Installing a Third Party Photoshop Plug-In

In addition to the built-in Plug-Ins, Photoshop allows installing "Plug-Ins" from third party developers. A Plug-In is a computer program that integrates into another program adding new features and increasing functionality. Some Photoshop compatible plugins have an installer that will guide you through the process. If an installer is not provided and all you have in a file with a ".8bf" extension (Windows) then all you need to do is to copy (or drag) the file into the "Plug-Ins" sub-folder of the Photoshop folder. For example, for Photoshop CS2 it's typically located at: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS2\Plug-Ins (for Windows). The next time you start Photoshop, the plug-in will be available in the menu "Filter".

• Photoshop recognizes plug-ins located in subfolders and subdirectories inside the "Plug-Ins" folder. You can classify your filters by developer or by task. Just create a new folder inside the "Plug-Ins" folder and put the files in it. However, the list of plugins in the Photoshop menu (under "Filter") looks different from the list in the "Plug-Ins" folder. In the Photoshop menu plug-ins are usually classified by developer.
• Photoshop also recognizes shortcuts (Windows) within the "Plug-Ins" folder and subfolders. Install your plug-in filters into any folder outside Photoshop, and then create a shortcut for the ".8bf" file (or "make alias" on Macintosh) and place it into the "Plug-Ins" folder. With shortcuts you can manage your plugins quickly and safely.
• You can select an additional plug-ins folder in Photoshop Preferences. Call the command Edit then ⇒Preferences ⇒ Plug-ins & Scratch Disk. Select "Additional Plug-ins Folder", then use the button "Choose" to select a folder or directory from the list.
• Some filters (Plug-Ins) show up in Photoshop's Help menu under About Plug-Ins. Such plug-ins usually have an installer.