If you are an emerging web designer who uses Photoshop for your design jobs, this blog is for you. With a few Photoshop extensions, you can increase your productivity by 3X and double up your speed by altering the process of doing repetitive tasks like:
- convert PSD to CSS3
- convert Photoshop text to SVG
- export Photoshop layers
- generate long shadows
- build design specs in Photoshop
- convert a skeuomorphic design to a flat design
That’s not it. With a few free Photoshop extensions discussed below, you can streamline your workflow and meet your project deadlines without losing your cool. Although there are numerous other Photoshop extensions available in the market, yet we have picked the 12 most powerful extensions that you can use to manage colors, layers, image-editing, resizing, asset management, etc. These plugins provide great support while allowing you to focus on your core strengths like creativity, idea generation, design execution, strategy, etc. Let’s explore further!
1. Hexy
Hexy is a convenient color picking tool, compatible with Photoshop CC 2014 and onwards. Just like its name, Hexy helps you to obtain Hex and RGB color code quickly. To pick up the color code of the image, you can use the eyedropper tool, click on the color of the image, and let it pick up. It then automatically copies the color code to the clipboard. It enables you to immediately use the color code in your CSS without getting into any extra hassle.
2. Size Marks
Size Marks is a smart Photoshop script, best suitable for front-end engineers and web designers. It is compatible with Photoshop CC 2014 and later versions. With the help of a marquee tool, Size Marks enables you to add labels of object size and identify the distance between each object. It saves newly created labels individually in a new layer which later allows you to alter them the way you want them. From changing the color to adjusting its position, there’s a lot you can do to make it perfect. It is important in translating PSD designs into a fully functional website.
3. Portraiture
If you are one of those designers who incorporate multiple human pictures in your designs or treat model pictures for web designs, Portraiture is a must-go-to tool. It allows you to eliminate the manual labor of pixel-by-pixel picture editing and selective treatments. It also helps you in achieving spotless portraits in just a few clicks. It works with any image format in Photoshop, so there‘s no worry attached to image formatting as well.
4. Oven
Oven is a simple plugin that saves you from a lot of undesirable efforts. It equips you to manage your design assets in the right order and eliminates confusion between the layers. While Photoshop Generator allows you to export images in real-time, it doesn’t name the layers in the right order. Whereas, oven automatically renames all the layers to generate the image correctly in real-time, that too with a proper name. The best part is, it is compatible with Photoshop CC 2014 onwards to Photoshop CC 2020.
5. Ink
Ink is one of the best Photoshop extensions for web designers. It is ideal for handing off UI designs with accurate specifications to front-end developers. Ink documents each layer with its specifications and quickly generates all the information including the layer styles, element size and its position, font size, font color and family used, etc. Once the output is released, it’s all compiled into one folder to keep everything clear and transparent for future follow-ups. This workflow helps ensure that the final product is an accurate interpretation of your design, rather than a developer’s approximation. It is compatible with Photoshop CS6 and CC up to version 2014 and later versions.
6. LayerCraft
If you work as a UI designer for a mobile interface, LayerCraft is a must-have tool. It saves you a lot of time and effort by allowing you to export layers into multiple sizes and for multiple operating systems like @1x, @2x, and even @3x for iOS devices with Retina screen, or in mdpi and xhdpi for Android. It is compatible with Photoshop CC, CC 2014, to updated Photoshop versions.
7. Composer
Composer saves you from having separate files to store each revision, it helps you save and manage revision files into one single file. In short, it improves the Photoshop Layer Comps feature which acts very similar to a Smart Object. It contains a couple of properties such as blending modes and layer styles. In this case, Composer offers the best way to update these styles with just a single click. It is best compatible with Photoshop CS5, CS6, and CC
8. Velositey
If you work in a professional web design agency where you are responsible for creating prototypes for web and mobile applications, Velositey is a full-featured, open-source Photoshop extension that you must have all the time. It does all the background work so you can focus on the aesthetics of the website.
It comes equipped with a range of preset templates along with grids which helps you building web design prototypes faster and better. It has drag-and-drop layout placeholders for the website header, content, and footer. You can add all these components in just a few clicks. It works best with Photoshop CS6, CC, CC 2014, and onwards.
9. Duplllicator
Just like its name, Duplllicator clones Photoshop layers or groups in a blink of an eye. All you need is to mention the number of copies you want, set the correct horizontal and vertical spacing of the duplicated layer and see the magic happen in just a single click. Simply put, it saves you a lot of time and effort and allows you to focus on the designs you’re working on. It is best compatible with Photoshop CC, CC 2014, and onwards.
10. Modular Grid Pattern
It is one of the most useful Photoshop plugins that most newbie web designers need. It helps in creating modular grids quickly and easily, with harmonious arrangement of elements on the page. No matter how proficient designer you are, you may this extension at one point to create pixel perfect designs.
11. Lorem Ipsum Generator
This Photoshop extension is much needed when you don’t have any text to copy but still have to design. Lorem Ipsum Generator generates random words or phrases and saves you from the hassle of copy-pasting it from some other place. You can easily generate Lorem Ipsum straight from your Photoshop workspace. There are a few options available for you to customize the output. It is fully compatible with CS5, CS6, and CC.
12. Lorem Picsum
Similar to Lorem Ipsum, Lorem Picsum generates random images rather than text. Most of the images are derived from free libraries, mostly from popular TV shows, movies, or cartoons. It works best with Photoshop CS6 and CC.
If you closely look at the work culture of professional designers or web design agencies, most of them use these plugins to pull off design tasks without any hassle. Using these Photoshop extensions provides a lot of support and ease throughout your design jobs. It helps you to work with undivided attention without switching off your workspace. However, these are just a few that we have discussed above. If you use any other Photoshop extension, share it in the comment below. We would love to include it in our list provided above.