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luvaboi217 · Feb 8, 2003, 09:41 PM

Just wanted to ask a question regarding photoshop plug-ins. I am in school for graphic design, and am in the first year of learning things like photoshop, illustrator and freehand, and the like. Now my question.

What are your thoughts on plug-ins and filters and the like. To me, it seems as though most plug-ins and filters are easy to see and distracting. Now in the professional world, what do you guys do with those things? Should I be trying to download as many plug-ins and experimenting with them? Are they used often? Or is it just a newbie flashy effect? Or is it a "there is always a way to do it without someone else's plug-in" situation?

Sorry about all the questions. And sorry if I am missing something and this question seems extremely simple and stupid to you guys.

dampeoples · Feb 8, 2003, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by luvaboi217:
Are they used often? Or is it just a newbie flashy effect? Or is it a "there is always a way to do it without someone else's plug-in" situation?

i'm far from a professional, but I do know that time equals money and all that crap, so I'd say to hell with what someone else thinks, if you can use a plugin to create an effect that would take 10 steps and a lot more time, seems like a no brainer to me, especially if you're working at a spot that will foot the bill for the plugin.

bluedog · Feb 9, 2003, 11:59 AM

You are right about some plugins just being used for flashy effects (and they show it by EVERYONE using them as a stock effect). This repeated use of an effect just starts to look like the "powerpoint" syndrom where everyone has the same looking presentations.

I suggest you learn to use the basic filters like Unsharp Mask, Gaussian Blur and a few others. If you really want to get an effect try combining them with other effects and softening them by reducing opacity or changing the blending modes ontop of a copy of the original. This lends you greater flexibility in how they look on the final image and can make for some nice images.

luvaboi217 · Feb 9, 2003, 05:21 PM

thanks for the excellent replies.

DeathMan · Feb 11, 2003, 01:41 AM

I was just at adobe studio and they have some really nice actions that you can download. They also have a lot of crap too, but if you keep your eyes open, you can find some really useful effects, and get some ideas while you're at it.

An action (if you don't already know) is just an automated set of photoshop commands that you can run, and it does all the work for you. One cool thing about actions is that you can look at each step, and see how they're doing the stuff.

EnVoy · Feb 11, 2003, 01:12 PM

I've done professional retouching in the "movie biz" for several years now, and I can tell you I have never used 3rd party plug-ins. I do use the filters that come with PhotoShop, but always combined with hand done effects to get a desired result. There is just no substitute for creating an effect by hand, plug-in produced effects tend to have a certian style that is easily reconisable by the above average viewer.

My advice is to use plug-ins sparingly, always lean towards doing an effect by hand. Save yourself the money for plug-ins and buy the largest tablet you can afford. Nothing works better than a brush and a experienced eye.

art_director · Feb 11, 2003, 06:48 PM

Plug-ins are not a substitute for a good idea or effective design. They should be used *only* when they compliment or enhance your concept or design. *Do not* use them for sake of using a plug-in. That's what hacks do to camouflage their inability.

Since you're in school, work on your design basics and try to develop your talents without gimmicks. That will take you much farther in the end, trust me.

pagluy · Feb 12, 2003, 09:37 AM

Coming from a 4+ year professional PSer, I can say Plugins are a great necessity, just don't go overboard with using them. When I use Eyecandy to achieve certain effects theres always a lot of editing I do afterwards to adjust the art till I think it looks good. Don't just throw a plugin effect on and say I'm done, that's cheap. But add some of your own personal touches to it and you have yourself your very own masterpiece imo~

luvaboi217 · Feb 12, 2003, 10:47 AM

Thanks for all the good advice, I was asking because i don't use the "effects" filters at all much, except for the basic blur, and the simple ones. I was just hoping i wouldn't be falling behind by not getting every plug-in and effect known to man. I see all the peices in design annuals and similar mags and I sometimes wonder how they do some of those things. i.e. Is it just hand drawn, or some type of technique. Thanks for all the help.