vanillalatte
10-30-2006, 08:00 PM
Hi, everyone! Our chat this week was about something many people asked about when we started our DIP chat....Plug-ins!
Here's the transcript if you want to read the whole chat:
1155
Plug-ins are extra little "programs" that you can get that "plug in" to DIP...hence the name! :D They have a variety of purposes. You can use them to add special effects to photos or elements. You can use them to correct poor quality photos. You can use them to change the tint of a photo. It all depends on the filter. But ultimately, a filter adds functionality to your design program that didn't exist or wasn't easily accomplished.
There are many cool plug-ins available that work with DIP. Most will say they're made for PhotoShop, but as long as the filter has an extention of ".8bf", it will work with DIP. Honestly, I've quit even checking the extentions before I install, because I haven't found one yet that doesn't work with DIP.
First, how to install them. DSP has a tutorial:
http://digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/dip_pluginfilters_as.shtml
Next, some suggested filters:
Virtual Photographer - this free plug-in is almost like having a mini-lab on your computer. Adds great photo effects like a dreamy "glamour shots" look or tint the whole photo blue. Also, can can be used to correct poor quality photos. You can get it here: http://www.optikvervelabs.com
Eye Candy: Impact by Alien Skins - this one is not free, but has a free 30 day trial. I originally downloaded the trial of this one for the beveling effect, but what made me shell out the $99 to buy it was the shadow effect. SOOO much more realistic than the shadows built into DIP and MUCH easier to use. All of the filters and effects on this one remember your last setting so you don't have to reset it if you want to add the same effect to multiple photos or elements on your page. You can get the free trial here: http://www.alienskin.com/prod_index.html
DSP Links list - there's a great list of free filters available for you to use. Take a look at the list and give some of them a shot! http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/links.shtml
So, this week's challenge:
Go get some Plug-ins!!!!
Download, install and use them to create cool new effects for your layout!
When you post your layout in the DIP Chatters (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2752) gallery, be sure to let us know what plug-ins you used and where you got them. And post a link back to this thread so we can all admire your work!
Now, go have fun with plug-ins!
Here's the transcript if you want to read the whole chat:
1155
Plug-ins are extra little "programs" that you can get that "plug in" to DIP...hence the name! :D They have a variety of purposes. You can use them to add special effects to photos or elements. You can use them to correct poor quality photos. You can use them to change the tint of a photo. It all depends on the filter. But ultimately, a filter adds functionality to your design program that didn't exist or wasn't easily accomplished.
There are many cool plug-ins available that work with DIP. Most will say they're made for PhotoShop, but as long as the filter has an extention of ".8bf", it will work with DIP. Honestly, I've quit even checking the extentions before I install, because I haven't found one yet that doesn't work with DIP.
First, how to install them. DSP has a tutorial:
http://digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/dip_pluginfilters_as.shtml
Next, some suggested filters:
Virtual Photographer - this free plug-in is almost like having a mini-lab on your computer. Adds great photo effects like a dreamy "glamour shots" look or tint the whole photo blue. Also, can can be used to correct poor quality photos. You can get it here: http://www.optikvervelabs.com
Eye Candy: Impact by Alien Skins - this one is not free, but has a free 30 day trial. I originally downloaded the trial of this one for the beveling effect, but what made me shell out the $99 to buy it was the shadow effect. SOOO much more realistic than the shadows built into DIP and MUCH easier to use. All of the filters and effects on this one remember your last setting so you don't have to reset it if you want to add the same effect to multiple photos or elements on your page. You can get the free trial here: http://www.alienskin.com/prod_index.html
DSP Links list - there's a great list of free filters available for you to use. Take a look at the list and give some of them a shot! http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/links.shtml
So, this week's challenge:
Go get some Plug-ins!!!!
Download, install and use them to create cool new effects for your layout!
When you post your layout in the DIP Chatters (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2752) gallery, be sure to let us know what plug-ins you used and where you got them. And post a link back to this thread so we can all admire your work!
Now, go have fun with plug-ins!