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iManjunath
Known Participant
November 19, 2009
Answered

Where is the location for filter plugin dialog in AI CS4?

  • November 19, 2009
  • 1 reply
  • 471 views

Hello All,

Im using CS4. In CS4 SDK sample projects, "Tutorial" is a filter type plugin and I want to test this plugin.

Project is compiled fine and plugin created. Placed this plugin in plugins folder of AI.

and then started AI. The Tutorial plugin is showing under Object -> Filter -> SDK -> Tutorial

I have clicked on "Tutorial" plugin in filters menu. A dialog is opened. set the some parameters in the UI and then clicked on OK.

The dialog is disappeared after OK button clicked.

now, how can I get the same ("Tutorial") dialog again? Where can I see the "Tutorial" dialog in AI?

Just like if we apply a 3d Rotate effect, then the 3D Rotate effect dialog is visible under Appearance Panel. If we want to change the settings, we can click on "3D Rotate" in Appearance panel, then 3D Rotate dialog will be opned.

Please tell me.

- mind

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer A. Patterson

Depending on what your filter does (namely, if it leaves an effect or if it just modifies the art) it may leave an entry in the Appearance panel. This is usually for 'Effects' not filters though the distinction is a little blurry. One of the reasons they took out the Filters menu in CS4 is because most 'filters' were in fact just art operations and better suited to be placed as menuitems in more appropriate places. Effects are really bits of code that get fired when necessary on art to modify their representation on the page based on parameters.

If you're just doing something to art once (like simplifying the art, or reflecting the art) then you're not an effect. If that's the case, you can just create a menuitem anywhere you feel is right if you don't want to be locked into Object > Filter. Being a filter doesn't actually give you much advantage anymore. You might just want to create a menuitem, respond to it and do your work. Filters come with baggage like filter parameters and 'fire last filter' and whatnot, and frankly, that's being phased out. Its more a Photoshop concept shoehorned into Illustrator.

1 reply

A. Patterson
A. Patterson
Inspiring
November 19, 2009

In CS4, 3rd party filters are located under Objects > Filters > [here]. I think that's what you're asking for -- that changed in CS4, when they removed the Filters menu.

I
iManjunathAuthor
Known Participant
November 20, 2009

yes, I can able to see the filter dialog in Objects -> Filter -> ....

When we apply an effect, its dialog is placed/added in "Appearance Panel". We can reopen the dialog when we click on that perticular effect in the "Appearance Panel".

Like this where the filter dialog is placed?

once I closed the dialog how can I reopen the dialog instaed of opening from Objects -> Filter -> ... ???

A. Patterson
A. PattersonCorrect answer
Inspiring
November 20, 2009

Depending on what your filter does (namely, if it leaves an effect or if it just modifies the art) it may leave an entry in the Appearance panel. This is usually for 'Effects' not filters though the distinction is a little blurry. One of the reasons they took out the Filters menu in CS4 is because most 'filters' were in fact just art operations and better suited to be placed as menuitems in more appropriate places. Effects are really bits of code that get fired when necessary on art to modify their representation on the page based on parameters.

If you're just doing something to art once (like simplifying the art, or reflecting the art) then you're not an effect. If that's the case, you can just create a menuitem anywhere you feel is right if you don't want to be locked into Object > Filter. Being a filter doesn't actually give you much advantage anymore. You might just want to create a menuitem, respond to it and do your work. Filters come with baggage like filter parameters and 'fire last filter' and whatnot, and frankly, that's being phased out. Its more a Photoshop concept shoehorned into Illustrator.

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