Plug it in--Plug it In

[Priss]

Oh, wow--aren't Plug-in's fun? Some will run in PSE, and some are just for Photoshop. Let's talk about them here in this forum thread.

One I like a lot is The Plugin Site (http://thepluginsite.com/resources/freeps.htm)

I love Linda's custom brushes, gorgeous metallic styles-- and love the styles and custom shapes that you can find. There are too many from the simplest to some real fancy ones. What's your favorite source for plugs? And how do you organize and keep track of them? Here's the thread to talk about plug-ins

[Jan]

My favorite places for plug-ins and filters are:

autofx.com

and

flamingpear.com

Check 'em out! They offer free demos so you can try before you buy!

[bthiels]

I don't have a fav site--seems like I just run across them by accident. If they are free, I'll try them out! :)

[froggypond]

I really need help in organizing my downloads on brushes, shapes, etc so I can identify the designer to give credit. I worked out a great system for papers, embellishments, etc, but cannot seem to get the same system to work for those items which are downloaded directly to a program (ie. pse)
Any ideas would be a big help. thanks.

[PeggyNC]

I always change the name of the download file to include the creator (example, feather-brush_linda-sattgast_scrappers-guide ). Then when I use the feather brush, it is easy to go to the Photoshop brushes folder and look at the name of the original zip file to give proper credit. (BTW, I just made up the feather brush as an example, I don't have a feather brush from Linda -- or I don't think I do ;) ). I hope this helps... if someone has an even easier way to keep track of these, tell me too!

[carolopal]

I'm still a newbie and although I have downloaded a few freebies, I haven't rally started using brushes or other phugins. Now that I've found this place, I really need to take the plunge and start using them. I'm hoping with help and lots of patience on my part, I can take my layouts to the next level!

[scoobie81]

I've just gotten into actions and plug ins (and brushes...) but I also change the name of the file when I download with the name of the creator-description of the file-the site where I got it. I'm excited to hear if there's a better way to do this too.

[*Jill*D*]

I have 2 favorite places for brushes and actions - the Adobe Studio Exchange - Link: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/#loc=en_us&view=sn100&viewName=Adobe%20Exchange&avm=1

and Deviant Art - Link:
http://www.deviantart.com/

Many of the artists on DA will even allow commercial use of their brushes, etc., as long as you give them proper credit. (This is important to me, as I am now designing kits for sale)

The best way I've found to handle plug-ins is this - before I DL them, I check the creator's TOU (terms of use) to see if commercial use is allowed - that way I know which folder to put them in. Under each of my 2 main headings (Commercial and non-commercial) I have sub-categories: brushes, actions, plug-ins, patterns, etc. Then, I make folders for each artist, and I copy down their TOU on notepad, and put it in the folder for that artist. Then, I put all brushes from that artist in the one folder - then when I go to use it, I've got their TOU right there in notepad format, and can include their name and link in my TOU/credits.

I do not load plug-ins directly into my PS programs - instead they all go into one file (which, by the way, NEEDS to be backed up on CD!!), and when I want to use them, I just use the preset manager in PS, and load whichever plug-ins I want to use. That way they're not all installed in my program, causing it to bog down terribly. (I have dozens, if not hundreds, of brushes, actions, etc.)

So (for you visual folks out there), my folders look like this:

Photoshop plug-ins

commercial . . . . . . . . non-commercial
brushes . . . . . . . . . . . brushes
actions . . . . . . . . . . . . actions
etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . etc.
individual artist folders . . . Ind. artist folders
including their TOU . . . . . . including their TOU

Hope that is helpful to someone!
Jill D

[troush]

check out panosfx.com - He has SEVERAL plugins for PSE that are FREE! And, he has a page curl plug-in/tutorial that works in PSE...

-Trish

[Devynsmommy]

Thanks for all the links and tips!

[craftymomtwo]

Jill, I completely agree with you about NOT loading your plug-ins into your program folders. It really DOES slow down your programs a LOT! For those of you without a computer that is 6 months old or newer and/or without a lot of RAM it will help you out more than you can even IMAGINE as far as time to do things in your program. It is SO much faster!

I also recommend Virtual Photographer. It's a free plug-in that allows you to really do a LOT with your photos!

[DJOB]

Jill,
The Deviant art link. I went there don't know how to get around there but I like the art. So you say there are Brushes there?:confused:

[craftymomtwo]

I downloaded the free PanOSX brushes and used the movie one. I'll have to post the layout that I did in the gallery and then link to it here. I absolutely LOVED how it turned out! Thanks for the info so that I could find it!

[Janie]

I agree I like the panofx actions, I also like the effects and actions from Atomic Cupcake. I use these a lot. If you do a lot of Photography and are looking for some different color and b&W effects check out the PhotoBlast actions. They cost a little but are worth it in my opinion. I use them a lot when doing portrait type photos and also landscapes. Here are a couple links to a gallery I have that I used a couple of these effects:

www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=janie%5Fdean&gallery_id=435218&image_id=15

www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=janie%5Fdean&gallery_id=435218&image_id=16

I'm excited to check out the other links given here. I'm begining to think you never have enough filters, effects, etc.
Janie


I just found my link for the photoblast actions:
www.ezactions.com

[bean]

I am rather new to all of this and do not even know what a plug in is or what you do with them. Can somebody give me a little information about them please?

Thanks

[troush]

Plug-ins are little mini programs that you can add in the right place, and Photoshop will pass your image to them and the plug-in will "do its thing". A couple that I use are Optikverve and Smartcurves (as I only have PSE).

-Trish