SoltisViolin

What would be the best pack of plugins to get? What is Eye Candy 4000? and is ther a plugin that I can get that makes a picture look like an actual drawing with details?

MsOz

1. It depends on what effects you are interested in. Try doing a web search for Photoshop plugins and see what's out there.
2. Try doing a web search for Eye Candy 4000 and see for yourself.
3. Gee, no one has ever thought of that yet! [bustagut] If there were, you surely would have read about it somewhere by now, or have found it with a web search...

You will find that many of your questions as a new user have been asked countless times before. All you have to do is do a search for the answers. Try Google or Momma.com if you want every single reference you can find, try Dogpile.com if you want a more concise search with the more relevant listings brought up.

Welles

SoltisViolin

Welcome to the boards. The subject of plugins is one of debate with PS users. If you use PS for enjoyment and fun they are great. If you intend to become an expert, the general consensus is to learn how to create the effects you are after using the tools available in Photoshop. Tutorials are the way to go. A Google search will help there. For example, run a search using the terms, 'Photoshop drawing tutorial' and be prepared to be overwhelmed.

About plugins. I like them! As MsOz points out, you need to decide what your goals are and then give them a try. Almost all plugin creators have demos available. Since you asked about Eye Candy 4000, I'll start there.


Eye Candy 4000 is a large group of filters which are all OK to pretty good. If you were wanting professional, original results, they probably aren't quite what you would want. AlienSkin is rewriting Eye Candy. The new versions, Eye Candy? 5: Textures is a plug-in collection of 10 texture generators. The first of three upgrades to Eye Candy 4000. They are significantly better than Eye Candy 4000 but will be expensive if you buy them all.

http://www.alienskin.com/

One of my favorite plugin creators is FlamingPear. These are great fun and can be used in a professional environment. SuperBlade Pro is one of the best texture generators ever but takes some learning. Flood is plain fun. There are several bundles which are worth checking out. Click on the purchase button to find them.

http://www.flamingpear.com/products.html

Andromeda has quite a number of older plugins which are quite good. Some of them have been updated, some have not and won't work with PS CS.

http://www.andromeda.com

Power Retouche Photoshop plugins for high quality photo editing, retouching and image editing. These are professional quality.

http://powerretouche.com/

I've saved my AutoFX suggestion to last because, were I buying plugin and graphics software today, they have a bundle, Creative Extreme Bundle which includes 5 pieces of software.
DreamSuite Series One
? DreamSuite Gel Series
? KnockOut 2.0
? KPT Collection
? Bryce 5.0
This is a great collection of PS plugins with Bryce thrown in for $199.

Cheers!
Welles