Plugin Galaxy 2 adds layers and blend tools
updated 03:45 pm EDT, Fri July 10, 2009
Plugin Galaxy 2 update
The Plugin Site has released Plugin Galaxy 2, the latest version of its plug-in suite for Photoshop, Fireworks, Photoline, GraphicConverter and Illustrator. The update has been reprogrammed from the ground up, with all effects available from a customizable dialog. A variety of new effects have been added, with a total of 400 presets.
Rendering is claimed to work more than twice as fast, while new Layers and Blend tools allow users to apply multiple affects or combine functions. The update also supports batch processing, enabling the same effects to be automatically applied to hundreds of images. Users can now save or open filter settings as preset files, while a Constant Size option determines a single output dimension when using different image sizes for input.
The suite includes filters for transparency manipulation, blurring, texture and pattern generation, noise, mirroring and warping. Users can also colorize or add edges to photos, with effects such as metal, chrome, neon, page curl, sunshine and star effects, among others. Presets are included for fire, rain, snow, water surfaces and metallic text.
Plugin Galaxy 2 works with either Mac OS X or Windows, and carries a price of $70 for a regular license or $40 for an academic license. The company also offers a demo version with a few free effects.


