Curves Plug-in ????

[Sark]

Hi all.

Does anyone know if there is a Curves plug-in available for PS.

I'm actually using PS Elements 2 as a learning step to its big brother. The only thing I'm realy missing so far is a Curves option.

Considering the exposure/density curve is the core of traditionally photography, I'm suprised Adobe left this out, but I guess thats why PSE2 is so cheap.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Sark

[Erik]

Sad to read this as I read about it yesterday on another forum.
I don't know of any curves plugin and I doubt its existence as Photoshop, Photopaint and afaik PaintShopPro have curves. No one will ever make a plugin for Elements alone...

Can you use levels? Levels give more options than simple Contrast/Lightness.

[tranquil222]

But beware that Levels only has 3 sliders for each channel, but curves can go up to (15 i believe?). Yes, I was surprised Adobe left this out too.

[Stroker]

Tranquil, Levels has 5 sliders per channel. There are the 3 Input Levels, then 2 more under them called Output Levels.

No Curves would suck big time. Sark, you have my sympathy.

[tranquil222]

Sorry, I didn't count those. I view them as akin to the "no, no" brightness/contrast dialog, and I never use them. Are they useful for anything, really?

[Erik]

Yes, they are as they allow you to set your minimum and maximum values, just like moving your curves' edges up/downwards.

And did you ever try holding down alt when sliding the left and right input levels? You get a very clear view of where darkest/lightest begin.

Why they did not implement curves is obvious: they still want to sell Photoshop, and they're well aware that most people buy PS not for print, but for photography.

I'll do a search for a plugin. One never knows...

[tranquil222]

Ill just move the edges of my curves upwards and downwards for that. Good luck on your curves mission!

[Photomanipulator]

Yes there is a plug-in available that mimics curves. I say mimics because it is not exactly like any curves UI out there that I have seen. But it is a alternative to not having curves in Elements.
The plug-in is made by Human Software, a company that creates a number of good PS plug-ins. All of which have poorly rated UI's. The curves plug-in is a plug-in is a three part plug-in.
I don't exactly remember the name, but I believe it is called SWAP.

Good Luck

Chris

[tranquil222]

Hey, welcome to the forum Photomanipulator !!! Wow, outstanding credentials! Did you really help with that book? Thats the one book that I dont have that I really want!

[Sark]

Firstly, thanks for all the replies.

What I was hoping to use Curves for, was as part of the process of creating metalic effects. Playing around with the Tone curve can create some nice effects for mimicking reflections for metalic surfaces.
Levels is a little limited here as it doesn't allow such a creative approach.
The Human Software version mimics curves but from what I've read it doesn't really allow the same versatility.

I've been using PhotoPaint which works fine, but am trying to move away from this product due to its poor export filters. It looks like I will just have to consider purchasing Elements big brother sooner than I expected or can really afford :(

Thanks again for the replies, it's much appreciated.

Sark