Appendix F: Plug-in filters
Plug-ins offer additional features to the standard program. Photoshop supports third party filters that can be added to the plug-ins folder to increase the program’s flexibility.
You can buy plug-ins such as Corel KTP Collection, AutoFX Photo/Graphic Edges and Alien Skin’s Eye Candy 4000 off the shelf. Many can be downloaded from the Web. I’ve included a tiny selection of interesting ones over the next few pages.
AutoFX Photo/Graphic Edges (PGE) is a useful plug-in that adds an edge to your image. The edges range from rough, ragged effects to elaborate designs. Some emulate the edges that you’d get using Polaroid – a technique that’s often used by fashion photographers. AutoFX have recently revamped the interface (above right) to include a Layers palette where earlier effects can be deleted. The four examples here are from PGE 6.0 and include the new transfer style Polaroid (above) a typical soft edge (below left) a modern artistic style (left) and the new stamp frame (below right). The program comes with over 10,000 effects including patterns, frames and vignettes.
Alien Skin have an edge creating product in their Splat software too. Here’s one example of an easy to create edge.
Corel took over Kai’s Power Tools which is a great box of tricks and have added new effects over the last two versions renaming it the KPT Collection. Above is a superb cloud maker that puts Photoshop’s Render Clouds to shame. Below is Pyramid Paint which makes photos look like art.
KTP’s projector filter lets you produce tiled effects with amazing perspective. One for fans of horror or sci-fi maybe!
The interface is one of the most lively looking of all programs and offers excellent control over styles and effects. Above is a far more advanced lens flare option than Photoshop. Below is a texture creator.
20/20 Color MD is a new program that works like an eye exam. Two options are displayed – you pick the best. Another two options appear and you pick the best again. This is repeated several times and you usually end up with an image with natural good colour and brightness.
The Flaming Pear Web site has a range of downloads including these filters. Top: The interface for Glitterato (a galaxy and space generator), middle: a typical result created by Glitterato and bottom LunarCell (a planet creator). The interface is based on a series of sliders that control the effects precisely.
A cloudy galaxy was created using Glitterato and this was blended with the Windmill image to create a misty, cloudscape.
Andromeda make a good range of plug-ins for Photoshop. This is one of the best and offers perspective control using arrows to adjust the angle of view and direction of the image. You can also zoom in or out and rotate. Download a trial from <www.andromeda.com>
Programs such as Nik Sharpener Pro! (above) and Focus Fixer (left) are useful if you need to sharpen pictures but don’t want to mess them up through oversharpening. In Sharpener Pro! there are several sliding controls to help you match sharpness to the output device and size you intend to print to and view. Focus Fixer is a simplified adjustment and is more natural than some sharpening applications.
Nik Color Efex Pro is a superb set of color effects filters that adds color and/or dreamy softness to pictures. It takes the Photoshop editing to a new level by adding some easy to apply graduated filters and color temperature filters, plus some crazy special effects.
AutoFX DreamSuite is one of my favourite products. It’s I sometimes a bit I slow to process, I but the interface is I really cool and the I effects you can I create are even I cooler. Here are a I few that will make I your photos stand | out when used in newsletters and design projects. Left: create four types of sticky tape. The tape can be aged, made more ragged, curled, stretched, thickened and much more.
DreamSuite comes in two series. Series 1 has 18 special effects and series 2 has 12. Below is the film strip option from series 2 and right a 35mm slide frame from Series 1. Your photo is automatically placed in the frame when this is selected. Far right: There’s also an option to create medium and large format transparencies in Series 2. Above right: The soft focus filter lets you control the depth of focus in Series 1.
Xenofex, from Alien Skin, is a useful addition to the vast filter range provided with Photoshop. It has a collection of 16 additional filter effects that can be applied to your images. Ones that can be put to good use include Baked Earth which gives a dry mud cracked appearance. Lightning (top right) that adds forks of lightning. Crumple (below) gives a screwed up and reopened paper feel. This photo also has burnt edges applied. Flag creates the wavy shape you’d see when a flag is blowing and Mosaic (right) gives a tile mosaic style effect. The shot above is using the obvious Jigsaw puzzle filter. The pieces were then selected, cut and paste around the edge and a drop shadow was added.
Alien Skin’s Splat program was used here. Left: light pegs have replaced all color values in Patchwork mode. Right: In Resurface mode you can choose a texture or pattern and edit it to suit your photograph. This example was created using the weathered leather preset. It can be used to create tapestry style photos from your color originals.
Above: FocalBlade has been used here to create a glow around the subject. The program is more tempting for its detailed blur and sharpening modes.
Eye Candy 4000 offers 23 effects including Plastic, Marble, Fire, Smoke, Wood and Weave effects all created above. Its an ideal program for designers and Web Masters.
AutoFX Mystical plug-in is sold in two packages Mystical Tint, Tone and Colour and Mystical Lighting. LightCaster and Rainbow have been used here.
Extensis’ pxl SmartScale is a new program designed to help you enlarge your digital images up to 1600% of the original size with, Extensis claim, no discernible loss in print quality. In this example I’ve increased the print from 2066x2500 to 6000x7260pixels.