6 different versions available of my 10 color stripes or images filter

Ok, so I expected a lot of these responses. I typically take apart what people do and backtrack on logic to see what’s going on and why it was done that way. I don’t always nail people’s thoughts, but with a good chance I do.

So let’s get to the points.

1. I personally didn’t see this being a giant issue. I think you’ve done your part organizing your filter to a pretty decent degree. This is totally something of your choosing. But remember, you’re making “a filter” not a full-on program. When you look at Photoshop’s filters, there aren’t huge numbers of menus and otherwise, they’re relatively simple. Then again, the freedom of FilterForge lets you do all sorts of creative fun.

The thing you might wanna figure out is having global vs local control. In a lot of filters I create, I have a lot of global controls instead of really specific local controls. In the end having 10 images to load each with 2 local controls results in 30 controls already (image slot + controls for X and Y). So there’s something you need to sacrifice as a choice to do. But don’t take it too hard, this is difficult to control when you want local controls to begin with.

2. Right, simpler and friendlier. The problem I see already is that you’ve got a bunch of versions of your filter that do similar things. Vertical, Horizontal, Kaleidoscope… etc. The thing to note is that what if I just want to creatively experiment between all those versions? Do I seriously have to redo all that boring manual work again just to get what I want? Must I load my 10 images again in a separate filter that does almost the same thing? What if I want the values of something to be similar? … couldn’t this be one?

3. Your 10 images filter isn’t a jack of all trades filter. A jack of all trades filter is a filter that attempts to recreate Photoshop in FilterForge. Your filter’s got a straight forward goal: mix up 10 images creatively. The number of controls doesn’t dictate whether if this is a “Master Filter” it’s the content and the idea of it. I mean, it is a bit edging on it, but it doesn’t mean it actually is one. The issues with your filter are basic: 1. loads of controls 2. getting hard to organize it in a single filter 3. you want more options.

4. Maybe I should have emphasized this point about presets: as much as presets should show functionality of the filter, it shouldn’t entirely become the manual of the filter. If you need to fill 20 slots, do so, but as far as I’ve realized you never ever need to fill 20 slots if you properly construct a filter.

Let the user do their own exploration. You shouldn’t need to guide them all the time. Users aren’t kids unless they really are kids (lol).

5 & 6 : Same thing as 1. The debate about having tons of controls or not. Local or Global… etc. Just to let you know, I worked with FilterForge’s limitations all this time. I do want those features you’re talking about, but as far as it goes, I don’t find it a problem unless you use FilterForge in some manner where you need it.

7. Same thing as 2.

8. Here’s what the user is probably thinking: Oh wow, this filter looks really cool based on the images I see. I’m going to hit download and not care about the description. Wow! All these settings! I’m gonna experiment and find out what they do! …. and so… they never EVER read the description of a filter. No matter how much you say or write, they won’t read it unless you’re required by state law, and that the penalties include death for not reading. I swear, you might as well design your filter so you never have to be overly descriptive about it.

9. Let’s make it better! I’m putting version here myself that’ll totally help. It’ll lack what your filter does, but I’m just going by design!

So alright... it's a bit long, but here's some response.

[Edit] Clarification

I also feel like part of the trouble you're facing is stemming from how you built the original filter. I think the way you constructed it, from the very beginning, is making you split the filter into smaller, manageable chunks.

A lot of your filter creations are still quite linear. Your building methods aren't dynamic resulting in filters that run you into corners which you have to figure a way out somehow. Typically, "the way out" gets messy, kinda like this situation.

So probably by the next tutorial thingy I'm starting on, you'd probably see what I mean by it all. I don't mean any offense at all, but mind if I use this case as a way of explaining part of the issue? Much respect. If you prefer not, I could just make an example case.