File Plug-ins

Plug-ins are independent software modules created for use with another program. There are many plug-ins created for Adobe products such as Photoshop, but most of these do not work with Picture Window. A few, however, are also available as stand-alone versions which Picture Window can access. A number of these stand-alone plug-ins are available via the File/Plug-ins command - they include:

Nik

Nik plug-ins are a commercial collection of seven programs that perform specialized tasks. First developed independently, they were later sold to Google and more recently transferred to DxO. While intended primarily as Adobe plug-ins, they also include stand-alone versions which Picture Window can use. Both DxO version 1 and version 2 are supported.

The collection of Nik plug-ins currently consists of:

Analog Efex Pro 2 -- simulates the classic look of different cameras, lenses and films

Color Efex Pro 4 -- a comprehensive set of filters for color correction, retouching, and creative effects

Dfine 2 -- Noise reduction

HDR Efex Pro 2 -- HDR effects

Sharpener Pro 3 -- there are two versions of Sharpener Pro: one optimized for sharpening for output, and one optimized for sharpening raw files

Silver Efex Pro 2 -- color to black and white conversion

Viveza 2 -- selective color corrections

For more information on the Nik plug-in collection, see: http://nikcollection.dxo.com 

Topaz

Only two of the variousTopaz plug-ins are available stand-alone.

DeNoise 6 -- Noise reduction

DeNoise AI -- Noise reduction

ReMask 5 -- Automatic masking

Sharpen AI -- Sharpening

For more information on Topaz plug-ins, see http://www.topazlabs.com

DxO

FilmPack -- Film simulations

For more information FilmPack, see: http://www.dxo.com/dxo-filmpack

File Plug-ins Setup

This command lets you specify where on your computer the various plug-ins are installed. If you install them to their default locations, you should not need to use this.

Either the DxO or the free Google versions of the Nik plug-ins can be used, -- to access the Google versions in their default install location, set the install folder to C:\Program Files\Google\Nik Collection.

Using Plug-ins

Plug-ins operate on the current image, so make sure you select the image you want to work on before running File/Plug-ins. Note that the plug-ins are all be grayed out unless there is an image selected for them to process.

Next select the plug-in you want from the Plug-ins sub-menus. Picture Window first saves the current image in a location you specify, and then executes the selected plug-in. When the plug-in completes, it writes the modified image back over the image file it started with. Finally, Picture Window opens the modified image as a new top level image. There is no way for Picture Window to capture actions performed by a plug-in as part of a script. Only the versions of the plug-ins listed above are supported.