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For the vast majority of tasks, I suspect both packages are similarly capable - some tasks are likely quicker/easier to do in Genetica, while the ability to script new nodes probably gives FilterForge users broader raw capability. I felt Genetica aimed a little bit more at giving users canned, pre-packaged effect nodes to use, while FilterForge seems more focused on providing users a broader set of base nodes they could use to build whatever they imagine from scratch. while FilterForge relies on Photoshop (or a PS-plugin-compatible source app) for those kinds of tools, though it also runs as a stand-alone app. Genetica seems a bit more targeted at being a "one-stop bitmap shop", including drawing tools, etc. Try both to understand what I'm describing, it isn't a huge issue, but I did find Genetica's approach a bit "distracting". I just found FilterForge much easier to "wire things up" than Genetica, and very similar to LW in terms of how nodes behave in the editor, while I found Genetica's way of wiring nodes a bit odd in places. One issue that really sold me on FilterForge was that it offers a "free input wiring" node system (similar to LW's nodes), while Genetica V3 had some odd(-to-me) grouping requirements when it comes to wiring a single node's output to multiple inputs. Genetica does offer some interesting "canned" generators (hair/fur, for example) which would require a bit of work in FilterForge to replicate the effect using base nodes. Being able to script up complex generators is definitely very useful, in my experience. From what I recall from the demo, and reading through the Genetica docs, there didn't appear to be a similar capability in Genetica. It's worth mentioning that FilterForge allows users to easily script their own nodes as well.
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The user still has to do manual adjustments in Synthesis as well, they're just doing them "within" that node, where in FilterForge they'd do them with individual nodes. However, FilterForge's "image" node combined with the various transform, map, and processing nodes allow the user to execute the same kinds of process steps as are done within the Synthesis node in Genetica. Ah, I see what you mean now Surrealist, Genetica's "Synthesis" node does appear flexible in that regard.