Introduction

Ever been working on an image and struggled to find which particular combination of adjustments you preferred? Well, here's a set of JavaScript programs that will help: The Variations Suite. Each script in the suite will display eight (or more) processing options - "treatments" we call them - applied. The scripts work with the Photoshop Scripting plug-in (CS and CS2 - not all scripts work with both). Most components in the suite work in a similar fashion, so once you are familiar with the operation of one, you will know how to use them all. When using a  V-Suite script in preview mode, the selected treatments can be applied to the current image, or if you get the Plus/CS2 version the chosen settings may be saved for later use in batch mode.

16/04/2008: Variations Suite and Photoshop CS3

It turns out my original assessment that Variations Suite scripts are not compatible with Photoshop CS3 was not entirely accurate: on Windows it depends whether you are running under Vista or XP. I have begun to work on the scripts. Registered users will receive notifications of progress by e-mail; I will be blogging about the current status here.

Variations Suite and Photoshop CS2

Several CS2-compatible scripts are available! This is what Allen Hoskins had to say after the first - Watermark
Variations CS2 - was released:

"I understand this was a free upgrade, however, I like the plugin so much and use it so frequently that I felt it warranted a
second donate to show my appreciation and hopefully support your continuing  development efforts."

What's Available?

• Velvia Variations: for adding some oomph to your colours (works with CS and CS2)
• B+W Variations: 32 ways (eight in standard version) to turn colour into stark black and white, includes Grain Variations, both work with CS and CS2.
• Tones Variations: the perfect companion to B+W - 16 ways to tone your B&W prints - works with CS and CS2
• Filter Suite Variations:  a fun way to explore Photoshop filter magic (CS only)
• Temperature Variations:  need to warm up or cool down a little? (CS and CS2)
• Signature Variations: add a signature using text and tokens to represent variables from File Info and EXIF data (CS only)
• Watermark Variations: adds a signature or watermark using text and an image as the source (CS and CS2 versions).
• DIY Variations: uses your actions to create variations (CS and CS2)
• AE Variations: uses Adaptive Equalisation for detail enhancement (CS and CS2). Free!