Filter Forge 2.0 Released, Includes Major New Features

Filter Forge is a powerful Photoshop plugin and a stand-alone application for Windows and Mac OS X that allows computer artists to build custom filters which generate and process images. Types of filters include seamless textures, visual effects, distortions, patterns, backgrounds, frames and more. There are 3 key features that make Filter Forge stand out among similar tools:

• Visual filter editor that allows computer artists to create their own filters by arranging components such as blurs, gradients, color adjustments, distortions, or blends, into a network to combine their effects. For end-users, the filter internals are hidden behind a simple set of controls, so anyone can immediately benefit from filters without having to learn their inner workings.
• Free online library which currently contains over 7000 user-created filters, making Filter Forge instantly useful for anyone who has no time to learn how to create filters. New filters are added every day. All filters are adjustable and resolution independent, and most of them support seamless tiling, real-world HDRI lighting, and can automatically generate diffuse, specular, bump, and normal maps. To view the filters, visit the Filter Library (http://www.filterforge.com/filters/).
• Contributors who submit filters to the online filter library can get a full version of Filter Forge 2.0 for free. A filter that gets popular with the users earns a reward point. Three popular filters get the author a free copy -- but only quality filters count. For more information, visit the reward program page (http://www.filterforge.com/more/freecopy.html/).

Filter Forge 2.0 introduces numerous new features that greatly expand its image-generation capabilities. New features include instant filter search that allows users to locate any filter in their collection in a matter of seconds; versatile and fast particle-spraying components; support for unlimited HDR colors across the entire rendering pipeline; Lua scripting that allows filter authors to implement their own image-processing components; support for non-seamless textures; new texture lighting options that include area light sources; and texture shadowing based on ambient occlusion that dramatically increases the level of realism.

"The sheer amount of cool new stuff we managed to cram into Filter Forge 2.0 is really impressive", said Vladimir Golovin, CEO of Filter Forge, Inc. "If you missed the first version of Filter Forge, you should definitely try the new version out – you won't be disappointed."

Filter Forge is available for Windows and Mac OS X platforms. It can be used as a stand-alone application or as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop and compatible hosts. The free fully-functional 30-day trial version is available at the Filter Forge download page (http://www.filterforge.com/download/).

Filter Forge is offered in three differently priced editions targeted at entry-level, mainstream and professional graphic artists. Starting June 30, all editions of Filter Forge 2.0 are offered at a special 40% discount – customers can save up to $160. To buy Filter Forge at a 40% discount, visit the Filter Forge ordering page (http://www.filterforge.com/buy/).

About Filter Forge, Inc: Based in Alexandria, VA, Filter Forge, Inc. is a one-product company solely focused on developing Filter Forge. For more information, visit the Filter Forge website (http://www.filterforge.com/).