Universe Image Creator

Reviewed by Geetesh Bajaj, June 27th 2006

Introduction

If you need to create night skies, space scenes, and galaxies often for your image compositions, then you'll love to explore Diard Software's Universe Image Creator product. Using Universe Image Creator (hereafter called Universe), you can whip up your own Milky Way in a few seconds!

Universe is actually two programs -- first, there is a standalone version that outputs images in any size and resolution you want. And then there's the Universe plug-in that works from within Photoshop or any other plug-in compatible program to provide the same possibilities. Whichever version you use, they both work the same way although the plug-in version does make your image editing workflow so much easier.

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Universe is from Diard Software, a North Carolina, United States based company that specializes in creating multimedia programs. You can learn more about Diard Software and download trial versions of the products at their site...

My contact at Diard Software for this review was Wendy Diard -- thank you, Wendy.

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Installation

Installation is easy -- and for the plug-in version, the setup also installs itself within Photoshop's Filters menu.

Universe is a shareware plug-in. All the effects can be seen but only three effects (stars, textured stars, and the nebula) can be rendered unless you register the software.  The remaining effects are rendered with a watermark.

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How To Use

Here's how you can use the Photoshop plug-in version.

1. Open a new or existing Photoshop image. Fill the layer with black color (or any other dark sky color). The effect can be applied on existing layer and even on a empty layer.
   
   
2. In Photoshop, choose Filter | Universe. (see Figure 1)
   
   
   Figure 1
   
   
3. There are nine effects like Stars, Textured Stars, Nebula, Vortex, Lens Flare, Galaxy, Distant Star, Interstellar Gas, and Planets choose any of these effects as required. For this tutorial, I'm selecting Galaxy.
   
   
4. All the effects generate realistic space images -- also, every effect opens a new dialog box containing:
   
   
   1. Properties sliders for the effect selected to make changes,
   2. A preview area,
   3. A Reseed button which is used to recreates the plug-in effect using a new sequence of random numbers,
   4. An orientation control to change the placing of the effect, and
   5. Preset types that you can choose.
      
      
5. Figure 2 shows the Galaxy effect dialog box.
   
   
   Figure 2
   
   
6. This effect generates a galaxy by rendering a 3D image behind the scenes. You can create a spiral, elliptical, or barred galaxy. Orientation and viewing distance controls to give the galaxy a true 3D appearance. Click OK when you are ready to apply the effect.

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Specifications

Photoshop Versions:	PhotoShop 4.0 and higher versions
Platforms:	Windows, Mac
Site:	Diard Software
Price:	$24.95 (Standalone) and $39.95 (Plug-in)
Trial Version:	Available

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