Graduated Filter Plugin By Roger Barnes

[sbattaio]

Hi Folks,

Sorry if this question may have appeared elsewhere in the forum. I just bought ASP as was checking out the available plugins. One plugin, GradFilter, by Roger Barnes looks very interesting, but it seems only the demo version is available. I tried the developer/purchase links provided on the Corel ASP plugin page and they appear to be dead. I also did a search for GradFilter/Roger Barnes and it returns the same dead links.

Does anybody actually have the "unlocked" version of this plugin? If so, how did you get it? What was the purchase price? Is it worth the expense and trouble of tracking it down? None of this information is available on the ASP site nor on the ASP forums.

Hate to say it (since I actually like ASP) but this appears to be just one more reason why many people think ASP is DOA.

Thanks!

Cheers,
SB

[hpmickey]

Hello,

I bought the Pro version of Grad Filter in Jul 2010, about two weeks after the release of Bibble 5.1 Lite, if I recall correctly. I received a mail with the access credentials and a download link which included also the ND Grad Pro version for Bibble 4. When Corel acquired Bibble Labs, I got a free upgrade of the plugin from Roger Barnes. This graduated filter is imho the best plugin ever written for Bibble/AfterShot. Even the free version is really handy.

Sidenote: I used to have installed only the free version of ND Grad in Bibble 4 Lite. I did not want to upgrade to ND Grad Pro just because I seriously doubted that the former Bibble developers were ever able to release B5. When they did after more than 2 years of promises, it was only half-baked. Moreover, I had to wait yet another half a year for the Lite version. From this point of view, Corel is neither better nor worse. However, to be fair, Bibble Labs offered us (the B4 Lite purchasers) a free temporary lincense to use the B5 Pro version until B5.1 Lite was released.

Michal

[sbattaio]

Hi Michal,

Thank you for the information.

I agree that ASP has advantages over other products such as LR4 and PS. I just hope Corel is playing it straight with us when they say they intend to fully support ASP. So far, I haven't seen much movement from Corel to support that claim.

I finally got the GradFilter page to load using IE instead of Chrome or Firefox. I'll see what options Roger has to offer for ASP owners.

Thanks again!

Cheers,
sbattaio

[ferdinand-paris]

I am fairly certain that Roger provided a version for ASP, but I think it was only a paid version, i.e. there's no free version like there was in B5.

http://digitalarts.mindsocket.com.au/bi ... dgrad.html

[sbattaio]

Yep, he has the ASP version available on his website for $15 USD.

[mindsocket]

Hi SB,

Sorry you had trouble access the site, it was briefly down due to a problem with my web host. As you've since found, the ASP version of the plugin is available.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me directly -- "roger" at this domain: mindsocket.com.au

The plugin comes with a no-questions money-back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with it. That said, the plugin (like ASP, it seems) is no longer subject to any new development, it is provided as is.

Cheers,
- Roger Barnes

[tundraquad]

.... the plugin (like ASP, it seems) is no longer subject to any new development, it is provided as is.

Hi,
once ASP "back in the saddle again", will the plugin be updated in order to remain compatible with ASP's future versions?

thanks.

[mindsocket]

.... the plugin (like ASP, it seems) is no longer subject to any new development, it is provided as is.

Hi,
once ASP "back in the saddle again", will the plugin be updated in order to remain compatible with ASP's future versions?

thanks.

It's possible (just as it was with moving from Bibble to ASP), but I can't make any promises regarding timelines (due to my own priorities) or feasibility (as we're all at the mercy of Corel). To be honest, I've not been keeping track of what's been (actually) happening with ASP development. Is there a recent update? A quick search only turns up rumours.

[tundraquad]

We understand that you want to know more about the future of ASP before investing more time to your plug-in. It really makes sense.
So, no matter what, thanks for your support anyway. You did such a great job with this plugin.

Take care,

[springm]

I am a paying customer of Grad Filter Pro and just can assure you that it works completely as expected. I had no problems at all sinc I bought it.

---Markus

[ferdinand-paris]

To be honest, I've not been keeping track of what's been (actually) happening with ASP development. Is there a recent update? A quick search only turns up rumours.

http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=50739

[kumsa]

I love this plug-in. Dodging and burning is very smooth. The difference in appearance can be subtle, but dramatic.

[cal-c]

I use a graduated neutral density filter when photographing sunrises and sunsets but it often is not enough. How does this plug in do compared to a filter?

[mindsocket]

I use a graduated neutral density filter when photographing sunrises and sunsets but it often is not enough. How does this plug in do compared to a filter?

Basically the plug in can do as much with the data as an exposure adjustment can. It will get back highlights up to a stop or 2 depending on your camera. Combined with a real ND you'd get the best of both worlds and is probably quite a good approach to maximizing usable dynamic range. A real ND theoretically has the best possible chance of manipulating the exposure, but it lacks the versatility of GradFilter's sliders and the ability to change your mind in post

How that makes sense
Rog

[cal-c]

Thanks Roger. Good info.