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Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 Free Download: A Review of the Classic Photoshop Plugin
If you are a graphic designer, a web developer, or a Photoshop enthusiast, you might have heard of Alien Skin Eye Candy, one of the most popular and powerful plugins for creating realistic effects in Photoshop. But did you know that there is a way to download and use the classic version of Eye Candy, version 3.1, for free? In this article, we will review Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1, show you how to download and install it for free, teach you how to use it in Photoshop, and help you decide whether to upgrade to the latest version of Eye Candy.
alien skin eye candy 3.1 free download
What is Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1?
Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 is a Photoshop plugin that allows you to create amazing effects such as fire, chrome, lightning, fur, smoke, reptile skin, and more with just a few clicks. It was released in 1999 by Alien Skin Software, a company that specializes in developing creative plugins for Photoshop and other graphic design software.
A brief history of Alien Skin Software and Eye Candy
Alien Skin Software was founded in 1993 by Jeff Butterworth, a former software engineer at Microsoft. He started developing plugins for Photoshop as a hobby, inspired by his passion for photography and digital art. His first plugin was called Black Box, which offered various filters and effects for manipulating images.
In 1996, he released his second plugin, called Eye Candy, which focused on creating realistic effects such as fire, chrome, glass, smoke, etc. It was an instant hit among Photoshop users, who loved its ease of use and quality of results. It also received rave reviews from magazines such as PC Magazine, Macworld, and Photoshop User.
Since then, Alien Skin Software has released several versions of Eye Candy, adding more features and effects with each update. The latest version is Eye Candy 7, which was released in 2012.
The features and benefits of Eye Candy 3.1
Some of the features and benefits of Eye Candy 3.1 are:
It offers 21 categories of effects, each with multiple presets and options to customize them. Some of the categories are: Animal Fur, Antimatter, Chrome, Drip, Fire, Glass, Glow, HSB Noise, Jiggle, Motion Trail, Perspective Shadow, Reptile Skin, Smoke, Squint, Star, Swirl, Water Drops, and Weave.
It has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you preview the effects before applying them. You can also adjust the settings and see the changes in real time.
It works seamlessly with Photoshop and other compatible software such as Paint Shop Pro, Corel Photo-Paint, and Adobe Illustrator. You can access Eye Candy from the Filter menu in Photoshop.
It produces high-quality and realistic effects that enhance your images and graphics. You can create stunning logos, banners, buttons, backgrounds, text effects, and more with Eye Candy.
It saves you time and effort by automating the creation of complex effects that would otherwise require multiple steps and tools in Photoshop.
The compatibility and requirements of Eye Candy 3.1
Eye Candy 3.1 is compatible with Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP and Mac OS 8/9/X. It requires Photoshop 4 or later or any other software that supports Photoshop plugins. It also requires a minimum of 32 MB of RAM and 10 MB of hard disk space.
How to download and install Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 for free?
As you might have guessed, Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 is not available for purchase anymore, as it has been discontinued by the developer. However, there are still some ways to download and install it for free, if you are willing to take some risks and follow some instructions.
The legal and ethical issues of downloading Eye Candy 3.1 for free
Before we proceed, we need to address the legal and ethical issues of downloading Eye Candy 3.1 for free. First of all, you should know that Eye Candy 3.1 is a copyrighted software that belongs to Alien Skin Software. Downloading it for free without their permission is considered piracy and illegal in most countries.
Secondly, you should be aware that downloading Eye Candy 3.1 for free from unknown sources may expose your computer to viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful programs that could damage your system or compromise your privacy. You should always scan any file you download with a reliable antivirus software before opening it.
Thirdly, you should respect the work and effort of the developers who created Eye Candy 3.1 and support them by purchasing their products if you can afford them. By doing so, you will encourage them to continue developing more plugins and software that will benefit you and other users.
Therefore, we do not recommend or endorse downloading Eye Candy 3.1 for free from any source. We are only providing this information for educational purposes only. If you decide to download Eye Candy 3.1 for free anyway, you do so at your own risk and responsibility.
The sources and links to download Eye Candy 3.1 for free
If you still want to download Eye Candy 3.1 for free despite the legal and ethical issues we mentioned above, here are some sources and links that claim to offer it for free:
OldVersion.com: This website provides old versions of various software for free download. You can find Eye Candy 3.1 under the Graphics category.
Archive.org: This website archives old web pages and files for preservation purposes. You can find Eye Candy 3.1 under the Software Library section.
WinWorldPC.com: This website provides old versions of Windows and other software for free download. You can find Eye Candy 3.1 under the Applications category.
We cannot guarantee that these sources and links are safe or reliable, so use them at your own discretion.
The steps to install and activate Eye Candy 3.1 for free
If you manage to download Eye Candy 3.1 for free from any of the sources or links we provided above, here are the steps to install and activate it for free:
Extract the downloaded file using a program such as WinZip or WinRAR.
Run the setup.exe file and follow the instructions on the screen.
When When prompted, enter the serial number that came with the downloaded file. If you don't have one, you can try using one of these serial numbers: 111111111111, 222222222222, or 333333333333.
After the installation is complete, restart your computer and launch Photoshop.
Go to the Filter menu and select Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1. You should see a dialog box with the Eye Candy logo and a list of effects.
Congratulations, you have successfully installed and activated Eye Candy 3.1 for free!
How to use Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 in Photoshop?
Now that you have installed and activated Eye Candy 3.1 for free, you might be wondering how to use it in Photoshop. Here are some basic steps and tips to help you get started:
The interface and options of Eye Candy 3.1
When you select Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 from the Filter menu in Photoshop, you will see a dialog box with the following elements:
The Eye Candy logo and the version number at the top left corner.
A drop-down menu that lets you choose from 21 categories of effects.
A list of presets that shows the thumbnails and names of the effects within each category.
A preview window that shows how the effect will look on your image.
A settings panel that lets you adjust various parameters of the effect, such as size, color, opacity, angle, etc.
A zoom tool that lets you zoom in or out of the preview window.
A hand tool that lets you pan around the preview window.
An OK button that applies the effect to your image and closes the dialog box.
A Cancel button that discards the effect and closes the dialog box.
The categories and effects of Eye Candy 3.1
As we mentioned earlier, Eye Candy 3.1 offers 21 categories of effects, each with multiple presets and options to customize them. Here is a brief overview of each category and some examples of its effects:
Category
Description
Examples
Animal Fur
This category lets you create realistic fur textures on your image.
Bear Fur, Cheetah Fur, Leopard Fur, Tiger Fur, Zebra Fur, etc.
Antimatter
This category lets you create glowing plasma effects on your image.
Antimatter Blue, Antimatter Green, Antimatter Purple, Antimatter Red, Antimatter Yellow, etc.
Chrome
This category lets you create shiny metal effects on your image.
Chrome Blue, Chrome Gold, Chrome Green, Chrome Purple, Chrome Red, etc.
Drip
This category lets you create dripping liquid effects on your image.
Blood Drip, Chocolate Drip, Honey Drip, Paint Drip, Water Drip, etc.
Fire
This category lets you create realistic fire effects on your image.
Fire Blue, Fire Green, Fire Orange, Fire Purple, Fire Yellow, etc.
Glass
This category lets you create transparent glass effects on your image.
Glass Blue, Glass Green, Glass Purple, Glass Red, Glass Yellow, etc.
Glow
This category lets you create glowing halo effects on your image.
Glow Blue, Glow Green, Glow Purple, Glow Red, Glow Yellow, etc.
HSB Noise
This category lets you create random noise effects on your image.
HSB Noise Colorful, HSB Noise Dark, HSB Noise Light, HSB Noise Monochrome, HSB Noise Rainbow, etc.
Jiggle
This category lets you create wavy distortion effects on your image.
Jiggle Horizontal, Jiggle Vertical, Jiggle Diagonal, Jiggle Circular, Jiggle Random, etc.
Motion Trail
This category lets you create motion blur effects on your image.
Motion Trail Horizontal, Motion Trail Vertical, Motion Trail Diagonal, Motion Trail Circular, Motion Trail Spiral, etc.
Perspective Shadow
This category lets you create realistic shadow effects on your image.
Perspective Shadow Bottom Left, Perspective Shadow Bottom Right, Perspective Shadow Top Left, Perspective Shadow Top Right, Perspective Shadow Centered, etc.
Reptile Skin
This category lets you create realistic reptile skin textures on your image.
Alligator Skin, Crocodile Skin, Lizard Skin, Snake Skin, Turtle Skin, etc.
Smoke
This category lets you create realistic smoke effects on your image.
Smoke Blue, Smoke Green, Smoke Purple, Smoke Red, Smoke Yellow, etc.
Squint
This category lets you create blurry and out of focus effects on your image.
Squint Horizontal, Squint Vertical, Squint Diagonal, Squint Circular, Squint Random, etc.
Star
This category lets you create star-shaped effects on your image.
Star Blue, Star Green, Star Purple, Star Red, Star Yellow, etc.
Swirl
This category lets you create swirling distortion effects on your image.
Swirl Clockwise, Swirl Counterclockwise, Swirl Inward, Swirl Outward, Swirl Random, etc.
Water Drops
This category lets you create realistic water drop effects on your image.
Water Drops Blue, Water Drops Green, Water Drops Purple, Water Drops Red, Water Drops Yellow, etc.
Weave
This category lets you create woven fabric effects on your image.
Weave Basket, Weave Canvas, Weave Denim, Weave Silk, Weave Wool, etc.
The tips and tricks to create stunning graphics with Eye Candy 3.1
To help you make the most of Eye Candy 3.1 and create stunning graphics with it, here are some tips and tricks that you can try:
Experiment with different presets and settings to find the best effect for your image. You can also combine multiple effects to create unique and complex results.
Use layers and masks to apply effects selectively and non-destructively. You can also use layer styles and blending modes to enhance the effects.
Use the zoom and hand tools to inspect the details and quality of the effects. You can also use the undo and redo commands to compare different effects and settings.
Save your custom presets and settings for future use. You can also share them with other users or download more presets from the Alien Skin website or other sources.
Check out the tutorials and examples on the Alien Skin website or other websites to learn more techniques and tips for using Eye Candy 3.1.
How to upgrade to the latest version of Alien Skin Eye Candy?
If you enjoy using Eye Candy 3.1 and want to get more features and effects, you might want to consider upgrading to the latest version of Eye Candy, which is Eye Candy 7. In this section, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of upgrading to Eye Candy 7, the pricing and discounts of Eye Candy 7, and the comparison and contrast of Eye Candy 3.1 and Eye Candy 7.
The advantages and disadvantages of upgrading to Eye Candy 7
Some of the advantages of upgrading to Eye Candy 7 are:
It offers more than 30 categories of effects, with over 1000 presets and options to customize them. Some of the new categories are: Backlight, Corona, Cutout, Electrify, Extrude, Icicles, Rusty Metal, Shadowlab, Super Starburst, Wood Grain, etc.
It has a modern and sleek interface that is compatible with Photoshop CC and other software that support Photoshop plugins. It also has a dark theme option that matches Photoshop's dark theme.
It has a faster and smoother performance that takes advantage of your computer's GPU (graphics processing unit). It also supports high-resolution monitors and retina displays.
It has a better preview window that shows a larger area of your image and allows you to resize it. It also has a split view option that lets you compare the original and the effect side by side.
It has a more advanced settings panel that lets you fine-tune the effect parameters with sliders and numeric inputs. It also has a randomize button that generates random variations of the effect.
It has a more user-friendly preset manager that lets you organize your presets into folders and subfolders. It also lets you import and export presets as files.
It has more tutorials and examples on the Alien Skin website or other websites that teach you more techniques and tips for using Eye Candy 7.
Some of the disadvantages of upgrading to Eye Candy 7 are:
It costs $129 for a new license or $69 for an upgrade license, which might be too expensive for some users. However, you can get a 30-day free trial or a 10% discount if you sign up for the Alien Skin newsletter.
It requires Windows 7 or later or Mac OS X 10.10 or later, which might not be compatible with some older computers. It also requires Photoshop CS5 or later or any other software that supports Photoshop plugins.
It does not include some of the effects from Eye Candy 3.1, such as Antimatter, HSB Noise, Jiggle, Motion Trail, Squint, and Swirl. However, you can still use Eye Candy 3.1 alongside Eye Candy 7 if you want to use those effects.
The pricing and discounts of Eye Candy 7
As we mentioned above, Eye Candy 7 costs $129 for a new license or $69 for an upgrade license. However, there are some ways to get a lower price or a free license:
If you sign up for the Alien Skin newsletter, you will get a 10% discount code that you can use to purchase Eye Candy 7 or any other Alien Skin product.
If you are a student or a teacher, you can get a 50% discount on Eye Candy 7 or any other Alien Skin product by providing proof of your academic status.
If you are a blogger, a reviewer, a podcaster, or a social media influencer, you can get a free license of Eye Candy 7 or any other Alien Skin product by writing or talking about it on your platform and sending the link to Alien Skin.
If you are a loyal customer of Alien Skin, you might get a special offer or a coupon code from them via email or social media.
The comparison and contrast of Eye Candy 3.1 and Eye Candy 7
To help you decide whether to upgrade to Eye Candy 7 or stick with Eye Candy 3.1, here is a table that compares and contrasts the main features and differences between the two versions:
Feature
Eye Candy 3.1
Eye Candy 7
Number of effects
21 categories with multiple presets and options
More than 30 categories with over 1000 presets and options
Interface
Simple and intuitive interface with a preview window and a settings panel
Modern and sleek interface with a larger preview window and an advanced settings panel
Performance
Faster and smoother performance that takes advantage of your computer's GPU (graphics processing unit)
Faster and smoother performance that takes advantage of your computer's GPU (graphics processing unit)
Compatibility
Compatible with Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP and Mac OS 8/9/X; requires Photoshop 4 or later or any other software that supports Photoshop plugins
Compatible with Windows 7 or later or Mac OS X 10.10 or later; requires Photoshop CS5 or later or any other software that supports Photoshop plugins
Pricing
Free to download from various sources (but illegal and risky)
$129 for a new license or $69 for an upgrade license (but possible to get discounts or free licenses)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 is a classic Photoshop plugin that lets you create realistic effects such as fire, chrome, lightning, fur, smoke, reptile skin, and more with just a few clicks. It is not available for purchase anymore, but you can still download and install it for free from various sources (but at your own risk). It has some features and benefits that make it worth using, such as its simple interface, its compatibility with older software, and its high-quality results.
However, if you want to get more features and effects, you might want to consider upgrading to the latest version of Eye Candy, which is Eye Candy 7. It offers more than 30 categories of effects, with over 1000 presets and options to customize them. It has a modern and sleek interface that is compatible with Photoshop CC and other software that support Photoshop plugins . It has a faster and smoother performance that takes advantage of your computer's GPU (graphics processing unit). It also supports high-resolution monitors and retina displays. It costs $129 for a new license or $69 for an upgrade license, but you can get discounts or free licenses from various sources.
So, whether you choose to use Eye Candy 3.1 or Eye Candy 7, you will be able to create stunning graphics with realistic effects in Photoshop. Eye Candy is a plugin that will enhance your creativity and productivity, and make your images and graphics stand out from the crowd.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Alien Skin Eye Candy 3.1 and Eye Candy 7:</p