New filter - request for feedback

Hey Ron Like I said in the comments, I think you have come up with a GREAT concept with this one. Your examples are excellent on how to use it.....

Mark my words.....users are going to love this one.....and I predict that this will be a high-usage filter before you know it.....you'll see!!!

Hi Ron~

I'm a big fan of all your filters... but I think I fell off my chair when I saw this one!!!

Amazing usability for tubes, stamps (objects), .png scrapbooking embellishments, photos, etc.

Glorious Work~

Jean

Hi Kraellin,
I thought about that, but because the glass needs the interaction with the external image to render the effect, I decided not to knock it out. Am I mistaken about that? Maybe I could just knockout the non-heart part of the external image? I will take another look and try hard to find a way to isolate the heart but maintain the interaction.

Thanks very much for the suggestion,
Ron

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ronviers wrote: Thanks Steve. I know you know how much work these things take.

Yeah, as simple as some of my filters are, I actually put alot into getting them exactly the way I want them. I'll experiment with all kinds of variations before deciding on the best one.....run all kinds of different test pics to make sure that it works well on everything.....adjust and re-adjust parameters to make sure that there are absolutely no bad area control combinations.....and still feel that it can be done better

Ok Kraellin, I implemented your recommendation. I think it increases the filter’s range of usefulness greatly. I have an update in the FF queue so I don’t think it would be a good idea to submit another one until that one posts so I will send in this update tomorrow. In the mean time here is the modified version. Please find the checkbox labeled ‘Knockout’.
If you think of a better way to implement this feature or if it does not work the way that you think will best facilitate user’s workflow please let me know.

Thanks,
Ron


Glass Heart.ffxml

((Now I love CS... but here is a screen shot from Ulead PhotoImpact showing they can use tubes. This selection converts the tube file into a file PI (slang for Ulead PhotoImpact) can use.

Your heart filter will be going in that area. *grin*

I can also store it in other places in my program. Ulead is comparable to CS... but Ulead can make and use 48 bit images... pretty sure but not positive that CS can only do 32 bit. Anyway Adobe and Ulead have been competing for years. And only with CS do we see Adobe finally giving the ability to erase layers-------> PI has had that function since at least their version 4 (1998). LOL I've always said I'll use Adobe again when they get that function so have both Adobe (CS) and PI back on the same machine again. Both are advanced layering programs... and very similar.

Most of the users for Filter Forge will be using one of the three graphics programs I mentioned. And many using FF downloaded it to use the filters not make them. And although there is some peer presure here to create certain types of filters that the artists like to make... always try to keep the grpahics artist downloading filters in mind first... they are the ones we make the filters for no? *grin* I make filters I can use and filters I think the graphics artists out there might be able to use in projects. Many here will say that they do but they don't really make graphics, so they don't really know. That's okay I've been giving them clues and hints for a few weeks now. Being funny now guys,,, don't flame me.

Click the image to enlarge.

Gotta Run,

Jean

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ronviers wrote: I have to be careful not to get stuck in a rut or to stray too far off in one direction

That sums up my biggest problem LOL....

Jean, I would never flame you.....unless you flamed me first LOL.....

Hey Persidio,

I bet you’re right about some of the surface maps having value later on. The specstrength map from the heart filter has some very graceful lines.

http://www.filterforge.com/filters/26...ength.html

I was thrilled when I saw it emerge from the gradient profiles and I knew I was on to something.

I never found a perfect solution. I decided to add an option that leaves the external image only beneath the ‘glass’ (frame mode or ornament mode). It will make it easier for the artist to transform the hearts for compositing. I would like to find a better way but I need to move on to another filter. I have posted an update that allows the limited knockout, it should post tomorrow.

I can’t believe how many filters you have!! And their GOOD too! People are going to love ‘Multi-purpose Frame’.

Since I have just been working with hearts I couldn’t resist looking at how you made the hearts in your underwear filter. I would not have guessed that in a thousand years. Your mind works in such an unusual way.

Hi Ron~ I got the update... very nice!!

I was using the filter last night, nothing saved yet going to use it some more this weekend ... maybe tonight. Yesterday was a break from making filters so I'll work on filters today,,, graphics tonight or tomorrow.

Adobe is a great product~ I have the book on PhotoShop 7. I may end up buying a book for CS ... havn't checked to see if one is out yet,,, but I'm sure there must be one. Hummm... I don't think hubby has bought my Mother's Day gift yet... LOL... time for me to start hinting at a CS book. (((I just like having the books-------> I have a large red trunk for my digital grpahics supplies and the CS book would make a nice eidtion for my pack rat collection of graphics stuff. Spent most of the day yesterday exploring 'the trunk' ... having fun,, LOL.

All sorts of stuff in there I'd forgotten I had.

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I can’t believe how many filters you have!! And their GOOD too! People are going to love ‘Multi-purpose Frame’. Since I have just been working with hearts I couldn’t resist looking at how you made the hearts in your underwear filter. I would not have guessed that in a thousand years. Your mind works in such an unusual way.

Oh thank you~

The Multi-Purpose Frame is has an art coloring structure so I'm going to be making more of those types. It cuts out the added step of enhancing the image when framing it-----> time saver.

The Underware---------> when I posted that one I think I laughed so much I cried. I like to pepper my filter collection with a few that show a sense of humor. And before the underware filter there was... Moon Cheese (Aliens love it!~). LOL And now they are clean underware too----> had slight yellow stains before the upgrade. LOL With my sense of humor I thought that was hillarious... and also was an accident... but have put them thru the wash now on the last upgrade and they are clean.



Was thinking on their next upgrade I'd like to have an option for the bevel on the hearts...

Well I can't wait to have a sneak peek when your next filter is ready. Love all your filters and TY for the compliments on mine

Jean

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I apologize for the slow rendering times.

Oh no it wasn't the rendering time~ The image I had out wasn't the right image for the filter. Wasn't the filter----> I needed a bigger and better image for this purpose. I believe you could call it... LOL... 'Pilot Error'. Wasn't you, was me.

It renders just fine~ No complaints--------------> I love this filter~

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I will shelve them for now and work on something less ambitious.

Time to move onto another filter because this one is done~ You did GREAT

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I love the build part where it’s just hours of concentrated work and I hate the tweak and preset stages, but that is where we prove we are professionals and demonstrate how much we love our users.

I love the building part too ~ and I even love the tweaking part... unless... it doesn't work like I want it to then I have to go back and few steps before I can get back to the tweaking stage. When it's finally ready and I like the test results then I 'love' testing. LOL

The extra step in testing takes time but it's what puts the filter over the top... so to speak. And I know that when I show examples of it that the filter quality is going to show in the image.

Another thing that it's good to take extra time for is... The description area seen in the filter edit area as 'Description'. This is an area where you can share your tests--------------> tell them what the image works best on ect,. I'd rather have someone who downloads and uses the filter to have 'the best' result possible for the filter. And from experience with filters... depending on the filter... the rendering sometimes depends on what the filter was applied on.

And if you already know that information (and a person should know that if they've tested it) then why not let the user know and save time on frustration on that end. Also you want the filter (when I say you I mean it in a general term, not you persay) used not just downloaded. So I do try to help them 'use' the filter.

I gotta tell you it does take extra time to fill in that area but also adds quality to the area-------> and sometimes the filter doesn't need alot there so I just put something friendly in... like with Moon Cheese (doesn't really matter what it is put on-----------> it's a friendly filter that is happy to do it's thing. LOL However they are not all like that.

Now one thing that I do.. I know is just a matter of preference... but I put my control features higher up. Filter Forge adds them at the bottom of that area but they usually can only see that part if they scroll down. So I write the control features in closer to the top. And also it just adds a personal touch that it's written in. Like I said... personal preference.

Well you write in that area but I wanted to give that tip for lurkers so hope you don't mind I put it in this post. Maybe it will help someone.

You are doing great Ron------------------> Keep doing what you are doing!~ It's fantastic!~

Jean

(((Love your heart !!!)))

Here ya' go~ I know you've been waiting for a contribution. *grin*

I did find the right graphic~ finally~ Nothing but filter forge filters on this image~ (And you've seen my filter list so you know that is very hard for me. LOL)

Heart Settings

Ruby Color

Color 1
Edge Width 0
Size 3

Frame not checked
Surface Definition 5
Surface Reflection 12
Translucence 76

Size, pixels 736
Variation greyed out

Seamless tiling not checked

Filters applied

My luxurious silk fabric
Ron's Heart Filter
My Diamond filter to look like pearls (the diamonds look depends on the base color applied on)------------> they are cut out and used like a tube file but in this case they have been added to the 'stamps' feature in Ulead's PhotoImpact with settings to apply in string.

The chain is also my 'Diamonds Maker Filter" loaded into Ulead's PhotoImpact's stamp area as well but using a much smaller setting to get the chain effect. (The chain is drawn by hand.)

Carl's Shadow filter is applied to the background for ambience.

P.S. "This" is why I use Ulead's PhotoImpact, LOL.--------> I have Adobe on my machine and still love it---> but darn Ulead's PI is a nice paint program~

Jean

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ronviers wrote: Which of your filters is your favorite?

Definitely "ExtremeGlass" becuase it is a sleeper that does a whole lot more than just glass.....and because I learned it on my own without looking at anyone elses filter when I first started out here..... What is your favorite???

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ronviers wrote: Your filters look very diverse to me; although you do have a distinctive style. Isn’t it interesting how closely filters mirror a person’s personality? Your filters could not be more different but somehow they share a common thread. Same with mine, not one is even close to the other but something about them makes them similar.

Very interesting introspection.....I never thought about it like that.....and I think that it's true. It's kinda like either an extention of your personality, a statement about it, or a self-desire to be like it in some way.....or I'm just a solar-metal-glass head who blindly stumbled into some neat little ideas LOL.....

That is a very interesting observation

Hi Steve,
First, I don’t like looking at other peoples filters, not because I’m not interested but I do not feel like it is wise for beginners to spend too much time trying to build on what others have done – I like the development in understanding to be more organic. That said, I have spent more time looking at your’s and Persidio’s because our styles are so drastically different that it seems safe. That’s not to say I do not feel like I will not learn something by looking at them, because I always do, but rather that what I learn is not likely to influence whatever project I’m working on. Of yours that I have played have been:
PerlinArtGlass
TechnoArtGlass
ColorChromatics2
ExtremeGlass

And of those in general I like PerlinArtGlass and specifically I like preset no. 17. The filters I have looked at are a small sample and it does not do justice to what you have done but I will look at more later. I will feel more comfortable looking at and applying other’s filters after I earn a free copy of FF, if I do, because the prospects of purchasing FF for me are zero.
I have only taken a cursory look at ExtremeGlass and when I finish my current filter I will take a very close look at it. I expect it to take me several more days to finish this filter though.

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or a self-desire to be like it in some way

I don’t think so, because I would like my filters to look more creative and less mechanical. My personality is very bottom-line/utility based and it shows in my filters. I would describe yours as more pie-in-the-sky/art based - and don't take that the wrong way as it's meant as a compliment.