Adobe Photoshop & Photoshop Elements Tips

How to install plug-in filters in Photoshop

Among the most popular questions asked by newbies about Photoshop compatible plugins are:
Where do I install a plugin and how do I load it afterwards?

A plugin (or plug-in) is a computer program that integrates into another program adding new features and increasing functionality. Adobe allows installing in its programs plug-in filters from other software developers.

Some Photoshop compatible plugins have an installer that will guide you through the process. But what should you do if a plug-in has a ".8bf" extension (Windows) or any other extensions - like ".plugin" or ".thunk" or others (Mac OS) *? How to install these files? It's as easy as pie.

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) or Library\Applications\Adobe Photoshop CS2\Plug-Ins (for Mac OS).
If you have installed Photoshop in any other location you should look for the "Plug-Ins" folder there.

Bear in mind that Photoshop must be closed when installing new plugins. Next time you start Photoshop, the plugins will be available in the menu "Filter":

Some Useful Tips:

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) and alias (Mac OS) 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 (or Photoshop - for Mac OS), 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.