Filter Editor FAQ - Questions Needed

- Can I make my image larger than 600 x 600 pixels?
- I want my filter to output that alpha channel there. Do I have to use 'Set Alpha' on all inputs of this result node (surface-type)?
- My filter is rendering very slowly. What can I do?
- I can't seem to find any circular/radial/pyramidical gradients. Where are they?
- I need this components' output in another part of my filter too. Can I just copy the component and paste it over there?
- Why can I have multiple image/selection components in my filter? They all load the same image ?!?
- Where's my filter gone? And how can I select/move/edit/delete that strange 'Don't panic!' component? FF crashed when I clicked it for the 42nd time!!! Oh no, oh no! This is bad! Please help!
- Does the switch component render and cache all its inputs, or only the one currently active?
- Noises appear to scale differently than Patterns (biased/linear sliders)? How can I make them scale proportionally?
- This filter editor thingy is confusing me... I want my cushion! Now!!!
- Only 7 noise types?! Why so few? App XXX has a gazillion!!!
- Why is there no text/fractals/particles/n-gon/hair/fur component(s)?
- Can I store color values for re-use inside the editor?
- This elevation gradient in my filter here doesn't seem to work correctly! What's up with that?
- How can I partially mask a components' effect?
- How many controls should my filter have? I got 50 now, will that be enough?
- I've been too lazy too delete this unconnected branch of orphaned components there. Will that be a problem?
- I can't seem to find the checkbox for 'Editor's Pick' in the filter editor anywhere! Please help!
- How can I re-order my filter's presets?

1. my controls are all screwed up in order. how do i change their positions?
2. what is the life preserver for?
3. how do i submit a filter?
4. how do i download filters?
5. is there a demo version i can download and try out?
6. how do i enter my license key?
7. where do i get a license key?
8. what do the different colors on the component nodes mean?
9. can i use this program to make more than textures for games?
10. do i have to know any code to use this program and if so, what language?
11. can i sell my filters that i make?
12. who owns the filters i make?
13. does the program work with X program as a plugin?
14. how do i separate my controls in the interface to show folks that some are grouped together and some dont work at all times?
15. can i install filter forge on more than one computer (if i own and use both)?
16. is there a 'lite' version that doesnt include the editor? i only want to use filters, not make them.
17. if i sell my copy of filter forge do i need to contact someone for a transfer of license validation?
18. can i alter other people's filters and re-submit as my own?
19. do i have to pay royalties to filter forge for works i produce with the filters?
20. i love this program! where do i apply for a job?

copyright is going to be a bit of an question. you'll want a fairly clear explanation of rights spelled out somewhere.

- How do I set the directory of MyFilters?
- How do I create subfolder on MyFilters folders?
- How do I create my own folders?

A clarification -- I'd like to keep this thread focused on the Filter EDITOR, not Filter Forge in general. At the moment we just don't have time to implement a full-blown FAQ about Filter Forge (this can be done later). So let's focus on the questions about the Editor.

- Is there a way to move control sliders in small discrete increments?
- How can I temporarily disable the effect of a component?
- Can I lock components to prevent editing?
- I have several obsolete components in my filter. Should I update them? And how can I do this without losing all my connections/remapping?
- How can I leave notes/comments in my filter?
- I've built this huge, spaghetti-like jumble of components here and want to clean it up. Is there a way to quickly find those that are not connected to the result component?
- With all the possibilities of connecting components in the editor, are there component connection orders that are ridiculous or that I should avoid? (sharpen>blur for example)
- Is there a 'do nothing' component that I can use to better organize the direct connections between components?
- Can I somehow select a range of colors to perform an operation on them? How about replacing all pixels of a certain color? (Is there a keyer tool?)

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ssamm wrote: But to be constructively critical -- How does one find that page?

One way is to click the help link in the Filter Editor, and look in the component types:

Here's my newcomer question:

Is there any way to batch download packs of filters from the website? There are so many awesome-looking ones and I'd like to install a lot with a single click!

^ Aha, therein lay my confusion because... I thought that built-in library browser was meant to be deprecated, or the "old way" of doing things? I'm still puzzled about this. It's more integrated and seems like a better way (at least in some respects) to collect new filters, so is it not planned to be continually developed, or... ?

Thank-you Crapadilla!

torley,

i use the internal download also. i often dont check the library for days and when i do, i want to get all the new filters at once.

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Whitedove wrote: What component(s)allow me to make parts of the filter transparent?

That would be 'Set Alpha'.

I guess my problem is, I don't experiment enough. I'm so afraid I'm going to ruin what I have so far and I'm too lazy to save as I go.

Donna
(belated New Year's resolution...experiment more!)

You could also experiment with setting alpha values directly via the color pickers found on various components. Sometimes you can get away without using a Get/Set Alpha component that way...

edit: oh, and you could also have Kraellin beat me to it, while I am posting this!

lol, donna. looks like something i'd do

Vlad, I'm terribly curious now. Will there be a Filter Editor FAQ?

torley,

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Kraellin: Sounds like we're both so hungry for amazing new filters en masse!

i do a bit of photo-art over on http://www.retouchpro.com , so, i'm ALWAYS looking for new filters... or trying to make them

blub blub blub LOL!

Donna