And never the twain shall meet.

Frankie_flea · 5 Sep 2010

Having hair tearing trouble coupling plugin zip files to their hosts. Am running XP with service pack 2. Have downloaded IZ Arc to undo the zips, but still can't seem to unite the two. Tried with Gimp, and Paint.NET so far. Would like to master this, as most PP applications have plugins on the net. Gimp in particular is nothing without the add-ons. Any thoughts, or similar struggles.:bang::bang::bang:

zeugma · 5 Sep 2010

When you say Plug-ins, do you mean something like you'd use for Photoshop, Noiseware for example?
If so, the proprietary (aka £ ones) normally come with an installer which will find your host editing program and bolt it in (with one or two exceptions).
I have very little experience of Gimp or Paint.Net, both of which are freeware. I would assume the plug-ins are similarly freeware or open source?
Do said plug-ins normally come compressed into a zip file with no installer - i.e. you have to manually place the plug-in in the host plug-in subdirectory for it to work.
If so, all you need to do is locate the correct subdirectory of the host application and extract the content of the plug-in zip archive there.
When next you launch the host, it should find the plug-in.

swanseamale47 · 6 Sep 2010

I always use winzip or winrar to unzip any zip files, I haven't heard if IZ Arc. Many plug-ins are intended for programs like photoshop or paint shop pro, these may not work in Gimp or paint. net.
What plug-in are you trying to use and are you able to open the zip file itself?

Frankie_flea · 6 Sep 2010

Hya Wayne. I am just trying to make a decent (free download) image processing tool for JPEG (maybe RAW later). I shoot JPEG, and don't need much,,, just a decent noise reduction, levels adjuster, sharpener etc. To this end,,, i have just removed GIMP and all it entails from my computer. In my opinion Paint.NET is far superior as a basic tool in every way. Whoever conceived the GIMP sharpening tool that works from a thumbnail image at the side of the main page is NUTS... However,,, i have been struggling with zipped add-ons for Paint.NET. Maybe i'll have to spend some money in the end, and go for a 'bought' product. I did try, but i am struggling miserably. :bonk::bonk:

Hawkmoon · 6 Sep 2010

Irfanview is free and pretty good, albeit simple.

Suvv · 7 Sep 2010

Did you try the link I posted earlier?
http://boltbait.com/pdn/InstallingEffects.asp

For the above plug in I just save the zip file to my PC (Vista) and then double Left click the downloaded file. This then automatically extracts all the .dll files into a new folder. I then copied all the .dll files and pasted them into the Paint.net Effects folder.

The various new effects are then added to the Paint.net drop down menus, however they are sometimes added to an existing menu item. For example to access the plugins installed by the Boltbait plugin you need to click on the Effects menu and then select Photo. Some effects are then listed directly, some are installed in a new Basic Adjustments menu item which is under Photo and others are installed in the Adjustments menu.

Frankie_flea · 8 Sep 2010

Thanks for trying to help Suvv, but i think the process with your Vista might be a bit different from my XP sp2. I have had to download a Zipfile opener, and i don't seem to be able to access the Paint.NET inner sanctum, with the on screen directions sending me around in ever decreasing circles. I'm not a complete computer dum dum, but i just may have to give up on the idea of plugin add-on downloads for anything. Thanks again,,, Frankie.:shake::shake::shake:

swanseamale47 · 8 Sep 2010

Frankie_flea said:
Thanks for trying to help Suvv, but i think the process with your Vista might be a bit different from my XP sp2. I have had to download a Zipfile opener, and i don't seem to be able to access the Paint.NET inner sanctum, with the on screen directions sending me around in ever decreasing circles. I'm not a complete computer dum dum, but i just may have to give up on the idea of plugin add-on downloads for anything. Thanks again,,, Frankie.:shake::shake::shake:

I cant find anything in vista, it drives me potty.

Suvv · 8 Sep 2010

If you downloaded Boltbaitpack.zip what do you see when you open the folder?

There should be a list of files with .dll extentions and a column showing their compressed sizes. You should also have an option, at the top of the folder to Extract all Files, if so click on that and keep the default folder name BoltBaitPack. Open the new folder BoltBaitPack (NOT BoltBaitPack.Zip) and copy all the extracted .dll files.

Make sure that Paint.Net is not running.

Then click Start / Computer / HDD C: / Program Files

Look for Paint.Net, open it and look for the Effects folder. Rt click on the Effects folder and select Paste. All the .dll files should then be pasted into the Effects folder.

Then open Paint.Net and select the Effects menu to see if the plug ins are there.