How many effects are included?

There are over 100 separate effects plus additional presets for additional automatic (no input required) effects. In addition, there are custom options available in thousands of combinations, for virtually endless possibilities. (CEFX version 2 for PHOTO-PAINT 9 has twice as many effects as CEFX version 1 for PHOTO-PAINT 8.)

Can I use Cutting Edge F/X with Corel PHOTO-PAINT 4/5/6/7, or another image editing program?

No. Cutting Edge F/X will only run inside Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8 and 9, and you must have appropriate version of CEFX for each version of PHOTO-PAINT. Upgrade pricing is available for previous customers. Please see our ordering information by clicking here.

Does Cutting Edge F/X work with the Mac version of Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8?

No. At this time, Cutting Edge F/X is for the PC versions of Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8 and 9 only.

Do I need any special third-party plugins for Cutting Edge F/X?

No. Cutting Edge F/X uses the effects and adjustment filters included with PHOTO-PAINT 8 and 9. Additional purchase of third-party plugins is not required. However, a full install of the PHOTO-PAINT filters is required.

How do I UnZip the file(s) I have downloaded?

Check out WinZip headquarters at www.winzip.com for answers to all of your Zipping and UnZipping questions.

I have installed Cutting Edge F/X but I forgot to note the default install location and now I can't find it. Where is my Cutting Edge F/X?

By default, the full version of Cutting Edge F/X is installed to yourPhotoPaint8directory\Photopnt\Scripts\Scripts. You can quickly locate the F/X by opening the Scripts Docker (Ctrl+F6) and browsing to the root "Scripts" directory. If you have used the Scripts Docker previously, you may find that when you open the Docker you are in the root Scripts or Scripts>Effects directories.

How do I start Cutting Edge F/X?

If you installed Cutting Edge F/X to the default install location, open the PHOTO-PAINT 8 Scripts Docker and doubleclick the Cutting Edge F/X icon.

I´d like to add a Cutting Edge F/X toolbar so I don´t have to use the Scripts Docker. How can I do that?

Click here for the instructions and to download a custom toolbar button image.

I am not sure how to actually apply Cutting Edge F/X. They apply to the sample text with no problem -- how do I apply them to an existing image?

To run the effects on something other than sample text (or your own text if you type it in the input box), create an RGB image with a  floating object. Select the object and then open F/X.

When I choose the Copy of Object as New Image or Text Effect options, the resulting image window is a little square. How can I set an option so that new windows are automatically resized?

You can set your PHOTO-PAINT options to resize image windows automatically. In PHOTO-PAINT, go to Tools>Options>General and check the box next to Automatic view resize.

OK, I've started Cutting Edge F/X and now I've decided to change something in my PHOTO-PAINT image. Where did Cutting Edge F/X go?

When you click off of the Cutting Edge F/X dialog, the PHOTO-PAINT window will move to the front. Simply move Cutting Edge F/X to the front again by clicking on its Taskbar button or by using ALT+TAB to move between active application windows.

I just looked at my Taskbar and I see 5 Cutting Edge F/X buttons. What does this mean?

It means that you have started the Cutting Edge F/X script 5 times, without closing previous instances. Like PHOTO-PAINT, you can have open as many copies of Cutting Edge F/X as your system resources allow. Because each instance does use system resources, especially as the effects are applied, you may find that your system crashes when you have multiple copies open at the same time. It is a good idea to develop the habit of closing Cutting Edge F/X (version 1) when you are done and to check the Taskbar before starting a new instance

I'm working on an image I don't want to lose. Can I use the Checkpoint feature in PHOTO-PAINT to protect my work?

Use the Apply to Copy option in Cutting Edge F/X as Checkpoint will not protect images when running Cutting Edge F/X.

What is the correct way to choose a color for a new text effect?

When a particular text effect is able to render custom color choices, the color picker on the main dialog will be available. You should not use the system color picker from Advanced font options to pick a custom color, as Cutting Edge F/X may overwrite this choice depending upon the effect chosen. However, you may experiment with Advanced font options system color picker for new results from various (but not all) effects.

(Version 1) When I click the Bind To button nothing happens.  What exactly does this button do?

Think of it as "glue." When you open or create a new image without an object selected, Cutting Edge F/X won't know which object on which you want to create an effect; it will assume none and only allow you to apply the effect to a new text object, unless you tell it to attach itself to an image or object.

To see Bind To in action, try this:  With Cutting Edge F/X closed, create a new image with one object. Deselect the object. Now start Cutting Edge F/X. You should see that the only option you have is a new text effect. Because no object is selected, you haven't signaled to Cutting Edge F/X that you want it to run on an object so only the New Text option is available. Now select the object, F/X will be automatically minimized. Select Cutting Edge F/X from the task bar or press ALT+TAB to restore the F/X script and click the Bind To button. You will see that the all Apply to: (copy of object as new image, current object, new text object) are now available.

You shouldn't need the Bind To option if you switch between images with selected objects, once you have started Cutting Edge F/X with a selected object. Cutting Edge F/X won't know the difference between one selected object or another. It is only when you do not have an object selected when you begin that you need to signal Cutting Edge F/X somehow. Bind is that signal.

When I try to use an effect on a selected text object that I have created on a transparent background, at the completion of the effect the text is too big and it is truncated. Is there something I'm doing wrong?

Don't use transparent backgrounds when using Cutting Edge F/X. If you are working with pre-designed objects on a transparent background, copy the object as a floating layer to a new image with a solid background and then start Cutting Edge F/X. The objects created after running Cutting Edge F/X are floating layers which can then be placed on your original transparent background image.

How do the effects work on web graphics?

The effects can be run at any resolution you choose, and so they are excellent for creating web graphics. In fact, the graphics you see on the Cutting Edge F/X website were created using Cuttiing Edge F/X.

Can I use Cutting Edge F/X to directly add objects to existing images?

No, you can't directly add new objects to existing images. But you can create a new object in an image and then run the F/X without having to close/restart the F/X.