FIX IT or NO MORE UPDATES

It is a shame that such a nice product has been ruin to the point of not working. This is the LAST version I will update. FF stopped working after version 4 and lost all its functionality. Customer Support and Bug Reporting are NULL.

Like my quest to replace the sucking vampire Adobe, I have not found a viable alternative to FF. Has anyone found anything comparable?

Sorry. I don't agree.
I think FF staff is trying to do their best to answer all issues. And yes, they surely have troubles, sometimes. But within normality.
Did you compare with many other companies? Many companies don't even have a forum or a way to solve the things. Then here the system is very good, I think.
As AlbanyDave and Syphonaptera wrote, try to contact Adobe. It is very hard to solve any troubles with them. And, considering the cost of their programs, they should have some good support system. Do you know what happened to me? I bought Dreamweaver in the USA. Then I started to use it in Japan. Well, it doesn't work, because it says "License for North America only", when you put the serial number. I phoned to Adobe and they said "Oh, yes, it doesn't work. We can't help you". Just that. No explanation. Nothing. Only "Please, buy a new license".
And Microsoft? I found a bug in Windows 10. I contacted them and they answered "Sorry, our product is still under development". Yes, the bug was solved, ....almost two years after.
I never had any of these stupid issues with Filter Forge.

FF upgrades every year.
And, you are right, upgrading has a cost.
This is what happens with many programs.
But with FF you have some good options, I think.

The first is that, instead to upgrade every version, you can buy a lifetime upgrade. This way you don't have to worry about future costs.
I suggest this for all new users, especially if they pick it when there is some discount.
Many other companies upgrade less times, but they don't allow a lifetime upgrade: you only have the option to pay every single upgrade.

Or, once you have your license, without any limit of time, you can try to make some good filter.
You can collect few points, and win a lifetime upgrade or buy the new version with the points.
I is easy. I did it, and I'm not a pro. I only play around with FF, just for fun, when I'm free from my job.
Then, I think, anybody can do it.
No other company (or very few) allows things like this.

If you don't want to make filters and you also don't want to spend more money, you still have the version you bought.
Example: FF 8 is the version I used till last month. It works well and there are over 12,000 filters you can download. But even older versions have plenty of filters to download.

As for me, I have the lifetime upgrade, then it's fine.
Anyway, even I had to pay every single upgrade, I would do.
It is just 1 time in 1 year.
If I simply went to have a dinner in a good restaurant, I would spend the same.
Few days ago I went to karaoke with 2 friends in Tokyo. 3 hours there, we ordered some simple food and drink: 300 USD.

OK, like a buffoon I purchased the NEW version 9, no license key provided - but anyhow installed it. (given the response from FF which is NONE from support to date) I noticed while install the options for Plug-In.... even though the website says there is one for Photoshop... there is NO option or file for it!!! So I go ahead with the install anyway. MMM imagine that, yup no plug in. So I physically file the install files and see a plug-in for it. Open the Program files and manually install. WHAT A SURPRISE... if fails and bug report generated and yet... no reply.

Features:

Filter Forge is a powerful graphic software allowing you to generate textures, enhance photos and apply visual effects to your images. It can be used as a standalone program or as a plugin under Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Affinity and other host application.

NOPE Does not work neither provided as a plug-in option on the install.

Quote

Hisense wrote: OK, like a buffoon I purchased the NEW version 9, no license key provided - but anyhow installed it. (given the response from FF which is NONE from support to date) I noticed while install the options for Plug-In.... even though the website says there is one for Photoshop... there is NO option or file for it!!! So I go ahead with the install anyway. MMM imagine that, yup no plug in. So I physically file the install files and see a plug-in for it. Open the Program files and manually install. WHAT A SURPRISE... if fails and bug report generated and yet... no reply.

Hisense. It is many years that I use FF, and it has never happened to me that the license key was not provided. Did you check your spam box? Is it not there? Also for me, it goes in the spam box. But it is not FF fault. It is a selection that your mail provider does.

Hisense. I sent you an email. Let me know your troubles with the installation. I can test from here, and let's see how I can help.

I will try to reinstall. Let's see if I find any trouble.

Second

Four

dang... I don't get that... wondering if since I have 4 still loaded is it not loading 9?

Then it should be done. You select 9 and it is ok.
In my opinion it is better you uninstall FF4. It may make confusion.

For any program, except if you have a portable version, it is always better if you delete the older version, because they mix together and give you troubles.

Ramlyn thank you for all your help with this issue!

HERE IS HOW to SOLVED THE ISSUE WITH the HELP or RAMLYN...

1) Uninstalled all pervious versions of Filter Forge
2) Launched the Filter Forge 9 exe file
a. It did not find my Photoshop, but continued the install.
3) Went to the Program Files > Filer Forge 9 > Plugin > copied both files [Filter Forge 9.8bf and Filter Forge.config]
4) THEN - to Program Files > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop CS(your version) > Plugins > Filters > pasted the copied files.