Article: Show Me the Plug-Ins!
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Hey,
I'm not ashamed to admit it! I do all my image editing with free graphics
software: PhotoPlus
5.5, Pixia, PhotoFiltre... you name it, I own it. Thanks to these
terrific programs, I'm not paying through the nose for very expensive high
end image editors.
Because of this, I'm more than happy with my freeware programs. However, if you're like me I bet that you sometimes also wish that they had... well... a little more oomph. If that's you, then read on to learn more about plug-ins and how they can help you extend the functionality of your favorite freeware image editor.
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WHAT IS A PLUG-IN?
If you're really computer savvy, you probably already know what a plug-in
is. However, for those new to all this, a plug-in is anything that
adds extra functionality to an existing program. Think of it as an "add
on," or an extra component.
In the world of image editors, plug-ins come in the form of "filters," which are image effects. Some filter plug-ins are very basic. For example, some give you the option of adding a simple border to your images. However, some plug-ins mirror some of the cooler special effects you would see in Photo Impact or Adobe Photoshop.
Why
are plug-ins so popular? For the obvious reasons: if you wish your
image editor had, say, a function to bevel pictures and it never came with
one, you can most likely add this in the form of a plug-in that bevels
objects. Ditto any other effect. If your image editor never came with a
function to brighten or darken your image, you can add one in the form
of a plug-in.
Most available filter plug-ins are designed to work with Photoshop
(i.e., are Photoshop Compatible). However, if you don't own Photoshop--
don't worry: most non-PSP image editors support PSP compatible plug-ins.
This means that if you find a cool filter plugin you like, but you don't
have Photoshop as an image editor, you can still add it to your software
of choice.
The Big Question
Well, now that I've whet your appetite, I know what you're wondering. How much do filter plug-ins cost?Plug-ins can run as low as 7 bucks and as high as $200. However, thanks to the benevolence of some kindhearted souls, there are some neat ones that are absolutely free for the taking.
So where can you find them? The first place you should take a look at are directories and link pages. The Plugin Site and Free Photoshop are two sites that have reviews of and links to a variety of plug-ins. Directories are a great source for freebie plugins. And of course, it doesn't help to do a Google search, either, or to check out forums dedicated to graphics software in general.
As for specific plug-ins for download, there are a few that can be recommended:
RECOMMENDED PLUG-INS
Harry's Filters 3.0 is a longstanding freebie featuring 69 image effects, in categories such as color, artistic, gradients, and patterns.Ulead, the software manufacturer of many graphic programs, has two free terrific plug-in downloads. The Art Texture Plugin creates psychedelic patterns. The Particle Plugin adds snazzy weather effects to your images, like rain, bubbles, and fire.
Another good site to visit is Unplugged, by VanDerLee. This collection contains 100 plug-ins in 4 different categories and includes the much-sought after scanline effect that is so popular right now.
However, Webdesigner-Freebies' favorite plug-in site has got to be Mehdi, which offers two dozen very valuable and handy filters. They are not just eye candy; many are also very functional, such as HSL adjustment and the eraser tool.
A Few Tips
Installing a new plug-in to your image editor is rather simple. It is usually a matter of unzipping it to the plug-in folder of your image editor. If you run into trouble, however, the plug-in will usually come with a readme.txt file for any helpful information on how to install and use it.One last tip, however: before making a dash to download all the
plug-ins you can find, make sure that your image editor supports plug-ins
in the first place! No matter how exciting a plug-in is, if your image
editor doesn't support them, the plug-in will be of no use to you.