Filter Factory plugins — 8bf — Anyone use these in Elements?

TB
Posted By
Tom_Bruno
Apr 27, 2005
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1285
Replies
7
Status
Closed
Hello all —

I’m starting out in digital photography, and I love it so far. I’m using PE2 & WinXP. While energetically hacking at my photos, I realized that there are plugins for PS scattered around the web. One site I came across (http://stevesdesktopphotography.com/plugins.htm) has a bunch of filters called the Filter Factory. They’re listed for Photoshop, but the site says they can be used in a number of software packages, including — but they’re vague on this — Elements. Some of them look pretty cool so I downloaded a few, along with a utility that converts them into "8bf" files for use in Photoshop. I put the 8bf files into the Elements Plugin/Filters folder and…close, but no cigar! When I opened a picture in Elements, the Filter menu actually did show the filters (as "Andrew’s Filters") — but the names of the plugins were grayed out! Aarrrghhhh. I tried the tricks listed at the website to make them work, including the "Additional Plugins Directory" option in Elements Preferences, but no luck. Has anyone tried these plugins? What is an "8bf" file? Is it just for Photoshop, or can Elements use it?

Thanks,

Tom B.
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Raymond Robillard
Apr 27, 2005
Most plug-ins will work on RGB pictures… Is yours in RGB mode ? To check this, click on Image / Mode / RGB…

Ray
TB
Tom_Bruno
Apr 27, 2005
Yes, Ray, I’m in RGB. Thanks for the reply. Maybe it’s something to do with copying to a kind of Plugin / Filter folder? I put them into a folder I called Filter Factory. But on the Filter drop-down there were several grayed-out groups, called Andrew’s Filters 1, Andrew’s Filters 2, etc. Makes me wonder if there are some kind of tags inside the filters that need them to be pasted to a folder with a particular name.

Tom B.
BB
Barbara_Brundage
Apr 27, 2005
Try removing the outermost folder. So that you just have filters\Andrew’s filters 1.
PA
Patti Anderson
Apr 27, 2005
I believe you need to download a plugin manager to recompile the downloded filter files. Look for the links on stevesdesktopphotography site for the Plugin Commander from Harry the Raver.

Patti
TB
Tom_Bruno
Apr 27, 2005
It works! It works!! Thanks to you both. Patti, you’re right, that program called Plugin Commander, which they nickname "PiCo," is needed, and it functions fine. And Ray, thanks again for making me think about settings beyond what was under my thumb and look at other program parameters. When I opened my multi-layer image, the plugins were grayed out under Filters — but the default filters were not. Then when I switched off the eye icon from all the layers except one, the plugins became available. Who knows why that happened. For me this is EXCITING stuff! It’s great fun! I’m old enough to act like a mature, sensible adult, but tinkering with Elements is like playing with toys on my birthday.

And BTW, these filters give eye-popping visual effects. After I applied the first one I went WOW! Years of hacking couldn’t give me anything as dramatic or striking as that plugin filter did. I’ll be messing with more of them. Anyone reading this who’s looking for a way to jazz up or even supercharge your images in one big swoop, here it is. Filter Factory is highly recommended. There must be a couple hundred of them, available for free download, from the above website. Try them out. Most of you probably know about this, but if anyone else has problems extracting the files I’d be glad to try to help.

And thanks again, Patti and Ray, for your invaluable suggestions.

Tom B.

P.S., if there’s a way to post a couple shots to the net, I’d be happy to show you my first efforts.
PA
Patti Anderson
Apr 27, 2005
I’m old enough to act like a mature, sensible adult, but tinkering with Elements is like playing with toys on my birthday.

You’re not alone in this forum, Tom!! XD

You can upload and post samples here for free Copy and paste the link here in the forum once it’s uploaded:

<http://www.pixentral.com>

Patti
TB
Tom_Bruno
Apr 27, 2005
Thanks, Patti. And thanks, Barbara. Switching folders as you suggested does indeed help the filters load. I’ve read here that you have a new book out, with rave reviews. I’ve just ordered it from Amazon and look forward to reading it.

I posted my first efforts on Pixentral, as you suggested, Patti. I’m not quite sure how the site works, but here are the links that were on the pages. I hope you can find them.

First, the original shot of Max the Great Hunter on the patio bricks. Pretty boring, with an orange wire and debris:

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1QiG3W24hiTnvq4RhRuhfR 1yJegWby0>

Then an attempt to make the original cleaner and more interesting:

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1PFzwHjwPMCt1MJ2myMjNX bqfXnRH>

Then a couple or three variations, including Max In The Sky:

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1PmFLRFJiUgahLDI6hxGZQ gMxjb5>

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1CSCaDYsv6PncqNA1ABPz6 uqPMnQuA0>

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1pbLAI2godrMzpXeonl20V G0fu9rD>

And then the one with the Filter Factory:

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1PoEvPtdXYdjVYucpxMNkk HWh7fGM>

Not Picasso I know, but lots of fun! Hope you enjoy some of them. And again, thanks for everyone’s help. This is a nice group.

Tom B.

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