Photoshop Plugins?

Question

As we all know, Adobe Photoshop has a multitude of free and paid based plugins for it. There isn't anything out there that can't be created with some plug-in or another. Whether you want a plug-in to create a page curl, to break an image into puzzles, or even shatter an image, there is something out there.

So my question is: What plug-ins do you find to be the best and most helpful?

I use:
AutoFX Mystical Tint, Tone & Color
AutoFX Mystical Lighting
Nik ColorFX
Alienskin EyeCandy 5: Textures
Alienskin Exposure
Alienskin XenoFX 2
nik Abstract Efex Pro
nik Color Efex Pro
Corel KnockOut 2

Answer 1

Here's something to consider.

Often plugins are chosen after the shot has been taken and downloaded to your PC. You open the image in Photoshop and say hmmm...

I like to pick a plugin and shoot 50 frames specifically for that effect. Take Watercolor for example. The tonal range and color balance of the original have a tremendous bearing on how the plugin will handle the image.

I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, just encouraging you to try a new approach.

My favorite teacher once said "always look behind you" and you'll be amazed at what you see when you look from a different direction.

Answer 2

AutoFX plugins: Photos graphic Edge, Dreamsuite ... the Best and very useful