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Xero : Pulsar 1.01
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Plugin for Adobe(R) Photoshop and compatible graphics applications


1. Installation

Install this software by double-clicking the pulsar.exe file and
following the on-screen prompts in the usual way. However...

            ---===***  I M P O R T A N T  ***===---

Please ensure that you install the plugin to a directory that your
graphics host program recognises as a plugins directory. Usually, 
there will be a special directory (aka "folder") called "Plugins",
"Plug-Ins", "Plug Ins" or similar within the program's own
installation directories. Alternatively, most modern graphics hosts
allow other directories to be nominated in their configuration
screens. If you are unable to make the plugins work, please check
the support pages at http://www.xero-graphics.co.uk/support.htm
for an FAQ-style list of typical installation issues.


2. Contents

This file contains a fully-working version of the Xero Pulsar plugin.
Pulsar is a (drastically!) cut-down version of the commercial Quasar
plugin, which is available for sale on the Xero site. In addition, 
the file contains demonstration versions of three new plugins that
are scheduled for release first-quarter 2007. Please note that these 
versions are NOT fully-functional; they have no "Ok" button and
cannot, therefore, be applied to an image. Sorry, but I have to fund
my webhosting fees somehow! If you really can't live without the
fully-functional versions - and I sincerely hope you can't - please
visit the site and purchase them. They're ludicrously inexpensive,
if you buy all three you'll get a special deal and my eternal
gratitude.

The demo plugins are:

Conditioner: a comprehensive but easy-to use filter for putting the
finishing touch to your images; correcting exposure and colouration
problems, improving clarity and sharpness, and reducing grain. 

MetaGrad: a very powerful and flexible plugin that emulates not only
the traditional glass graduated filter, but the netural density,
the polarizer, and the center-spot too. This plugin has more uses
than even I've thought of!

Refiner: reduces grain and JPEG artefacts, and improves sharpness
without exaggerating noise. Incorporates an innovative diffusion
algorithm to combat the "over-smoothed" look given by some tools!


3. Pulsar

Well, what can I say? It makes stars. Right-click your image in the
preview pane to position the star where you want it, then adjust
the sliders to taste. Unlike its big-brother Quasar, the Pulsar
plugin can only apply one star at a time, and the range of colours
and shapes is limited. Still, you should be able to use it to add
a little sparkle to your images!

Pete
Xero Graphics
March 2007


