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Tip #120 - Photoshop 911 FAQ and Short tips

Getting Started with Photoshop Plug-Ins

...I fear the Photoshop Plug-In Monster?
 

HELP!!
      I have looked everywhere for BASIC information on how to access a "plug in" from within the PhotoShop filter menu without any success! I just want to know how to download and use a flippin' plug in!!!

Getting Started with Photoshop Plug-Ins

Plug-ins are one of the features that have contributed to making Photoshop the program it is today. Growing from just a handful to literally thousands, you can now get a plug-in for just about everything. I'm waiting for the "fixes your coffee" plug-in.
      They're developed by independent software developers to do specific operations in Photoshop. They're very handy and really a lot easier to use than one might expect.
      They reside in a special location pre-set by Adobe -- the Plug-Ins directory.
 

Choose File > Preferences > Plug-ins & Scratch Disk
      Here you'll find a dialog that shows you where they are now and allows you to change the location. We just leave them where Adobe puts them.
      If you download or purchase plug-ins or filters, and they come with an installer, then use it.
 

Once installed, Plug-Ins (many times called "Filters") will show up in one of three places:

1. Under the File > Import/Export menu as file options,
2. Under the Automate menu
3. Under the Filter Menu organized roughly in general catagories.

 

Nearly 100 of these are loaded when you do an Install from the Adobe Photoshop 5.5 CD. You didn't say what computer you're using but on a Mac, under the Apple is the "About Photoshop" menu, and under that is the "About Plug-Ins" menu which shows you all the currently installed Plug-ins. See if it's in your menu right to the left of the "FILE" menu item. Install a new plug-in by putting it in the plug-ins directory. Photoshop loads all those in the directory at launch time. Read the "Read Me" about the plug-in to see what it does and where/how to access it.
      If you've installed too many, they'll appear in the Filters > Other menu.
      If all your plug-ins weren't installed at install time, they're still on the CD -- just go to the "Plug-Ins" directory and copy them over to your Photoshop's Plug-ins directory on the hard drive.
      Most commercial and better shareware products come with their own Plug-In installer so you don't have to worry. For information about all your plug-ins look uner the "About" menu and you'll see "About Plug-Ins" which lists all installed plug-ins and some info about each. There's also a collection of tips and information called "Using Plug-Ins" in the Photoshop 5 and 5.5 "Help" files that should have been installed directly from the CD.
      Beyond that, there areabout 3 dozen excellent Photoshop books that come with CDs loaded with the latest and greatest plug-ing, and/or demos of the latest commercial products.

Reference

I would start with the most excellent and wonderful Photoshop WOW book... Jack and Leanna not only offer some good "shareware" plug-ins, but a pile of ACTIONS and custom Plug-ins developed just to create the effects in the book.
 

That's about all there is to say.

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