30 Oct 14 . Those of you who have been on this mailing list for a period of time know that my favorite creative plug-in for any of several graphics editing programs is from Redfield and called Fractalius. It has been around for quite a while, just keeps getting better and better, now at ver 2.x with 64 bit support, but isn't available for the mac platform. This has seemingly been a big disappointment for all the mac users on this list as well as for those in several different photo clubs. A couple months back I wrote about a new plug-in I was beta testing and shared an image I had made with it before I could tell you fully about it. That plugin - Impressions - was just updated and if you bought it previously, you should get the free update to it that was released yesterday. You can find it here. I am now working on another product that is in beta stage which will work under both windows and mac platforms that will provide all the effects of Fractalius and literally dozens more. My guess is that it will hit the streets by turkey day and for an initial period of time, likely a month but I'm just guessing, and probably be under $50 for that period of time. Again, that's just a guess, but a somewhat educated one. The image for today's Theatrical Thursday has been created using this piece of beta software. I've selected an effect to mimic one of those from Fractalius for comparison. Both of these two programs, Fractalius and the new piece in beta test, offer literally unlimited variations of their effects, so incorporating the use of either plugin in your work can lead to very long image rendering times, simply because it is hard to decide exactly which effect you like the best! I will keep you updated on the product and let you know the day it is released, where to get it, and the cost. I will share today's image of one of Jan's many blooming orchids again tomorrow for Macro Friday in a pure form, so hold onto it for one day so you can make comparisons. Nikon D300s, 18 - 200; Aperture Priority; ISO 200; 1/20 sec @ f / 6.3 on a tripod in the studio.