Here is what I consider my "Essential", award winning, plugin pack for Paint.NET v4.2.12and beyond.
It includes 46 plugins in 36 files, 1 palette file, and 48 shapes. This allows you to pick and choose to install only the effects you want. Then, later you can run the installer and uncheck an item to uninstall it.
When you seein this post, you can click it for more information (including source code in some cases).
To install, download this file to your Desktop, unzip it, and run the install program.
Note: This is an older version of my plugin pack for paint.net v4.2.12.
For the most recent version, go here: https://forums.getpaint.net/BoltBaitPluginPack
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I'm going through a really tough financial time right now,
so anything you can spare would be much appreciated.
Which of my plugin packs is right for you?
You need to look at the Paint.NETversion number in the title bar.
Classic: Download:
3.5.11 https://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/8318-b
4.0.x https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/32048-b
4.2.12+ Download above
4.3.10+ https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/120037-b
Windows Store version of paint.net: You're in the right place! Click the download button above
When you see the main screen (shown below), select the "I'm running the store version of Paint.NET" checkbox.
Installer / Plugin Manager:
Once you click the download button above and open the zip file, run the included install.exe file. You'll see this:
When the installer first runs, it updates the check boxes to what's currently installed (checked for installed, unchecked for not installed). However, if nothing is installed, it automatically checks ALL the boxes figuring the user would like to install everything.
Carefully review each line and make sure the items you wish to install are checked. When you click the Install button,checked items will be installed and unchecked items will be uninstalled from your system.
For high volume network managers: Plugin Manager has a silent install function... for more information: C:\> install /?
New for this pack:
I have gone through all of my plugins and redesigned the User Interface (UI) for each with the goal of making the UI dialog boxshorter. With shorter UI's, less of your image will be covered by the effect UI while you're working on it.
For example, here is a comparison of the previous version of Gradient (left) and the new version (right):
I have always been a fan of shorter UI's and in this pack I take advantage of some new functionality in Paint.NET v4.2 that allows for a more compressed look.
Help:
If you need help with an individual effect, look for the question mark "?" in the top right corner of the effect UI (near the X) and click it.
Once you install this plugin pack, here's what you get:
Adjustments menu
Black and White+Use selected method for converting a color photograph into B&W.
Color Balance
Easily adjust the tint of an image. Useful for color correcting photographs taken indoors without flash. The difference between this and the built-in Hue/Saturation adjustment is that this one will affect black and white areas.
Combined Adjustments All of your favorite adjustments on one screen.
Hue/Saturation+Conditional Hue / Saturation effect.
Temperature/TintTemperature / Tint effect.
TransparencyAdjust the transparency of a selection just like you can adjust it for an entire layer.
Effects menu
Flip Horizontal- flips the selection on the vertical axis. Similar to the layer flip of the same name.
Flip Vertical- flips the selection on the horizontal axis. Similar to the layer flip of the same name.
Effects > Artistic menu
Dream
This makes your picture look like it was seen in a dream.
Oil Painting+Makes your photographs look painted.
PastelThis makes your picture look like it was drawn with pastel chalk or water color paint.
Effects > Blurs menu
Gaussian Blur Plus- With it, you can blur only the Red, Blue, Green, or Alpha channel of the image. It also allows you to blend the original picture with the blurred image. (Try blurring all channels of the image with a radius of 10 and a Darken blend mode. Cool stuff.)
Effects > Fill
From ClipboardFills the current selection with the graphic on the clipboard.
From FileFills the current selection with a graphic file.
Effects > Object menu
An "object" is a group of pixels on a layer that is completely surrounded by transparent pixels (or the edge(s) of the canvas). These are useful when doing "cutouts" or with text on a new layer.
Bevel ObjectThis effect allows you to make objects 3D. Works great with text!
FeatherThis effect softens the edges of objects.
Inner ShadowRenders a shadow on objects so they look like they have been cut out.
Object ShadowRenders a shadow behind objects.
Outline- This effect puts an outline of the selected color around your object.
Paste Alpha- This effect takes the graphic on the clipboard and converts the colors to shades of gray and then uses that for the alpha values of the current layer. Useful for using masks.
Switch Alpha to Gray- This effect converts the image to shades of gray based on the alpha value of each pixel. Useful for making masks.
Switch Gray to Alpha- This effect deletes white from and image and converts all other pixels to black. Useful for isolating line art.
Effects > Photo menu
Combined AdjustmentsMany adjustments for photographs all on one screen
Level HorizonRotate an image by drawing a line across the horizon.
Meme MakerCreate your own Memes.
Remove DustRemoves little white dust particles by clone stamping them out. I find this very helpful when scanning photographs.
Sharpen LandscapeMakes your landscape photographs look like they belong in a magazine!
Seam Carving - Reduce heightReduce the height of an image without scaling (squishing) the image.
Seam Carving - Reduce widthReduce the width of an image without scaling (squishing) the image.
Vignette+Extends the capabilities of the built-in Vignette effect with colors and the ability to render a vignette to a blank canvas.
Effects > Render menu
CalendarRender a monthly calendar. Month name and Days of the week are localized. Includes many options.
Charts and Graphs Like a mini spreadsheet, enter your data and plot a graph!
Dimensions This doesn't measure anything. It just renders the dimension arrows and label text.
FlamesThis effect allows you to render flames. It is based on Tom Jackson's excellent fire tutorial.
GradientsRender colorful HSV (rainbow) gradients.
Grid / CheckerboardCreate checker board or grid patterns.
Polygon / StarsThis effect allows you to render triangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc. It also allows you to render stars. It is useful in making standard shapes and the pointed edges of stickers.
Effects > Selection menu
Effects in this menu perform their effect by following the selection outline (marching ants). While they will work with a square selection (or no selection by using the edges of the canvas as their path), they are more interesting when the selection is curved, selected by hand
, or by magic wand
.
Bevel SelectionThis effect allows you to make selections 3D. Works great with text!
Blur Selection Edge- This effect feathers the edges of a selection using the surrounding colors instead of transparency. Useful when the selection is not surrounded by transparent pixels.
Feather SelectionThis effect softens the edges of your selection. It works just like the feather in other graphic$ program$.
Inner Shadow SelectionRenders a shadow on the inside of a selection so it looks like it has been cut out.
Outline SelectionThis effect allows you to outline a selection.
Effects > Stylize menu
Floyd-Steinberg DitheringThis effect will reduce the colors of your image using the Floyd-Steinberg dithering technique.
Effects > Text formations
Creative Text ProCreates professional looking 3D text.
Outlined / Gradient textCreates text that is outlined with a selected color and filled with a solid color or a gradient. User "xod" has published a version of this plugin with even more features. If you find that my plugin isn't enough, install his.
Window > Colors > More > Open Palettes Folder
I have also included my Rainbow Palette.This is very popular on the forums.In the Color docker window, click the
button and choose Rainbow from the list. This is what the Rainbow Palette looks like:
Custom Shapes
This plugin pack also includes 48 custom shapes.In the installer, you can pick-and-chose which ones you want.
This pack supersedes my plugins available elsewhere. I will be updating the other locations eventually, but if you want the latest versions, download my plugins fromthispost.
Enjoy.
Also, for you luddites that refuse to use the installer, here's a zip file with all the DLL's in it:BoltBaitPack51DLLs.zipHow to install Paint.NET plugins.
BoltBaitPack51.zip