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Wildfire`s

The Processor

The Linear Effects Processor ("LFX" or "Processor")

The Linear Processor applies a list of effects to an image to modify it. Because the list is processed from the top to the bottom line by line this method is called "linear". But this is only meant to be symbolic - in fact the Linear Processor has more features then the Nonlinear Processor. The NLFX can be thought as of a very intuitive subset of the LFX.

Now lets explain it:
To apply an effect to an image there are three steps:

• supply the input image
• modify the input image
• turn the modified result into an output image

• Input buffer(s)
• Effect parameters
• Output buffer

The list of effect applied to an image is called "Effects-script". Each line of the effects-script contains the name of the Operator and it's three groups of parameters. To apply an effect us drag`n`drop from inside the Operator-list to the Effect-Skript. You can simply double-clik on an effect inside the Operator List too, to add the effect at the end of the script. To kill on effect use the `kill` button or use the drag`n`drop again (this time in the other direction)
There are 13 image buffers:

• The Stream-buffer
  at the beginning the Stream-buffer contains the input-image from the Converter (the image to modify). After calling the Processor the Converter receives the contents of this buffer back to create the output.
  No matter what`s inside the other buffers, only what`s inside the Stream-buffer is important at the end of the effect script!
• The temporary image buffers TEMP1...TEMP7, Alpha.
  These buffers are used to create more complicated images. So you can combine different images using alpha channels or composing or merging. Sometimes you need height maps, which you can store inside one of these other buffers.
• The temporary 3D-buffers
  These 3D buffers are a special thing inside Wildfire which allow you to the superposition of effects in the threedimensional space. Read more about it inside the Powerplugs section.

Have a look at some of the Examples!

The Nonlinear Effects Processor ("NLFX" or "IRS")

The NLFX can be thought as of a very intuitive subset of the LFX. You can not use all of the effects as some need special handling using 3D Buffers and some other things.

Now lets explain it:
Inside the NLFX you only have to care about modifying the image. On the upper right side you see the input image which comes from the converter. To modify this image you have to insert an operator inside the Effects-Window (drag`n`drop). To remove an effect just drag`n`drop it from the Effects-Window into the operators window. Now as you have inserted an effect you can drag the upper right image (the Input from the converter) to the input of the inserted effect.

If everything went o.k. you`ll see the preview inside the output of the effect. Now you can take this output and drag`n`drop it to another input. Some effects have two inputs, so you need two images.
Finally you have to choose one image that you want as output. You simply drag`n`drop it to the output of the effects page, which is located on the right bottom of the window.

To change the settings of an effect just click on it`s gadget and than the known operator window opens. The only thing that you can not change are the input and the output.

Have a look at the Example!

Now go try out some Wildfire Effects!

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