Corel KPT Vector Effects 1.5

KPT Vector Effects, a set of 13 plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator, extends this clean-line look with a series of filters, some of which can bring an effect similar to something found in Photoshop, while others introduce totally new functionality. Either way, these tools are designed to break down the clean look those Adobe tools facilitate into something more bizarre, exciting, or just more palatable.

KPT 3D Transform creates a pseudo 3-D object based on the extrusion of a shape. Text in 3-D is now possible and easy; and control over parameters like depth, bevel, and X, Y, and Z rotation is straightforward. A great tool for many tasks, it could be used to mock up a logo or for creating mockups of 3-D artwork.

KPT ShadowLand is another key plug-in. Soft drop shadows are problematic at best, but Shadowland offers a way to create a variety of drop shadows and effects, ranging from a solid gray to a solid color of your choice. The artist has control of softness, distance from image, direction, etc.

KPT ShatterBox takes existing objects and slices them up into exploded parts. This is nothing that can't be done using native Illustrator tools, but it would take too long to do as good a job as ShatterBox does. Additionally, Shatterbox has a wide variety of "explosive" presets for shattering objects in many different ways.

KPT VectorDistort can twist, zig, shear, and bulge any object on a layer into just about any desired shape. Other plug-ins include KPT Sketch, for converting an object into a more organic, hand-drawn look like pencil sketched on paper; and KPT Inset, for creating in- or outlines of a selected object.

The Vector Effects suite is a time-saver for many assignments. The only drawback that could mean potential trouble is that some of the filters, like ShadowLand or ShatterBox, create a large number of objects in order to complete their task. On slower machines with memory issues, this can spell trouble--especially at print time. --Mike Caputo

Amazon.com Product Description
KPT Vector Effects 1.5 is easy to use. The interface is simple, yet artful, and is self-explanatory, inviting experimentation and exploration. There are many presets to guide the creative process, and the entire manual is accessible from within the help system. You can view all adjustments and changes immediately within the interface. Contextual pop-up help in most places, along with a full-screen review, are available. KPT Vector Effects 1.5 modules allow you to speedily generate a stunning array of creative alternatives in ways that would often be impossible or very time-consuming within Adobe Illustrator. You can easily modify logo designs and type treatments for a variety of looks and color combinations, speedily creating variations with effects that previously would have taken hours. Tools in KPT Vector Effects 1.5 are designed to increase control and allow for easier printing. Most of the distortions do not add complexity or points. You can manipulate vector control points and handles to a thousandth of an inch, and simplify extremely complex shapes without losing accuracy. A wide variety of filters is included: 3D Transform lets you rotate artwork along three axes in true 3-D space; extrude and bevel artwork; and change depth, perspective, and light source. Shatterbox allows you to create artwork that looks as though it were broken, struck, or dropped. With Shadowland, you can create vector, halo, and zoom shadows. You can control the scale, number, and color of the shadow steps; distance from the original work; and angle of the shadow. Sketch gives artwork the appearance of being hand drawn. It turns hard-edged illustrations into freer-looking art. Warp Frame allows you to create "envelope distortions." Unlike other envelope-effect generators, Warp Frame adds points only when absolutely necessary, thus preventing the unnecessary and unwieldy profusion of extra points. Among the other filters, Vector Distort is a powerful extension that allows you to create numerous distortion lenses to twist, bulge, or otherwise misshape different portions of artwork. Applying distortions (swirl, spherize, rotate, magnify, zig, zag, and zigzag) with curve manipulation, rather than point additions, means you're not adding unnecessary complexity to the artwork with additional points. You can also create distortions based on presets from Warp Frame. Neon creates gradations of color tint extending from paths within the original artwork in both directions, resulting in a neon-tube effect. Flare creates a variety of adjustable flares with subtle glows that add unusual complexity to Illustrator art. Inset Path provides a quick and easy way to increase or decrease the size of the path that makes up selected artwork. You can then apply other Vector Effects to the newly defined inset path. Emboss allows you to quickly and easily create the illusion of hard or soft embosses on vector-based artwork. ColorTweak gives you complete control for adjusting colors in real time. You can control the brightness and contrast; adjust color saturation, color inversion, and grayscale properties; and modify CMYK color tints. Simplify reduces the number of control points on complex images, making them more easily manipulated and printable. Point Editor is a precision plug-in, providing you with the ability to make exact changes to artwork points and curves, using selection points and Bezier handles, for incredible detail.