FilterFormula Main Page
6. Technical Remarks
6.1 Stability of the code
6.2 Compatibility
6.3 Coding limits
6.4 Differences between full (registered) (F) Version and the shareware (S) version
6.5 Internal Registry Information

6. Technical Remarks

6.1 Stability of the code


Much effort has been done that the filter does not enter any exceptional situation that would cause the filter and the calling program to crash (or hang). Divisions by zero are checked explicitly and endless loops can be stopped by pressing the escape key. In preview mode, the calculation of the preview image is stopped after about three seconds.

But, despite of all effort, software can never be errorless. Sometimes a software crash or an exception occurs only on one imaging software, but not on others. Therefore it could be an error in the filter, the overlaying program or in the interface between them.

If you encounter any error, please notify the authors of FilterFormula with a description that should be as exact as possible. To fix it, we must be able to reproduce this error; if we cannot do this, it is nearly impossible for us to find an error. In many cases, a reported error is not really an error, but is the result of a misunderstanding or false expectations.

For error notification, please see chapter 7.
 

6.2 Compatibility

FilterFormula has been tested for compatibility with the following imaging software:
 
  
Adobe Photoshop Versions 4 and 5 compatible (24 bits per pixel RGB color mode).
JASC Paint Shop Pro 5 compatible
Version 7
There is a problem with the preview window: Zooming is not possible, but generally it works
Version 8
compatible
Micrografx PicturePublisher not compatible
ULead PhotoImpact not fully compatible (only in selections)
There might be several other imaging software that support Photoshop compatible plugins. Theoretically (if they are fully compatible) they should support FilterFormula.

If you own such a program, please test FilterFormula and notify us about the results so that we are able to include them into this manual. Thank you.
 

6.3 Coding limits

Some limits of the code for the filters written in FilterFormula apply as below. But you will probably not ever reach these limits as they were chosen in order to define even highly complex filters.
 
Max. size of source code
16 KB
Number of user variables
256 / 32 (*)
Max. size of machine code
4096 bytes / 2048 bytes (*)
Max. number of labels in code
16
Max. size of array for put() and get()
65536 items (32 bit each) = 256 KB, user selectable
Max. number of breaks and continue's
64


(*) an asterisk denotes that there is a difference between shareware and full version. The first value applies to the full version, the second to the shareware.
 

6.4 Differences between full (registered) (F) Version and the shareware (S) version

F: full unlimited usage
S: 30 days limited usage

F: unlimited number of concurrently avaibable plugins
S: limited to 15 plugins at one time

F: free electronic updates, automatic notification of new releases
S: no notification

F: possibility to create royalty-free standalone filters
S: no such possibility

F: Serial number and/or name is written on the dialog window
S: "- UNREGISTERED VERSION -" is written on all dialog windows

F: registered users can get free technical support via e-mail. We can also give them tips how to implement their filters. If they want an extension that is not too complex to implement and if it can be useful also for other customers, we will implement it in short time.
S: no technical support

Code size differences:
F: 4096 bytes machine code, up to 256 user variables
S: 2048 bytes machine code, up to 32 user variables
 

6.5 Internal Registry Information

The whole registry information of FilterFormula is stored in the Windows 95/98/NT registry sub-tree
HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\Software\ATS\FilterFormula
The setup utility defines some entries that are absolutely necessary for the correct use of FilterFormula. Please be careful not to delete or modify any of its entries, as the filter could stop working otherwise.

The uninstall utility completely removes all files and entries in the registry regarding FilterFormula (even the information about the expiry date of the shareware version).

You could, although it is illegal, uninstall FilterFormula and re-install it to prolong the time of usage, but in this case you could not use your previously defined filters any more and you would have to define them all again.
 


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