3rd Party Plug-ins for Graphic Software Applications
Welcome To Cora’s Corner, where every month I am going to help you with your artwork issues.
I want to thank customers for asking questions about 3rd Party Plug-ins after reading last month’s newsletter. Those questions inspired this and the next few months’ newsletters. After digging into the subject I realized it is a subject too big for just one newsletter. So let’s get started and keep those questions coming.
For the purpose of this article I’m referring to Photoshop, CorelDraw, and Illustrator. There are many other applications; however these are the most popular in the screen print industry.
In computing, a plug-in is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing software application. When an application supports plug-ins, it enables customization. Plug-in software supplements the application and provides additional tools that speed up complex image editing; process images for output, support file formats and creative tasks. Plug-ins are also added to aid function to outputting images to various hardware devices such as film printers, plotters and cutters. There are many operations that are practically impossible without using a plug-in filter. That’s why plug-ins are so popular.
Applications support plug-ins for many reasons. Some of the main reasons include:
Enable 3rd Party Developers to create abilities which extend an application.
Support adding new features.
Reduce the size of an application.
Customize application for specific industry needs.
CorelDraw
This month I am going to highlight some popular CorelDraw plug-ins.
AdvancedTshirts.com
Fashion Factory: Design effects and T-Shirt design. This plug-in included over 100 texture effect filters. You can use one overlay or multiple overlays to create your own effects. Also includes realistic tees to create proofs of your designs to show your customer.
SimpleSeps Raster: Bitmap color separations tool.
SimpleSeps RIP: Complete spot separation and halftone printing RIP solution.
SimpleSeps OverPrint: Overprinting color management tool. This helps create designs with few spot colors to look like larger multicolor projects.
Design Base: A free plug-in that helps put design elements together. Import graphics and preview how they will look printed. The developer has image bundles for sale to use with this plug-in on their website.
ActionIllustrated.com : Instant Designer: Customizes artwork and helps you create templates using design elements and text. Developer has artwork bundles for sale to use with this plug-in.
EZ Gem Rhinestone: make custom rhinestone designs.
DigitalArtSolutions.com :Smart Designer X4.5: Create and customize artwork. Create designs by combining text, art and stock layouts.
Smart Designer Pro: Over 70 design and production features to simplify art production processes.
StoneCut Pro: Introduces numerous technological innovations to the process including automatic conversion of photographs to production-ready rhinestone patterns plus automatic adjustment of rhinestones in closely spaced areas.
SmartVector Pro 2.0: Bitmap to vector conversion. Converts scanned or raster images into vector artwork.
There are many more plug-ins. These are just some of the most talked about in relationship to creating artwork in CorelDraw. Most of the companies have explanations and video demos for how their software works. So do your homework and check them all out. Like the application developers, plug-ins developers provide trials. Download them, find the best ones to help your creativity and productivity.
I would also like to hear from you about your most pressing issues about artwork. Your question may be used in a future issue of this newsletter. If you have questions, please email me at cora@qdigitizing.com. And please reference this newsletter.
Cora Kromer
Qdigitizing.com