TCS - Kai's Power Tools Version 5

Kai's Power Tools Version 5

by Paula Sanders
http://www.ephemeralvisions.com
Tulsa Computer Society
From the April 1999 issue of the I/O Port Newsletter

In December, MetaCreations announced that they have added Kai Power Tools 5 to their repertoire of excellent programs. Most of us who have worked with graphics over the years, "cut our teeth" so to speak on Kai's Power Tools 3 - a Photoshop plug-in. (There has not been a version 4). This collection of filters has always provided artists, designer, etc. with unique and creative ways to modify or completely change their initial images. They have always been just plain exciting to use. Version 5 adds, according to their news release, "ten new plug-in applications divided into real-time 3D tools, particle growth effects and professional blurs." In addition, the new interface "has been refined to offer precise access to numerical values, real-time interactive previews of all operations and user-customizable options."

This set of filters is for both the Macintosh and Windows operating systems. The Windows requirements are: A minimum of a Pentium 166MHz or compatible; win 95, 98, or NT4; Photoshop 3/4/5 or a host application that accepts Photoshop plug-ins; 32 MB of ram; 50MB hard disk space; 24-bit color video; color monitor; CD-Rom drive. It is suggested that the Pentium have 64 MB of ram and be at least a 266.

The Macintosh requirements are: PowerPC based Mac; OS 7.6.1 or later; Photoshop 3/4/5 or a 100% compatible host; 32 MB ram (64 suggested); 50MB free hard disk space; 24-bit color video; color monitor; and CD-Rom drive.

The upgrade price from a registered version of Kai's Power Tools 3 is $99 and the price for a new owner is $199. It is available from mail order catalogs, national retail outlets, or MetaCreations whose web address is: http://www.metacreations.com.

Kai's Power Tools has always been a very innovative plug-in. Actually, I would characterize it as a plug-in that is both a filter and a program itself. For example, one can create fractal designs from a blank canvas; one can also work with an image and modify it through the use of the Noize, Blurrrr, RadWarp, etc. filters. Many examples will accompany this article. Since the program has so many faces, I felt the illustrations were better demonstrators than the written word. The three composite illustrations will accompany the article when it appears in the current web version of the I/O Port. The URL is: http://www.tcs.org/ioport/apr99/kpt5rev.htm.

Whereas in the past, some of MetaCreation's interfaces have seemed a little daunting, especially to novices, this interface is extremely clear with the options being very visible and the palettes being moveable. There is even a choice as to the size of the preview image. In addition, MetaCreations has included many help features. On the KPT 5 CD-ROM there is a manual in PDF format. There are also slide shows, tutorials, and examples. Also, on MetaCreation's web site, at http://www.metacreations.com/products/kpt5 there is additional information including FAQ's, troubleshooting techniques, and more product news.

I always advise my students and readers to check out a company's website before purchasing any software or hardware.

The new plug-in applications are: ShapeShifter, Orb-It, FiberOptix, Blurrrr, Noize, RadWarp, Smoothie, Fraxplorer, Frax4D, and FraxFlame.

This is a very high powered program and the more memory one's computer has the better. I found that certain of the filters worked faster than others. "Noize" for example took a while to modify the image while those filters that acted as "independent" programs such as FraxPlorer performed much more quickly.

This is a great addition to MetaCreations toolbox of programs.



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