Hi! I made some mockups to improve the filters dialog a little. Check it out:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/647 ... een_02.jpg

All three columns are inside splitters so they can be resized and collapsed individually
(for instance, the selection column could be collapsed by default when editing a filter mask).
Here's an image with the selector collapsed (in mac style for a change): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/647 ... een_03.jpg

The dropdown below the search field selects the filter category.
The star icons let you add whatever filter you have selected to favorites (which can be accesed from the dropdown). I couldn't do this in Qtcreator though.

The preview column has two images, the original and a preview of how the filter would look. These are inside a horizontal splitter so they can also be rezised or collapsed.
Here's an image with original collapsed: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/647 ... een_01.jpg
The isolate layer checkbox lets you see only the selected layer when checked, or the layer along with the rest of the image when unchecked.

I couldn't figure out how to add the "preview" and "original" in QtC either so they are only in images
Here the UI file: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/647 ... ogKrita.ui

Hm... We had a preview image in 1.6, but we removed that because we felt that showing the preview on canvas would be much nicer for the user! Adding a search field for the filter list (already present in the current dialog, but a bit hidden) is a good idea though.

I guess it's a matter of taste. For me, the floating dialogs get in the way and I end up pushing them to the far sides of the screen.
I couldn't find the search field, does it show up with a keyboard shortcut?

No, I meant that we need to add the search field And Sahil is working on making sure the filters dialog pops up where you put it last, so you don't always have to shove it aside.

ah ok, cool!