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PS/PSP Plugins #3

  • Sep. 14th, 2007 at 6:04 PM
Paint Shop Pro users will probably find these more useful than Photoshop users, since a couple of them make up for regular PS features that can't be found in PSP:

GML Matting


"GML Matting is FREEWARE plugin for Adobe Photoshop and compatible applications. GML Matting is a cutout tool to help separate object from background. Interface of the plugin is similar to that of Photoshop Extract utility while the algorithm used usually produces better result. For Paint Shop Pro users it can become the essential matting plugin since Paint Shop Pro has no built-in matte extraction functionality."

I've seen price tags for similar plugins in the hundreds of dollars, but this one is free. So far, it works great!

« original image





I didn't mess at all with the images; just matted out the woman and slapped her on the first couple of stock images I had on my drive.

easy.Filter SmartCurve


"Photoshop Elements offers in opposite to its professional version no curves command. That's a pity, because curves are a valuable tool for image editing. To remedy this shortcoming this site offers the plugin SmartCurve to upgrade this ability. Of course this plugin can be used from all programs which can integrate Photoshop plugins."

I am not enamored of curves myself, much less so the trend toward neon-glow colors, but I played around with this plugin a little and it seems to work as advertised. The site offers a few "how-to" tips for curve newbies too.

LUCE


Basically another utility for adding interesting light effects to an image. There's a manual linked from the main download site.

VanDerLee's NightVision Plugin


"The NightVision plug-in can make any image like the ones from night vision goggles. By using the effects in this plug-in, you can make images look like they are from a black & white security camera or CCTV system. It's also possible to make them look like infra-red photos. Or you can just use the interlace to make an image look like a TV picture. You can even use it to enhance real night images!"

Okay...not terribly practical, but who knows when you might have a need for an image like that?

ULead Particle Plugin


Some weird and not too useful, but some of the effects look like mist, smoke, fire, and clouds. Eh, it's free...

Martin Koch's Halftones and Line Art


Some dithering and line art stuff here that's useful for pop art type of projects. Some of the plugins are free, others are not (but inexpensive.)

(( Plugin Post #1Plugin Post #2 ))

Comments

[info]my_cnnr wrote:
Sep. 15th, 2007 11:28 am (UTC)
thanks for the info - your posts are always of great interest, and I've learned quite a bit - much appreciated
[info]meleada wrote:
Sep. 27th, 2007 03:21 pm (UTC)
You're most welcome! Good to know others are finding this stuff useful too. :)
[info]nelliewu wrote:
Sep. 16th, 2007 03:18 pm (UTC)
thanks for the plugins. i already tried out the GML Matting, and it was awesome :)
[info]meleada wrote:
Sep. 27th, 2007 03:22 pm (UTC)
Isn't it great?! This is probably one of the most valuable plugins I've found, since PSP really doesn't achieve an effect like this without a ton of work and with a result that's not nearly as decent.
[info]domeofstars wrote:
Sep. 22nd, 2007 10:39 am (UTC)
Thanks so much for sharing!
[info]meleada wrote:
Sep. 27th, 2007 03:22 pm (UTC)
You're most welcome!
[info]terza_teabeef wrote:
Sep. 30th, 2007 10:10 pm (UTC)
omg that GML matting plugin is going to be amazing for me, b/c I know I do that a lot with my icons and it always takes so much time ;; This journal is soo helpful for me; thanks! =D
[info]meleada wrote:
Oct. 1st, 2007 03:48 pm (UTC)
You're welcome! I wish I'd found this plugin a lot sooner too. It would've made a few projects so, so much easier. :)
[info]mark_fan wrote:
Dec. 27th, 2007 12:12 pm (UTC)
This is probably a very stupid question, but how do I go about installing the GML Matte plug-in in PSP 7? Sorry for bothering you with such a simple question... *blushes*

This is one of the most amazing LJs. Thanks so much for it!
[info]meleada wrote:
Dec. 27th, 2007 03:47 pm (UTC)
Not a dumb question at all. Run the .exe file and install the program into the usual program files directory on your computer and then tell PSP 7 where to find the plugin. :)

To do the latter, click on File --> Preferences --> File Locations and then click on the Plugins tab. Add the GML file location, then restart your PSP 7, and GML Matting should show up in your plugins menu.

Makes sense??
[info]mark_fan wrote:
Dec. 28th, 2007 11:20 am (UTC)
Thanks a bunch! It worked. Now I just have to practice some to get good results. The edges of my cut-outs are still way too fuzzy... Ah well, what are vacations there for? ;)

Thanks again!