Scott
06/29/2004, 01:00 PM
Recently over at the Adobe Forums there was some discussion about "Filters" being sold my MrRetro.com. Specifically, they are the Machine Wash "Filters". Why I'm quoting the word filter will become apparent in a moment.
I purchased these "Filters" for the listed price of $32. My tought was that while not earth-shattering effects if they have the ability to allow me to dynamically adjust the amount of the effect as it's applied like all filters do, they would be beneficial due to the amount of time they would save for some projects. That's pretty much how I look at all filters Ń if they save me time, and supply an effect I can actually use, they are generally good to have. I've also often found real gems in filters that aren't mass marketed. It's often the small operation that creates that great, useful filter that I quickly grow to depend on. Unlike large companies like Alien Skin which put out a big filter package that I'd really only use once a year at most, those type sof packages just aren't worth the expense. So I was optomistic when purchasing the Machine Wash "Filters".
After ordering and waiting a week+ for delivery I emailed and asked if the order had been process and whythere was no download offered for the software purchase (I can purchase and download Phtooshop why not a filter package?) I was told that the package is over 630mb therefore download was not available. So, at this point I'm thinking 630mb for a filter package? Wow, these might be a bit more complex than I originally assumed. They might be even more beneficial, or coded really poorly. I don't have any filter package that come anywhere near triple digit numbers in terms of size, let alone 6 times that.
So I waited for delivery.
I finally received the package yesterday. After 5 minutes I emailed them back and asked for a refund. Here's why:
What the "Filter" package consistes of is two (yes 2) actions and a number of texture files in the form of PDFs. The first action does one simple thing, places one of the PDF files (after you choose which one) into your open Photoshop document, then selects areas via color range, deletes the placed texture, and creates a layer mask on the layer you had highlighted at the moment you started the action. The layer mask is based upon the color range selection. That's it. The second action does the same process while adding a color tint to give a more rustic color appearance.
Both these actions could have been created in moments. They are nothing more than average actions.
The textures used can be interesting however they can also be found free via google if youreally needed them. Things like concrete, chipped paint, rusted aluminum -- all in greyscale. In fact a few of the textures were nothing more than files created by running a filter or two in photoshop (clouds + find edges, that sort of thing).
This is why I've quoted the word "Filter". The Machine Wash "Filters" are not filters. They are actions and a disk of texture files. Do not waste your money on them.
You can easily create the actions based on what I've said here and you can easily find the textures or create them.
As an end note, while asking for a return authorization from the company, I explained my reasoning for wanting my money back. Filters allow for dynamic control of an effect - by naming the package "Filters" they market it as though it does allow dynamic control. Actions do not offer this ability and they are not even complex actions that are used. The company representative got very defensive (as expected) and explained to me that there is a question in their FAQ that says they are action files. Specifically:
"Q: How do the filters work?
A: By using a custom developed action script in Photoshop, you can select and apply any of the 60 filters to your image."
Again, they use the word "Filter" incorrectly. it should read "... you can select and apply any of the 60 textures to your image." They aren't filters, they are just images.
Anyway.... I hope my experience will save others the trouble of dealing with MrRetro.com and perhaps their parent company FontDiner.com.
--- we don't have any "angry" post tags.. :) gotta make some of those :)
I purchased these "Filters" for the listed price of $32. My tought was that while not earth-shattering effects if they have the ability to allow me to dynamically adjust the amount of the effect as it's applied like all filters do, they would be beneficial due to the amount of time they would save for some projects. That's pretty much how I look at all filters Ń if they save me time, and supply an effect I can actually use, they are generally good to have. I've also often found real gems in filters that aren't mass marketed. It's often the small operation that creates that great, useful filter that I quickly grow to depend on. Unlike large companies like Alien Skin which put out a big filter package that I'd really only use once a year at most, those type sof packages just aren't worth the expense. So I was optomistic when purchasing the Machine Wash "Filters".
After ordering and waiting a week+ for delivery I emailed and asked if the order had been process and whythere was no download offered for the software purchase (I can purchase and download Phtooshop why not a filter package?) I was told that the package is over 630mb therefore download was not available. So, at this point I'm thinking 630mb for a filter package? Wow, these might be a bit more complex than I originally assumed. They might be even more beneficial, or coded really poorly. I don't have any filter package that come anywhere near triple digit numbers in terms of size, let alone 6 times that.
So I waited for delivery.
I finally received the package yesterday. After 5 minutes I emailed them back and asked for a refund. Here's why:
What the "Filter" package consistes of is two (yes 2) actions and a number of texture files in the form of PDFs. The first action does one simple thing, places one of the PDF files (after you choose which one) into your open Photoshop document, then selects areas via color range, deletes the placed texture, and creates a layer mask on the layer you had highlighted at the moment you started the action. The layer mask is based upon the color range selection. That's it. The second action does the same process while adding a color tint to give a more rustic color appearance.
Both these actions could have been created in moments. They are nothing more than average actions.
The textures used can be interesting however they can also be found free via google if youreally needed them. Things like concrete, chipped paint, rusted aluminum -- all in greyscale. In fact a few of the textures were nothing more than files created by running a filter or two in photoshop (clouds + find edges, that sort of thing).
This is why I've quoted the word "Filter". The Machine Wash "Filters" are not filters. They are actions and a disk of texture files. Do not waste your money on them.
You can easily create the actions based on what I've said here and you can easily find the textures or create them.
As an end note, while asking for a return authorization from the company, I explained my reasoning for wanting my money back. Filters allow for dynamic control of an effect - by naming the package "Filters" they market it as though it does allow dynamic control. Actions do not offer this ability and they are not even complex actions that are used. The company representative got very defensive (as expected) and explained to me that there is a question in their FAQ that says they are action files. Specifically:
"Q: How do the filters work?
A: By using a custom developed action script in Photoshop, you can select and apply any of the 60 filters to your image."
Again, they use the word "Filter" incorrectly. it should read "... you can select and apply any of the 60 textures to your image." They aren't filters, they are just images.
Anyway.... I hope my experience will save others the trouble of dealing with MrRetro.com and perhaps their parent company FontDiner.com.
--- we don't have any "angry" post tags.. :) gotta make some of those :)