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Plugins are excellent extras for Photoshop Elements, allowing users to further explore and enjoy their software. This tutorial demonstrates how to install plugins, and how to direct Photoshop Elements to another image editing program, (for example, Paint Shop Pro), so you can share its plugins without having to install them into Elements.
Tip
Close Photoshop Elements prior to installing your plugins.
Note
Plugins can only be applied to Raster Layers; therefore, to apply them to Vector objects such as Type, or Custom Shapes, you must first convert your Type, or Shape, to a Raster Layer: - in Photoshop Elements, this is known as Simplifying the Layer. To do this, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Simplify Layer.
Unzipping zipped files
Installing Plugin Commander Light
Create a new plugin folder Windows 7
Create a new plugin folder Windows XP
Utilising plugins from another programme
Installing plugins by Copying and Pasting and DLL files
Installing plugins with Installation Shields - Harry’s Filters
Installing (and unzipping) plugins from the Desktop
In accordance with your Windows/Mac’s operating system and internet browser, download your plugin to Windows Desktop - you will find it is either zipped or unzipped - as shown
below.
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To unzip a (zipped) plugin, navigate to your Desktop, and double-left-click the file.
My Unzipping Files tutorial Here explains how to unzip your plugin. Remember, when you click Browse and are asked to Select a folder to extract files to, you need to navigate to and left-click My Computer. Then navigate to and left-click your (C:) drive, then navigate to and left-click Program Files, navigate to and left-click Adobe, and left-click Photoshop Elements. Finally, scroll down and navigate to the Plugins folder. This is when you click OK to unzip the files. Once the (visual) unzipping process has completed, they will be installed into Photoshop’s Plugins folder. Note: to save disc space - you can delete the zipped file (from Windows Desktop); it is good practise to burn it to a CD first.
Plugins without Installation Shields - copy and paste method
Sometimes plugins do not include Installation Shields, such as the following Eliminate White and SinedotsII filters.
 
These types of plugins (and all files that are supplied with it) are transferred to the Plugins folder by the Copying and Pasting method; therefore, locate your files from the Desktop; right-click them, then left-click Copy (from the subsequent drop-down menu).
 
Tip
If you have more than one file to transfer - to highlight all - hold down the Ctrl key of the keyboard), and carefully left-click (once) to highlight each file.
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Your plugin (s) have been copied to Windows Clipboard, and you need to navigate to Photoshop’s Plugins folder (from the Start menu) in exactly the same way as described in the following Making a New Plugin folder Here. Note: you are looking to Paste the plugin file into Photoshop Elements’ Plug-ins folder
Therefore, when you reach the Plugins folder, right-click it and from the drop-down
menu, choose Paste. When you have done this, it is ready to apply.
Installing Dll files  
Sometimes Dll files are required to enable plugins to work correctly - you place those files into Photoshop’s Plugins folder; therefore, copy and paste the Dll files into the folder as described Here.
Plugin Commander Light - may not be required; e-mail address required.
MSVCRCT10 (91.9KB)
Plugin (15.6 KB)
Installing Plugin Commander Light  (May not be needed).
When you have downloaded Plugin Commander Light to your Desktop, left-click the file and select Install, then select Agree and when the installation process begins, you will be prompted to choose an installation destination. Navigate (and install it) into Photoshop’s Plugins folder, as described Here.
Installing Harry’s Filters 3 
To download Harry’s Filters Link Here (you need a valid e-mail address), they are a good starting point, and are free. To install them, left-click the Harry’s Filters download, and you will see the Harry’s Filters Set-up dialogue box, click Install. You will be prompted to choose a Destination Folder, click OK to the licence agreement, then click Browse and navigate to Photoshop’s Plugins folder as described Here, when you reach the folder, click Install and the installation process will begin. Upon completion, open Photoshop and navigate to the Effects tab (from the top menu) and locate your new plugin.
Note
It is important not to click the Move tab (at the bottom of the Move Items dialogue box, below), until it is time to do so.
Making a new Plugins folder (Windows XP)
If you would like to file your plugins in separate folders - or you find you have no Plugin folder to begin with - to create one, click the Start button.
Note
To see the same yellow folders as displayed below, (from the top menu of My Computer) click the tiny black triangle, and from the drop-down menu, ensure there is a tick next to Icons.
Now left-click My Computer. 
And locate and double-left-click Boot (C:). 
Then locate and double-left-click Program Files. 
And double-left-click Adobe. 
Now locate and double-left-click Photoshop Elements.
And you will see Photoshop’s folders, (on the right-side) - now from the left-side menu, click Make a New Folder.
And in the new folder. 
Click and clear the text and enter a unique name. 
Then press your Keyboard’s Enter/Return Key. 
Your new folder is complete and ready to utilise.
Navigate To Photoshop Element’s Main Program Files Folder: Windows 7 (64 Bit)
First, left-click Windows 7’s circular Start Menu.
Then left-click Computer.
Double-left-click to open the Hard Disc where your main program files reside.
Then double-left-click to open the folder where your main program files reside.
Double-left-click to open the Adobe Folder.
Now, double-left-click to open the Photoshop Elements folder.
Once inside, right-click over an empty area. Then select New and select then Folder, from the subsequent pop-up menus.
Then type in a name for your new Plugins Folder - as demonstrated below.
Congratulations, you have successfully created a Plugins folder for Photoshop Elements, and it is ready to utilise. (It’s safe to close down all open Window Explorer Windows).
Utilising Plugins from another programme - for example Paint Shop Pro
Open Photoshop Elements, then from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Preferences then choose Plug-ins, and you will see the dialogue box illustrated Here.
Now, click Plug-ins, as illustrated below.
Then click a tick into the Additional Plugins folder tick box, as illustrated below.
Click the Choose tab - and from the subsequent Browse for Folder dialogue box, navigate to Paint Shop Pro’s Plugins (or another graphics programme) folder. Once located,
left-click to highlight the Plugins folder, then click OK.
When you next reopen Photoshop Elements, it will display your newly linked Plugins
folder, and the Plugins will be ready to utilise.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page.
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