Fringewood News/Adobe Photoshop Software for PC

Last edited 8/8/01 e-mail: Fringewood

Photoshop Directory

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This collection of original Photoshop files for PC is freeware. See the ReadMe files for instructions. The only restrictions placed on these archives are that I must be notified in advance in writing if any of these files are included in any commercial distribution, and any distribution must contain the ReadMe file. Otherwise, these archives may be distributed freely.

All items on this page were created on a Power Macintosh and converted to PC Photoshop format.
All items have been tested using Windows 98 and WinZip to assure full functionality with PC Photoshop.

For the Macintosh versions of the software on this page,
visit the Adobe Photoshop Software for Macintosh page

A note to those who rare souls actually read the accompanying text files:
Most of these archives are at least a year and a half old, and the accompanying text material is rather dated in regard to web addresses and instructions for Photoshop 6.0. I plan on updating this info as soon as I can, as I consider it a part of the move to this new location. Unfortunately priorities have their own will, so it may be a while before I can find the time to update everything in this section.

Item # 1: JW's Photoshop Spherical Gradients #1

Sphere production gradients.

This is a set of gradients for Photoshop 4.0 through 6.0 designed specifically for creating spheres. These gradients allow the user to create realistic spheres without the use of expensive plugs. Optimal use of these gradients requires the use of the standard included Spherize filter, found in the Distort submenu. Here's an example of some of the gradient effects made with this collection.(I suggest downloading the JPEG file to the desktop and viewing with 16 bit color or better to remove the web palette effects.)

     To use, follow these simple instructions:

1)  To install, place the gradient file on your hard drive. The Photoshop Goodies folder is a good place to keep track of it.

2)  Open Photoshop and select the gradient tool, double clicking to open the options window. Click on the Edit button. This opens the edit window. Click on the load button. An open window will appear, select and open the included gradient file. All the included gradients will be installed on the pop up menu. Click okay to close the edit window.

3)  Create a new window of proper size and with the desired background. It is recommended, though not necessary, to create a new layer for this effect.

4)  Select the Marquee tool, double clicking to open the options window. Select Elliptical and Constrained Aspect Ratio with the default ratio of 1:1 and anti-aliasing. This allows the Marquee tool to create perfect circles by clicking the mouse and dragging it until the proper sized circle is created. Release.

5)  Select the gradient tool again, double clicking to open the options window if it was closed. Use the menu to select the desired gradient. Note that all gradients in this collection are marked with an asterisk*. Set the gradient to Radial, masking and dithering are optional, depending on the application. (Read the Photoshop User's Manual for further details.)

6)  Place the cursor within the circle selection and press. Drag the cursor and release. The best effects are obtained when the original point is slightly off centered and the cursor is dragged across the center to the far edge. Different angles are obtained by different placements of the cursor. Reversing positions, going from edge to center gives a backlight effect. I advise experimenting a bit until a familiarity is obtained. It shouldn't take too long.

7)  Before the selection is removed, select Filters/Distort/Spherize at 100% to complete the perspective. If the originating point is placed off center, the Spherize filter will spread it further from the center, so it is required that the originating point be placed closer to the center than the final results dictate. This is part of the experimentation mentioned in the step above. (Multiple use of the spherize filter may be needed in some cases for the proper compression effect, especially for backlighting.)

8)  If desired, apply a drop shadow to complete the illusion. If the DropShadow filter is not adequate, create a new layer, fill with black (or dark gray), apply a degree of Gaussian Blur (or feathering when filling), and compress the image along one axis using Free Transform or the Transform perspective tool to get the proper tilt effect for the scene. Place this layer beneath the sphere layer and adjust position and transparency to achieve the best effect.

     Once you've achieved a few spheres, the process should become second nature.

     I suggest studying the gradients within the gradient editor and using them as templates to add new colors, varying reflectivity, even an extra set with a different colored light for dual layers to mimic multiple light sources. The editor is quite easy to use, and it's ultimately flexible.
     If using a gradient as a template, do make a duplicate first, to insure that the list need not be reloaded from the gradient file and the duplicates removed.

     This collection is freeware. The only restrictions placed on this archive are that I must be notified in advance in writing if this file is included in any commercial distribution, and any distribution must contain the ReadMe file. Otherwise, this archive may be distributed freely.

Download JW's Photoshop Spherical Gradients #1   PC  Zip 21 K

Item # 2: JW's Photoshop Art Brushes #1

     Okay, so I couldn't think of a more original title for these.

     This is a brush file for Photoshop 3.0 through 6.0. (Note than in 3.0, this file replaces the default or other brush file, while in 4.0 and 5.0, the brushes accumulate until the default brushes are restored or are individually deleted.) Here are a few examples.

     This collection of brushes is primarily for texturing and creating buttons in single application, rather than being traditional brushes for use in repetitious application.

     To use, place this file on the hard drive. The Photoshop Goodies folder is traditional and as good a place as any. But they can even be stored on other drives.
     Open Photoshop and open the brush window. This is accessed in the Palettes menu in 4.0 and 5.0, and by double clicking the individual tool in 3.0 and selecting the brushes options. Click the small triangle in the upper right and select Load Brushes. This will create an open window. Select the brush file and click open. Select a brush and use with a paint tool, such as air brush, paint brush, pencil. They can even be used with the eraser, cloning tool, blur, sharpen, dodge, burn, and sponge.
     Double clicking on the individual brush window, or selecting the window and selecting brush options will give you the spacing ratio window, so that you can vary the overlap or space between brush images. Click okay to set the new ratio.

     To return the palette to default, select the trangle and select Restore Brushes. This will automatically return the palette to the default set.

     One note, I have included my "wipe" brush, which is a solid 999 pixel diameter circle which will fill any window quickly and efficiently with the foreground color, doing what you always wished the paint bucket would do for you when you hit Select All.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Art Brushes #1   PC  Zip 216 K

Item # 3: JW's Photoshop Detailing Brushes #1

     This is a set of traditional brushes for Photoshop 3.0 through 6.0. (Note than in 3.0, this file replaces the default or other brush file, while in 4.0 and 5.0, the brushes accumulate until the default brushes are restored or are individually deleted.) Here are a few examples from the collection.

     This collection of brushes is primarily intended for creating highly detailed full dimensional lines and ornate borders in repetitive applications.

     See the instructions in the Art Brushes section above for using these brushes.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Detailing Brushes #1 PC Zip 15 K

Item # 4: JW's Photoshop Texture Brushes #1

This is a set of texturing brushes for Photoshop 3.0 through 6.0. (Note than in 3.0, this file replaces the default or other brush file, while in 4.0 and 5.0, the brushes accumulate until the default brushes are restored or are individually deleted.) Here are a few examples from the collection.

     This collection of brushes is primarily intended for texturing selected areas in repetitious application. Varying the opacity and spacing options will give a wide range of texture effects from each brush.

     See the instructions in the Art Brushes section above for using these brushes.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Texture Brushes #1 PC Zip 226 K

Item # 5: JW's Photoshop Deco Brushes #1 & 2

This is a set of traditional brushes for Photoshop 3.0 through 6.0. (Note than in 3.0, this file replaces the default or other brush file, while in 4.0 and 5.0, the brushes accumulate until the default brushes are restored or are individually deleted.) Here are a few examples from the collection.

     This collection of brushes is primarily for illustrating a rough and angular art style that is a cross between art deco and grunge.

     See the instructions in the Art Brushes section above for using these brushes.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Deco Brushes #1 PC Zip 71 K

Item # 6: JW's Photoshop Pepper Brushes #1

This is a set of detailing brushes for Photoshop 3.0 through 6.0. (Note than in 3.0, this file replaces the default or other brush file, while in 4.0 and 5.0, the brushes accumulate until the default brushes are restored or are individually deleted.) Here are a few examples from the collection.

     This collection of brushes is primarily for detailing in single application, rather than being traditional brushes for use in repetitious application.

     See the instructions in the Art Brushes section above for using these brushes.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Pepper Brushes #1 PC Zip 25 K

Item # 7: JW's Photoshop Calligraphy Brushes #1

This is a set of traditional brushes for Photoshop 3.0 through 6.0. (Note than in 3.0, this file replaces the default or other brush file, while in 4.0 and 5.0, the brushes accumulate until the default brushes are restored or are individually deleted.) Here are a few examples from the collection.

     This collection of brushes is primarily intended for creating lines in the same fashion as calligraphy pens in repetative application. However, a number of other effects are possible with these brushes.

     See the instructions in the Art Brushes section above for using these brushes.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Calligraphy Brushes #1   PC  Zip 3 K

Item # 8: JW's Photoshop Sky Gradients #1

     This is a set of 20 gradients for Photoshop 4.0 through 6.0 designed specifically for creating sky effects. These gradients allow the user to create realistic skies without the use of expensive plugs. The use of rendering and distortion filters, several of which are standard parts of the Photoshop download, may be used with screen or lighten layer precedures to add cloud effects to the skies. Others are available as freeware on the internet.

     Here are a few examples. (Saving the file to the desktop will remove the web palette effects for a better view. Browsers are so brutal to smooth gradients.)

     To use, follow these simple instructions:

1) To install, place the gradient file on your hard drive. The Photoshop Goodies folder is a good place to keep track of it.
2) Open Photoshop and select the gradient tool, double clicking to open the options window. Click on the Edit button. This opens the edit window. Click on the load window. An open window will appear, select and open the included gradient file. All the included gradients will be installed on the pop up menu. Click okay to close the edit window.
3) Create a new window of proper size in RGB mode. Select the gradient tool again, double clicking to open the options window if it was closed. Use the menu to select the desired gradient. All gradients are named "Sky__*" with a two digit number, 01 - 20.
4) Set the gradient to Linear. Masking and dithering are optional. (Dithering is generally preferred if the product is to be a JPEG bound for the internet, unless a web color prep application or plug is to be used. Otherwise, both options are generally not advisable.)
6) Place the cursor at the top of the page and press the mouse button. Drag the cursor to the bottom of the page or defined horizon line and release.
7) Add clouds or turbulence if desired. Use of screen or lighten layers generally give the best effects for clouds. Use of fractal generators such as Filter/Render/Clouds using black and white in the color selectors works well. Compression of the verticle dimension using the perspective and free transform tools are also quite useful in gaining a proper perspective. Experiment and find the techniques that suit you best.
8) Flatten any layers and add foreground.

     I suggest studying the gradients within the gradient editor and using them as templates to add new colors and create new effects. The editor is quite easy to use, and it is ultimately flexible.

     If using a gradient as a template, do be sure to make a duplicate first, to insure that the list need not be reloaded from the gradient file and the duplicates removed.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Sky Gradients #1   PC  Zip 12 K

Item # 9: JW's Photoshop Primary Color CLUTs

     CLUT files are localized color tables, the same as those found in GIF and other Indexed Color formatted files, web palettes, and gaming sprites. This collection of thirteen CLUT files is for use with color separation processes that involve the additive and subtractive primaries.

     Each of the files is an 8 bit, 256 color table. One is a grayscale, with RGB values of 0,0,0 1,1,1 2,2,2........ up to 255,255,255. There are three additive primary to black cluts (Channel), and three additive primary to white (Fade) files. In reversal, there are three subtractive primary to black (Channel) and three subtractive primary towhite (Fade) files.

     The grayscale is used on converted RGB channels, while the others are used in separation layers. The additive Fade files correspond to the subtractive Channel files in negative image reversal, while the additive Channel files correspond to the subtractive Fade files. In other words, the Cyan Channel is the negative of Red Fade. This allows a three CLUT swap to facilitate a tri layer positive (RGB) to a tri layer negative (CMY) transition.
     Those with 24 bit RGB to CMYK conversion experience should get the picture right away.

     Aside from primary color separations, they can be used for monochrome effects or combined for duotone, tritone, quadtone, and other effects by layering different images or the same image offset with the nudge tool. The various layer processes can produce a wide variety of results.

     They can also be applied to RGB channel copies and used in layers for color adjustment effects by adjusting opacity. Use of the grayscale CLUT during the mode change to define the channel assures a consistent transfer from channel to image. When the conversion is made, the CLUT is loaded as the choice of process for conversion, rather than exact, adaptive, etc.

Download JW's Photoshop Primary Color CLUTs   PC  ZIP 10 K

Item # 10: JW's Arbitrary Map, Curve, and Level Presets #1

     Arbitrary Map, Curve, and Level files are all presets that can be loaded into the Image/Adjust/Curves and Image/Adjust/Levels menu function of Adobe Photoshop to change the image brightness, contrast, and color balance. These presets can be quite subtle or totally outrageous. In many ways, these presets act much as filters do in achieving image effects, but come in much smaller packages. Here are a few examples:

     As a rule, I use Level presets (Image/Adjust/Levels) for more basic alterations, such as brighten, darken, fade, pale, and slight color shifts, like making something appear to be under incandescent lighting after achieving a sunlight color balance. The Level files in this archive are largely utilitarian presets used for specific applications. The names are logically assigned.
     Curve and Arbitrary Map [AMP] (Image/Adjust/Curves) have a lot more flexibility in defining tonal and color shifts. Therefore, the wilder alterations are usually saved here, and most would be classified as special effects. Consequently they have rather illogical and fanciful names. Logical names are difficult to apply, because these extreme effects are seldom similar for different images. Arbitrary Map files are usually less predictable, because their color relationships do not possess continuous lines on the graphs like Curve files possess. However, it's not that difficult to get an educated feeling for the presets with a little experience applying them to various images. It is not difficult to run through a series of presets to see if any will produce the effects that are or could be desired.

     To use these files, load the files onto the hard drive (or any other drive). Open Photoshop, open or create a new image, and access either Image/Adjust/Levels or Image/Adjust/Curves from the menu. Click on the load button, access the folder where the files are stored. Click on preset desired and click open (or just double click on the preset). The stored relationships are applied to the charts and the image is previewed automatically. Level presets will not be shown in Image/Adjust/Curves, and Curve and Arbitrary Map presets will not be shown in Image/Adjust/Levels. Run through the series in this manner to experiment with the presets.
     User alterations can be made to refine the preset effects, and these resulting settings can likewise be saved by pressing the Save button. The usual save window will appear, requesting a name. In Image/Adjust/Curves, the file will be saved as a Curve file if the curve tool is selected at the time of saving. If the pencil tool is selected, it will be saved as an Arbitrary Map. Do note that selecting the curve tool will automatically connect any broken lines in an Arbitrary Map, giving it a subtly different effect in Curve mode. However, clicking on the pencil restores the Arbitrary Map to original form. The converse is not the case, as changing from curve to pencil tool will not alter a curve's structure, only the function of manipulating it.

     The effects possible using the tools can be a lot of fun and are largely over-looked for their filter-like effects. They're much smaller than filters, very easy to produce in quantities, and work very well with actions.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by the ReadMe file.

Download JW's Arbitrary Map, Curve, and Level Presets #1
                                                    PC  ZIP 16 K

Item # 11: JW's Convolution Kernels #1

     This is a set of kernels for use with the Custom Filter found in all versions of Photoshop. Here are some examples of the application of the kernels in this archive:

     Kernels are usually a mystery to most Photoshop users in their early days of learning to use the Adobe graphics beast. And once the mystery is gone, they are generally ignored in favor of more sophisticated filters. But they do have their uses and can achieve effects that other filters can't.
     Convolution is a rather obscure formula vehicle for altering the tonal value of neighboring pixels by adding or subtracting to the RGB values in a mathematical context. Sometimes, a seemingly severe set of matrix values does very little to the image quality, while some that seem most innocent can have drastic effects. And the effects can vary from image to image, depending on tonal and color value ranges of the image.
     The 3X3 and 5X5 matrix arrangements for convolution can be rather difficult to understand, but it's based largely upon comparative values. The matrix uses integer values from -999 to 999, and are more important in their relative ratio to the central, scale, and offset figures than their actual value. If the central value and scale are in the low range, say 1 to 5, then a +1 change of a matrix figure has a drastic effect. If the central value and scale are in the 950 range, then a +1 change is negligible. Offset is a general fudge factor to adjust the overall values in blanket adjustment fashion, generally to adjust overall brightness. Balance/imbalance of the surrounding matrix is a prime factor in the specific results.
     The primary limitation to convolution is that it is a color/tonal filter system, not the distortion or overwrite filters as so many of the popular newer code based filters are. But they still have their usage in achieving color/saturation/tonal shifts, edge effects, pixelation effects, and more. They certainly have their place in the array of Photoshop tools, no matter how forgotten or misunderstood they may be.

     To use, place on the hard drive (or other drive), open Photoshop, open or create a new image, open Filter/Other/Custom. Click on the load button, access the kernel folder, click on the kernel file and click open (or double click the kernel file). The kernel will be automatically loaded to the matrix and the image will be previewed to show its effect. Click Okay to apply.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by this ReadMe file.

Download JW's Convolution Kernels #1   PC  ZIP 5 K

Item # 19: JW's Photoshop Musical Brushes

     This is a set of traditional brushes Photoshop 3.0 through 6.0. (Note than in 3.0, this file replaces the default or other brush file, while in 4.0 and 5.0, the brushes accumulate until the default brushes are restored or are individually deleted. In 6.0, the Preset Manager will be needed to install them.)

     This collection of brushes is primarily intended for creating musical notation for design and defining musical scores.

     See the instructions in the Art Brushes section above for using these brushes.

     This archive is freeware. Only two restrictions apply. First, any commercial distribution is prohibited without first contacting me in writing. Second, any distribution must be accompanied by this ReadMe file.

Download JW's Photoshop Musical Brushes #1   PC  Zip 20 K

If you have any problems unzipping these archives,
allow me to recommend Aladdin Expander (freeware),
which has proven infallible in unzipping these archives.
Click on the badge below and follow the Windows links.

It's also very handy for decompressing many of the archives on the net,
including those designed for Mac, Linux, and Unix platforms.

Visit my link page for a long list of Photoshop links.

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