using filters newbie

I'm sorry to ask what will seem a simple question to you all.
I have just purchased FF9 and I have been really thrilled with the effects. My confusion comes when I click on the presets showing pictures of daisies birds and fish etc, it (the preset image) simply sits on top of my original image and blocks it. I don't want an image of a fish on top of my rose. What am I doing wrong please.
similarly; When I select a texture, the image of that texture is sitting on the screen but my image is not there. How do I blend the chosen texture with my image, or do I need to take it into Photoshop to do it?

I have tried to find this out by google searches and looking in the forums tonight but can't find an answer.
can any one please help me understand this.

Ann B, welcome to the forums!
There are two kinds of filters in Filter Forge: effect filters are meant to modify an existing source image while texture filters replace the source image entirely. This is by filter author's design.

Please check out the corresponding help pages:
https://www.filterforge.com/more/help/...asses.html

https://www.filterforge.com/more/help/...alImg.html

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SpaceRay wrote: Things that you need to know before the very first thing The render speed is very variable and depends very much on: 1 - the filter you are using, 2 - the resolution you are using 3 - the settings you are using 4 - and the speed of your computer and available ram. You can load your own images into some of the filters through File --> Open Image On some filters that in the settings have a color control you will need to load the images probably through this way and not through file --> open image I will look for more information so you have a good beginner information and can start well Meanwhile go to the filters library page and download some filters and try them TEXTURE FILTERS : Means that all these filters will be self generated inside filter forge and NOT need any external input and will not use any of your images EFFECTS FILTERS: These filters will ONLY works with one or more images that you need to load for them to work. BUT the problem to identify filters this way is that this is ONLY available on the website when you go to the tab of "all filters by category" as nowhere else this information is available as there is no information on any of the filter pages about if it is a texture or effect filter, and so if you make a search in the filter library or want to see filters by authors, you can´t identify them this way IF THE FILTER PRESET INCLUDES ANY OF THE BUILT-IN IMAGES IS THEN A EFFECTS FILTER BUT there is an easy way to find which category it belong by looking at the main thumbnail, if it is included any of the built-in images (see File--> Built-in Preview Images) in some possible way or the colors of them are showing then is sure that is an Effects filter, if the preview thumbnail have any other other graphic or image then this does not mean neccessarily that is a self generated image that belongs to Texture Filter, although sometimes this may be true, it could be also a Misc effects filter

This text comes from Need Help Understanding Filter Forge and there is even more information for beginners there

and also

Creating a New Filter with My Own Photo

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Ann B wrote: I tried to upload a screen shot of what I was referring to with the Attach a file browse button, but the image never uploaded

I think that to be able to help you more specifically, please, tell what you are you doing exactly step by step, and where you have problem, so it can be seen where or what you are doing wrong

It would be very useful to know what filter or filters you are trying to use, and how you use them, so it can be much better to help and guide you

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Ann B wrote: My confusion comes when I click on the presets showing pictures of daisies birds and fish etc, it (the preset image) simply sits on top of my original image and blocks it. I don't want an image of a fish on top of my rose. What am I doing wrong please.

If you see presets with the built-in images then this is a Effects filter and then you can use your own images

The presets at first have always the default built-in images, to change them for your own images, it will depend on what filter your are using, there are two ways Of you are using the FF as standalone

OPTION 1 - Go to menu File -> Open Image as seen here in the FF help.

Using this way the final resolution of the result will be the one of the image you load, so you must put already the final size you want

If using this your image does not appear, then see next option

OPTION 2 - Some filter may use color controls instead or additionally to the open image and so they are in the settings tab, and you need to load your own images there, and you can put an image for each color control that is available

HOW TO USE COLOR CONTROLS

Guide to show how to use color controls

Be aware that now there is no drop down menus

IF YOU ARE USING FF AS A PLUGIN

If you are using FF as a plugin of a host then the image you load from the host software is always through option 1 and you need to do it manually if the filter use color controls

After reading and re-reading your text.I have had a deeper look at this 'frozen window' filter and discovered in the settings that there is a box called 'stencil' and in there I was able to access the drop down menu and change the stencil image from the lifesaver to my rose.
I now have a filter that is working with my rose image instead of the preloaded stencils. PROBLEM SOLVED for now.
Thank you also for the link to the colour info which will be useful also.
I have had this software since version 3 and I love it. Thank you so much for your help.