FYI Dream Suite

Dream Suite is from  AutoFX - visit them for a trial download.

Dream Suite is a very sophisticated image FX and enhancement program that can act either as a plugin for Photoshop and Photoshop-plugin compatible programs, or as a stand-alone app.

What is DreamSuite?

Dream Suite is a visual enhancement program created to work with images, type and graphics.  DreamSuite includes eighteen premium effects that are unrivaled in their photorealistic quality, ease of use and creative options.  It works as either a standalone application or as a plug-in for image editing programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Elements and Paint Shop Pro.  DreamSuite Series One is the first of several DreamSuite series to be released by AutoFX Software.  Take a look here to see the user interface.

Included with Series One are the following FX: ( be sure to check out the sample FX of each one!)

Key features of DreamSuite include:

• Works as both a stand-alone and Photoshop-compatible plugin
• Effects are resolution independent
• Memory Dots let you click and capture an effect to come back to
• Unlimited number of light sources and shadows
• Supports Adobe Photoshop Actions
• Supports a Marquee Zoom and Pan capable adjustable full screen preview
• PopUp ToolTips when mouse hovers over a control
• User defined presets can be saved
• File loading and saving in PSD, TIF, BMP, JPG, GIF, and PNG file formats
• User Interface colors and textures are customizable.
• Optimized for single and dual CPU processors
• Optimized for G4s and is Apple Certified compliant with OS10

My Impressions of DreamSuite

My impressions of the program are that it is a very good one.  There are tons of FX you can do, and each preset has many adjustable settings which you can also save as custom ones, thereby creating and saving your own personal FX.  With the ability to install additional presets to the core operating program, it makes it easy to use and access each Series as they are released.  The interface is very friendly with a look of smooth rounded corners and edges (Take a look here to see the user interface. ). It's one very sophisticated FX program.  And the best part is, the FX are extremely well done.

Even though it seems some of these FX have been done before and could be variations on a theme, that is one thing they are not.  Sure, you can mimic what you've already seen, but the range of the controls for FX is far greater than anything before, giving you the ability to run the gamut of minimal FX to extreme FX.  DreamSuite doesn't just give you a greater FX or lesser FX of some middle-of-the-road setting where it all looks the same up and down the slider controls, but instead you get FX that actually changes in texture, style and visual impact depending on how extreme or conservative your settings are.

If you haven't purchased a plugin suite for a long time, DreamSuite is a must have, and will get you interested in creating your own special image realizations anew.