Photoshop CS Savvy

While some plug-ins are fun, others perform serious image repair. Such is the case with Image Doctor from Alien Skin Software. They can be found on the Web at http://www.alienskin.com.

Although only four filters are included with this package, they are powerful in the right circumstances.

Getting Started

Like Eye Candy 4000, Image Doctor contains setup programs for both Macintosh and Windows. It attempts to locate known graphics programs and allow installation for any program it recognizes. When it doesn t recognize a program (such as a too new version of Photoshop), you can manually select it to be installed in its own subdirectory for Windows under the Plug-Ins subdirectory in your Photoshop directory.

After it is correctly installed, restart Photoshop and you should see the list shown in Figure A.3 under the Filter menu.

Figure A.3: The Image Doctor submenu

The Filters

JPEG Repair

JPEG Repair mitigates the compression artifacts from overly compressed JPEG images. It is adjustable so that only the necessary amount of correction is applied. The results can be seen in Figure A.4.

Figure A.4: (left) Before and (right) after the application of JPEG Repair

Smart Fill

Smart Fill removes an object or defect from the image and re-creates a background based on the surrounding image. Although it can t restore exactly missing data, it provides a surprisingly realistic re-creation. In addition, because it randomly creates the new background from sampling nearby image material, the filter allows easy stepping through numerous possible replacement fills until a good match is found. Removing light poles, telephone lines, and similar distractions becomes a snap.

Consider Figure A.5, where several ugly black lines mar the image. Smart Fill automatically identifies them and removes them in the after image.

Figure A.5: (left) Before and (right) after the application of Smart Fill

Scratch Remover and Spot Lifter

Also included in this package are Scratch Remover and Spot Lifter filters:

• Scratch Remover automates repair of small scratches, folds , creases, wrinkles , and other defects. Removal of time codes from digital images is quick and clean with this filter.

• Spot Lifter removes and blends backgrounds for moles, birthmarks, and even watermarks, stains, and dust.