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Hi
Having watched the super tutorials by Angelize I bought the basic Filter Forge 4.
I can't get Xara to link to it from the FX button in the way that it is shown in the tutorial on its use.
I am using Designer Pro X.
I have successfully installed it with Corel Painter X3, Corel Paintshop ProX6, Photoshop Elements11 and CS2 but my most used is Xara and would like to have it available there. I've tried installing it with 'host specific' ticked and unticked.
Any help will be appreciated.
just to check - did you click 'apply' button on the options effects & plugins tab, after adding the folder - I seem to remember it may not pick the folder up if you just click 'ok'
I think this may be something to do with your version of DPX. It may not work with 64bit, but 32 should be ok.
Bob.
Hi
I've double checked ticking 'apply' and have tried unsuccessfully to install it in the 32bit version.
I've tried various places to put the folder containing the two files and entered that in the setup plugins tab with and without ticking the box for host specifics.
The programme finds other plugins in the same folders each time but filter forge is playing hard to get.
It works nicely in my other graphics programmes but of them all, for what I use it for, Xara is the best.
You can use Filter Forge as a stand-alone program, as I'm sure you know. Once you have worked on your textures in Filter Forge, you can import the raster results into XDP.
I downloaded the trial version of P&GD11 to test it out. I use a very old version of Paintshop Pro (8) as my plugin folder and point Xara at that.
After working on a texture in FilterForge using P&GD11 (32 bit) and pressing apply, the texture reopens in Xara with no problems. I know that in the 64bit XDP 10 that it will crash using Filter Forge.
Bob.
EDIT: Apologies, you have to lock the bitmap effect before using the texture, or it will indeed crash...:confused:
Hi Frightful I'm glad you enjoyed my tutorials :)
First after you install Filter Forge you just need to point Xara to the plugin folder with in the Filter forge installation Don't move it anywhere it needs to stay where Filter forge installs it. The path to this folder should look something like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Filter Forge 4\Plugin
As for 64 bit Designer Pro X (which was really version 8) does not have a 64 bit version. And even if you do upgrade to a new version of Xara that does Filter Forge should run just fine and you still only need to point Xara to the plugin folder. The x64 folder within the plugin folder just contains a bridge that allows the 32 bit Filter Forge plug in to run in a 64 bit environment.
And when you use filter forge as a plug in with Xara there are two things to keep in mind:
1. The issue still exists where errors and crashes will occur if you don't lock the effect so make sure you always lock the effect as soon as it has finished rendering.
2. Not all Filters in the Library are Xara friendly It depends on how they have been built. However they can be modified if you have a version of FF that allows you to access the Filter editor. I thought I did a tutorial on that but I can't find it. Basically You need to bring the selected object in Xara into filterforge as an external image and then you need to use a couple more components to apply an alpha transparency and clip the effect.
Lastly I'm going to move this thread into the Xara compatible Plug ins Forum :)
Hi
Thanks for your input everyone.
@ Angelize... I now have it up and running thanks to your advice on the folder for the plugin.
For the record I am using Designer Pro X10 not Pro X. ( I never did understand the version names !) which of course we have in both 32 bit and 64 bit. The Filter Forge works with both versions.
The effect seems to be automatically locked by the time it comes back to Xara. To avoid complications I did all my tests on original photographs with no effects done in Xara. That comes next.
Thanks again, you've made an old man happy.
David
Hi David I'm glad it all worked out. I agree the names are confusing so I just drop the X and say DP 10. Also In all of my testing I've never had it automatically lock the effect so do be sure and check to make sure it's locked :)
I have been in touch with support from both programs and I'm currently told that the issue is on Xara's end so perhaps once DP11 is out the Xara Developers will have time to work on it.
Utilities>>options>effects and plugins
Attachment 108951
I have no experience with 'locked' effects. It was when I went to lock it that I found it was already locked. ( see the status line )
I've just run through it again and in case I am missing something, attach the image that came back from Filter Forge with no further input from me.
All in all an interesting exercise.
David
Attachment 108952
Peachy!
Bob.
frightful I do not see the lock in your image. I found by hard experience that if I forget to lock the effect then my XP&GD application always quits responding if attempting further operations on the image.
The image below shows the effect is not locked in XP&GD. Pressing the lock makes is subtly appear to be pressed in. This is not necessary if using Photoshop for instance because Filter Forge was written for applications like Photoshop. There seems to be some kind of information that FF looks for that it cannot find with XP&GD even though FF does work, one just has to take an extra step.
Attachment 108970
Peachy ? yes, part of one of my large oil paintings.
As I said, I don't have any experience of locking etc and am willing to learn. All I know is that I loaded the jpg and did nothing to it in Xara except to send it to Filter Forge and when it came back to Xara the status was shown as locked.
The locked notice is shown at the bottom left of the image I posted.
Neither programme crashed or complained.
David
That's odd David, I just tried it a couple times and it wasn't locked until I pressed the lock button. I have never had it automatically lock, and if I forget to I press the lock button I am in for trouble. From the sounds of it Frances has not had it auto lock either.
Referring to Zaphodeist's post (#9) Go to Options (Shift+Ctrl+O) and make sure the "New effects are locked by default" box is checked.Quote:
Originally Posted by frightful
*Peachy - a term denoting one's approval. :-bd
Bob.
Thanks for the input folks. Looks like it's been answered... in fact everything is now ... dare I say it... Peachy !
David
Bought FF last night on sale at 80% off (still on sale for one day at 75% off). Got the standard version, should have bought the pro version.Quote:
Originally Posted by wizard509
Just tried the lock and the button does not change to a "lock." It simply highlights the button. Is this what you get?
I first clicked on it a couple of times because I didn't see the lock. Xara crashed. Next time, I only clicked once, and it highlighted the unlock button, and thus worked.
Thanks,
John
The lock icon doe's not change to a closed lock, what it does is give the appearence of a botton pressed in.
If it would help when I get to my computer I will post an image of what it looks like pressed(locked).
I too purchased Filter Forge when the discounted price was in effect, I also purchased the library backup and the librarian to compliment filter forge. So far I have not heard a peep from them about the library files. I emailed support, sent 2 messages via their contact page, even tried contacting one of the moderators on their forum. So far they have not responded to my attempts at contact nor have I received a download link for the library files. I am not very happy with Filter Forge Inc., I would advise a word of caution if you plan on dealing with them.
I have had very good luck dealing with them. I don't know anything about the library backuo or librarian I didn't do those. Didn't even know about them. At first I bought v3 standard but soon realized my mistake and upgraded to pro then when v4 came out I bought that. Other than the program having some issues with Xara, I am a satisfied customer.
The library and librarian mentioned by Mike are in the email received after purchasing FF, trying to sell you more stuff.
Filter Library Backup is a collection of all the 10,000+ filters from our online filter library in a single ZIP file (29.95 USD)
Filter Forge Librarian is an auxiliary program that allows you to view the filters inside the Filter Library Backup and select specific filters to be installed into Filter Forge. Note that Librarian won't work if you haven't purchased a Library Backup (39.95 USD).
Here is what FF has to say about these:
There are 11125 filters available in the online filter library. Though you can freely download them from the website, we also offer an archive of all library filters at a specific date in a single file – a convenient way to load all filters at once into your copy of Filter Forge.
Filter Library Backup without Librarian
If you choose to get a Filter Library Backup without Librarian you will receive a ZIP archive of all library filters. You will need to unpack it and copy its contents to the folder that stores filters on your computer. This option doesn't allow you to select specific filters for import, so you will end up with over 10,000 filters loaded into your Filter Forge. Since there are no caches in the ZIP archive, Filter Forge may take a bit longer to start while processing the newly-added filters.
Filter Library Backup with Librarian (Windows) Recommended option
The recommended option is a package containing Filter Library Backup with Librarian – an interactive filter browser that simplifies import of filters into Filter Forge. It allows you to preview filters and select specific filters to be installed into Filter Forge. Librarian will automate filter installation (you won't need to copy any files manually); it also generates filter caches for Filter Forge. Librarian is a standalone program that is installed separately and doesn't run simultaneously with Filter Forge.
I did'nt have any problem getting Filter Forge, I downloaded the trial and Digital River supplied me with the license key on the invoice. When I purchase the library backup and the librarian, The invoice from Digital River said,
"The publisher will deliver the product within 48 hours. Please contact Filter Forge Inc. directly with any questions about the delivery of your order" That was 10 days ago, I'm still waiting to hear from them.
Hi Mike,
My answer was for Wizard509 mainly.
Did you try complaining to DR? Maybe they didn't make the purchase connection with FF.
Yes, so was mine. :)Quote:
My answer was for Wizard509 mainly.
I've turned the matter over to PayPal. They can deal with it more effectively than I can.Quote:
Did you try complaining to DR? Maybe they didn't make the purchase connection with FF.
Well maybe I did see that but I prefer to look around and just download only the ones I want.
You might need to be patient FF is a small company not unlike Xara they are also in the midst of two major things one being a new version and the second being a complete re write for a 64bit version which they say may be ready soon. I don't use the backup/Libraian because I have my own system of storing frequently used filters on my hard drive and setting up FF to find that folder. Also it may be worth waiting if you are planning on upgrading to FF5 when it comes out of beta as you will need to upgrade the backup and Librarian inorder for it work with V5
I will pass this on to a contact at FF and see if I can get them to post in this thread
Am I supposed to feel sorry for them? They have my money and I have nothing.Quote:
You might need to be patient FF is a small company not unlike Xara they are also in the midst of two major things one being a new version and the second being a complete re write for a 64bit version which they say may be ready soon.
Good things come to those who wait :) I've got an answer for you Mike check your PMs :) It seems that the folks at filter Forge have been trying to get your files to you but your e-mail provider is blocking them. They are actually a good company and usually provide very good support.
So with this renewed interest in Filter Forge I'm going to put together a collection of filters that I've either designed or modified to work with Xara and the collection will include a Xara selection snippet and a couple of small tutorials on how to use the snippet, and how to manually install the filters.
I don't think I had much choice. Its very strange that they could not contact me. Thanks for the help.Quote:
Good things come to those who wait :)