XnView Software

In topic 'Let's talk about Plug-Ins' plug-ins are introduced and explained. Below we go into more detail and describe the integration of Adobe 8BF filters in XnView.

Using Adobe 8BF filters in XnView
First, let's have a look how integrated filters are used within XnView: Once a filter has been integrated in XnView, you can open an image and using menu "Filter > Adobe Photoshop Plugins..." a dialog is opened which allows for selecting specific filters. After starting the Adobe 8BF filter's user interface will be shown.

How to install an Adobe 8BF filter
All 8bf plugins should be placed in the "8bf" folder (or subfolders inside the "8bf" folder). Do not place them in the "PlugIns" folder. Here are examples of some folders and subfolders you can use. They can be nested.

Sample folder structure:

8bf
. Harrys Filter (The Plugin Site) Freeware
. opticVerve Labs (OpticVerve's virtualPhotographer) Freeware
. PhotoDeluxe
. . . Plugin1
. . . Plugin2
. PhotoshopElements
. . . Plugin1
. . . Plugin2
. Photoshop
. . . Plugin1
. . . Plugin2
. Other
. . . Plugin1
. . . Plugin2
. Unused
. . . Plugin1
. . . Plugin2

You do not have to load every plugin with XnView. Doing so will greatly slow down the application. Load only the plugins you use frequently. Or, just load them as you need to use them. You can also keep infrequently used plugins in a folder called Unused.

Remember, you only have access to the 8bf plugins when a graphic file is open in XnView. If you have a graphic open and the Photoshop Plugins is greyed on in the Filter menu, you may need to convert the graphic to JPG or another file type.

To add an 8bf plugin in XnView:
1. Select Tools > Options (or use the Options button on the toolbar).
2. Select category "System integration", tab "Adobe Plugin".
3. Click Add and browse to the location of the plugin.
4. Click OK twice.

To remove an 8bf plugin from XnView:
1. Select Tools > Options.
2. Select category "System integration", tab "Adobe Plugin".
3. Select the plugin you wish to remove.
4. Click "Remove".
5. Close the options by clicking on "OK".

Related topics
- 'Let's talk about Plug-Ins'
- 'Extra Plugins'

Note: Most of the above description was taken from topic 'Extra Plugins'. Thank you very much SeaMaiden, for your excellent description!

Above a description that has been in draft status for a very long time. I think it's mature enough to become an official FAQ. Additions and corrections are welcome.

Thanks for your so detailed explation.

rola wrote:Thanks for your so detailed explation.

You're welcome!

Thanks Helmut,

Your reply gave me all the information I needed to successfully install PTLens
8bf plugin into XnView.

I am now happy --

DemonDuck wrote:Your reply gave me all the information I needed to successfully install PTLens
8bf plugin into XnView.
I am now happy --

Good to read. Thanks for your feedback, DemonDuck.

uh... im having no luck with this. I cant seem to add the .8bf file to my scripts folder, as i cant seem to find it, or dont have it


also for adding 8bf plugins, when i do that, i cant find "system integration"

I followed exactly the instructions above in "To add an 8bf plugin in XnView: ..."
But I have this problem: The .8bf files I added do not appear in the "Plugins Manager" afterwards.

In more detail:
* I have the latest Xnview complete (1.97.5)
* I installed the 8bf plugins (for PanoTools) in the right place ("C:\Program Files (x86)\XnView\8bf")
* I told Xnview where to find them, via the "To add an 8bf plugin in XnView: ..." procedure above...(I'm not sure that was even necessary anyway, since nested folders are supposed to be ok)
* I then I display an image, click Filter->Adobe Photoshop Plug-in [or type CTRL-G], and when the "Plugins Manager" pops up, all I see is "The Plugin Site" which expands to show the default "Harry's Plugins".
There's no sign of the new ones I added.

Could there be a bug in the "Plugins Manager"?

Ray

Whoops, sorry! Just realised that I was installing very old PanoTools 8bf files - got some newer ones and Xnview "sees" them now.

I wanted to add some adobe plugins to XnView MP 1.7.2
So I found in "Effect"--> "Adobe Photoshop Plugin"
Here you can "configure" (add a file path) for your plugin
I added the filepath but it does nnot seem to recognise the .8bf files
Can anybody tell me what I am doing wrong?