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Description
This is one of those programs I pick up and have low expectations for - either the UI will be a nightmare or I the workflow sucks and the tool is of limited use at best. Now I have some tools where the UI is a nightmare but this is how I get work done - so I can live with a horrid mess as long as I get results. So I picked up Filter Forge 9.0 today.

Huh, fast workflow, pretty good results, lots of user filters, UI is easy, and you can generate some average "alien skin texture packs" with it or do some really cool stuff like this. There is a website to go browse for filters and download them for free. You can generate all sorts of cool textures - but you still need to be able to build a basic iRay surface to get these working correctly. You need to know your inputs, channels, and things like glossy and top coat and what they do.

This is also useful as a resource for creating things to paint textures with, so there are a lot of toolbox uses for this is you are beyond the basics of DAZ and you want to start hacking materials, skins, and surfaces to get specific looks and effects. Either you are going to be buying texture packs and hoping you get the right ones you need, or you can invest some time in a tool like this and get good results fast.

I do worry about the UI being too simplistic, but maybe this has depth I am not seeing right away. When I start using a tool, I start needing a lot of depth.

Recommended for intermediate and pro level users. A softer recommend for beginners, but worth learning.

-Ren

Description
This is one of those programs I pick up and have low expectations for - either the UI will be a nightmare or I the workflow sucks and the tool is of limited use at best. Now I have some tools where the UI is a nightmare but this is how I get work done - so I can live with a horrid mess as long as I get results. So I picked up Filter Forge 9.0 today.

Huh, fast workflow, pretty good results, lots of user filters, UI is easy, and you can generate some average "alien skin texture packs" with it or do some really cool stuff like this. There is a website to go browse for filters and download them for free. You can generate all sorts of cool textures - but you still need to be able to build a basic iRay surface to get these working correctly. You need to know your inputs, channels, and things like glossy and top coat and what they do.

This is also useful as a resource for creating things to paint textures with, so there are a lot of toolbox uses for this is you are beyond the basics of DAZ and you want to start hacking materials, skins, and surfaces to get specific looks and effects. Either you are going to be buying texture packs and hoping you get the right ones you need, or you can invest some time in a tool like this and get good results fast.

I do worry about the UI being too simplistic, but maybe this has depth I am not seeing right away. When I start using a tool, I start needing a lot of depth.

Recommended for intermediate and pro level users. A softer recommend for beginners, but worth learning.

-Ren