Plugin Galaxy 2 for OS X joins the Windows version released earlier in providing such imaging functions as transparency manipulation, blurring, texture and pattern generation, noise creation, mirroring and warping. It also includes metal, chrome, neon, pop art, glass, page curl, rainbow, sunshine and star effects. Additionally you can enhance, colorize, add edges to your photos or even encrypt them. There are also some rare plugin effects, such as feedbacks, grids and zooming. All the effects are available from a single dialog box, with thousands of effects possible via the various controls and blend modes, coupled with the 400 effects presets.

The new Layers and Blend features allow users to apply multiple effects to an image in one session, to create sophisticated effect combinations not possible in the earlier version. Also new is a batch processing mode that quickly applies the same effect to hundreds of images. Saving and opening filter settings as preset files is now also supported.

The plugin works in such applications as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Fireworks, Photoline, GraphicConverter and Illustrator, and supports 8-bit and 16-bit RGB and grayscale images. Plugin Galaxy 2 for OS X can be purchased on The Plugin Site for $69.95 (regular license) or $39.95 (academic/educational license). A demo version providing several free effects is also available for download.