CS3 plug-ins start rolling in

Now that Adobe’s Creative Suite 3 has been in the market for a while, we’re starting to see the release of CS3-compatible plug-ins. Here’s an update on a few choice plug-ins for the different applications:

InDesign

Photoshop

Alien Skin Software has also been burning the CS3-compatibility midnight oil. Their plug-in collections are among the most popular Photoshop add-ons available and include Snap Art, BlowUp, Exposure, Image Doctor, Splat, Xenofex 2, and the EyeCandy 5 collection. All are ready for Photoshop CS3.

I am bummed that one of my favorite plug-in vendor’s filter sets are not yet ready for Photoshop CS3: MisterRetro’s Machine Wash Filter Sets I, II and III. A free update to existing users is planned for this fall, however.

Illustrator

Worker72a has several Illustrator CS3-ready plug-ins available, including a freebie that I’ve enjoyed using for a while now called White Overprint Detector. White Overprint Detector scans your Illustrator document as you open it, looking for any white-colored strokes or text which are set to overprint, a problem that can drive you absolutely batty if you don’t think to look for it.

Font management in CS3

Linotype’s FontExplorer X and Insider Software’s FontAgent Pro font management applications are still noticeably absent in the CS3 update game. Insider last month that a CS3-compatible version of FontAgent would be available “this spring,” while LinoType has been mum on FontExplorer X (tip: keep an eye on the Unofficial FontExplorer X Discussion Board for updates).

[James Dempsey runs the Creative Guy blog, which offers tips, tricks and opinion on a variety of design topics.]