In this article, I'll be looking at some plug-in classics that have been around for a while, and at a couple of new programs as well. The new programs include a plug-ins package and a stand-alone application, originally created for motion picture-quality video that's also used to create impressive special effects in photos.

Corel's KPT Collection
"KPT" originally stood for Kai's Power Tips, a series of about two dozen tips and tricks for Photoshop written by graphic guru Kai Krause, and distributed via an old AOL graphic bulletin board. Krause eventually went on to create Kai's Power Tools, perhaps the most popular series of Photoshop plug-ins ever developed.

One of the many unique aspects of the KPT plug-ins was that each new release was not a simple upgrade of previously released work, but a completely new set of tools. Corel now owns the KPT line, and publishes KPT 5, 6, and 7 as a single package called the "Corel KPT Collection."

The style of the filters in the Collection run the full range from highly practical to completely abstract. One example of the set shows how useful and well thought out the filters are--KPT's Projector filter. This is the most powerful and intuitive perspective filter that I have ever used. Projector contains the usual 2D Translate, 2D Scale, and 2D Rotate controls, plus a 3D Rotate power control that gives the filter its unique edge. Any changes that you make to your photo are seen in real time in the preview window, plus you can drag your mouse in the preview window to fine-tune your results.

The KPT Projector filter features a powerful yet easy to use interface. All Photos © 2007, Anthony L. Celeste, All Rights Reserved

A grid overlay and distortion lines in the preview window help you to compare your preview to your image's original position and scale. Both of these features can be turned off if they become more of a distraction than an aid in fine-tuning. You can also add tiling and mirroring effects, to create a more dramatic perspective effect.

In addition to photography, if you also enjoy working with video, you can use the Animation control in Projector to create a key frame-based animation and export the result as a bitmap sequence, or in QuickTime or AVI format.

The Corel KPT Collection contains a total of 24 filters and is available for Mac OS 8.6 to 10.3 and Windows 98 to Windows XP for $99.99. For more information and to purchase, visit the KPT Collection section of Corel's website at: www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/ Product/1152105069367.

(Top): A photo before using the KPT Projector filter. (Above): The photo after applying perspective, along with a tiling effect.

Ulead's SmartSaver Pro
All photo editors ship with a set of features for saving GIF, JPEG, and PNG images, but none of them, not even Adobe's Photoshop, have as complete a set of features as Ulead's SmartSaver Pro. SmartSaver Pro can be run as both a Photoshop plug-in and as a stand-alone program.

In addition to its main function of image optimization, SmartSaver Pro also has modules for performing web-specific tasks such as image mapping, image slicing, and creating JavaScript rollovers. SmartSaver Pro can also batch convert entire folders of images. It's capable of reading dozens of common file formats, such as BMP, PSD, TIF, and TGA, and converting them to GIF, JPEG, and PNG formats. The images can all be converted to a single format (such as JPEG), or SmartSaver Pro can be allowed to intelligently decide which file format is best for each image.

Ulead's SmartSaver Pro.

Perhaps the most important aspect of SmartSaver Pro is that it allows users to decide whether or not to use subsampling when saving an image, an important decision that Adobe hides from its users (for more on this issue, see my April 2007 article "The Case for JPEG," now available at: www.shutterbug.net/techniques/digital_darkroom/0407thecase/index.html).
Ulead's SmartSaver Pro is available for Windows 98 to Windows XP for $34.95 (upgrade) and $59.95 (full version). Visit www.ulead.com/ssp for more information and to purchase.

SmartSaver Pro's batch module converts file formats and reports on results.

SmartSaver Pro's JPEG compression controls separate Quality and Subsampling options, giving complete control to the user.

Twisting Pixels' PixelCreation
Twisting Pixels produces several packages of Photoshop plug-ins, the most unique being PixelCreation, a program for adding "celestial effects" such as clouds, constellations, and northern lights to photos. Like Ulead's SmartSaver Pro, PixelCreation can be run as a Photoshop plug-in or as a stand-alone program.

Despite packing a lot of special effects power, the PixelCreation interface is intuitive and easy to learn. A traditional menu bar and toolbar is positioned at the top of the screen, and beneath it is a tabbed section of controls that changes with each filter. The main work area occupies most of the left side of the screen, and a list of the effects applied, along with controls for turning them on and off, and accessing selections, clone layers, and presets, are on the right side of the screen.