make a modded version to actually use.

Like someone else said, 6-9 months down the road, it doesn't seem like a big deal to use some of the -guts- of someone else's filter. The 50% rule still applies though, ie = it should be half or more yours. And a credit in the description is always a good way to go.

jffe