+/**
+ * This function will return a new picture usable by p_filter as an output
+ * buffer. You have to release it using picture_Release or by returning
+ * it to the caller as a pf_video_filter return value.
+ * Provided for convenience.
+ *
+ * \param p_filter filter_t object
+ * \return new picture on success or NULL on failure
+ */
+static inline picture_t *filter_NewPicture( filter_t *p_filter )
+{
+ picture_t *pic = p_filter->owner.video.buffer_new( p_filter );
+ if( pic == NULL )
+ msg_Warn( p_filter, "can't get output picture" );
+ return pic;
+}
+
+/**
+ * This function will flush the state of a video filter.
+ */
+static inline void filter_FlushPictures( filter_t *p_filter )
+{
+ if( p_filter->pf_video_flush )
+ p_filter->pf_video_flush( p_filter );
+}
+
+/**
+ * This function will return a new subpicture usable by p_filter as an output
+ * buffer. You have to release it using subpicture_Delete or by returning it to
+ * the caller as a pf_sub_source return value.
+ * Provided for convenience.
+ *
+ * \param p_filter filter_t object
+ * \return new subpicture
+ */
+static inline subpicture_t *filter_NewSubpicture( filter_t *p_filter )
+{
+ subpicture_t *subpic = p_filter->owner.sub.buffer_new( p_filter );
+ if( subpic == NULL )
+ msg_Warn( p_filter, "can't get output subpicture" );
+ return subpic;
+}
+
+/**
+ * This function gives all input attachments at once.
+ *
+ * You MUST release the returned values
+ */
+static inline int filter_GetInputAttachments( filter_t *p_filter,
+ input_attachment_t ***ppp_attachment,
+ int *pi_attachment )
+{
+ if( !p_filter->pf_get_attachments )
+ return VLC_EGENERIC;
+ return p_filter->pf_get_attachments( p_filter,
+ ppp_attachment, pi_attachment );
+}
+
+/**
+ * It creates a blend filter.
+ *
+ * Only the chroma properties of the dest format is used (chroma
+ * type, rgb masks and shifts)
+ */
+VLC_API filter_t * filter_NewBlend( vlc_object_t *, const video_format_t *p_dst_chroma ) VLC_USED;
+
+/**
+ * It configures blend filter parameters that are allowed to changed
+ * after the creation.
+ */
+VLC_API int filter_ConfigureBlend( filter_t *, int i_dst_width, int i_dst_height, const video_format_t *p_src );
+
+/**
+ * It blends a picture into another one.
+ *
+ * The input picture is not modified and not released.
+ */
+VLC_API int filter_Blend( filter_t *, picture_t *p_dst, int i_dst_x, int i_dst_y, const picture_t *p_src, int i_alpha );
+
+/**
+ * It destroys a blend filter created by filter_NewBlend.
+ */
+VLC_API void filter_DeleteBlend( filter_t * );