Xenofex 2 Manual
Xenofex 2 Manual
Xenofex 2 Manual
This manual is copyright 2003 by Alien Skin Software, LLC. All rights reserved. Alien Skin is a
trademark and Xenofex is a registered trademark of Alien Skin Software, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Xenofex 2 software is furnished under a license agreement printed at the end of this document.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose,
without the written permission of Alien Skin Software, LLC. Don’t make us come after you; we have
more fun things to do.
Adobe and Adobe Photoshop are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Incorporated. Macintosh is
a trademark of Apple Computer, Incorporated. Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Fireworks is a registered trademark of Macromedia, Incorporated. Paint Shop Pro is a registered
trademark of Jasc, Incorporated. All other product names mentioned in this manual are used for
identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
companies. Registered and unregistered trademarks used herein are the exclusive property of their
respective owners. Alien Skin Software, LLC, makes no claim to any such marks, nor willingly or
knowingly misused or misapplied such marks. We will never wear suits.
Revised February 26, 2003
iii
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Getting Started with Xenofex 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 2
Burnt Edges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 3
Classic Mosaic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 4
Constellation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Chapter 5
Cracks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Chapter 6
Crumple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Chapter 7
Electrify . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Chapter 8
Flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 9
Lightning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Chapter 10
Little Fluffy Clouds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Chapter 11
Puzzle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Chapter 12
Rip Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
iv
Chapter 13
Shatter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Chapter 14
Stain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Chapter 15
Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Chapter 16
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
License Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
1
System Requirements
MACINTOSH OS X INSTALLATION ISSUES
Read this section carefully if you are installing
Macintosh Xenofex 2 on systems running Macintosh OS X.
• PowerPC processor Installing with Administrator Privileges
To install Xenofex 2, your Mac OS X user account
• Macintosh System Software 9 or later; OS X must have administrator privileges. The Xenofex 2
10.1 or later installer, like most installation programs, will need
to write files to protected folders on your com-
• 64 MB or more of physical RAM puter. For information on configuring your user
account for administrator privileges, talk to your
IT guy or consult your operating system’s user
Windows manual.
• Pentium II-class processor Installing Xenofex 2 as a Classic Application
If you are running OS X and want to install Xenofex
• Windows 98/2000/Me/XP 2 into a host that runs under Classic mode—such
Note: Windows NT is not supported. as Photoshop 6 or 7—you will need to run the
installer under Classic mode, also. If the installer
• 64 MB or more of physical RAM
runs under OS X, it assumes that your host is a Car-
bonized application and saves the registration
information differently than when it runs under
Classic. If you try to use Xenofex 2 in Classic mode,
Macintosh Installation the registration information will not be present;
The following boxed section contains you’ll get an error, and will be unable to use the
important information about filters.
installing Xenofex 2 on systems
running Macintosh OS X.
Note: You may skip the following boxed section To force the Xenofex 2 installer to run in Classic
if you are installing on an earlier version of mode, highlight the program icon and select Show
Mac OS. Info under the File menu. Next, check the check
box item Open in the Classic environment. Close
the Info dialog and double click on the program.
This will bring up the Classic environment (if it
isn’t already up) and run the installer.
4
Browse your hard disk until you find the appro- or Windows ME system.
priate Plug-ins folder. Highlight the folder and
click the Choose button to return to the main
installation screen. The Xenofex 2 files will be WINDOWS INSTALLATION ISSUES
Next you will be asked to enter your name, ever need a replacement code, replacement
company name (optional) and your registration software, or technical support, you will need to
code. be registered with us.
Next, our installer will search for all graphics
programs on your computer that are compatible
with Xenofex 2 and will display them in a list.
If you wish to install Xenofex 2 into a program reseller. Registering will help speed up any tech
that’s not listed in the Select Host list, click the support assistance and allows us to inform you
Choose Another Location button to bring up of any bug fixes or updates to the software. We’ll
the manual Select Destination Directory also be able to notify you of special discounts on
window. Browse through the file list until you other Alien Skin products.
find the desired folder and click OK. If you are
You can register via the World Wide Web during
not sure where to install Xenofex 2, consult your
the installation process (see either “Macintosh
graphics program’s manual.
Installation” on page 3 or “Windows Instal-
lation” on page 5).
If you don’t have access to the World Wide Web,
you can register by completing and mailing the
registration card included with every hard copy
of Xenofex 2. Mailing the card is free in the
United States.
Edit Menu
Registering Xenofex 2 This menu allows you an unlimited number of
Please take a moment to register your copy of Undo’s and Redo’s in the preview window. If you
Xenofex 2 with us. Note that if you purchased experiment with the sliders, and find that you
Xenofex 2 directly from Alien Skin Software, via prefer a previous group of settings, simply use
phone, fax, email or the purchase page at our the Undo command in the Edit menu, or use
Web site, then you are already registered with Command-Z (Control-Z on Windows machines) to
us. You only need to register if you purchased back up as many times as necessary.
Xenofex 2 through a catalog, store or other
8
The Edit menu also allows you to Copy, Cut, Settings Menu
Paste, and Delete numerical values from
This menu allows you to name, save, and delete
parameter fields.
your own settings, as well as use the presets that
we include with each filter. You can also reset a
Filters Menu filter to its factory default settings from this
menu. Another way to reset the settings is by
This menu allows you to switch between filters
pressing the F5 key (Windows) or the Command-
from within the preview. Photoshop users note
R key sequence (Macintosh).
that if you switch between filters from within
the Xenofex 2 preview, the Actions, History, and
Last Filter Used functions will record the filter Help Menu
you initially selected.
The enhanced Help menu allows you to access
context-sensitive (filter-specific) help from
View Menu within a filter window. You can access filter-
specific help by pressing the F1 (Windows) or
This menu allows you to zoom the preview in
Help (Macintosh) key within any filter interface.
and out. You can also view all of the layers in
your image using the Show All Layers
command.
Note: Due to a limitation in Photoshop,
choosing Show All Layers in the preview
window will show all of the visible layers in your
image, even if those layers are above the current
(working) layer in the Layers palette. As a
result, your effect may be invisible in the filter
preview window.
The enhanced Help menu contains user manual
In the preview, you will also see the current documentation to help you better use the
working layer below the filter effect. Again, this Xenofex 2 filters. You can also access the Alien
is a limitation in Photoshop, not Xenofex 2, but Skin home page from the Help menu.
it can be misleading so we recommend tempo-
To access a Table of Contents for the online help,
rarily turning off Show All Layers in cases
click Help > Contents in the Xenofex 2 user-
where the current working layer is below other
interface.
opaque layers in your composition.
Note: Show All Layers will be grayed out and
unavailable in hosts other than Photoshop.
9
B D
A C
H F G
10
C: Move, Zoom, Show Original, and Arrow Buttons D: OK and Cancel Controls
The Move (hand) and Zoom (magnifying glass) Clicking the OK button applies the filter with
tools, and Show Original button are found the current settings. Clicking Cancel closes the
above the preview window. Click the hand to filter window without applying the effect.
enable the Move tool, then click and drag to
move around the preview image. E: Preview Window Area
The Move and Zoom Tools Preview the effect on your image here. The
preview area can be resized by clicking and
dragging the bottom right-hand corner of the
filter window. Windows users can also click and
drag the bottom of the window.
Click the magnifying glass to enable the Zoom
tool. Click to zoom into your image; Option-click
to zoom out (Alt-click for Windows users). F: Render Status Bar
Double-clicking the Zoom tool at any time The rectangle to the left of the magnification
resets the preview window to 100% magnifi- indicator is the Render Status bar. As an effect
cation. is being rendered in the preview, this rectangle
displays the amount of rendering that has been
The Show Original button enables you to toggle completed.
back and forth between the filtered and unfil-
tered versions of your image. Just click and hold
G: Magnification Indicator
the button to view the unaffected image.
Release the button when you want to view your The current level of magnification is shown to
image with the effect. the right of the render status bar at the lower
right corner of the filter window.
The Show Original Button
Note that you can use the slider, enter a numeric Resetting to Factory Default
value, or use the up and down arrow keys to Every filter has a basic factory default setting.
change the value of filter controls. You can also The Reset to factory default command in the
adjust slider settings by using the up and down Settings menu will display a preview with the
arrow buttons to the right of the sliders. filter’s default setting. If you are bogged down
in a quagmire of complex slider combinations,
use the F5 (Windows) or Command-R
Using Settings (Macintosh) key to reset the current preview to
The Settings menu in each filter window allows the filter’s factory default setting.
you to save and manage the presets that are
included with each filter. You can also create
your own settings. Enjoy the Filters!
That’s it for the opening section. We’ve designed
How to load a preset Xenofex 2 to be a tool that’s both fun and easy
To use a preset included with a filter, simply to use. We hope you enjoy using the filters.
open the Settings menu and select the name of
the desired setting from the list.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Macintosh Windows
OK Return Return
Burnt Edges simulates the effect of burning the Using Burnt Edges
edges of a piece of paper, or burning a hole into
paper, and then putting the flame out. Burnt 1 Using a selection tool, such as the type mask
Edges can be used with any selection shape, tool, or the lasso, select the object or area that
including text. By using different burn colors, you wish to burn. Or, to burn the edges around
you can create many different effects. Check out an entire image, run the Burnt Edges filter
the Burnt Edges presets to see some of the many with no selection.
effects you can create. 2 Run the Burnt Edges filter.
3 Adjust the filter controls to taste.
4 Click OK.
5 Enjoy.
14
Burn Inside Select this option to burn a hole Random Seed Controls the random element in
into the selection. the creation of this effect. Minor changes in the
Random Seed setting can produce dramatic
changes in your image; we encourage you to
experiment with this control until you find the
effects you like best. You can then precisely
duplicate the effect by saving the Random Seed
setting.
Classic Mosaic converts any image into a realistic Using Classic Mosaic
tiled mosaic. Classic Mosaic is particularly
effective because of it’s edge detecting features. To get great results with Classic Mosaic, choose
Tiles align themselves to curved shapes, such as images to be used with the filter wisely. Here are
the outlines of a face, to simulate the visual some guidelines for choosing an image that will
characteristics of ancient Greek mosaics. Classic work well with Classic Mosaic:
Mosaic is an extremely simple filter to operate. • Choose large images with strongly contrasting
In most cases, you’ll run it on an entire image; colors.
so a selection isn’t even necessary.
• Adjust the contrast levels in your image to
improve results.
• If you want to work with text, use type large
enough to handle being rebuilt as blocks.
17
Now that you’ve chosen the right image, Classic Grout Width Specifies the width of the space
Mosaic is a snap: between tiles, relative to the tile size. Larger
values increase the spacing between tiles.
1 Run the Classic Mosaic filter.
2 Choose an appropriate tile size. Tiles that are
too large obscure details of the original image,
but tiles that are too small don’t look like tiles.
3 Select a grout width that strikes your fancy.
Grout that is too wide confuses the original
image.
4 Select the edge sensitivity that preserves just
the right amount of detail from your original
image.
5 Click OK.
6 Enjoy.
Control Descriptions
Tile Size Controls the size of the tiles that
compose your mosaic. Higher values yield larger
tiles.
Edge Sensitivity Higher values forces the tiles Crumple your image before running
to follow the details of an image more closely. Classic Mosaic to add interesting
variations to the colors and shape of
Grout Color Grout can be any color you like.
tiles.
Clicking in this box awakens your slumbering
color picker.
Random Seed Controls the random element in
the creation of this effect. Minor changes in the
Random Seed setting can produce dramatic
changes in your image; we encourage you to
experiment with this control until you find the
effects you like best. You can then precisely
duplicate the effect by saving the Random Seed
setting.
Tips
The following tips will help you get the best
results when using Classic Mosaic:
Use the contrast adjustment tools in
your graphics host to strengthen
contrast levels in your image. This
practice helps Classic Mosaic detect
and place tiles along edges more accurately.
19
Chapter 4: Constellation
Overall Star Density Controls the number of Fill with solid color
stars placed throughout the image. Higher Fills the areas between stars with the color
values place more stars. chosen using the Fill Color picker.
Overdrive Controls the brightness and
saturation of the stars’ light and color. Higher
values make the stars brighter and whiter.
Twinkle Amount Adds sparkling spires of light
that radiate outward from the largest stars. The
values are a percentage of the total. If you select
10, 10 percent of the largest stars will twinkle.
Twinkle Rotation Specifies the angle of
rotation at which the spires radiate from the
stars. Enter a numeric value or click and drag the
control knob to change the value.
Background Fill The following three options
determine how Constellation fills an area which
has been filled with stars. In a background layer,
you can fill with the original image or a solid
color or the original image. In any other layer,
you can fill with transparency, a solid color, or
the original image.
Tips
Say you have a picture of a rapper
with gold teeth. By selecting just the
teeth, then choosing the Keep
original image fill option, and
applying Constellation, you add the perfect
“bling-bling” effect!
23
Chapter 5: Cracks
Chapter 6: Crumple
Control Descriptions original image. This option also causes the edges
of your selection to be drawn in. This space can
Crumple Size Controls the size of the creases in either be transparent or filled with a solid color.
the crumpled paper.
Crumple Force Low values crumple the image
less; higher values wrinkle the selection more.
Note that highly crumpled paper, combined with
Distort Image covers less projected area than
the original image.
Distort Image Select the Distort Image
checkbox to make your image adhere to the
surface contours created by the crumple effect.
When this checkbox is cleared, Crumple creates
highlights and shading that do not affect the
Background Color Chooses the solid color that Light Boost Increases the overall brightness of
fills in where the effect does not cover the the image to compensate for any darkening due
original image. This is only enabled in the to lighting calculations.
background layer. In layers that have trans-
parency, the area around the effect is simply
erased.
Random Seed Controls the random element in
the creation of this effect. Minor changes in the
Random Seed setting can produce dramatic
changes in your image; we encourage you to
experiment with this control until you find the
effects you like best. You can then precisely
duplicate the effect by saving the Random Seed
setting.
Direction Controls the direction from which the
light falls on your selection. Click and drag
within the lighting control box to change the
direction, or enter a numerical value between 0
and 360 degrees.
Inclination Controls the angle formed by the
light and the page. Click and drag within the
lighting control box to change the inclination,
or enter a numerical value between 45 and 90
degrees.
Highlight Brightness Controls the intensity of
the shiny highlights appearing on areas facing
the light.
Highlight Size Controls the size of the shiny
highlights on areas facing the light; higher
values yield larger highlights.
Highlight Color Use the color picker to choose
any color for the shiny highlights.
28
Chapter 7: Electrify
Since Electrify places arcs of electricity around sometimes have more effect than others.
an object, you must use the filter with a Clicking Random Seed will sometimes create
selection, or an object floating in an empty layer more branches when Branching doesn’t seem to
with surrounding transparency. have much effect.
1 Select the object or text that you want to Branch Spread Controls how far apart the
electrify. branches are spaced; higher values increase the
2 Run the Electrify filter. angle between branches.
Control Descriptions
Basic Tab
Arc Spacing Specifies the distance between
each arc. Lower values reduce the distance
between arcs, thus increasing the total number
of arcs.
Arc Length Controls the length of the arcs.
Higher values yield longer arcs. Not all arcs are
the same length, however.
Arc Thickness Controls the width of each arc.
Higher values make wider arcs.
Jaggedness Higher values increase the crooked
movement of arcs. Lower values yield straighter
arcs.
Branching Controls the number of branches
each arcs forms; higher values generally yield
more branching. Because branching is a random
process, changing the Branching slider will
30
Radiate From Center Selecting this option changes in your image; we encourage you to
makes all of the arcs move directly away from experiment with this control until you find the
the center of the selection. When deselected, effects you like best. You can then precisely
arcs will shoot outward at a a 90 degree angle, duplicate the effect by saving the Random Seed
relative to the selection. setting.
Glow Tab
Glow Width Controls the diffuse glow around
the arcs. Increasing this value spreads the glow
over a wider area.
Glow Opacity Increasing this value yields a
more solid and intense arc.
Inner and Outer Color The glow at the middle
of each arc starts as the Inner Color and fades
to the Outer Color as it moves outward. Clicking
in either box brings up a color picker dialog.
Chapter 8: Flag
Flag uses shadows and highlights to simulate 1 Place an object in a layer, by itself, with
three-dimensional, windblown fabric or liquid background transparency.
surfaces. Flag quickly creates striking banners 2 Run the Flag filter.
for the web. Intrepid users can even start with
non-rectangular shapes to make pennants or 3 Adjust the filter controls to taste.
war-torn flags. 4 Click OK.
5 Enjoy.
Using Flag
Apply Flag to objects in layers with transparency
to get the best results.
32
The flags above are held loosely to the poles, using only
two corner attachments.
Chapter 9: Lightning
Glow Tab
Flash Size Specifies the size of the glowing flash
that begins the arc of lightning. With Taper
Main Arc disabled, both the beginning and
endpoints of the arc have flashes
Glow Width Controls the diffuse glow around
the arcs. Increasing this value spreads the glow
over a wider area.
Glow Opacity Increasing this value yields a
darker, less transparent arc.
Inner and Outer Color The glow at the middle
of each arc starts as the Inner Color and fades
to the Outer Color as it moves outward. Clicking
in either box brings up a color picker dialog.
39
Little Fluffy Clouds creates a wide range of cloud 4 Play with the basic features of the filter, then
shapes and cloud-like effects, from slight wisps the camera features, until you are satisfied
to threatening storm fronts. The clouds can be with the result.
rendered with a horizon perspective for use in 5 Click OK.
photos or as tileable two-dimensional clouds
that make great backdrops. We recommend that 6 Sit back and gaze contentedly upon your
you test drive the filter using presets, to survey creation.
the wide variety of cloud simulations that this To render clouds that do not have a horizon
filter can render. perspective:
1 Select the area to which you would like to add
clouds.
Using Little Fluffy Clouds 2 Run the Little Fluffy Clouds filter.
To render perspective clouds:
3 In the Camera Tab, disable Perspective.
1 Select the area to which you would like to add
4 Play with the basic features of the filter and
clouds.
optionally the sky color features.
2 Run the Little Fluffy Clouds filter.
5 If you are using the clouds to tile a
Note: If you are adding clouds to a photo, it is
background, such as a Web page, enable the
advisable to leave the Draw Sky Background
Seamless Tile option.
option cleared.
6 Click OK.
3 In the Camera Tab, enable Perspective.
7 Be amazed.
40
Control Descriptions effects you like best. You can then precisely
duplicate the effect by saving the Random Seed
setting.
Basic Tab
Puff Size Controls the size of the cloud puffs Sky Color Tab
created across your selection; higher values
Draw Sky Background Choose this option to
yield larger and fewer clouds.
draw a sky background over the original image.
Coverage Higher values cover your image more When cleared, the rest of the Sky Color Tab is
completely and smaller values leave more gaps disabled.
in the clouds.
Zenith Color Specify the color of the zenith
Edge Sharpness Controls the sharpness of the using your color picker.
clouds’ edges; lower values yield softer, less
Horizon Color Specify the color of the horizon
defined clouds.
using your color picker.
Base and Edge Color The clouds are made up of
Haze Simulates dust or smog, which obscures
two colors. Clouds are the Base Color in central
the clouds. Higher values fade the clouds more.
opaque areas and fade to the Edge Color in
surrounding semi-transparent areas. Clicking in
either box brings up the color picker you have
previously selected in your graphics program.
Cloud Mode Select the basic cloud type, then
refine the effect with the other filter control
parameters. The following three modes are
available:
• Fluffy
• Wispy
• Puffy
A
B
Connecting Nub
C
45
Rip Open simulates a paper surface being torn, 2 Run the Rip Open filter.
punctured, or blown open. 3 Adjust the sliders to taste.
4 Have a siesta; you deserve it.
Curl Amount Specifies the distance to pull back Underside Color Use the color picker to select a
curled pieces. Higher values peel the pieces back color for the underside of the curls.
further.
Curl Variation Randomizes the curl sizes,
direction, and amount of curling. Higher values
further randomize the these features.
Edge Roughness Adds roughness to the edges
of the curled pieces. Higher values result in a
tattered appearance.
Shadow Width Specifies the width of the
shadows cast by the curls. Higher values yield
wider shadows.
Inside Fill
Fill with solid color Fills the torn out areas with
the color chosen using the Fill Color picker.
Make selection transparent Fills with trans- Same Color on Underside has been selected in the image
parency to reveal the underlying layer. Disabled above with a high curl variation setting.
Shatter explodes images and selections into 3 Experiment with the control sliders freely,
little pieces and shards that fly off the page in a until you are satisfied with the result.
three-dimensional simulation of an exploding 4 Click OK.
surface.
5 Think good thoughts.
Using Shatter
Note: Shatter does not work in CMYK mode.
1 Select the area that you want to shatter. To
shatter the entire image, leave it unselected.
2 Run the Shatter filter.
49
Lighting Tab
Increase Contrast Boosts the lighting effect on
shattered pieces, yielding brighter, harsher
lighting.
Light Direction Controls the direction from
which the light falls on your selection. Click and
drag within the lighting control box to change
the direction, or enter a numerical value
between 0 and 360 degrees.
Highlight Brightness Controls the intensity of
the shiny highlights appearing on the areas
facing the light.
Highlight Size Controls the size of the shiny
highlights on areas facing the light; higher
values yield larger highlights.
51
1 Using a selection tool, such as the type mask Clearing the Ring Stain check box fills the ring
tool, or the lasso, select the object or area that using the color selected in Stain Color and
you wish to stain. opacity levels set with the Internal Opacity and
2 Run the Stain filter. Overall Opacity sliders.
Control Descriptions
Ring Stain Select this check box to apply the
stain effect to the area around your selection
boundary. For example, applying Stain to a
circular selection with Ring Stain selected
creates a stained loop, like a coffee mug might Edge Width Specifies the width of the opacity
leave behind. drop-off, which forms the stain effect. Higher
values produce a wider stain.
Roughness Controls the roughness of the stain
edge; higher values produce an increasingly
jagged edge.
Internal Opacity Controls the transparency of
the inner part of the stain. Higher values
increase the opacity of the stain’s interior.
Overall Opacity Controls the opacity of the
entire stain effect. Higher values darken the
stain effect and interior opacity (if an internal
opacity above one has been specified).
Stain Color The stain can be any color you like.
Clicking in this box awakens your slumbering
color picker.
53
Tips
Stain is designed to work with selec-
tions. If you apply Stain without a
selection (when the Ring Stain
check box is cleared) the stain will
cover your entire image, producing an under-
whelming effect.
In defiance of the above edict, apply
stain to an entire image, with the
Ring Stain check box cleared to
create a picture frame.
54
your selection. You can avoid this by copying Ghost Offset Controls the amount the image
the image to its own layer and applying copy is shifted from the original; higher values
Television there. yield “ghosts” farther away from their original
position.
Static Controls the amount of visual noise
added to the image. Higher values yield a more
noisy and colorful image.
Ghost Strength Creates a faint, shifted copy of
the image. Higher values produce a more
obvious “ghost” copy.
Breakup Adds random horizontal shifting to Use Amber or Green to emulate the
your image; higher values yield a wavier, look of ancient computer monitors.
broken-up image.
Monochrome Screen Selecting the
Monochrome Screen check box yields a two-
color effect. You can convert color distortions to
black-and-white, amber (like old computer
monitors), or anything else. This option is
cleared by default.
Monochrome Screen Color Use this color picker
to choose your screen color when the
monochrome screen check box is selected.
Background Color Chooses the solid color that
fills the areas where the effect does not cover
the original image. This is only enabled in the
background layer. In layers that have trans-
parency, the area around the effect is simply
erased.
Random Seed Controls the random element in
the creation of this effect. Minor changes in the
Random Seed setting can produce dramatic
changes in your image; we encourage you to
experiment with this control until you find the
effects you like best. You can then precisely
duplicate the effect by saving the Random Seed
setting.
Tips
Apply Television only to rectangular
selections, images, or objects. Using
rounded selections yields unexpected
results!
57
Solution The Xenofex 2 installer, like most with a host not listed in this manual, please
installation programs, will need to write files to visit our Web site for the latest list of compatible
various folders on your computer. With hosts.
operating systems such as Mac OS X, Windows
2000 and Windows XP, you will need to have
administrator privileges. For information on Problem: How do I uninstall Xenofex 2?
configuring your user account for such privi-
Macintosh OS 9/Classic Solution: Find the
leges, see your system administrator or your
Xenofex 2 folder in your graphics program’s
operating system manual.
plug-in folder and delete it. Also delete the
Application Support : Alien Skin : Xenofex 2
folder.
Problem After installing the plug-ins and
starting the graphics host program, the filters If the multiple users control panel is enabled,
do not appear in the Filter or plug-in menu. you’ll also need to delete the Users : <user
name> : Application Support : Alien Skin :
Solution The filters were probably not installed
Xenofex 2 folder.
in your graphics program’s plug-in folder. Find
out exactly which folder your host program is If the multiple users control panel is disabled,
using for plug-ins. With Photoshop, you can you’ll also need to delete the System Folder :
determine this by going to Edit > Preferences Application Support : Alien Skin : Xenofex 2
> Plug-ins. Then try to install the filters again folder.
and make sure you select the proper plug-in
Macintosh OS X Solution: Find the Xenofex 2
folder. Also, remember that after installing new
folder in your graphics program’s plug-in folder
filters, you must restart your graphics program
and delete it. Also delete the /Users/<user
for them to become available. With other
name>/Library/Application Support/Alien
graphic host programs, consult that program’s
Skin/Xenofex 2 folder.
manual for more information about where plug-
ins need to be installed and how to access them. Windows Solution: Run Add/Remove
Programs from your Windows Control Panel.
Select Xenofex 2 from the program list and click
Problem: Xenofex 2 doesn’t work with a
the Add/Remove button. This will remove the
graphics program that claims to use Photoshop
program and most of its components. Next go to
plug-ins.
your plug-ins folder and delete the Xenofex 2
Solution: Programs sometimes claim to work Settings folder.
with all Photoshop plug-ins without testing
thoroughly or strictly following the Photoshop
plug-in standard. If you’d like to use Xenofex 2
59
Error Messages
The table below provides remedies to the error messages you may encounter in Xenofex 2.
This host application does not support enough of Sorry! Your host graphics program is incompatible with Xenofex 2. Consult the
the Photoshop filter specification for this filter to list of compatible host programs in “Host Requirements” on page 2.
run.
This filter requires a selection. Make a selection, then rerun the filter.
This filter requires editable transparency. Please turn In Photoshop 6, turn off the Preserve Transparency option in the Layers Palette.
OFF Preserve Transparency in the Layer palette. In Photoshop 7, clear the Lock Transparent Pixels button.
This filter only runs on MacOS 9 or later. Check the operating system requirements for Xenofex 2 in your user manual.
Xenofex 2 only works with MacOS 9 or later.
The filter ran out of available memory while render- The history palette and other features take up a lot of memory. In Photoshop, you
ing the preview image. can free up this memory by selecting Edit > Purge > All.
You may not have enough physical memory (RAM) to handle the image that
you’re working with.
A serious error occurred and the filter was unable to Reinstall Xenofex 2.
find the entry point for the core library. Reinstalling
the filters may fix this problem.
A serious error occurred and the filter was unable to Reinstall Xenofex 2.
load the core library. Reinstalling the filters may fix
this problem.
A serious error occurred and the filter was unable to Reinstall Xenofex 2.
set the location of its resources. Reinstalling the fil-
ters may fix this problem.
Please make a selection or an object in a layer that Make a selection or place an object in its own layer with surrounding transpar-
does not take up the entire layer. ency to make the filter run.
Setting names can only include letters, numbers and Reduce the length of your setting name and make sure that it only contains let-
spaces, and must be 31 or fewer characters in length. ters, numbers, or spaces.
62
License Agreement
This is a legal agreement (the "Agreement") between you (either an individual or an entity), the end-
user, and Alien Skin Software LLC ("Alien Skin"). By installing the computer software in this package
("SOFTWARE"), by loading or running the SOFTWARE, or by placing or copying the SOFTWARE onto
your computer hard drive, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. If you do
not agree to the terms of this Agreement, promptly return the SOFTWARE and the accompanying items
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and must be retained by you. You may not rent or lease the SOFTWARE, but you may transfer your
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4. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Should any provision of this Agreement be held to be void, invalid,
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64
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. You agree that your exclusive remedy against Alien Skin, its affiliates,
contractors, suppliers, and agents for loss or damage caused by any defect or failure in the SOFTWARE
regardless of the form of action, whether in contract, tort, including negligence, strict liability or
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LEGAL THEORY EVEN IF ALIEN SKIN SOFTWARE OR ITS AGENT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
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U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS
The SOFTWARE and documentation are provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use, duplication, or
disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the
Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 or subparagraphs
(c)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as appli-
cable. Contractor/manufacturer is Alien Skin, 1111 Haynes Street, Suite 113, Raleigh, North Carolina
27604-1305.
Graphics
Programming:
Kevin Arthur
,
JeffButterworth,
Finley Lee
User Inter
face and
System Progr
amming:
Finley Lee, Sam Mauney
Installer
ogramming:
Pr
Finley Lee, Sam Mauney
Testing:
Skip Elsheimer, Scott Gilliam,
Ben Hazard, Mikeolikowski,
Kr
Jerry Pemberton, Charlotte Walton
Project Management:
Marcus Rogers
Manual:
Andy Spencer
Product Ar
twork:
Dale Flattum
Marketing:
Amedeo Rosa