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User Filter

May 26, 2008 - 14:50 — cholfatyarh

This plug-in enables you to use the vast number of existing filters made for Photoshop's Filter Factory as well as create new effects without having to go through the process of learning how to write plug-ins for The Gimp first.
Originally written by Jens Restemeier for Gimp 1.x back in 1997, this plug-in has now been updated for use with Gimp 2.x.
Project homepage is at http://gimpuserfilter.sf.net/
You can find lots of free FF filters that can be imported into User Filter at http://www.photoshop-filters.com/
A programming guide to the original FF for Photoshop can be found at http://mitglied.lycos.de/filterfactory/

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Average: 3 (2 votes)

Comments

October 27, 2008 - 02:27 — PhotoComiX

"User Filter" now Windows Binary Available

Francois Collard compiled for Windows xp Vista, and converted 1500 FF filters I add some note on how install and use on windows and i am mirroring here http://photocomix-resources.deviantart.com/art/Gimp-Filter-Factory-Conve... Maybe you will like include the link (or the whole pack ) on the project page on sourceforge about the renaming i hope you understand my intention: give a name more related to the plugin function to make search easier, here on the registry, with search engine as Goggle or even in the gimp menu Is very hard search successfully something strictly related with Filter Factory if is called "user Filter" And its a pity because is a excellent plugin , even much more flexible and complete of what i may imagine..you did a amazing
April 11, 2010 - 02:40 — soccermiles

Can't get this working, followed tutorial.

Ok, so I figured out where to put the .exe, but now I can't figure out how to import .8bf and other filter files. I don't know where to put those other .exe files to get this to work. I added the directory where I had all the .8bf files and they didn't show up on the list of filters. How do I import them?

Also, what do we do with these .h files? i didn't see them in the other release...

April 11, 2010 - 03:19 — mahvin

You shouldn't have to put the .exe anywhere

All you need to do is point your plug-in folder in Preferences to the recommended folder as indicated by the html, pdf, and screenshots located in the "How To Install" folder. You don't need to add any other directories, etc. Just download the zip, extract and store the zip wherever you want, then point to correct folder in Edit - Preferences - Folders - Plug-ins as was indicated.

Are you able to open Factory Filter from Filters/Generic?

April 11, 2010 - 04:19 — soccermiles

I opened it! but...

ok, so I got it working the way you said to, but I don't know how to convert .8bf files, for example, into the user filter's format. I try running those .exe files and if it is in the old directory, it comes up with an error message saying it's missing libgimpsomethingorother.dll, and when I have it in the same directory as that .dll, it just kind of flashes a command prompt for an instant and cut off. I also tried click-dragging the .8bf file onto the .exe to "open with" but that did the same.

April 11, 2010 - 04:37 — mahvin

That's not how filters are opened

The plug-in is menu driven, you don't need to be moving files or clicking on .exe files. You risk compromising the integrity of your files by doing that. People (new users specifically) make the mistake in thinking that all exe files require clicking to open. In the case of GIMP plug-ins, unless it's stand-alone app software, no clicking is necessary.

April 11, 2010 - 04:22 — mahvin

Click Photocomix's DeviantArt link in first comment above.

It's the only compiled version I know of, and it's working for me in GIMP 2.6.8 in Win 7, Vista, and XP.

Once you get it installed correctly and can find and open it from Filters/Generic - you then have to open it and point the User Filter console to the filter directories (including the guf folder that came with the zip and any other folder on your local machine that contain compatible filters)

April 11, 2010 - 05:54 — soccermiles

I didn't have a folder with

I didn't have a folder with .guf files in it, but there were folders with things like 8bf2guf.1 and 8bf2guf.5 and also 8bf2guf.exe. I pointed it to all of those folders. I still don't understand how to import 8bf and other filter files.

April 11, 2010 - 05:56 — mahvin

Download the FF plug-in

Download the filter factory plug-in on Photocomix's deviantart site and give it a shot. Follow the instructions in the how to install folder.

April 11, 2010 - 06:27 — soccermiles

it's good, just need to know

how i can convert those files. Thanks for the help. Everything else is linked up and ready, so if anyone who knows about this can help, that would be great. =)

April 11, 2010 - 06:47 — mahvin

Good read

Check out the programming guide here:

http://mitglied.multimania.de/filterfactory/

April 11, 2010 - 06:08 — soccermiles

One last question...

ok! I got the right package now, and I have set it all up. Gimp is linked to the plugin exe, and i linked the plugin to all of the other folders (except the help folder) in the original folder.

The only thing I want to know now is: how do I convert other formats to the .guf format with the .exe's?
I do have the plugin linked to both the folder with .exe's and the .guf folder. (just cant figure out the converter)

April 12, 2010 - 16:19 — PhotoComiX

hy sorry i was offline for a

hy sorry i was offline for a few days i notice the messages only now

the 2 utility included are command line tools, and honestly i don't like much work with command line on Windows ( i don't like much in general but on linux i can manage to do)
Anyway the developer's notes on how use that tools should be included in my packadge

But are also included the Filtor factory filter we may found, already converted
i doubt there is something left to convert

but you may have missed a important point, the app convert the Filter Factory CODES in a different format that that the Gimp plugin may run

But could not convert COMPILED PLUGIN as usually are the 8bf

Most of the more recent PS compatible plugin are created with FILTER MEISTER , and that tool include options to hide the code, so would be not only illegal but also very very difficult obtain the code of that filter

and anyway the sintax used by Filter Meister even if derived from that of filter factory is not the same, and the difference make impossible convert them

April 11, 2010 - 06:10 — mahvin

That's not my realm of expertise

I cannot advise past the installation. There should be documentation on the conversion of filters somewhere, maybe PC or someone else can advise. But to get the filters showing within the Filter Factory plug-in you need to point to them in the filter directories tab.

April 12, 2010 - 16:39 — PhotoComiX

in few words

It is very hard guess the order of those messages..

Anyway in few words all the filters Compiled with Filter Meister (Cybia,Medhi, VirtualPhotographer, Xero, Simpel Filter...) can't be opened with any other tools.

Most can be USED in Gimp with PSPI plugin...but the code remain hidden, that is a feature requested by the Filter Meister clients

You may found digging on the FM maillist and Wiki several examples, even (few)complete filters codes but anyway to compile that you will need...a copy of FM (that is a commercial, even if cheap SW )

Then the sintax of FM is not so much different from that of GUF so you may even successfully "translate" that sample in GUF, but in case you have to do manually ... simply is not possible do something as that automatically

It is almost the same for compiled Filter Factory Filter...there were utilities to "decompile" filter factory filter they could be still available and maybe even work

But again Francois already converted in GUF all possible FIlter Factory filter..more then 3000!
In the while maybe were created a few new filter with that language..but i doubt more then a dozen

I doubt will be worth try to decompile them...and in case the best way will be just send a mail to their creators asking if are willing to share the codes (they may say yes or not but they will not bite )

April 14, 2010 - 23:34 — soccermiles

I have something

So, I was trying this whole time to open a photoshop plugin called "seamless workshop" in Gimp. I am trying to make seamless textures of my own, but for now I have to settle for Genetica Reader, which comes with its own non-editable presets (you can adjust layer and color settings but nothing else). This is extremely inconvenient, so I went and I found this photoshop plugin, and that's what I'm trying to read. If this plugin can't read that one (lol) then I wasted my time. I don't mind wasting my time, but if anyone else can find that plugin and figure out how to translate it, that would be great (I got rid of it after trying a hundred different ways to get it working in GIMP using whatever I could find on the internets).

April 15, 2010 - 22:41 — ffaat

Works under PSPI

@Soccermiles - just wanted to confirm that the redfield seamless workshop plugin works fine in gimp on windows using the PSPI plugin.

-Rob A>

April 16, 2010 - 02:37 — PhotoComiX

Is the preview Usable ?

The preview may be a problem with that kind of PS plugin usually is screwde up

April 16, 2010 - 02:55 — mahvin

My Preview Is Fine

I'm using the PSPI with the Redfield plug-in and its working just fine. No problems using most of my PS plugins with the exception of one, Artshop cartoon filter.

April 16, 2010 - 19:55 — PhotoComiX

I didn't check lately i had

I didn't check lately i had often preview problems with PS plugin in Gimp
(not with all but with the majority )

April 15, 2010 - 20:32 — PhotoComiX

If so easy to solve Just get

If so easy to solve

Just get Xnview (www.xnview.com) or Irfanview both are free and support PS plugin..better of what you may hope with Gimp
(PS plugin in Gimp have aoften the problem of a crappy ,often almost unusable preview )

April 14, 2010 - 23:40 — mahvin

You need PSPI.exe plugin

Do a search in the registry or look under the How To link under Documentation on the top menu.

October 28, 2008 - 23:34 — cholfatyarh

Re: "User Filter" now Windows Binary Available

> Is very hard search successfully something strictly related with Filter Factory if is called "user Filter" You're right with this, but one should not change the name of something every once in a while. Also, if you include the term "Filter Factory" in the plug-in name you might violate some trademarks (FF is TM by Adobe as far as I know - which is the reason for any superseeding plug-in not to use that name, e.g. the current FF for PS is called "Filter Foundry") >Maybe you will like include the link (or the whole pack ) on the project page on sourceforge I would very much like to create an installer for the binary of the plug-in and the language files (which unfortunately are not included in this version). I do have a problem coupling all the filters with the plug-in though... they do indeed have a different license - and one should make clear (although one can get most of them from other places) if it is fit to include them in such a collection. I'd feel a lot better if there were a couple of separate packages that would feature the correct license of the filters (also better to maintain, as the new .guf file format also features localization for filters, so all this can be translated as well). Nice work by Francois for compiling the plug-in under Windows (I'd have liked some information about porting problems though) and yourself for collecting and converting all those filters.
October 30, 2008 - 17:07 — PhotoComiX

Re: "User Filter" now Windows Binary Available

i have a similar thought about possible license issues. 1)many "Filter Factory" developers are still active they now use a more modern version of FF language offered by the Filter Meister compiler, and the Filter Meister Mail List is their forum I was already a member of that group: i reported the new immediately there on the mailing list asking explicitly to report there any objection on the inclusion of their filters in the guf folder at the moment after a week nobody objected. 2) not all but most of that filters are from Andrew Burkle collection and he give a very explicit permission 3) The politics of old Filter Factory group allow (no commercial ) redistribution with the condition that credits are preserved the conversion do NOT strip the credit 4) Anyway in about 24 hours the converted filters will be available also as separate pack. that will be more handy for who has the linux version and should solve any other potential problem i may imagine . PS as far i know were not any porting problems but Francois should know more details
October 27, 2008 - 02:27 — PhotoComiX

"User Filter" now Windows Binary Available

Francois Collard compiled for Windows xp Vista, and converted 1500 FF filters I add some note on how install and use on windows and i am mirroring here http://photocomix-resources.deviantart.com/art/Gimp-Filter-Factory-Conve... Maybe you will like include the link (or the whole pack ) on the project page on sourceforge about the renaming i hope you understand my intention: give a name more related to the plugin function to make search easier, here on the registry, with search engine as Goggle or even in the gimp menu Is very hard search successfully something strictly related with Filter Factory if is called "user Filter" And its a pity because is a excellent plugin , even much more flexible and complete of what i may imagine..you did a amazing
May 29, 2008 - 19:31 — PhotoComiX

User Filter

any plan for windows binary..or suggestion on building for win?
June 2, 2008 - 11:53 — PhotoComiX

User Filter reply

On ubuntu hardy is needed also flex and ssl -dev to build but anyway i could not make it works, is visible in the menu now not grayed out but still not active here console output ############################## "photocomix@photocomix-desktop:~$ gimp /usr/lib/gimp/2.0/plug-ins/uf2c: invalid option -- g Usage: uf2c {flags} filter -h | --help : Display this help. -o name | --output=name : Write C source to specified output file instead of stdout. -s name | --skeleton=name : Use specified skeleton file as a plug-in template instead of the default. -v | --verbose: Increase verbosity level. -V | --version: Display version information. (gimp:24399): LibGimpBase-WARNING **: gimp: gimp_wire_read(): error (gimp:24399): LibGimpBase-WARNING **: gimp: gimp_wire_read(): error /usr/lib/gimp/2.0/plug-ins/txt2guf: invalid option -- g Usage: txt2guf [flags] {library.txt} Convert Plugin Commander source files (.txt) to User Filter (.guf) files. Flags: -h | --help : Display this help. -v | --verbose: Increase verbosity level. -V | --version: Display version information. (gimp:24399): LibGimpBase-WARNING **: gimp: gimp_wire_read(): error /usr/lib/gimp/2.0/plug-ins/ffl2guf: invalid option -- g Usage: ffl2guf [flags] {library.ffl} Convert Filter Factory Library files (.ffl) to User Filter (.guf) files. Flags: -h | --help : Display this help. -v | --verbose: Increase verbosity level. -V | --version: Display version information. (gimp:24399): LibGimpBase-WARNING **: gimp: gimp_wire_read(): error /usr/lib/gimp/2.0/plug-ins/afs2guf: invalid option -- g Usage: afs2guf [flags] {library.afs} Convert Filter Factory source files (.afs) to User Filter (.guf) files. Flags: -h | --help : Display this help. -v | --verbose: Increase verbosity level. -V | --version: Display version information. (gimp:24399): LibGimpBase-WARNING **: gimp: gimp_wire_read(): error /usr/lib/gimp/2.0/plug-ins/8bf2guf: invalid option -- g Usage: 8bf2guf [flags] {library.8bf} Convert Filter Factory binary files (.8bf) to User Filter (.guf) files. Flags: -h | --help : Display this help. -v | --verbose: Increase verbosity level. -V | --version: Display version information. (gimp:24399): LibGimpBase-WARNING **: gimp: gimp_wire_read(): error /usr/lib/gimp/2.0/plug-ins/userfilter: fatal error: Segmentation fault" ########################################### Any suggestions ?
June 3, 2008 - 12:51 — cholfatyarh

Segmentation fault / Win32 binary

(a) This was caused by the plug-in assuming to have an existing "userfilter-path" entry in gimprc, which was not the case. Has been fixed in v0.9.5 Also, "make install" should now work as intended. (b) I would be happy if someone could come up with a Windows binary. I did try to compile on Windows, but since I'm working on Linux boxes most of the time, I was missing too many things - and the Compile-Gimp-on-Windows documentation I found on the WWW was way out of date to do a quick job on that... Someone with a working Gimp-on-Windows development setup should have no big troubles though in getting it to work. (c) As of v0.9.5 you also do not require ssl-dev anymore if you have Glib >= 2.16 installed.
June 9, 2008 - 15:14 — PhotoComiX

User Filter

i installed but i can't see how use it. It shows a nice template but i can't see how to import and convert filters and none is included I read that are included utilities for the task but ...where?
June 20, 2008 - 13:14 — cholfatyarh

How to use User Filter

The plug-in is installed in the usual plug-in directory of The Gimp. The external tools are installed in the normal binary directories (probably either /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin). A nice, short guide to programming filters with Filter Factory can be found at http://www.thepluginsite.com/knowhow/ffpg/ffpg.htm (remember, User Filter is backwards compatible to Filter Factory, so what is said there is essentially true for User Filter, too). You can also find some filter samples in the CVS of User Filter: http://gimpuserfilter.cvs.sourceforge.net/gimpuserfilter/userfilter/src/... Unconverted filters can be found at several places on the WWW - one such place would be http://www.photoshop-filters.com/html/filter_factory.htm To automatically use these, you need to convert them first into the native file format of the User Filter plug-in and save them in a User Filter data directory. Filters with the extension ".afs" (original FF save files), ".txt" (save files of Plugin Commander for Windows) or ".8bf" (these are Windows binaries, only those that have been created with FF or Plugin Commander will work) can also be loaded directly from the editor panel of the plug-in.
June 24, 2008 - 17:55 — PhotoComiX

User Filter

Sorry there is a misunderstanding, i know about filter factory and related links What i will like to know is how to call and use the "external tools", include in the User filter to convert FFL and 8bf in "into the native file format of the User Filter plug-in and save them in a User Filter data directory." i have very few practice in working from command line ..well should be no too difficult find the man pages of that tools, But will be easier and more friendly 3 buttons to call that tools from the plugin GUI. Maybe is not a problem for most using linux, but for a Windows version will be almost needed, you can't expect Windows users able to type something in a terminal without detailed and step by step instructions
June 25, 2008 - 18:09 — cholfatyarh

External tools for User Filter

You're right that a GUI interface would be much more convenient for importing filters for users who are not quite accustomed to a command line environment. However, since *.ffl is a library format containing multiple filters, this would require some kind of VFS module for the load/save routine (just like accessing files inside a *.zip archive). I feel that doing such a thing goes way beyond the purpose of the plug-in itself, so if I'm going to do it, it'll be quite at the end of the list of things that are to be done. Plus, how often are you converting filters from old and obsolete formats to the native filter format ? Not quite often, I would think... Once you have converted a set of filters, you won't possibly be doing it again (for the same set, that is). It would therefore be much more beneficial to add a repository of filters to the User Filter plug-in - either filters that have been written from scratch or filters that have been converted from FF style filters. I think that should also be to the likes of Windows or Mac users who are not used to using a command line interface...
June 25, 2008 - 20:02 — PhotoComiX

External tools for User Filter

i think a example may help is a well know command line utility "Enblend" How you can see here http://enblend.sourceforge.net/ under USAGE and OPTION is explained , in few lines but quite well how to use it and the possible options, in a way that even who never open a terminal may successfully use it. At the moment to call the utility i will have first to find their name, somewhere inside the source code , hopefully the utilities names should be reported in 1 of the readme files, but often name is not sufficient so maybe i should trace the utility path and give the path too then for the parameters to use i should search the man page of each utility to for find the options...not so hard i will try tonight but i would have loved have instead clear instruction as for emblend About a repository of filter i will try soon to convert my huge collection of FF if successful i may share it. i don't think make much sense create new Filter Factoryl from scratch,seems more rewarding edit them (as example there are a maybe a dozen of cool "Glow" FF filters, 1 create a red glow, another a golden glow then a blue glow Obviously a similar filter but with additional controls for hue and saturation and radius of the glow color may replace all of them with more flexibility that the first thing i want try.
June 26, 2008 - 15:54 — cholfatyarh

External tools for User Filter

If you had a look at the file called README in the main directory of the source package (and did what the name told you to do) you should also have read these lines: [...] You can still import the old filters (in the editor panel) or convert them with one of the command line utilities (8bf2guf(1), afs2guf(1), ffl2guf(1), and txt2guf(1)). [...] If you installed the debian binary, well, then these docs will be found in the standard documentation directories, i.e. /usr/share/doc/. So, from my humble point of view it should not be too difficult to find these programs that way, or is it ? Now, executing any of these without any proper options should give you something like this: Usage: ffl2guf [option] ... Convert Filter Factory Library files (.ffl) to User Filter (.guf) files. Options: -h | --help : Display this help. -k | --keep-going : If an error occurs, try to continue. -o {name} | --output-directory {name} : Write exported filters to the specified directory. The directory will be created if it does not exist. -s {version} | --set-version {version} : Set the version information on the filter(s). -v | --verbose : Increase verbosity level. -V | --version : Display version information. The man-pages are even more explanatory than that.
June 26, 2008 - 18:19 — PhotoComiX

User Filter

Thank you When installing from source the README file is there at hand ..is less at hand in already installed deb packages I may have a obsession for usability but was not my intention criticize your work on the contrary i'm happy that you resurrect and renew this plugin, and grateful for your effort...and for the info in your last reply thank again
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