www.filterforge.com - Bugs and Problems (Windows)

Both 3 & 4 Refusing To Connect to Internet!

Space Octopus — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:49:01 -0400

Space Octopus, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 06:27:42 -0400
:evil: This is absolutely driving me nuts. I have never had issues with connectivity problems before and now neither version will connect by any method. It won't connect to check for updates, it won't let me open a filter from the browser, it won't access the so-called "obsolete" (which I find silly, since I think it's extremely necessary to have) filter library, or anything. I've tried changing the connection settings, and yes I have allowed it completely through my firewall. There is literally nothing that should be stopping it and nothing has changed within the last time I was able to connect and now. What gives?

Space Octopus, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 06:40:14 -0400
Problem suddenly seems fixed randomly. It's been doing it for about an hour...and now I'm able to load filters from the site again. Who knows though, it could start happening again. Anyways.....consider the matter closed I guess.

Space Octopus, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 06:50:26 -0400
Scratch that again...I suppose I must have already had the filter I was trying to load. It still refuses to connect. :(

CFandM, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:38:13 -0400
Well yesterday I was downloading filters and today I get the same thing that you do.I have not changed anything since yesterday..I can read the fourm while I wait for a filter to download so I know that I am connected to the internet.. ;) ...
So you are not alone which leads me to think that it is just the library having issues...

Biomechanic, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:08:30 -0400
This is my first post on this forum for quite a while... It's a shame it's a negative one of sorts.

I cannot access filters from the online repository, I get

'Cannot connect to server, make sure you are connected to the internet'

Or words of that nature

J

Biomechanic, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:12:32 -0400
Actually it's just occurred to me... don't 'they' do routine server maintenance on a Sunday... It rings a bell

J

ddaydreams, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:18:58 -0400
About 10 hours ago I could not connect to server also.
It would be nice if FF would display a Message than mentions the Maintenance and how long it will be out of service. Rather than just displaying a connecting to server message that never connects.

Space Octopus, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:42:11 -0400
Yeah, still having the issues. It's been over a day and a half now.... It's so damn frustrating! I really wish they would make it so you can just download the filters and open them. It doesn't make sense to have it set up the way it is (or even better, for it just to come with all the filters in it and have it update with new ones or something) and then we could choose our favorites like we already can. I just really, really hate the methods for getting the filters. It's either using the not-obsolete-at-all-in-fact-rather-vital-filter-library and having it be super, super, super slow downloading them all, but being happy because you don't have to go back and forth between the browser and FF for about 10x longer because of the ridiculous pain in the ass it causes and it makes you do a LOT more work for something simple to get otherwise.

I think a great solution would just be to yeah, have the "open with filter forge" thing, but to also have a link for downloading the file so you can open it when FF decides to be ridiculous and not connect and have the audacity to ask you if you're connected to the internet lol.....
Oh and apparently I can't download a single new filter, at all...it just will not connect. I get an error every time. I even tried re-installing and a couple other things to no avail. I don't know, I guess it's just when software costs this much, it's expected that problems that arise such as these should be fixed rather quickly.

By the way, thanks for reassuring me that the problem was not mine alone :)

Space Octopus, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:46:26 -0400
I could not agree more! Some sort of notice on the site somewhere or at least a scheduled time they do it, would be much better and appreciated. Although for it to be down this long is just silly to me. A message that also tells me why it's not connecting might go a long way to make me not irritated! lol That little message is the bane of my existence! Of course I'm connected! :P

Biomechanic, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:49:45 -0400
Yeah, it's absolutely ridiculous to be honest... especially if you've just purchased the software and you cannot download filters.

They need to get it sorted... sharpish

J

SpaceRay, Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:14:17 -0400
I have tried it now and still does not works and as it is sunday, there will be no solution until tomorrow monday.

I do not think that the system of the online filter library is bad and from my point of view I think is right WHEN THE SERVER works right and they ALLOW downloading of the filters, because there has been many times that the connection between Filter Forge and the filter library is lost and can´t connect, and you never know why, and if it is really because there is a problem with your own computer or is a problem from the online library, because surely is NOT that you do not have internet IF you can connect very well to the FF website to click on the filter button to download it ;) :D as is suggested by the FF software.

Quote
ddaydreams It would be nice if FF would display a Message than mentions the Maintenance and how long it will be out of service. Rather than just displaying a connecting to server message that never connects

YES, I agree with this and it would be very good to know it, although the how long would it be could be known or perhaps could be not, although even then, could be good to have any kind of news when it is down for maintenance or any other reason.

GMM, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:09:34 -0400
We are sorry for the inconvenience: the library server hung up, and the hosting provider didn't react in time. We're looking into in to prevent such issues in the future.

SpaceRay, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:13:47 -0400
Thanks GMM now it works and you can again download filters, I have just tried it now.

Quote
GMM the library server hung up, and the hosting provider didn't react in time.

This is bad if this happens in the weekend as until monday is not know that the server is down and not working and of course the FF team can´t be always be checking if it is still working or not, perhaps there could be someone else that could get a notification of the server state and if something goes wrong so could contact the hosting provider or someone that could fix it.

Sorry that I really have just a very narrow idea how this works, so I may be wrong

GMM, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:25:24 -0400

Quote
so could contact the hosting provider or someone

We did, but the provider was... somewhat slow to react to our request.

Biomechanic, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:08:21 -0400

Quote
We did, but the provider was... somewhat slow to react to our request.

That's fair enough really, I suppose it's out of FF's hands if they notify the hosting company who are then slow to react...

J

Space Octopus, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:40:53 -0400
Bummer. Well I'm glad it works now. The problem was just that I couldn't get any filters unless they were posted as a download, otherwise it just hanged when loading one from the website, and would hang when opening the library.

Oh and don't get me wrong, I like the ability to get filters from the website, it's nice and has the "popular" categories, comments and whatever else, but I don't think it's right to say the built-in library is obsolete, by any means. Without it, I'd go bonkers. Personally, I like to just get them all at once so I can actually try them out, which is just something I can't do through a browser....I'd grow a beard by the time I was done (and I'm a chick) lol.

One thing I think HAS to be implemented (unless there's something in place I'm completely unaware of) is a back-up of already downloaded filter libraries that you can just load all at once into FF. I had to restore my laptop several times this year and every time I'd have to re-install FF, I'd have to go get filters all over again. Then I got a new computer and the process started again, and once again after that, trying the beta for v4. I did try the method of copying all the filter libraries from 3 on my computer into the same folder for 4, but then FF wouldn't even work, and I had to re-install. Is there a better way that I'm not aware of? :?:

SpaceRay, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:22:55 -0400

Quote
Space Octopus One thing I think HAS to be implemented (unless there's something in place I'm completely unaware of) is a back-up of already downloaded filter libraries that you can just load all at once into FF.

This has been already available since long time ago, although is not free as it is from the website.

Why the Filter Library Backup is not directly available for sale?

Space Octopus, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:33:09 -0400
Well then I think that's kind of unacceptable.
Though what I'm talking about is less of a backup of the entire filter forge library, and more a program/feature added to back-up the ones I have downloaded already or saved to favorites. It's more than just a nuisance to have to do everything all over again, every single time I have to do something to my computer. I don't think it would be that hard for them to do, especially since if they just want to keep people from sharing the information or taking it apart, they could encrypt it in a special format or something that the program can open itself with an encryption key.
I don't know, I guess it just doesn't seem like all that much to ask....

GMM, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:49:01 -0400
You can backup the Filter Forge data folder (%APPDATA%\Filter Forge 3\ on Windows or ~/Library/Application Support/Filter Forge 3/ on Mac OS) to a removable drive — you'll be able to restore all your filters and settings if needed.

"Please make sure you are connected to the internet" error message

SpaceRay — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:42:26 -0400

SpaceRay, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:42:26 -0400
When you go to the Filter Forge website for filters and try to download a filter and for some reason you get the "unable to connect to the server. Please make sure you are connected to the internet"

I agree with the "unable to connect to the server" with is true and right, and is a valid error message

But I think that the "Please make sure you are connected to the internet" is misleading and wrong, as obviously you ARE already connected to the internet because it would be impossible to reach the FF filter website page if you were not connected to the internet, so the problem really is not that you must check if you are connected to the internet, it may be other reasons that this happens and FF is unable to connect with the server but surely not because there is no internet connection.

To avoid confusion, frustation and problems for FF users I think and suggest it would be perhaps good to change this message to another thing removing the "Please make sure you are connected to the internet" part or put it in another way.

Reasons why FF software can´t connect to the filter forge server to download filters

* Your Security software (mainly the firewall) may be blocking the FF software and so the request to download the filter can´t be done and contact the server

* Server is under maintenance and will be ready as soon as it finishes

* Server is down, broken, hung-up or whatever and does not work for any reason

* Possible problem with the structure of the filter library in the server getting corrupted in some way and so you can´t download a filter

These are the reasons I know from my experience in this years in the forum, please if there is something wrong with this, correct it. Thanks.

unable to connect to the server...?

rednicolas — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:29:13 -0400

rednicolas, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 05:51:48 -0400
Do not place them from the site for a trial, says: "unable to connect to the server. Please make sure you are connected to the internet". Although indicated that the trial version is fully functional. Why is that?

GMM, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 05:55:55 -0400
Everything works on our side. Please try again of check your Internet connection settings.

rednicolas, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:04:27 -0400
I managed to download only one filter. Then when trying to download more filters you receive an error connection.

SpaceRay, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:17:09 -0400
It did not work on the weekend but I have just now tried it myself and it works right for me, sometimes there are some glitches in the way, you can try again to download the filter and see if it works.

rednicolas, Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:29:13 -0400
For some reason I do not work. Mozhnoli skacht files differently and manually add them to the library? I need the following filters:

http://www.filterforge.com/filters/7227.html
http://www.filterforge.com/filters/5071.html
http://www.filterforge.com/filters/609.html

How can I install it on another?

If anyone has these filters red-nitsolas@mail.ru throw the mail, or tell me where to download.

Alpha Channel is blank

johvan — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:03:27 -0400

johvan, Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:19:08 -0400
Hello,

I'm having a problem with filter forge and chances are I'm doing something wrong, since I tried searching for other threads with similar problem as mine and didn't find any. So probably it's just me missing something.

Basically my alpha channel is blank, I've tried many different filters and even though they render an alpha channel in the TGA or PNG, if I view the alpha it's all white. I've tried many filters and none have proper, for example the filter called "Speedlines" is meant to have alpha but when I render it I get the speed lines on top of the buoy ring without being able to separate them. Any filter that I've tried does the same, and I repeat I do export the alpha, it's just it's blank.

Hope I'll get some help because I really like filterforge but not if I have to use the filters on top of a buoy ring. Thank you in advance.

CFandM, Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:21:43 -0400
On the filters that are meant to have an alpha (not all) you can select fr om the "File" menu "New Image" this will bring up the new image dialog box.....Click on the background color and the color picker will pop up....
Now go to the sliders on the right and put the slider marked "A" all the way to zero...This is the place wh ere you would choose the color of the background and the background transparency as well...
I have put the steps and dialogs below.. :)

johvan, Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:11:55 -0400
Ahhh it worked!!! Excellent!! Thank you for the great and fast reply! Much appreciated!

CFandM, Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:03:27 -0400
Good to hear and welcome to the fun johvan.. :)

Submission Error

marwyn — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:20:05 -0400

marwyn, Wed, 05 Jun 2013 05:30:34 -0400
Hy! I have a Submission Error...
Please check it out above if you have time...

Djekki, Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:43:37 -0400
Wat version of Filter Forge do you use?

marwyn, Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:46:11 -0400
Filter Forge 3

Djekki, Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:21:19 -0400

You need to do the following to submit this filter normally:

1. Find all Polygon components in your filter.
2. Then find all the IntSlider Controls connected to the Sides control input there.
3. Change the Max Value to 98 everywhere (in every IntSlider control connected to the Sides input of the Polygon component) and you'll be able to submit your filter without an error.

The thing is the bug (I'd call it like this) is somehow fixed in the 4.0 version: there you'd have a warning message to change the interval of the Value (Max interval is 93).

marwyn, Wed, 05 Jun 2013 10:04:30 -0400
It worked! THX! :)

Djekki, Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:23:32 -0400
marwyn, our developers've already fixed this bug: now you can submit the initial version of the filter if you want. This type of bug should not occur again.

ThreeDee, Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:45:28 -0400
Submission problem

Is there still a problem with Int Slider > 20 on submission with FF 4.004? I can't submit a filter that has one. (Can't attach it here either as it is over 512kB.)

Djekki, Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:04:01 -0400
ThreeDee, where is the IntSlider connected (component and input)?

And please, send a screenshot of the filter or a link to download your filter (from the Dropbox or Google Drive or smth).

SpaceRay, Tue, 11 Jun 2013 06:15:48 -0400

Quote
Djekki or a link to download your filter

ThreeDee have already uploaded the filter in this thread here

Look for the post where it puts Arial TD Font and there are two filters.

I think that it would be better to upload it to the library also separate in lower and upper case and not as all together in one filter, but this is just my personal and own opinion

GMM, Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:28:05 -0400
ThreeDee, does your filter have 52 presets? This is over our maximum limit of 20 presets. The issue with IntSlider > 20 must have been fixed in 4.002.

ThreeDee, Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:39:39 -0400
Here's a screenshot of the filter. I have the IntSlider connected to two Map Scripts with 27 as the max value.

For the submitted version I removed extra presets, so that there were 20 of them. Submission fails at the last step.

I sent Djekki a link to the file on Google Drive.

GMM, Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:50:18 -0400
Your filter is almost 700 KB, and at the moment we have a 512 KB limit on the filter size :)
Will now check if this limit is something easy to change.

GMM, Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:36:48 -0400
We've increased the ffxml size limit to 1024 KB. You should be able to submit it now, and please don't create filters larger than 1 MB :)

ThreeDee, Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:20:05 -0400
Ok, great. Worked this time. So the Arial font snippet is the largest filter ever submitted, eh? With grouping in FF4, you can expect to raise that limit even higher... :D

FF Did NOT honor 30 trial period - and expired early!!!

Bill Roach — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:41:29 -0400

Bill Roach, Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:55:07 -0400
My Filter Forge trial version just expired on me when I had 19 days left - and it will not let me reinstall it - even when I use REVO uninstall to get rid of the corrupted version!!! BUMMER - I CAN'T MAKE A FILTER NOW!

SpaceRay, Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:40:45 -0400
this has happened already many times before to others and there are many threads with this, perhaps you should contact the customer support.

GMM, Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:25:32 -0400
Bill Roach, have you changed the system time recently (put the clock back)?

Bill Roach, Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:39:50 -0400
Yes GMM

GMM, Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:41:29 -0400
Then this is intended behavior. Tampering with the system clock will expire the trial version immediately.

license key not working

uglyboys — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:49:36 -0400

uglyboys, Tue, 28 May 2013 08:56:44 -0400
i won license for FF3 by 3 fetured filters.
TIll now it was working fine.
Today itsel i updated it to 19 1pril 2013 release cause i was not able to download filters from website.

But it is not taking the key now. It says invalid key.

My user name is uglyboys

GMM, Tue, 28 May 2013 10:57:36 -0400
Your screenshot shows you're using a version for Win8. Please make sure your key is compatible with this version.

thoughtstorms_com, Fri, 07 Jun 2013 02:05:09 -0400
i get the same results, but i'm Win7 all the way.

Djekki, Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:00:07 -0400
thoughtstorms_com, download Filter Forge here and install it (you can install it without removing your previous version).

Then insert your license key and name.

It should work fine.

Kipp, Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:51:08 -0400
Same problem here. But the fix that Djekki suggested does not work. :?:

Still says "Invalid Key".

Djekki, Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:58:20 -0400

Quote
Same problem here. But the fix that Djekki suggested does not work. Still says "Invalid Key".

Kipp, what OS and version of Filter Forge do you use? Do you use trial version of Filter Forge or a licensed one?

GMM, Wed, 12 Jun 2013 08:49:36 -0400
You don't want to disclose your license name and key on the public forums, do you? Please direct all license-related questions to the support team.

FF3 not recognizing aspect ratio

TBH-1138 — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:41:34 -0400

TBH-1138, Mon, 03 Jun 2013 22:39:05 -0400
The input image is 4096x2048, giving it an aspect ratio of 2:1. Why can't FF recognize this?

Djekki, Tue, 04 Jun 2013 07:48:54 -0400
TBH-1138, please let me know the version of your Filter Forge (and how did you used it: as a plugin or as a standalone program) and what filter you tried to apply? It is also important if you had made any selection on the image before you tried to render it in Filter Forge.

TBH-1138, Wed, 05 Jun 2013 22:20:06 -0400
I'm using 3.014, this happens in standalone and the plugin, this is either my Image-based Shear filter or Indigo Ray's Local Vortices, and there was no selection.

Djekki, Thu, 06 Jun 2013 04:41:34 -0400
TBH-1138, you've found a bug: Filter Forge shouldn't behave like this. In the future version this bug'll be fixed.

But until the future version is released you can use this workaround:
1. Right-click the preview image.
2. Select Preview Size option in the pop-up menu.
3. Then select Actual.

Now your image should be saved normally.

Program Won't Open

hlee — Thu, 30 May 2013 06:26:45 -0400

hlee, Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:11:53 -0500
I've had the trial version for a few weeks. About 5 or 6 days into the trial, I tried downloading/using the 4.0 beta version. It didn't want to open. I get this message>> Filter Forge has encountered a problem and needs to close. Since then, I have since then uninstalled, completely deleted everything, & started from scratch,again, but nothing has worked.

Grange, Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:27:51 -0400
you're lucky, I get nothing at all, no message, no program in standalone or paintshop

profundities, Tue, 28 May 2013 06:33:44 -0400
The newest beta doesn't open for me either. All of other 4.0 beta versions opened just fine. Anyone from FF have any suggestions for us? It is fairly troubling since I actually have already purchased 4.0 and my business depends on it working.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I've reinstalled it 4 times. It shows up as running in my task manager, just simply never opens for me. I've even let it sit there for over an hour before ending the process. I hope this info helps solve the problem three of us are now facing.

GMM, Tue, 28 May 2013 06:53:04 -0400
profundities, it seems a security software prevents Filter Forge from running on your PC.

profundities, Tue, 28 May 2013 19:42:39 -0400
@ GMM

I'd already added the new beta to my firewall rules, but I did it again and that did not help.

Any other suggestions?

GMM, Thu, 30 May 2013 06:26:45 -0400
profundities, please go to your %temp% folder, locate the "Filter Forge x86.log" file and post its content here.

Latest Version??

Gill Brooks — Tue, 28 May 2013 16:09:48 -0400

Gill Brooks, Tue, 28 May 2013 16:08:06 -0400
Trying to download the Cloud Thought filter but I'm getting an error message that I need a newer version to download it.

So, downloaded the Win 8 compatible which I've been using but still getting the error downloading. Has this version been updated or only the non-compatible?

***confused***

:?:

Gill Brooks, Tue, 28 May 2013 16:09:48 -0400
Oh, never mind - I see now I need version 4. I'm not blonde for nothing ya know :D

FF 4 beta

Apophis — Mon, 27 May 2013 05:33:30 -0400

Apophis, Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:14 -0400
I get the following message on every exit:
Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe Application Error
The instruction at 0x00e64078 referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be read.
My OS is Windows 8 64 bit.

I've tried reinstalling, but I get the same error.

GMM, Mon, 27 May 2013 05:33:30 -0400
This is a known issue that won't be fixed before the commercial release.

Filter Forge 3 and PS CS6 extended 64 bit

jhantares — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:39:34 -0400

jhantares, Wed, 15 May 2013 09:09:34 -0400
If I try to use filter forge 3 with Photoshop CS6 extended 64 bit I get the following error message "<class XFW::ArgumentError> The handle 0024ACD0 is not a valid window handle."
Does anyone know what's wrong?

GMM, Wed, 15 May 2013 10:39:34 -0400
jhantares, are you on Windows 8?

Screen resolution and UI bug

CFandM — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:11:01 -0400

CFandM, Mon, 06 May 2013 14:11:01 -0400
I was messing with some screen sizes for some video tutorials and ran across this bug...It happens with both version 3 and 4.....It may have been reported as something else but unsure about that......
There is one setting it seems to happen in 1024x768 with the results of the main window in the editor and the settings/preview window disappearing....
I have made this UI BUG VIDEO for a better understanding of the issue..... :|

unable to open exr from mudbox

ronviers — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:06:26 -0400

ronviers, Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:15:51 -0400
if i try to open this file:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8IsVs...sp=sharing
i get this error:

The file was created using an ambient occlusion map extration operation in mudbox v2014. If i do a displacement map extraction with the same settings ff is able to open the file.

This version of mudbox has just been released so it's possible that the problem lies with autodesk, but i am able to open the file using adobe bridge and ps cs5.

thanks:)

GMM, Wed, 01 May 2013 03:42:00 -0400
Ronviers, our tester isn't in the office these days so it may take a while to look into your issue. Meanwhile please try resaving this file in CS5 and then open it in FF.

ronviers, Wed, 01 May 2013 04:06:26 -0400
Tried your suggestion, ff will load the file if i do a 'save as' from cs5. Plus, i have a workaround using my compositor that works too, so no hurry about a fix.

thanks:)

Opening an Image

annie57 — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:13:25 -0400

annie57, Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:23:29 -0400
I recently purchased Filter Forge-Standard Edition, so I am new to the product.

I am using it with Photoshop CS6. So, to access Filter Forge, I have to open an image. My question is when I am in Filter Forge and want to use a texture, some the video tutorials that I am watching are asking me to open an image. When I go to File, New Image, it is grayed out. I am not understanding how you open an image and use a filter with it at the same time? In the video tutorials, it appears that Filter Forge is a stand alone application.

I would appreciate any help or suggestions anybody might have as I feel a bit confused.

Thanks

Skybase, Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:02:08 -0400
You're using FilterForge as a plugin, where if you have an image open in Photoshop, FilterForge will automatically load the image which is why the open menu is grayed out.

FilterForge used as a standalone program will let you open image files right within the program.

annie57, Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:13:25 -0400
Thank you. Still have so much to understand about this program.

Filter doesn't cover entire photograph

HangtownGal — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:51:10 -0400

HangtownGal, Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:04:09 -0400
I have a photograph that's 6 x 4.5 with a resolution of 240. I've tried to run the Watercolor Painting filter in both FF3 and FF4 and it covers a 6 x 4 area only. Before reducing the size of the photo I had the same problem - a strip along the bottom edge is still the original photo.

Any help will be appreciated,

Carole

Mardar, Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:10:47 -0400
Hi Carole,and welcome to the forum. :)

Which Watercolor filter are you using? Who is the maker? There are several watercolor filters on the site. We can try it out if we know which filter. Also are you using Filter Forge inside another program or as a stand alone? ;)

HangtownGal, Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:34:11 -0400
I'm using FF3 in Photoshop CS6. The filter is called Watercolor Painting by Kochubey. I just tried it again on a different photo and it worked just fine. So, I tried it again on the original photo and it worked this time. Didn't do anything different. Strange.

Thanks for trying to help. I appreciate it.

Mardar, Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:51:10 -0400
Great! Glad it is working now. Must have been one of those computer gremlins.LOL :D

QUOTE not working in forum when clicking in a post to copy the text

SpaceRay — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:34:15 -0400

SpaceRay, Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:49:49 -0400
Please, does anybody else have problems with the QUOTE when clicking on a post and nothing happens?

I mean it does not work, and does not copy the text to the answer writing the name of the original writer.

I have tried to use different browsers but always have the same error, I mean, I am unable to make it work.

If this is an error of the forum, could please someone from FF Inc. website maintenance be so kind and help to fix and repair it, would be great.

Now I have to copy and paste the text and add the QUOTE and write the name of author.

GMM, Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:28:22 -0400
We failed to reproduce this. Quotes work correctly for us :)

SpaceRay, Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:35:12 -0400
OK, Thanks for your answer, and so I can know that at least it works on your side.

Please, What browser have you tested it on ?

I will make some tests and then will tell you how you can probably reproduce this error.

In this moment writing this post I am using Google Chrome browser 14.0.835.202 m
and it tells me that this is the latest and newest version.

In Google Chrome the quotes does not work for me. Please could you be so kind to check if on your side quotes on chrome work ?

Thanks very much.

Carl, Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:32:33 -0400
Quotes don't work in IE 9 either ;)

Sphinx., Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:46:18 -0400
Quoting never worked properly in Chrome, it has been reported long ago (click me and me). My guess is that the code uses some non-conform old IE functionality (haven't checked though).

GMM, Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:31:38 -0400
You're right: quotes seem to be broken in Chrome (but they work in the compatibility mode in IE 9). We'll consider updating the forum engine.

SpaceRay, Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:46:51 -0400

Quote
Carl wrote: Quotes don't work in IE 9 either

Is true, In IE 9 does not work either in 32 bit version or 64 bit version.

And I have tried also in Opera browser 11.0 and also does NOT work

I still have to try on Firefox

So for now QUOTES DO NOT WORK IN:

Google Chrome 14
Internet Explorer 9
Opera 11

Quote
GMM wrote: You're right: quotes seem to be broken in Chrome (but they work in the compatibility mode in IE 9).

Well, I do not know how you have done it, but I have activated the compatibility mode in IE 9 and I am sorry to say that it continues the same NOT working, at least for me.

Please, could you explain how you have made it work and tell which IE 9 version are you using ?

I attached an image here of the version I have now

Quote
GMM wrote: We'll consider updating the forum engine.

Yes please, it would be a good thing that this could be fixed

Thanks very much

SpaceRay, Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:32:40 -0400
SELECT THE TEXT OF THE POST BEFORE CLICK ON "QUOTE" BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE POST AND QUOTES WILL WORK RIGHT

I have found a very interesting and curious thing, the Quotes do NOT work if you try to copy automatically ALL the text of the post as it happens on other forums, BUT it works well and right if you select a part (or whole) of the text of the post and then after click over quote in the bottom right, and it copies the selected text to the reply post.

I have tried it Internet Explorer 9 and Opera and IT WORKS this way.

So you can´t automatically click over "quote" but I think that I don´t mind and it´s not a problem to select the TEXT you want to quote BEFORE making click over "Quote" link.

So, I think that this is a very good solution that probably solves this problem.

GMM, Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:52:29 -0400

Quote
SpaceRay wrote: So you can´t automatically click over "quote" but I think that I don´t mind and it´s not a problem to select the TEXT you want to quote BEFORE making click over "Quote" link.

I always thought this is the intended way to use quotes :) Generally you want to quote something specific, not the whole post.

Carl, Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:38:45 -0400

Quote
GMM wrote: but they work in the compatibility mode in IE 9)

yeah that works for me now :)

SpaceRay, Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:00:11 -0500
Sorry to put this again and I thought that this was already solved

BUT Quotes still DO NOT WORK in Chrome 11 Browser :?:

Any idea why this is happening ? Anyone else with Chrome browser happens the same?

It works in Opera 11 and IE 9 with compatibility mode if you select the text before BUT not in Chrome browser either you select the text or not.

Quote
GMM wrote: I always thought this is the intended way to use quotes.

Well, I am and have been in many other forums and the most used way to use quotes is to click on the "quotes" icon or link and ALL the post is copied to the reply with the name, and you do not have to select anything.

Quote
GMM wrote: Generally you want to quote something specific, not the whole post.

YES, is true, and this is the best way to do it, because as you say, usually you want to quote something specific and NOT the whole post, BUT it seems that the software of some forums is configured that way and you can´t select a part, must click on the quote link and copy all, and then delete what is not needed.

So I agree that is much better to use the quote selecting the text BEFORE clicking on quotes link.

Sign Guy, Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:51:16 -0400
The quote feature no longer works for me either by clicking "Quote" or selecting text first and then clicking Quote. My browser is Firefox 11 which is currently the latest version.

Morgantao, Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:29:11 -0400
On my machine the Quote has never worked... I have IE9, FireFox and Chrome, all lates versions.
Instead, I just fake it :D

CorvusCroax, Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:43:53 -0400
Yes, I have the same problem. (I use chrome.)

SpaceRay, Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:54:17 -0400
SInce the last time that worked on some browser, then it broke again and since then, I always fake it and copy the name and after I write "wrote" and so it seems like it works for me but it does not, it is a FAKE quote :(

Morgantao, Fri, 20 Apr 2012 01:55:44 -0400
We sound like a bunch of married women ;)

SpaceRay, Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:49:30 -0500
Please, does the "Quote" button is working for anyone?

In some post above here one year ago, I wrote this

Quote
SELECT THE TEXT OF THE POST BEFORE CLICK ON "QUOTE" BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE POST AND QUOTES WILL WORK RIGHT I have found a very interesting and curious thing, the Quotes do NOT work if you try to copy automatically ALL the text of the post as it happens on other forums, BUT it works well and right if you select a part (or whole) of the text of the post and then after click over quote in the bottom right, and it copies the selected text to the reply post.

Quote

SELECT THE TEXT OF THE POST BEFORE CLICK ON "QUOTE" BOTTOM RIGHT OF THE POST AND QUOTES WILL WORK RIGHT

I have found a very interesting and curious thing, the Quotes do NOT work if you try to copy automatically ALL the text of the post as it happens on other forums, BUT it works well and right if you select a part (or whole) of the text of the post and then after click over quote in the bottom right, and it copies the selected text to the reply post.

Well I have tried this again many times in many browsers and it does not work and of course that clicking on the button without selecting the text does not work either. :(

so it does not work in any browser I tried (chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari, Opera)

Please, will it be ever be fixed or is not possible? :?:

Since many months ago I have to always copy and paste by hand all the text and name and configure the quotes myself

SpaceRay, Wed, 06 Mar 2013 03:14:09 -0500
Sorry to ask again, but I have tried it again to test some more and it does not work in any way, and I do not know if this is a problem of the forum software, or is because of windows 7, and perhaps works on windows 8, or if it works on MacOS, or another possible reason

Please, can´t this be fixed?

GMM, Wed, 06 Mar 2013 04:57:54 -0500
I'm afraid our CMS is, uhm, a bit outdated.
Though quotes should work in older browser versions like Firefox 3 or IE 7...

SpaceRay, Wed, 06 Mar 2013 05:13:25 -0500

Quote
GMM I'm afraid our CMS is, uhm, a bit outdated.

Thanks for answering GMM, so the problem is with the forum CMS, and the question is:

Would it very hard and very difficult to update it and so fix the quotes and they could work on recent and newer browsers?

SpaceRay, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 05:42:59 -0400
I know that you may be very busy with the Beta 2 and now continue working hard for Beta 3, but would be possible to know if there could be a fix for this forum quotes problem?

Thanks very much

Vladimir Golovin, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 05:52:00 -0400
We remember. Please don't bump.

SpaceRay, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:00:58 -0400

Quote
We remember. Please don't bump.

First, sorry for bumping this again

But, I agree that you may remember, but this does not mean that you may want to fix or not, or if you are going to do it, so to avoid to bump threads, it would be good to just put simply:

"we are working on it"

"we will fix it when we can"

"we will be working on it and see what we can do when we can"

or if you do not want or can´t fix it

"Sorry, that we can´t fix it"

"we can´t work on it in this moment, and will fix it later"

and so I would know that you already know it and know that you will sometime be able to fix it, and will be patiently wait until sometime this is fixed without bumping this again, because from the comments from GMM there is no proof that this is going to be done or fixed.

Vladimir Golovin, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:07:35 -0400

Quote
"we are working on it" "we will fix it when we can" "we will be working on it and see what we can do when we can"

SpaceRay, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:34:15 -0400
Thanks very much Vladimir, and sorry again, I will wait until you may be able to fix when is possible.

Submission error

voldemort — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:34:04 -0400

voldemort, Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:48:47 -0400
I will be replying with a copy of the filter in question that generates this error
I have looked carefully over the components and controls to see if there was any conflict I even reset presets that had values beyond 2 decimal points etc. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. I have several snippets I was hoping to upload but was hoping to resolve this first

voldemort, Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:49:29 -0400
here is the filter in question

voldemort, Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:59:37 -0400
This one is giving same error ????
Im at a loss folks

voldemort, Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:11:10 -0400
Might have fixed Progressive_snippet i missed a warning on one control thought i had checked them all I will look over the swirl one again

voldemort, Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:18:13 -0400
Interesting I made no changes to the swirl one but after 3 previous tries that didnt work it works now????

GMM, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:34:04 -0400
Voldemort, I assume everything works for you now?

Filter download problem

lgs — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:19:03 -0400

lgs, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:19:45 -0400
Have just recently installed FF3. With the program open, on the desktop, when I go to the filter library and attempt to download a filter (open filter command), I immediately get a non stop stream of http addresses running across the top, until Firefox crashes. ??? What's up with that?

SpaceRay, Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:19:03 -0400
Is curious, I have not seen or remember that this has happened before.

Have you tried to use any other different browsers apart from Firefox?

I mean Opera, Chrome, Safari, internet explorer....

Also what version of Firefox are you using?

I have put also this thread for suggestions for possible fixes in downloading filters problems

Before Posting an error downloading FF filters PLEASE see this thread

Duplicate Filter Comments (Forum Bug)

Indigo Ray — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:25:17 -0400

Indigo Ray, Sat, 16 Mar 2013 09:37:53 -0400
My most recent filter has two different comment threads.
#1
#2

If you examine the filter page, there are (0) filter comments, yet in link #1, Xirja and I both posted. If you click on "comments (0)", you instead see link #2.

GMM, Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:25:17 -0400
I'm afraid we can do little about it. I've closed the wrong topic.

Stuck Initializing

Carl — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:49:21 -0400

Carl, Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:26:21 -0400
Tried different filters and reduced size of image, waited over night [ gave it 11 hours still just initializing ] etc etc ....... it just gets stuck in initializing [ FF3 ] ..... obviously no bug report generated as I have to terminate manually .......I realize reinstalling is going to be the suggestion made, if I uninstall FF3 will I also be deleting all my filters? Have a Murial size print for a wall in a recording studio [ I have a small version of 5000 by 6800 but it's not big enough for the print size ] that I have a deadline for so please respond sooner rather than later.
And even though I'm trying to render a 12000 it stuck on any size / can FF not render 12000 and I broke FF3 in trying ..... help, help ... oh look a little tear

Carl, Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:44:06 -0400
thanks for skipping over my question GMM, I realize it would have taken you at least a minute to answer, customer service shines through yet again

GMM, Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:31:44 -0400
Of course it's better to whine on the forums than try to reach our customer support.

Carl, Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:49:21 -0400
I wouldn't need to "whine" if you'd just answered the question, instead of skipping over it or waiting a week for customer support to maybe answer, as there previous record has shown .... you still didn't answer the simple question which would have taken the same amount of words as your smartarse "whine answer", this is the "Bugs and Problems" section isn't?

Submission Error

Burt — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:22:37 -0400

Burt, Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:59:44 -0400
I am having the issue described here http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read...&TID=10846 when I try to submit. I have FF3.0 with the latest update. I checked and don't see any controls with warnings on them. I submitted a copy of the filter to support a few days ago but while I am waiting on a response thought I'd ask here. The filter is fairly large so rebuilding it is something I would like to avoid. I figured I'd ask here in case anyone has any suggestions of things to try before I hear back.

Also I have a much smaller filter I tried to upload twice today with the same error. The third time I tried it went successfully. I tried the big filter 4 times though and still no good.

GMM, Tue, 12 Mar 2013 06:27:42 -0400
Please attach the filter in question here.

Burt, Tue, 12 Mar 2013 08:51:51 -0400
Here you go. Thanks.

GMM, Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:34:46 -0400
Your IntSlider named Rock Angle has a gray note - similar to the issue in the other thread. Modify the IntSlider settings to remove the note, or wait until we release the 3.013 version.

Burt, Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:12:02 -0400
I am using 3.013 which is why I thought it was fixed - or so my program says.

Sorry about the gray note. I was looking for the little red warning and also checked each control - but the error was on the remapped settings. Trying to upload now. Thanks.

Burt, Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:25:20 -0400
Skip it. Found the error. Uploading it now.

GMM, Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:02:33 -0400
Sorry, I meant 3.014 which is to be released soon.

Burt, Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:22:37 -0400
Thank you the upload was successful.

Too Many Bug Reports

Colorblast — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:16:09 -0500

Colorblast, Sat, 05 Jan 2013 19:54:58 -0500
I have never come across so many bug reports in my life as I am with this program. Every time I find a fantastic effect or frame and try to save it to my image, it just keeps generating bug reports. Love it. I've tried reinstalling the filter, restarting my PC, and nothing. Just the same Bl**dy bug reports. Does anyone else have this experience or is it just me?

Mojo3, Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:18:03 -0500
Hey Colorblast,

I am a new user of Filter Forge. I started using the version 4 standalone (beta)
and I actually find that version very stable, especially for a beta.

I have hunted bugs as a challenge to try to get the version 4 for free,
and I can tell you that I had a hard time finding any bug at all, even
easy stuff like spelling mistakes...

Hope that helps!

Cya

Skybase, Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:22:25 -0500
It kinda goes a bit crazy on me once in a while, but not too often that I just can't use it. I think FilterForge to begin with is a pretty complex piece of program so I can understand the difficulty of stamping out every problem. I guess I'm a bit forgiving of issues (most of them have been reported). So I mean, the instability's there and it's something this program will need to overcome as time goes on.

Regarding crashes and obnoxious bugs, as much as you should send them, you should try contacting support with details if it comes to a point where you're just incapable of producing anything. There may be solutions.

2ndAct, Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:24:20 -0500
I am new to Filter Forge as well and I am having the same problem. Very frustrating! Some filters I can render and others get 75% and up pops a bug report! Yikes!

Ozmandias, Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:03:52 -0500
I've had Filter Forge (version 3 - Basic Edtion) for about six weeks. It is very stable on my system, which is several years old... a Core2Duo E8500 with 4GB RAM and a Radeon 4970. I'm running WinXP on it and that particular computer is NOT connected to the internet at all. So there's no interference from antivirus programs running or other garbage related to being online.

On the other hand, this computer that I am currently typing on IS connected to the internet. It is a somewhat newer computer than my other one but has a bit lesser components (a Core2Duo E7500 a Radeon 4350) but more RAM (8GB) and is running 64-bit Vista Home. FF3 has crashed, generating bug reports, several times while downloading new filters on this computer. Since I don't use this computer for any other work besides internet-related stuff, I can't say whether or not FF3 is stable while rendering images.

I know this doesn't help much but hopefully you'll get it figured out because Filter Forge is nothing short of amazing.

(THANKS to all the folks that create the filters and make them available for us to use)

Vladimir Golovin, Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:39:12 -0500

Quote
Some filters I can render and others get 75% and up pops a bug report

2ndAct, that's definitely not normal. Are you submitting these reports?

Also, have you tried contacting support? Perhaps it's a well-known problem, e.g. an obscure anti-virus going crazy, or something like that?

Colorblast, Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:16:09 -0500
Looks like good news. After getting another rendering bug error, I downloaded the latest version and, presto, was able to save the same file-filter with no error. Looks like a mojor hurdle has been fixed with this latest evrsion. Many thnaks FF Team. Great work.

This is the main thread for discussing the 'bad allocation' exception

SpaceRay — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 22:30:10 -0500

SpaceRay, Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:36:36 -0500

Quote
Moderator's note: there are numerous threads about this issue on the forum. All official replies will be made in this thread only.

Hello,

I am getting frequently this error sometimes using the standalone FF 3.06 Pro version

<class XFW::Kernel::StdException> bad allocation

Quote
oniXMaster wrote: "bad allocation" means that you ran out of available memory. Please try the following: 1) ensure your paging file size isn't limited by a setting in Control Panel->System->Advanced->Settings(Performance)->Advanced->Change (ideally it should be System Managed and you should have enough space on disk, I recommend several tenths of gigabytes) 2) reduce the amount of memory Filter Forge uses for it's internal computations (go to Tools->Options...->Rendering and set the Maximum RAM usage slider to something like 60 instead of the default 75) Also please ensure that you have enough disk space for both paging file, you can check it in the same location as 1) ) and Filter Forge temporary files (available in the same location as 2) ). P.S. Test With 10000 x 5000 image sizes with properly set up paging file. The fact that other filters render fine makes me think that you're running out of disk space (there are two bitmap-based components in there, with such resolutions the temporary files alone might take from 3 to 6 gigabytes

Quote

oniXMaster wrote:

"bad allocation" means that you ran out of available memory.

Please try the following:

1) ensure your paging file size isn't limited by a setting in Control Panel->System->Advanced->Settings(Performance)->Advanced->Change (ideally it should be System Managed and you should have enough space on disk, I recommend several tenths of gigabytes)

2) reduce the amount of memory Filter Forge uses for it's internal computations (go to Tools->Options...->Rendering and set the Maximum RAM usage slider to something like 60 instead of the default 75)

Also please ensure that you have enough disk space for both paging file, you can check it in the same location as 1) ) and Filter Forge temporary files (available in the same location as 2) ).

P.S. Test With 10000 x 5000 image sizes with properly set up paging file. The fact that other filters render fine makes me think that you're running out of disk space (there are two bitmap-based components in there, with such resolutions the temporary files alone might take from 3 to 6 gigabytes

It is NOT possible that the out of memory error could be from not enough RAM because I have 16 GB so is not this

What I find very interesting and surprising that is NOT only RAM needed, is ALSO hard disk storage size for Filter Forge temporary files !!!! :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

So, the problem could be NOT from FF alone, and would be because I have it bad configured in the paging file size ? :?: :?:

Is this why there are many problems on SOME COMPUTER to render high resolutions because probably what is wrong is that there is NOT ENOUGH STORAGE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR FF TEMPORAL FILES ?? :?: :?:

SpaceRay, Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:48:09 -0500

Quote
oniXMaster wrote: 1) ensure your paging file size isn't limited by a setting in Control Panel->System->Advanced->Settings(Performance)->Advanced->Change (ideally it should be System Managed and you should have enough space on disk, I recommend several tenths of gigabytes)

For point 1 my own information is as follows

On C: I do not have any paging file because is a SSD drive, I have configured and transfered the system paging file to the E: drive where it puts that recommended is 24451 MB (24 GB) and there is configured 32602 MB (36 GB)

In this E: drive there is 75 GB space free.

In the C: drive where the Filter Forge software is installed and where it is supossed that the temporal files need to be stored have 27 GB free.

Quote
oniXMaster wrote: 2) reduce the amount of memory Filter Forge uses for it's internal computations (go to Tools->Options...->Rendering and set the Maximum RAM usage slider to something like 60 instead of the default 75)

Well, I had already by default 60 in the MAX ram usage slider so I do not need to change it, unless I need to reduce it even more.

I do not understand why reducing the FF maximum ram usage will help, when the problem is that there is NOT ENOUGH RAM and so reducing it will give LESS RAM and not more

Quote
oniXMaster wrote: Also please ensure that you have enough disk space for both paging file, you can check it in the same location as 1) ) and Filter Forge temporary files (available in the same location as 2) ).

There is 32 GB paging file and 75 GB free in this drive, and in the C: filter forge temporay files there is 27 GB free.

Here below I put a screen shot of the Virtual Memory found in Control Panel->System->Advanced->Settings(Performance)->Advanced->Change

SpaceRay, Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:08:17 -0500
Could I be having this lots of errors in FF because I do not have the paging file in the original default C: drive ?

Morgantao, Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:28:49 -0500
That's not supposed to matter...

SpaceRay, Wed, 21 Mar 2012 02:22:13 -0400
I have found that this ONLY happens in the standalone version !!

I have got this error many times and with just a 2500x2500 photo :evil: :cry:

USING FILTER FORGE AS A PLUGIN OF PHOTOSHOP CS5 SOLVES THE PROBLEM !!! :)

BUT then I have used the SAME photo with Filter Forge as a plugin inside Photoshop and using the same filter and same settings, AND DO NOT GET ANYMORE this error , So I am happy that at least I know that to fix this undesired and unwanted error I just need to use Filter Forge as plugin and this SOLVES the problem. :)

SpaceRay, Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:44:39 -0400
I have asked for more information from the FF team but there has not been any answer until now :(

Avalanche Studios, Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:41:38 -0400
Hi Guys

We have the same problem and we have both memory and diskspace on our highend pcs.

And it has todo with plugin mode as well as standalone when it comes to larger formats and for some reason only when a blur node has been used. If I remove the blur nodes I can do 65k textures with no errors.

We are trying to 16k x 16k textures and it crashes with this error even in plugin mode (if I use blur nodes).

Any ideas ?

- Avalanche Studios

Morgantao, Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:26:04 -0400

Quote
If I remove the blur nodes I can do 65k textures with no errors.

OMG, I hope you are right and this only happens because of a bug in the blur component. That would help the dev team take care of it once and for all! :)

Avalanche Studios, Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:07:59 -0400
Yes to my understanding the problem sits in the blur node.
I have tested several blur combos but a single nodes still breaks the render.

If the allocation is the problem i recommend that you first allocate and do a horizontal blur then the same with vertical blur. Doing that the memory footprint will be far less.

Also this is only a problem when you have large input image, 16384x16384 is what I try with.

(fun fact: photoshop cs5.5 cannot save psd files larger than 2gb)

Morgantao, Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:57:03 -0400
I think you should write the support team of your findings about the blur node, just in case they missed this thread.

Quote
fun fact: photoshop cs5.5 cannot save psd files larger than 2gb

That's why since CS2 they have PSB files, which are supposed to be able to go beyond 2GB (B in PSB stands for big).

Avalanche Studios, Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:00:40 -0400
I have emailed both contact and support but got no response beyond automated answers, I you any other channel in feel free to relay the information.

We are quite desperate to get a solution =P, The product clearly states that it can do renders up to 65k so we bought it and .. yeah well =P

Sharandra, Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:09:07 -0400
Wow if that is really the source of that bug and it enables them to finally get rid of it, I think you deserve lots of bug points for finding it :D

GMM, Wed, 19 Sep 2012 07:54:35 -0400

Quote
only when a blur node has been used. If I remove the blur nodes I can do 65k textures with no errors.

Avalanche Studios, this is very very interesting. Could you please post a filter that crashes with the Blur component and works correctly without it?

Avalanche Studios, Thu, 20 Sep 2012 02:16:54 -0400
Again its a theory but this always seems todo the trick.

Using version 3 with latest update.

Image = any 16384x16384 texture
out = same size different name

Break
image -> blur -> perlin noise -> perlin noise -> blur -> out

Works
image -> perlin noise -> perlin noise -> out

note: restart of the software might be needed as the software locks the broken image in memory and any renders after it will also get the crash unless you restart.

GMM, Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:43:40 -0400
I replaced Blurs with High Passes in your example and it still crashes. Needs more testing with bitmap-based and procedural components.

Avalanche Studios, Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:18:45 -0400
I am sorry but I have to disagree, replacing blur with highpass works fine.

Remember to close down (taskmanager) the software after it has crashed and also save the new file using a new name in case the pic is stilled locked.

SpaceRay, Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:21:46 -0400
I think that this "Bad allocation" bug is the worst thing FF has IF it is used as standalone, as this does NOT happen nearly on the plugin version using Photoshop, which I do not understand why.

I have NOT tried the above suggestion of the Blur component breaking the filter and making a crash, BUT I do not think that this could be the reason, as this "bad allocation" crash happens with nearly all the filter I have tried, and not all have blur components.

Avalanche Studios, Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:57:31 -0400
It is true that I have had the issues on large files using the standalone version using other nodes but its more of problems where it does not release data from memory and then get a bad allocation.

The only time I got the plugin to crash (bad allocation) is when I used blur nodes.

I think its two separate problems, I think the standalone is due to that the preview is rendering at the same time and sometimes (or always) tries to access the same data / write to it.

The second problem I think its close to the first one but happens when the blur is allocating memory to do a full blur pass.

Kraellin, Sun, 23 Sep 2012 01:07:56 -0400
this is a memory error. i get it all the time. i have a cpu/ram usage meter running right next to FF when it's running. my system has 6 gigs. when it hits about 3.1 or above, the bad allocation can occur. if it's below that, it wont. so, if you have a ton of filters sitting in FF in storage, it does use ram. if you're using big pictures, you are going to run into this at some point. if you're using a lot of high memory components and doing a lot of bitmap type stuff, all of this seems to have to be held in memory the whole time the filter is rendering. as memory gets used up and you go over whatever this bug limit is, boom!

one interesting thing about this bug is that you can actually get the error in various numbers of iterations all happening at once. my typical number is i'll get 8 bug messages, all the same. if i get all 8 my rendering will stop and wont finish. if i get less than 8, say only 3, the rendering will continue. this usually only seems to happen if i'm right on the cusp of memory usage.

you can do things to help yourself out. offload some of the filters you keep IN FF. use smaller pictures if you can. cut down the little percentage thing you hit when you save... the 2nd window after you hit the save button. all of those things use memory.

i've reported this bug many times and every time i've been told there is no fix for it and that they're not sure what is doing this. i'm very convinced it's a resource management problem. i also seem to remember this bug showing up more when they fixed the old memory leak, though this last may just be my faulty, old age memory.

my system and FF are almost unusable at this point. almost any render i do on a photograph will crash before i can get the end of the progress bar. when i try to save filters in the editor, they almost all crash during the save. and every single time the memory meter is at 3.1 gigs or higher, which is pretty much the limit that windows can handle with a 32 bit program. (and FF is ONLY 32 bit, even if you have 64 bit windows, so the memory limit rules apply)

and here's a real kicker. there doesnt seem to be ANY activity kicked over to windows paging/swap file when ram starts to back up. i NEVER see a harddrive light go on when memory is approaching the limit, but i'm going to watch this closer now to make sure that's right, too. i have an SSD drive as my C: drive, so my swap file wwould be almost as fast as ram and windows shld be able to handle all this quite easily. so, i dont know quite what's going on.

if there was any reason for FF inc. to go to a 64 bit coding, this is it. i hope we can nip this in the bud quickly. it's making my FF experience a pain in the butt.

Avalanche Studios, Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:28:09 -0400
I have come to the same conclusion =)

The software does not seem to release and reuse memory and running a 32-bit version (which it always does) which have a limit of 4 gigs and a thread-size of 1. This really does not work for big data.

There are only two options (I recommend doing both to have a 32-bit fallback):

1. Allocate memory for the specific operation only and for the blur do a horizontal then a vertical operation. On other operations you can for example do them in pixel blocks, say 64x64 allocating and releasing memory between each block.

2. Make a 64bit version so unlimited of memory and Thread size can be used.

OBS: Not being able to render out: and I quote "... and render huge images up to 65000 x 65000 pixels in size" which is the biggest selling point for the pro version, might in fact be a legal issue as this fits into the frames of false marketing.

Kraellin, Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:57:27 -0400
no, it's not false advertising, at least as i recall things. the bad allocation thing doesnt happen on every machine. some folks can render on the huge sizes. i think Sign Guy is one that can. he makes textures for the sign industry and uses very large file sizes. it just takes a while. so, it seems to be something specific to certain machines. it could even be something like your anti-virus or firewall or who knows what.

also, 32 bit can actually only use 3 gigs on a windows machine, 2 gig plus the patched version allowing 3. it's a numbers thing.

and yes, 64 bit would be the ultimate solution but FF, inc. seems reluctant to go that way yet. so, we'll see.

Avalanche Studios, Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:13:39 -0400
Well I don't know about that hehe =p

I have tried it on 4 different machines with different hardware / os and I get the same results =/. If anyone knows of a configuration that works with ff please let me know! I still think that it should be mentioned in the hardware requirements in this case.

Yes the actual size in 32-bit is just above 3gigs =)

Sharandra, Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:55:33 -0400
Usually I can´t render 4096x4096 in the standalone version without getting the bad allocation error.
I just found out that when I set the preview size to actual and let it render, it works just fine. Takes ages, but I can save afterwards.

Skybase, Tue, 09 Oct 2012 23:22:08 -0400
Man, I really wonder about this bug. It never happens on my machine and I don't do anything particularly special. I typically process pictures I take with my 60D with it and the resolution of those images exceeds 5000x3000 pixels. I also render textures at 4096x4096 (where applicable with what I'm doing.) And I typically like to let it render in the window itself and save it later. I mean sure, once in a while it kinda coughs stupid things up and crashes but I'm typically editing the image during those situations.

I'm using the Mac version of FilterForge by the way. Seems like the windows edition has the rusty nail. But if in any case I wonder what's happening after all with this error.

SpaceRay, Wed, 10 Oct 2012 02:33:15 -0400

Quote
Sharandra Usually I can´t render 4096x4096 in the standalone version without getting the bad allocation error

Yes, for me 98% of the times that I try to render above 3500 pixels in standalone mode it gives this error, and it happens in both ways, I mean if you use the reduced size and then go "save image as" or if you set the preview size to "Actual" it normally after more than half of the render or reaching the end will give this error.

I HAVE 16 GB but FF is 32 bit, so it means that it will not use more than 3 GB, or worse is that is said that the it has it own custom memory controller that can not use more than 1,5 GB.

Quote
Kraellin one interesting thing about this bug is that you can actually get the error in various numbers of iterations all happening at once. my typical number is i'll get 8 bug messages, all the same. if i get all 8 my rendering will stop and wont finish. if i get less than 8, say only 3, the rendering will continue. this usually only seems to happen if i'm right on the cusp of memory usage.

ALL the information that Kraellin has given is true for me, I have seen twice that I was looking at the memory manager in windows, that it was close to the 90% and I was ONLY using Filter Forge, and not multistasking, so I can´t know how FF can take all this amount of RAM.

Also as told in the quote, the error is replicated between 3 or more times (after the 5th I hit always the "Kill this task" in the "Process Explorer" tool utility. It has happened to me around twice that after 3 errors it continues rendering and finishes.

Quote
Skybase Man, I really wonder about this bug. I'm using the Mac version of FilterForge by the way. Seems like the windows edition has the rusty nail. But if in any case I wonder what's happening after all with this error.

YES, I really wonder and would like to know what and why happens this bug too, and is like a mistery, and it seems that it only happens in the Windows version, perhaps because the MacOS is managing the memory in a different way.

What is MUCH MORE misterious and strange is that this really happens the most of the times in STANDALONE MODE and NOT IN PLUGIN VERSION, well it happens also in plug in version BUT only about 10% versus 98% in the standalone.

What is different from the standalone version to the plugin version memory management ?

Sharandra, Wed, 10 Oct 2012 05:03:56 -0400

Quote
Skybase wrote: And I typically like to let it render in the window itself and save it later.

Instead of saving it and letting it render while saving?

Skybase, Wed, 10 Oct 2012 05:18:39 -0400
I mean, we'd have to wait and see if FilterForge 4 solves anything of this matter. I thought this was one of those "things to be tackled" for version 4. I thought I remember seeing some word about it somewhere.

Quote
Instead of saving it and letting it render while saving?

I donno, I also just hit render too. But I like resizing windows so I'd rather have FilterForge not become static during rendering.

GMM, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 06:26:08 -0500
We have solid grounds to suspect that Progressive Previews may cause bad memory allocation. Please set the Multi-pass Preview to Legacy in Tools > Options > Interface and try rendering a large image.

Sharandra, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:05:45 -0500

Quote
Please set the Multi-pass Preview to Legacy in Tools > Options > Interface and try rendering a large image.

Nope, sorry, still getting the bad allocation error.

Vladimir Golovin, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:20:37 -0500
We just fixed a bug that may have been the cause of Bad Allocation:
http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read...&TID=10903

inujima, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:16:12 -0500

Quote
Please set the Multi-pass Preview to Legacy in Tools > Options > Interface and try rendering a large image.

This error occurs even if set to "Legacy".
When setting to "Off", it seems to work well like plugin mode.

GMM, Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:15:37 -0500
A bit of info about better allocation that wouldn't go into the official news.

We haven't eradicated the issue completely but we've found its cause and made it much less likely. The following factors contribute to the chance of getting BadAlloc:

- the image size (obviously);
- the presence of bitmap-based components in the filter;
- fiddling with the interface (panning and zooming) during render – this eats up memory quickly!
- position of the Memory usage limit slider. Higher settings speed up the render and increase the chance to get BadAlloc. That is, if you never experience BadAlloc feel free to wind this slider up to 90; if you get BadAlloc set it to 80, or 70, or whatever value that gets rid of BadAllocs on your PC. It is no coincidence that the default value is 60.

We've successfully rendered a Blurred Bomber at 64kx64k with Memory usage limit set to 50.

SpaceRay, Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:10:26 -0500
Good to know this GMM, thanks, so we can test it more and better.

Quote
we've found its cause and made it much less likely

Yes, is true I have tried some tests and before would have always given an error and now it works much better!! until now only in very high resolutions (14500 x 8500) I have got the error.

Wolvman, Sat, 02 Mar 2013 21:57:05 -0500
Just dropping in to say that I still get the error at 4096 x 4096 resolution on a few filters with the latest version but it does seem to be at least a little better. This is with memory usage limit slider at 90 though. Still have yet to give it a shot with the slider at 80 or 70.

Skybase, Sat, 02 Mar 2013 22:30:10 -0500
Wolvman, you should write your report down in this thread: http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read...&TID=10903

;)

Updated: Possible fix for the "Bad Allocation" error

Vladimir Golovin — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:22:18 -0500

Vladimir Golovin, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:18:50 -0500
We’ve just fixed a bug that may have been a cause of the infamous "Bad Allocation" error that occurs during rendering of large images. It should also improve rendering stability in general. The fix not yet available as an automatic update, so you have to download and install it manually.

Here’s a Filter Forge 3.012 installer with the bugfix:
Filter Forge 3 Setup (Bad Alloc Fix).exe

Update: the link above now points to a second, updated version of the fixed executable that includes some clever tricks to reduce address space fragmentation, which, we believe, is the primary cause of the Bad Allocation error.

Please give it a run and post the results here.

Sharandra, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:40:26 -0500
Oh that´s good news! :D
Testing it right now! Fingers crossed!

Skybase, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:53:14 -0500
! Very nice!

Vladimir Golovin, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:15:53 -0500
Sharandra, any results?

Sharandra, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:37:26 -0500
Yeah, unfortunately still getting the bad allocation error. :-(

It did fix the issues I had with rendering tho. It also doesn´t lock up other programs while rendering anymore.

Igor Lorents, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:33:55 -0500

Quote
Yeah, unfortunately still getting the bad allocation error.

Dang, it looks like we've fixed the wrong sh#t... ;)
Well, that's something at least. Gonna keep tryin'.

Thank you for testing and feedback, Sharandra!

Vladimir Golovin, Sat, 09 Feb 2013 03:04:52 -0500
Sharandra, could you please post the offending filter and describe the rendering conditions, e.g. pixel resolution, Mac or Win and which version, etc.?

Sharandra, Sat, 09 Feb 2013 05:50:40 -0500
Filter was Flagstones, first Preset at 4096x4096,
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit, Intel Core I5 760, 16GB RAM, GForce GTX 460.
I did send a bugreport too, after the testrun.

Vladimir Golovin, Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:09:52 -0500
Sharandra, we copied the bug report to a file and I removed it from the thread (it was really huge).

Sharandra, Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:00:52 -0500
Great! :-)

Vladimir Golovin, Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:09:07 -0500
We've updated the fixed installer (the download link is the same, see the first post of the thread). It now includes several improvements that reduce memory fragmentation, which, we believe, is the primary cause of the Bad Allocation error.

Please give it a try and report the results here.

Sharandra, Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:25:21 -0500
Just did a test and was able to render a 4096x4096 image of the Flagstones filter without a bad allocation error! :D :ff: :ff: :ff:

Vladimir Golovin, Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:30:27 -0500
Good. My work PC is currently rendering the same filter at same resolution, and when I went home it was at approximately 80% -- and that after my constant zooming and panning of the preview (which messes up the cache).

So it seems that the new tricks helped -- and we still have one more up our sleeve. Now we have to figure out whether they still continue to work at 64000x64000 pixels. I guess Flagstones would be too heavy for this, so we'll need to find a simpler test case (like the Perlin / Blur combo suggested in one of the bad alloc threads).

Sharandra, Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:35:00 -0500
Hmm, I´ll have a look through my filters, maybe I have a simple filter that I could use for a test at that huge size.

CFandM, Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:44:36 -0500
It seems to load images quicker as well as render quicker... :loveff: :ff: :hammer:

Igor Lorents, Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:16:03 -0500
I've started to render blurred checker 64k x 64k. Not sure it'll be done by the morning though :D

Sharandra, Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:51:55 -0500
Hehe, mine might be done in the morning if the error doesn´show up. Blurred Packing Paper as simple filter, only a few percent in yet.
I immediately got the error in 4.0 at that size.

Vladimir Golovin, Thu, 14 Feb 2013 02:06:19 -0500
I started a blurred checker too, but it didn't finish -- I forgot to set the swap location in FF options to a larger HDD :D

Now I'm trying to render a simple 64000x64000 perlin noise, should be a bit faster than a night.

Sharandra, Thu, 14 Feb 2013 04:51:58 -0500
Mine didn´t finish either, I forgot to turn off sleep mode, so it´s still rendering and not very far >.< :D

Igor Lorents, Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:02:26 -0500
I didn't forget to move the Filter Forge cache to the large and slow HDD.
Anyway, it has been rendering for 15 hrs and still no sight of the first block ;)

Sharandra, Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:40:34 -0500
I cancelled mine, because I need my PC for other things now, but can do another run tonight.

Maybe some of those, who need extremely large renders could do some tests aswell, as it´s important for them.
I usually don´t need anything above 4096x4096, so I´m personally satisfied with being able to render that in standalone now. :-)

Vladimir Golovin, Thu, 14 Feb 2013 08:40:05 -0500
Sharandra, same here -- I had to cancel mine too. The intermediate results, however, were pretty encouraging. When I cancelled it, it was about 30% complete, with the first pass of progressive preview fully covering the preview area. The GUI was responsive to zooming and panning, and the machine in general remained responsive as well -- I worked with my Excel spreadsheets just fine while FF rendered in background (though it must be noted that I have Windows installed on an SSD, and FF swap is directed to a separate mechanical HDD).

Anyway, I'll attempt another approach as soon as I have an appropriate time window :D

Sharandra, Fri, 15 Feb 2013 08:12:20 -0500
I did another test overnight, but it´s only at 20% yet. but running smoothly so far.

Vladimir Golovin, Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:18:10 -0500
I'm postponing my 64000x64000 tests until the next week, but I can say that we rendered your Flagstones filter in 4096x4096 countless times under various conditions without any problems.

SpaceRay, Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:54:01 -0500
Very good news that finally it seems that there is a possible solution to this BAD bug and that it seems that it works from the tests done above

I have just installed it and will test it and see what happens.

I think that the highest resolution that would be really used is about 15000-20000 or around this amount, as I do not see anyone needing a 64000 resolution, or at least one in a million.

Thanks very much for making this fix and I hope that finally this really has been fixed

Vladimir Golovin, Sat, 16 Feb 2013 03:20:35 -0500
I'm reserving my final verdict until I have the results of 64000x64000px tests, but it does seem that we've fixed the Bad Alloc bug. The executable that will be rolled out as a v3.0 update will include some additional fixes that should be helpful as well. For example, if you still encounter the Bad Alloc bug somehow, you'll be able to dial down the memory consumption slider in FF options to reserve some address space for fragmentation (this is not yet available in the current build linked in the original post).

We're now hunting the last remaining rendering bug, this one:
http://filterforge.com/forum/read.php?FID=8&TID=10882

Sharandra, Sat, 16 Feb 2013 05:45:31 -0500
Great! Will you update the Beta build aswell?
I gave up on the 64000x64000 tests, because it would take several days to finish.

Vladimir Golovin, Sat, 16 Feb 2013 11:27:15 -0500
Regarding the beta: we won't update the current beta but we'll include the fix into the Beta 2, which should be out soon.

StevieJ, Wed, 27 Feb 2013 08:28:54 -0500
Anyone have results with new update to fix "Bad Allocation" render error???

SpaceRay, Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:22:18 -0500
I have just downloaded the newest upd ate and will test it more and see if I still get the "Bad allocation" or not.

In the first two tests, one with a 6000 x 6000 image it did WORK without any problem, I have to say that before this was not possible :ff:

AND much more important with a 14500 x 8500 image and the Dropshards filter when it has reached 99% after rendering it finally gave the "Bad alocation" error :cry:

I have not changed any of the settings, and it keeps to be RAM = 85%

windows 8 version - filter download version problem

Akimotos — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:59:26 -0500

Akimotos, Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:21:09 -0500
when you freshly install the windows 8 version and try to update the filters with the update filter menu it will tell you that the current version of FF3 is too low and needs to upgrade. after upgrade needed to download filters it isn't the windows 8 version.

Akimotos, Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:33:59 -0500
additional info:
install: the windows 8 version (3.012) (and the complete set of filters form a few months back)
go to tools filter updates
it wants to update to download the filters (accept)
restart

the not windows 8 version (3.013) is newer then the windows 8 (3.012) compatible version.
It isn't compatible with the new license and therefore it isn't registered after upgrade.
trying to install the 3.012 windows compatible version over it and it works... but i get an error:
cannot load 'library_1000-1.ffxml' you need to update filter forge to open this filter...

Akimotos, Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:59:26 -0500
*** i also added a support ticket ***
and the answer was very fast (only a few hours):

Please download the latest 3.013 build which is compatible with Windows 8 here:
http://www.filterforge.com/download/s...0Setup.exe

Best regards,
Filter Forge Support
support@filterforge.com

Submission Failed

Dearkx8 — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:49:43 -0500

Dearkx8, Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:34:38 -0500
Hello everyone :)

I get this when i got submit a filter--> Submission Failed. Connection Error. Reason: 'Logical protocol error occurred. submit_filter()failed.'. Please try again later. it's the same problem expressed in this thread:

http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read..._id=917836

Thx in advance!

GMM, Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:58:26 -0500
This is not the problem from 2006, but a much more recent issue. Please read that thread for instructions.

Dearkx8, Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:49:43 -0500
Thank you GMM ! :)

Small/actual presets thumbnails look different on both website and FF

lipebianc — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:31:16 -0500

lipebianc, Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:32:47 -0500
Recently, I updated my filter "Image Mask Frame" and noticed that the small presets thumbnails (114x114) looked different from the actual thumbnails (512x512) on both website/application.

I don't know if that's only related to my filter, couldn't find other examples..
Filter => http://www.filterforge.com/filters/10853.html

I'm using FF 3.012 (Professional Edition)
Build: Filter Forge x86-SSE2 3.012.27269.23378 Release-SSE2, January 29, 2013 09:44
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64) / 8Gb Ram

Below, some examples for comparison (I enlarged the small thumbnails for a better comparison)

lipebianc, Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:39:48 -0500
While the actual thumbnail render as expected, the small ones produced a different result :?:

Below, a comparison between the small thumbnails of the version I uploaded and the version I downloaded from the website:

GMM, Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:31:20 -0500
lipebianc, will the thumbnails be identical if you enable Seamless tiling?

lipebianc, Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:18:11 -0500
Seamless tiling is disabled by autodetection...

Clicking on any preset (on filter downloaded from the website) and simply adding it as a new one, renders the small thumbnail correctly (example below)

Should I re-submit this filter?

GMM, Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:31:16 -0500

Quote
Should I re-submit this filter?

Yes.
I guess the filter was initially made some time ago in a previous Filter Forge version. The thumbnails were rendered and saved in that previous version, and when something has changed in a newer version the cached presets were used and not updated. I recommend you delete all presets, re-create them and resubmit your filter. This should cause the server thumbnails to update as well.

Filter Forge 3 handle error

JesusSheep — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 21:42:21 -0500

JesusSheep, Sat, 16 Feb 2013 21:42:21 -0500
<class XFW::ArgumentError> The handle 0023D310 is not a valid window handle.

Jusr ran the Plug-in in Serif Photo X6.

Bug in normal map options?

Steve Tack — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:20:15 -0500

Steve Tack, Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:20:15 -0500
I noticed that when I use the OpenGL ("invert Y") normal map option, normal maps render correctly in the preview window, but the results I get in Photoshop still use the DirectX Y orientation. It's easy enough to invert the green channel to get the results I want, but it'd be nice if what was on the preview matched the final render. Or am I doing something wrong?

Stable Rendering

StevieJ — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:24:14 -0500

StevieJ, Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:14:43 -0500
This is getting ridiculous... Some images render fine if they are not too large and the filter not too complex... Anything beyond that is hit or miss...have to set for single core use...and turn off all beckground programs...manually set computer power settings for sleep and hybernation to "Never" (when FF should not allow it while rendering)...etc etc etc... Totally frustrating...and wasting my time not being able to use my computer for fear of it creating an error while rendering... :evil:

C'mon now...rendering should be the first and formost function with no problems...and should be stable without all these problems... Please??? :|

Crapadilla, Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:40:09 -0500
Which filter? What resolution? System specs? Steps to reproduce?

StevieJ, Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:12:01 -0500
Many of my filters...which aren't that complex... Some finish rendering...and some don't... Just today...I actually experienced FF corrupting the external image with a bad allocation error...no joke... sent bug report...

Computer is fine...fast dual core...8 gigs RAM...Nvidia x-graphics...etc... When it does finish renders...a 12000 x 12000 finishes in about an hour... FF is the problem...and part of the ongoing "bad allocation" error that they haven't remedied yet...

SpaceRay, Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:33:47 -0500

Quote
StevieJ This is getting ridiculous... Some images render fine if they are not too large and the filter not too complex... Anything beyond that is hit or miss

I agree with you, this error has been already for 15 months already and is still unsolved and only happens less when used FF as a plugin, at least in Photoshop.

I have tried to help the FF team to solve this in the way to put a thread with all the error reports from the FF users, but no one has put any bug report there

High resolution rendering test bug report compilation inside here

Also see this other threads for more information about this and that there are some information to solve this in some way temporaly meanwhile they fix it:

9 MONTHS with this bug and still without a fix, solution or news (as put above this was before when the thread was done and now in this moment is 15 MONTHS instead of 9)

--> Please, MORE information class XFW:Kernel:StdException> bad allocation

RENDERING!!!

HUGE Resolutions = FAIL

Error when saving a 10,000 x 5,000 render

FF3 crashes frequently while long renders for big files

Vladimir Golovin, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:24:14 -0500
Moved the thread to Bugs and Problems forum.

Also: see this possible fix:
http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read...&TID=10903

RENDERING!!! :(

StevieJ — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:21:49 -0500

StevieJ, Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:57:49 -0500
HUGE rendering problems with surface result filters...

1) The "Bad Allocation" error needs to be fixed and rendering stabilized... Renders rarely complete without being stopped by this error at 5000 x 5000 ppi and above resolutions...and if by some chance they do complete, they are mostly either corrupted files or lighting effects are only partially done... Sometimes these high res renders won't even begin to render... Using FF as a Photoshop plugin does not remedy the problem...and neither does using one core to render...

2) The higher resolution you go...the less a rendered result looks like your display image... Try it... Take a high res image of 5000 x 5000 and render it using a surface result filter... Then take the same image at a lower resolution like 1000 x 1000 and render it... The lower resolution render looks pretty close to what you were looking at on your display...while the high res render has lost almost all the lighting effects...and is not even close to what you were seeing on your display...

Below is a reduced 5000 x 5000 render that finished...but only partially did the lighting effects... This is what is happening continuously at high resolution...if it even starts to render, stops rendering, or corrupts with the "Bad Allocation" error...

FilterForgePersonOfTheYear, Thu, 31 Jan 2013 09:16:52 -0500
Hi Steve,

I'm glad you are keeping up with this, because this is an important issue! Sort of makes getting the Professional version overkill. In it's current state (for anyone on the fence), I would not recommend the Pro version until they get this resolved.

joBox, Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:40:50 -0500
I was bitching about this well over a year and a half ago, and it's STILL a problem. I thought it would be fixed in 4.0, but so far, no luck.

It's BEYOND frustrating, and I've basically given up using FF unfortunately.

joBox

FilterForgePersonOfTheYear, Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:59:12 -0500
I've had some success recently- at least with some of the well known filters (chain mail, tiles, scale armor). As suggested by support- I ran it through photoshop and have successfully rendered a 4k image, 8k image, 10k image, and currently rendering a 12k image (started this morning).

Here's some tech details:
Platform: Win 8 Pro
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS6 64bit (latest version)
Plugin: Filter 4 (latest version)

a) After creating a new Document in Adobe (sized in pixels), I add a new layer and save the project.

b) I select the Filter Forge 4 filter/plugin through the adobe menu (this launches Filter Forge 4)

c) I verify the Render settings in filter forge are set to single cpu, and set the memory to 80% available.

d) I select whatever filter I want to try out, make sure "seamless texture" is selected, and click "apply".

e) As it renders out (which takes most of the day 10+ hours for the 10K), Adobe Photoshop becomes unresponsive. The only indicator is that popup window in Photoshop that shows rendering progress.

I haven't had one error since I started doing this. Keeping my fingers crossed the 12k renders out okay.

I know not everyone has Photoshop, but just thought I'd post my experience with Filter Forge. As a standalone app, high resolution textures never worked for me. As a plugin to Photoshop- seems to work pretty good.. but I'll know more when I start experimenting with more process heavy filters.

If anyone has any filters they'd like me to try out as a test, let me know.
Regards~

SpaceRay, Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:28:07 -0500

Quote
joBox It's BEYOND frustrating, and I've basically given up using FF unfortunately.

YES, YES; I have made the same as you, I have given up making things in FF, as I have too many Bad allocation errors, and I am fed up of loosing time and waiting to see if the render error appears or not, AND I have 16 GB RAM so it is not a problem of not having enough (I know that FF can´t use more than 1,5 GB)

Quote
I was bitching about this well over a year and a half ago, and it's STILL a problem.

I agree with you, the first news of this Bad Allocation bug error was in the 6th September 2011 and now we are in the 6th February 2013, so it has been already 15 MONTHS with this bug and still there is no news when this could be solved, and it also happens in FF 4.0 Beta 1.

9 MONTHS with this bug and still without a fix, solution or news (as put above this was before when the thread was done and now in this moment is 15 MONTHS instead of 9)

I have tried to help the FF team to solve this in the way to put a thread with all the error reports from the FF users, but no one has put any bug report there

High resolution rendering test bug report compilation inside here

Also see this other threads for more information about this and that there are some information to solve this in some way temporaly meanwhile they fix it:

--> Please, MORE information class XFW:Kernel:StdException> bad allocation

HUGE Resolutions = FAIL

Error when saving a 10,000 x 5,000 render

FF3 crashes frequently while long renders for big files

Stable Rendering

Quote
StevieJ This is getting ridiculous... Some images render fine if they are not too large and the filter not too complex... Anything beyond that is hit or miss

Bad allocation error go away!

Rendering above 5000x ???

Vladimir Golovin, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:21:49 -0500
Here's a possible fix for the Bad Allocation error:
http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read...&TID=10903

Rendering Bugs

StevieJ — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:20:01 -0500

StevieJ, Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:21:36 -0500
1) Lighting/height being flattened on high resolution renders... :cry:

2) Image resolution being changed to 72 ppi on all images rendered...with image size being adjusted to keep overall resolution... There is no loss...but FF should not be adjusting resolution to something different at all...creates problems for people who need their images to remain at the same size and don't catch the change... :|

StevieJ, Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:18:04 -0500
I know that I'm not the only one seeing these things... Shello... :|

Crapadilla, Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:19:11 -0500
Clicky! :-p ;) :D

Vladimir Golovin, Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:27:13 -0500

Quote
1) Lighting/height being flattened on high resolution renders...

StevieJ, could you elaborate on this?

StevieJ, Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:27:58 -0500
First, having big problems even getting large images (5000 x 5000 pixels and larger) to start rendering now...and makes Phototshop non-reponsive if I use FF as a PS plugin... See submitted bug reports...

Second, when I was able to render large images...height, reflectivity, and metallic were being lost...matting the lighting effects...

StevieJ, Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:14:24 -0500
Would running FF on x64 system have anything to do with these problems??? Any virtual memory tweaks that will help remedy these rendering problems???

Anyone??? Beuller??? Beuller???

Vladimir Golovin, Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:44:55 -0500

Quote
Second, when I was able to render large images...height, reflectivity, and metallic were being lost...matting the lighting effects...

When you experience matting on resolution changes, are you using any bitmaps in the bump / height subtree?

StevieJ, Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:21:29 -0500
Hey Vlad... No, I'm not... Render at low res fine... Seems to be happening with 5000 x 5000 ppi images and above...

StevieJ, Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:43:20 -0500
This is getting extremely frustating... :cry:

"Bad Allocation" errors before even starting to render high res images...drop resolution, starts to render, then stops with the same error...and if I can get an image to render, the lighting effects are totally gone... :cry:

I can't get anything to look like what it does on the display with lighting involved at high res anymore... Only comes out right at low resolutions... Totally frustrating!!! My computer is more than adequate to render these images... What is going on with FF...and is there any solutions to this coming???

Will setting virtual memory to static at 3 times or more than computer's RAM work???

I really need this program to render the way I see it on display and without all the errors...which is wasting alot of my time... :evil:

Images below 5000 x 5000 ppi seem to be rendering okay... Everything above that resolution either won't start rendering or stops rendering with the "Bad Allocation" error... If by some rare chance it does finish a render above this resolution, the lighting effects are totally gone...and ends up as a matted render... :cry:

StevieJ, Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:49:03 -0500
Here's a reduced 5000 x 5000 render that actually finished...but only rendered part of the lighting effects... Not good... :cry:

Sharandra, Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:21:12 -0500
Have you tried reinstalling FF?
I had a similar issue on a filter a while ago, it went away after an update.

StevieJ, Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:25:13 -0500
Fully updated in v3... Three big problems with all surface result filters...loss of lighting effects with greater resolution...not rendering as displayed...and not completing renders at high resoltions... I'm bumming... :cry:

Sharandra, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:13:21 -0500
Grrr...now I´m getting these weird renderbugs again aswell. Can I revert to the previous version of 3.0? :evil:

Skybase, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:25:56 -0500
Is the preview what's supposed to be portraying the filtered result or is it a problem?

Sharandra, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:39:33 -0500
Well I kinda expected to get what I see in the preview, just in a higher resolution, lol. But what I got looks totally different.

Skybase, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:53:32 -0500
Yeah, previews kinda get a bit biased with final renders, especially when you have a bunch of fine details. Pretty sure I encountered this trouble before as well. In these cases, I just edit the filter to make it look like the preview and that typically is the only solution so far.

But... well.... maybe you're actually encountering a bug. I shouldn't just suggest things really. :p

Sharandra, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 03:00:01 -0500
Dunno, I usually get what I see. In this case the output looked almost like the original image, just blurred a bit. that was my embroidery filter btw, and in the left image you can see how it´s supposed to look. It has something to do with the image I feed into it, I guess. It works fine with other examples lol. Not tragic, as I was just messing around, but still weird.
Oh and remember that little pond scene I made? I wanted to make that bigger, but when I changed the resolution and applied the Ivy preset, the preview would look the same as before, but the output was completely different.
And that is really not supposed to happen.
And with my wattle and daub filter, I had some presets, which wouldn´t render correctly at bigger then 1024x1024, similar to stevies problem above, but as I said, it went away after an update.

Quote
In these cases, I just edit the filter to make it look like the preview and that typically is the only solution so far.

Yeah we can do that, but what about the ppl who only got the basic edition, or don´t know how to?

Vladimir Golovin, Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:20:01 -0500
This fix may improve the situation:
http://www.filterforge.com/forum/read...&TID=10903

Latest 3.012 update and intense interface lag

primitivedesign — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:31:33 -0500

primitivedesign, Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:30:14 -0500
Is anyone else experiencing extreme lag in the FF interface after the latest 3.012 update?

It used to be that while a sample was rendering, I would be able to move around the interface, adjusting settings, or even just clicking fr om one preset to another.

Starting immediately after the 3.012 update it's like the entire interface freezes up, sometimes for as much as 5-10 seconds. All of a sudden FF behaves as though I were running it on a 10 year old computer, wh ere before the 3.012 update I never had this lag and freezing. Even opening up the filter editor freezes the app and the editor doesn't open for as much as 15-20 seconds. Something is definitely off since the latest update.

Ozmandias, Sun, 03 Feb 2013 05:51:31 -0500
Well this is a bit disconcerting. Is this happening to anyone else?

primitivedesign, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:31:33 -0500
I reinstalled FF and it seems to be running more smoothly now. Not sure what that issue was.

FF3 crash under Windows 8

TomE — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:37:13 -0500

TomE, Wed, 06 Feb 2013 06:37:09 -0500
I've updated my machine to Windows 8, and can't get FF3 to be stable under the new OS.

This is Filter Forge 3.011 Pro Edition.

When reinstalling the installer completes and then throws an Application Error 0xe06d7363 at location 0x76204b32.

The software runs, but always throws an error on every exit:
Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe Application Error
The instruction at 0x00f31f3e referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be read.

I've tried reinstalling, but I can't shake this problem.

FilterForgePersonOfTheYear, Wed, 06 Feb 2013 07:43:01 -0500
When you run the install, have you tried right clicking the executable, and select "run as administrator"? Not sure if it'll make a difference, but it's helped me with other problematic software installs (not related to FilterForge), in the past.

GMM, Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:10:01 -0500
Does it happen with the Windows-8 compatible version?

TomE, Wed, 06 Feb 2013 17:13:24 -0500
I'll soon find out!

Er... I missed there was a Windows 8 version. :?:

TomE, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:23:30 -0500
Actually no, the Windows 8 version gives a different set of numbers but also crashes on installation and exit from the interface.

"The instruction at 0x00ff1ae6 referenced memory at 0x00000011. The memory could not be read."

Everything works perfectly inside the program, it's just when you close it.

I only just uninstalled the older version, I'll try cleaning everything out from the file system next.

TomE, Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:37:13 -0500
OK got it working. Could be I've got too many files called Filter Forge 3 Setup.exe in this folder and might have used the wrong one. Now it wants the new license code which is a good sign. No crashes.

Thanks.

Submit Filter to Libary

marwyn — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:21:29 -0500

marwyn, Mon, 21 Jan 2013 04:29:47 -0500
Hy!
I can`t submit any new Filter. Only Update the older one.
It fail all time and tell me i have to do it later.

Is this because FF will be new restructuring or do i something wrong.:?:

marwyn, Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:23:54 -0500
I submit a little one Filter in the morning and by the next,
a bigger one, it comes the failed message.
After that i reading a bit in the Forum, but I find nothing what can help me.
I controll all Components, no HDRI-Problems.... :?:

So here is my

...is there anybody out there???

marwyn, Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:47:20 -0500
An other Question:

Give it a limit for the Setting? And how many?

Can anyone help, please? :|

GMM, Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:56:13 -0500
I've asked the devs to take a look at your filter.

GMM, Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:27:25 -0500
marwyn, the devs say your ffxml contains an impossible combination of components. Have you by chanced edited the ffxml file manually?

marwyn, Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:27:01 -0500
Hy, GMM!

Quote
Have you by chanced edited the ffxml file manually?

No, i haven´t.

But,
> i sometimes copy & paste components from a other filter who i made
> with this filter was the same problem
> i remember that i had a render-bug with it, i do something wrong to submit this problem
> all this comes together with a pc-bluescreen-crash

for the crash,
> i install for everything new updates
> i made a backup from the Filter-Libary and install Filter Forge new
> copy & past only a handful of Filter back
> and change the CPU-Render to Single Core for a lower charge
> (64bit AMD Duo Core 3,0 / Nividia GTX 560 )

now
> FF runs fine but i have this Filter-Problem only when i try to submit it

I think i will rebuild this Filter as a new one.

GMM, Wed, 23 Jan 2013 09:51:02 -0500
Yes, marwyn, it's a good idea to rebuild this filter from scratch and see if the problem persists.

marwyn, Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:12:25 -0500
Ok, thanks for your help! When i found something, i will let you now.....

:!: Crash Info -> Bluescreen :!: for everyone who was interested in:

my Set:
> Win7 / AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ / Nividia GTX 560 / 6GB RAM

the Crash
> my Bluescreen-Crash was a --> dxgmms1.sys <--
> i find out that this is a --> DirectX <-- Problem
> to check it --> dxdiag <-- into command entry field
> and i install DirectX 11 new
> and new Updates for everything

other thing: it can be a RAM-Malfunction

Solution that i found:
> checking Ram with Memtest86+
> for a stable Run you can set the Voltage for the RAM higher (Bios)
> i have much too little know to say what there are the best Se ttings

> i hope it kills all the problems for the future or i must buy something new :|

for more Info about the own Pc-Setup:
> CPU-Z (Mainboard...) / GPU-Z ( Graphic Card)

for contolling GPU Clock speed, GPU Voltage, Memory Clock speed and Fan speed
> EVGA Precision x 3.0.4 / (evga.com)
> (Nividia Cards. I think for other Cards there are something similar)

marwyn, Fri, 25 Jan 2013 06:15:59 -0500
:!: Complemental :!:

Speed up RAM --> Optimize your Prefender <--
> Win 7 loads frequently used programs during startup into memory
> The downside: large amount of data collection
> Windows-7-Prefetch-Manager-2012
> more Info about: Windows 7 & SSD: defragmentation, SuperFetch, prefetch

enhance virtual Memory Pagefile
> Start Button > Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings
> Advanced Tab > Performance Group > Settings > Advanced Tab
> Virtual Memory Group > Change

> check off Automtically > check your System Drive C: > check Custome size
> The Initial size must be the Recommended Number under the Total paging Group
> The Maximum size should be twice of that Number
> click Set > ok > ok and Restart
> helpvideoguru

helper
> System-Monitor-Mini-Gadget
> 3DMark 11 / Free Basic Edition

> no errors or malfunction > simple: you need more RAM like myself ;)

marwyn, Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:49:29 -0500
:?: :cry: :?: :cry: :?:

I rebuild the Filter 1 to 1 from scatch, but I can`t submit it to the Libary!!!!!
To many Settings??? I had now Crashes with it.
The Filter by itself works fine.

If you could watch over it again, here is the new one:

marwyn, Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:50:18 -0500
...

marwyn, Sat, 26 Jan 2013 02:40:25 -0500
Hy GMM!
I think i found the Submit Failed Combination in my Filter :!:

I send one with lower Setting and without this Comb as a Test with success!

So can you check this?:

marwyn, Sat, 26 Jan 2013 03:08:00 -0500
Forget it!
I can´t submit without combination.... :?:

marwyn, Mon, 28 Jan 2013 03:43:21 -0500
Hy, GMM!
Here is a other one and its similar to the mw_Studio Light_Tri-Filter.
I have tested a lot of combination but i also can't submit it.
I know jet that it has nothing to do with the number of Settings,
because I've already sent some other filter.
The only difference I noticed is, that i use there Math-Combos.
But one further transfer test was not successful.

If you find something let me now! :|

GMM, Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:36:29 -0500
marwyn, thank you for your reports, we've figured it out. Your issue is caused by an error with Free Ellipse versioning (if you try to create your filter in 4.0 beta you'll see the component has been changed). Please try to replace all Free Ellipses with their obsolete counterparts called Free Ellipse 2.004.

marwyn, Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:32:16 -0500
:banana: :D :ff: :D :beer: :D ....> Great! i will change it. TX!

GMM, Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:17:48 -0500
I guess the issue has been fixed in 3.012 - you should be able to use Free Ellipse again.

marwyn, Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:33:34 -0500
Great!
I have updated the mw_Studio Light_Tri with 2.004 Version,
but in my mw_Studio Light_Led - Filter must be a similar issue! It doesn`t run....

marwyn, Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:52:10 -0500
a new submit failed :!:

what i have done:

i´d changed some for around the Edge-Finder, for a better technical Look.
and as i what update it,....failed! -> but i think that not the problem.

marwyn, Fri, 01 Feb 2013 03:52:53 -0500
The Filter:

GMM, Fri, 01 Feb 2013 07:35:34 -0500
marwyn, thanks again for your report - it uncovered one more issue.

Please take a look at the IntSlider named "Tech > Profile". It has a subtle note that the component value is limited to 5. You've encountered a client/server mismatch: the client treats this as a soft warning and allows submission, but when the server checks the submitted file it considers this a Filter Problem and rejects the filter.

You can wait until we fix this on the server side or you can modify all IntSliders so that they don't display the "Value is limited" note.

marwyn, Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:21:29 -0500
Ok, i think i will wait... the filter is almost there...
For the other Filter it will probably be the same?!...thx

Photoshop Elements 11

Grauer Star — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:55:29 -0500

Grauer Star, Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:29:06 -0500
Hi,

i have updated from PSE10 to 11. But Filter Forge 3.011 is not working with PSE11. I've copied the Plugin Files manually from the PSE10 Folders to the PSE11 Folders. After that PSE11 shows Filter Forge in the Plugin Menue but if i click on it something crashes.
Then I've tried to reinstall Filter Forge, but it is not recognizing PSE11.
Any Ideas what I could do else?

marwyn, Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:12:31 -0500
Hy!

This is my Installation-Path and it works fine.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 11\Plug-Ins\Filters\Filter Forge 3

bagheertje, Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:55:29 -0500
Hello

I have the same problem as Grauer Star, today I downloaded the latest update so FF would work with my PSE11.
I have the same installatio-path as you Marwyn, but it just doesn't work; the program crashes and I have to CTRL+ALT+DEL because I can't do anything ... :(

Not Rendering As Seen

StevieJ — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:41:10 -0500

StevieJ, Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:41:10 -0500
The higher the resolution of renders...the more loss of lighting effects...until the image renders as Matt at about 5000 x 5000 ppi and above... Also, renders are constantly being hung up, stopped, and won't finish with the "Bad Allocation" errors at this resolution and above... The higher the resolution, renders won't even start at all...

I NEED THIS PROGRAM TO RENDER IMAGES EXACTLY HOW THEY ARE SEEN ON MY HD DISPLAY...AND FOR THIS PROGRAM TO BE STABLE IN RENDERING HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES WITHOUT BEING CONTINUOUSLY HUNG UP AND STOPPED WITH "BAD ALLOCATION" ERRORS!!!

...and yes...I'm not happy...I have work that I'm trying to complete...and these problems are royally screwing it up and wasting my time... Up to version 4.0 and stuff like this is happening??? Drop everything else to try and justify another version for sales...and stabilize the program... :!:

Sorry for the vent...but I'm having to go all the way down to a 1000 x 1000 render to get any surface result to look like the display image...then try to increase resolution in PS for printing...and not even close to the resolution quality I should have if FF was rendering correctly... :cry:

log in problem

MysticBlueRaven — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:38:37 -0500

MysticBlueRaven, Sat, 26 Jan 2013 06:42:32 -0500
I tried to log in the forum on my new computer and I get incorrect login or password. When I click on forgot your password, click here to retrieve it, I never get an email I wrote support about this and never heard back for them.
Right now I am using my old computer and I tried to change my password in their and it will not let me. Please help

MysticBlueRaven, Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:38:37 -0500
I figured out my problem

Upgrade screen-Paid fee - Now FF won't work

Amy Hutton — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:40:00 -0500

Amy Hutton, Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:50:05 -0500
I pulled up filter forge today from Paintshop Pro X4 and got a notice of an upgrade available for $24, which I of course bought.

Then I went back to Paintshop to continue to work on an image but I get a bug message.

>>Operating system: x64 Edition (6.1 build 7601) Service Pack 1
Physical memory: 7935 MB
Number of processors: 6, available: 6
Processor info: AMD Phenom™ II X6 1035T Processor, ~2594 MHz

Filter Forge x86-SSE2 3.011.26194.10674 Release-SSE2, October 19, 2012 11:17 [1/20/2013 6:39:21 PM Eastern Standard Time]
Exception caught at thread 00000A18 'Application':
<class XFW::RuntimeError> Bound control <class Controls::Panel>@034D3808 overlaps boundaries of splitter control 034D57F0.

<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 005AD31E in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 0067F9C8 in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 00555A44 in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 00551A15 in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 0040F86B in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 006D227F in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 0078B6C7 in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 006D1080 in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 006D205A in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 00823914 in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : <unknown function>()+0 at 008B2BB3 in Filter Forge x86-SSE2.exe
<unknown file>(0) : BaseThreadInitThunk()+18 at 760833AA in C:\Windows\syswow64\kernel32.dll
<unknown file>(0) : RtlInitializeExceptionChain()+99 at 773E9EF2 in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
<unknown file>(0) : RtlInitializeExceptionChain()+54 at 773E9EC5 in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ntdll.dll
CONTEXT_CONTROL: CS:EIP 0023:7660C41F, SS:ESP 002B:001873CC, EBP 0018741C, FLAGS 00200206
CONTEXT_INTEGER: EAX 001873CC, EBX 034D57F0, ECX 00000003, EDX 00000000, ESI 00B211A4, EDI 0018745C
CONTEXT_SEGMENTS: DS 002B, ES 002B, FS 0053, GS 002B <<

How do I get the use of PSP back? Keeps showing a bug screen.

GMM, Tue, 22 Jan 2013 06:55:24 -0500
Please delete c:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Filter Forge 3\Preferences.xml and try again.

Amy Hutton, Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:06:12 -0500
Nope, that didn't work. Any other ideas?

Says "Plugin passed bad parameters"

GMM, Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:40:00 -0500
Please try uninstalling FF and reinstalling again.

FF3 Program Soooo Slow

beekeeper — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:53:57 -0500

beekeeper, Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:17:09 -0400
I'm looking for any suggestions as to what may be causing the following problem and how I may rectify it, if that's possible.

Must confess I haven't been using FF much since the upd ate to 3.008 - or how ever many zeros it has - as, ever since I downloaded it and did a clean install the program itself has been running soooo slowly on my Windows 7 Quad-core laptop.

I click on the icon to start the program in stand-alone mode and wait...and wait..and wait. Then I start up Task Manager to check if the process is actually running - it is. So I wait some more. Eventually the white outline of the program's GUI displays and then I have to wait for a couple more minutes as it slowly starts to 'fill-in' each element of the GUI.

When that is finished, it is then a matter of luck as to whether or not it opens up to the last filter I was working with or some other filter I had accessed during the last session. NOTE - the filter render speed itself seems to be fine but that may be only because everything else is so slow.

When I click on another filter or category to sel ect it, the program - once again - has to think about things for a long time before anything starts happening and it then has to slowly refresh the Presets/Settings tabs once it has decided to do something. The same delay occurs when trying to access the Menu items and the wait time for the Filter Editor or Filter Browser to open is nearly as long as waiting for the program to initiate in the first place.

On occasion - for no apparently consistent reason - when I try to select another filter or menu item, or open the editor or browser the program crashes completely - no error report or anything.

I do have the preferences se t for multi-threading.
I make sure I have no other programs running.
I do have a registered copy of the Pro version.
I have the program installed on D: drive - which is internal.
I didn't have this issue with previous versions of FF3 on the same machine.
I have only been running FF as a stand alone while I have this issue.
While the program itself is glacial, it doesn't actually freeze the computer.

Any suggestions as to what the problem may be/ what I could do or try would be more than greatfully received as the bruise on my forehead fr om all the *headdesk* moments is really pronounced. :cry:

Sphinx., Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:44:58 -0400
Perhaps a very aggressive virus scanner or firewall is causing this? Try disabling what you have installed temporarily and see if it helps.

beekeeper, Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:06:32 -0400
Thanks for the suggestion Sphinx :) - I had tried it without the virus scanner, unsuccessfully but had thought of firewall. Just tried that as well - no joy, I'm afraid. :(

GMM, Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:17:02 -0400
When starting up Task Manager as you describe, please watch not for Filter Forge but for other processes that eat up your CPU.

On a second thought, the cause may be not the CPU but the hard drive. Run Task Manager, click Performance > Resource monitor > Disk and watch for I/O activity while Filter Forge starts (you may also want to defragment your D: drive).

Morgantao, Wed, 20 Jun 2012 06:52:07 -0400
Hey, Beekeeper, how many filters do you have in your library?
I have the whole library installed, so it takes a long time for FF to load (although I don't have the slow GUI drawing problem you mention).

Also, How much free memory do you have? Some times when windows is running low on memory, it's trying to write a page file but also at the same time do other stuff (Like loading FF). The result is a VERY slow EVERYTHING.
You can use the Windows 7 CPU meter gadget to see how much of the memory is available, and how bad is the CPU usage.

beekeeper, Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:38:05 -0400
Thanks for the further suggestions. :) I will get to the heart of this mystery yet.

GMM - I will see what the Task Manager reports as you suggested and see what that turns up. I will also try defragging the D: drive if that shows up nothing, but I'm hoping that is not the issue as D: is the partition that I use solely for the installation of programs - I save data to another partition to minimise the fragmentation of the program partition.

Morantao - I must confess I have nearly all the filters available in my library at the moment so I'm not surprised that the program does take time to load initially. [But some clever FF user created a fantastic Filter Organiser which I'll be using to weed out quite a few filters ;) ]

My issue has been the sluggish nature of FF once it has loaded. It is perplexing me because I have never encountered this issue before with previous versions of FF, even with a huge library of filters.

Free memory - right at this moment with only Firefox open, it says that I have just over 1 Gig of memory free. [I don't know if this points to a potential caching issue but it also says that I have just over 1800 Mb of memory tied up in Cache - and I'm not sure what might be causing that as I try to run as lean a machine as I can. The only other program I've had running today is FF.]

Again, thanks for all the advice and suggestions so far. Much appreciated.

Hailie, Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:53:57 -0500
Im having a terrible time with FF3 as well. I just had a brand new computer built and theres no reason why it should be maxing out my system just looking at filters. But it does and I start getting warnings after looking at about 5 filters. Its like they are massive files trying to load. The resources its taking to load is boggling. I just bought this program last week and im sad that i cannot even use it and on a brand new computer no less. A custom built one thats less then 3 weeks old.

Filter Forge Backup Library Download not working

Minnie — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:55:19 -0500

Minnie, Sat, 05 Jan 2013 12:14:42 -0500
Hi, I don't know if there is anyone who can help. I recently purchased FF 3 and also the backup library. I have vista installed on my pc and the instructions I received was to copy the downloaded filter library into appdata/roaming. I have done this but this file does not appear to be able synchronize with Filter Forge. I am assuming I have to do something else to get it to work and I have tried all sorts of combinations,without success. There is also showing in the list of contents FF 3. The file I copied here is a zip file. I have tried unzipping it but it makes difference. I've tried contacting FF but haven't had a reply I suppose it's down to the Christmas period. :?:

profundities, Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:55:19 -0500
Hi Minnie,

I've just made the same purchase. The directions sent in the email that contains the zip file is missing the first step. Here is what I did that worked for me:

-I unzipped the file using 7-zip

-Then I copied the Filter Forge 3 file (look within the file you unzipped for it) to (just as the email directed for Vista users):

C:\Users\Your_User_Name\AppData\Roaming

- It is important to note that I already had a Filter Forge file there but that did not cause a problem at all

- Next I did click 'Yes to All' when I was asked for confirmation to many different warning windows

Once I did all of this all of the filters loaded beautifully. Many thanks to whomever took the time to send them! :)

I hope this helps you Minnie :)

Rendering Bug

StevieJ — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:43:12 -0500

StevieJ, Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:43:12 -0500
My high res images are not rendering as seen...while lower res renders of the same images are fine... All reflective, metallic, and lighting is completely flattened on high res renders... Definite render bug...at 4000 x 4000 and above...

Error: Filter Forge Bata 4 wont open

PrimeTime — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:48:30 -0500

PrimeTime, Tue, 08 Jan 2013 10:48:30 -0500
<class XFW::ArgumentError> The handle 009CB2B0 is not a valid window handle.
Adobe Photoshop CS6 error message:
Could not complete the Filter Forge 4 command because of a problem with the module interface.

I'm running Win8/64b / Photoshop CS6

Tried re-installing 3x's with same result.

Rendering

bobbijake — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:05:55 -0500

bobbijake, Sun, 30 Dec 2012 15:03:20 -0500
I am trying out the free trial of FF to see if it will work for me. I work with images 3600 x 3600 and up. I am testing filters under "creative" such as paint HDRist and watercolor. The rendering is taking hours to complete.

I am also getting an error message but I know that this is a bug that FF is working on. (<class XFW::Kernel::StdException> bad allocation).

I am using a duel core processor, windows/vista. I am using FF stand alone. My question is: are there any settings that I can choose to speed things up or is this normal and should I expect it every time with this size file and this type of filter?

Thanks for any help.

Bobbi

SpaceRay, Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:12:28 -0500
If you search in the forums there are many posts and threads about the BAD ALLOCATION error and the answer from Filter Forge support is that they are working on it to fix it, so there is no solution for now.

The only possible solution is that this happens much less if you use filter forge as a plugin rather than the standalone

See the others threads available in the forum from the link above for more information

bobbijake, Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:00:11 -0500
Thanks for the reply SpaceRay.

I have been reading the forums for a couple of days now, so I know that Bad Allocation is a bug.

I also see in the forums that with some files and some filters FF runs slow, but what I can't find is why I can't get it to work at all.

I have been running a rendering all night and it is still going now, so obviously it is not going to work. I have tried three different filters and three different files with the same results. Each one receives the error message about 3/4 of the way through and after many hours of rendering they will not save.

I have PS CS5.5 64 bit so I understand that I can't us it as a plug in.

Thanks
Bobbi

ddaydreams, Mon, 31 Dec 2012 21:54:40 -0500
Still buggy at higher res on some systems with some filters.
For Hi res FF works best for me using FF in 64Bit Photoshop 5.1
I don't know if there's a difference with PS 5.5 that would not allow you run FF as plugin.
FF can do 5000 X 5000 image for me on 64Bit Photoshop win 7 64 16bg mem
On the same system Stand Alone FF hangs and does Bad Allocation error at 3000 X 3000 with one filter I'm using.

I suspect that the advertized 6000 x 6000 can be done with some filters.

bobbijake, Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:54:49 -0500
Got the plug in to work on my CS5.5 and now it's not crashing. Still a bit slow to render, but it works so I don't mind. I also turned off anti aliasing and turned down the ram to 60%.
Bobbi

Skybase, Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:33:50 -0500
wait before you jump to conclusions regarding that obnoxious issue, on the Mac version, I've been able to render pretty large images no problem, and this goes with pretty much any filter. I use standalone copy instead of running it through Photoshop. Maybe I just have a freak case of things actually running perfectly lol.

Morgantao, Wed, 02 Jan 2013 05:04:49 -0500
Skybase, the fact you're running it on Mac, I think, is the solution to the problem. As far as I understand, the bad allocation error is a windows only issue.
Then again, Mac version can't reliably run LUA scripts.

Nobody's perfect, eh? :D

StevieJ, Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:05:55 -0500
I'm rendering 8000 x 8000 and above...and had the same issue... Make sure you have your computer's power settings for 'Sleep' and 'Hybernation' time settings to "Never"... Can allow Display to go off... This corrected the "Bad Allocattion" error... I'm still getting render hangups and it stops rendering in the middle of the image...so trying FF Render Setting to "Use Single Core" with max 90% RAM...much slower...but at least finishes the render... Hope this helps... :)

Submission preview image-rendering produces different results

Tim2501 — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:32:48 -0500

Tim2501, Tue, 11 Dec 2012 04:21:23 -0500
When I submitted my Filter "Whisp" yesterday, the preview renders didn't look like my presets at all:
What the submission-renderer made:

What the preset does look like:

The same thing ocurred to me a while ago with my Filter "Glow wire":

Rendered on upload:

Actual preset rendered in FF:

Is there a way to fix that, because the presets I made look waaay better than the 'random' presets that got rendered...

GMM, Tue, 11 Dec 2012 05:32:48 -0500

Quote
Is there a way to fix that

Check the 'Seamless tiling' checkbox, and your local presets should match those on the website.

In-Editor Render Preview Stuck

Betis — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:38:49 -0500

Betis, Sun, 09 Dec 2012 02:58:40 -0500
Background Info: When outside the filter editor, we are allowed to switch between a smaller preview size and the full render size.

The Problem: When inside the filter editor, this preview/full size is "locked" or "stuck" without a way to switch.

If I make a new image while in the editor (a feature I like ;) ) it doesn't fix the problem, and remains the percentage smaller that the old image preview was at.

For example I tried making a new 600x600 image and it remained about 150x150 because the last larger image had been sub-sampled for the preview size.

Leaving the editor and making a new image or switching between preview-size toggle is the only workaround.

Crapadilla, Sun, 09 Dec 2012 07:40:32 -0500
Clicky! ;)

Betis, Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:38:49 -0500
:(

Questions and Troubles

QuirkySue — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:31:52 -0500

QuirkySue, Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:07:46 -0500
I used ff trial a long time ago on my old system with no problems. Loved it. Now I have a brand new computer running windows 8 that I'm setting up today and I just downloaded the compatible version trial. It's been a while. I'm rusty but I remember it being fairly easy.

I can't download any filters. It says unable to connect to server although I'm obviously connected. Tried changing tools/options to obsolete library as suggested in another thread. Tried latest versions of both IE and Chrome.

I want to buy the basic version while the sale price is still offered (70% off is a no brainer) but this is frustrating and a major turn off for a program I already know I love. Is the server down? What else can I try? I did contact support but hopefully the forums are faster to fix this problem and they can answer my other questions later.

Sharandra, Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:21:54 -0500
I think the server is down, I can´t download filters either atm.
It´s probably still because of the Provider change, maybe they´re still in the process of moving the library over or something.

QuirkySue, Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:31:52 -0500
Is there a server status update somewhere that will let me know when it's down (or back up?!) so I don't waste anymore time fighting with something that isn't broken on my end.

Can't contact server with WinXP? Can't get updates?

Tsu Dho Nimh — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:52:38 -0500

Tsu Dho Nimh, Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:48:35 -0500
I'm running FF3.0 on a VMware virtual machine: Windows XP inside Linux Ubuntu.

I just upgraded to 3.0Pro (yay me!) and can't contact the server to get the latest version or filter updates. Even trying to go to filterforge.com gets a "server not found" error.

Quote
Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at filterforge.com.

I know I have a working Internet connection because I can go to yahoo.com and other websites using Firefox and WinXP.

Attached is the error message when I try to download and install the newest version. I've installed new versions before with no problems.

Tsu Dho Nimh, Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:49:30 -0500
Trying that file attachment again. And, obviously y'all are online, because Firefox via Linux (same computer, modem, and wires) finds you just fine.

Tsu Dho Nimh, Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:52:38 -0500
Fixed it! :)

On advice from VMWare forum user, I shut down all software, shut down the XP virtual machine, shut down the VMWare server inside Linux, and restarted everything including the Linux host.

They are all working together again.

Mouse wheel doesn't work on secondary monitor

Ian Prest — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 06:35:07 -0500

Ian Prest, Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:47:08 -0500
Hi,

The mouse wheel is not working in either the filter-editor or the main window if Filter Forge is placed on my secondary monitor. If I place the application so that it straddles both monitors, the mouse wheel only works when the mouse is over the part of it on the main monitor.

I've monitored the window-messages, and can confirm that the application is receiving WM_MOUSEWHEEL messages in both cases.

The problem is almost certainly that my secondary monitor is to the left of my primary monitor, which causes the mouse x-coordinates to be negative on that monitor. I suspect FF is (incorrectly) assuming the negative coordinates are invalid and ignoring the WM_MOUSEWHEEL message. This is further corroborated by the fact that if I (virtually) swap my primary and secondary monitors so that the secondary monitor uses positive x-coordinates, the mouse wheel works fine.

The problem affect both the current version of FF3, and the betas of FF4.

Thanks,

GMM, Mon, 03 Dec 2012 06:35:07 -0500
Thanks for your report, I've assigned this to the devs.