Beyond frequent updates and native integrations with some AI tools that reduce busywork, Photoshop's easy access to thousands of third-party plugins is another reason why it still manages to maintain its spot as the industry standard.Add How-To Geek on Google Add as Preferred Source Follow on Google Discover As complex as it is, Photoshop doesn't cover every possible need out of the box, but these add-ons can fill in the gaps.Some of my favorite Photoshop plugins are very simple, almost analog-looking compared to its flashy AI features, but they simplify or improve specific tasks so well that they completely change the whole creative process.
Here are some I think are worth trying.StockSolo Access free stock images directly from the Photoshop app StockSolo is a free Photoshop plugin that makes searching for free stock images much easier.Available for Windows and macOS, this extension pulls images from a huge database of over 3 million photos.
Once you install it, you can start searching for images directly from the app.In the latest Photoshop version, you'll find it via Window > Extensions (legacy).It pulls from a database that combines resources from Adobe Stock, Unsplash, Pixabay, and Pexels.
What I like most about this plugin is that it saves you from juggling tabs and only shows you free assets that you can use for commercial purposes.You don't have to manually browse and check attribution rules for each image you're embedding into Photoshop.It's true that Photoshop does let you access Adobe Stock resources natively, but its database is somewhat limited and a good amount of the resources are paid.
Even more, Photoshop Beta now has an upgraded Stock Panel with better browsing options and the possibility to filter out paid assets.So we can expect to get a comparable built-in tool in the future.For now, StockSolo isn't replaceable by the built-in features.
Watermark 3 Batch insert watermarks to protect original work Close Anyone who shares their work knows watermarking is both important and annoying, particularly when you have to work with multiple deliverables.Watermark 3 is a simple, single-purpose sort of plugin that handles batch watermarking in just a few clicks.This macOS and Windows-compatible tool can process up to 50 images at once.
You can add your own logo or create a text-based watermark directly in the tool's panel.With the free version, you can customize fonts, colors, opacity levels, add strokes, and adjust the watermark's size and position using standardized presets (small/medium/large or right/center/left).To watermark multiple images, put them in a folder, mark it as a source folder, and create a destination folder.
Click "Run Batch," and you'll have all the assets watermarked as per your settings in a few minutes.If you need to batch edit more than 50 images at the same time, Watermark 3 also has a Pro version.Among other extras, you get to select the exact size of your watermark and create watermark patterns that cover the whole image.
Particularly useful for creatives who publish work online or share assets with clients before closing a deal, Watermark 3 saves a lot of time on a boring but often unavoidable task.Nik Collection 9 Wide range of professional-grade post-processing tools Popular among Photoshop veterans who wanted more control over color grading and creative filters back when those required a lot more effort, Nik Collection is still a relevant plugin.It helps you achieve professional-looking photo edits with reusable presets and intuitive U-Point adjustments.
In contrast to the other plugins on this list, Nik Collection is a suite of add-ons for photo editing.It has 7 modes, each with its own purpose.These cover everything from color grading and noise effects to HDR processing.
While it is true that Photoshop does give you a good deal of built-in similar features, Nik Collection provides a different, simplified workflow.You can select and adjust presets and use the U-Point technology to target specific areas in your photos without having to manually create selections and layer masks.Related I tried 5 free Photoshop alternatives, but this is the one I'm sticking with Want to ditch the subscription cost? This is the app for you.
Posts 8 By Nick Lewis From Photoshop, you will be able to access each module separately.With the Color Efex option, you get color filters, contrast adjustments, and texture, while Analog Efex includes a set of vintage-style presets and filters.Silver Efex is a popular choice among those who work with black and white photography.
It has a ton of options that let you adjust images exactly as you envision them, whether you want to go for something realistic or to create a dramatic, artistic effect.Nik Collection also works with other photo editors such as Affinity or DxO PhotoLab.It is compatible with Windows and macOS and comes as a one-time purchase tool that you can try out for free for 30 days.
Convert image to layers Split flat images into individual, editable layers As the name suggests, Convert Image to Layers is a free Photoshop plugin that breaks flat rasters into editable layers.It is specifically designed to break down graphics rather than photos.I find it particularly useful if I need to edit an old asset but can't find its original editable file.
The tool saves the time it would take to rebuild images from scratch.It can split an image into up to 8 separate layers.I suggest you check the image's elements before you select how many you want.
This option is enough for simple designs, but can become limiting if you have a cluttered image with tons of distinct elements.All layers it splits are editable in some capacity.You can move, hide, rotate, and resize them.
But what I like the most about it is that it identifies text and makes it editable.You can change the font, color, and the text content itself.It will automatically turn text into a Myriad Pro version and can at times have trouble identifying the exact content if the original image has complicated scripts or over-stylized text.
Still, the editability gives it an edge over Affinity's Decomposition Tool when it comes to text recovery.The plugin automatically names and groups the newly created layers.For the most part, it correctly identifies which elements go together and what can be separated, but it occasionally separates elements that should be grouped.
All in all, if you need a quick option to break down an image, this free Photoshop plugin, available for Windows and macOS, will come in handy.Possibilities are endless These are just some of the Photoshop plugins that I find useful for everyday tasks.That said, Adobe Stock has a huge library of plugins for all sorts of needs.
Some free, some paid.If you have a specific problem you want to solve, do a quick search.You might find the exact plugin that you need to fix it.
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