The PPW2025 panel: Download and version information
Panel information
"The PPW2025 panel is designed as a command center for those wishing to incorporate parts or all of Dan Margulis’ Picture Postcard Workflow. Certain buttons are merely convenient shortcuts for moves that can be made elsewhere. The real power is in the signature scripts of the workflow, particularly those involving color enhancement and sharpening."
-- PPW_Welcome.pdf
More information about the history of the panel on this page.
The current version of PPW2025 is 1.2.0. It can be downloaded from here.
The panel is free.
This download (a zip file) consists of the following:
- PPW2025_PS_1.2.0.ccx
Panel installer. A double-click triggers the Manage plugins tab of the Creative Cloud Desktop. From there, it takes only a few clicks to actually install the panel in Photoshop - PPW_Welcome.pdf
A short summary of the panel's history, why it's there in the first place, where it can be obtained and other introductory information -
PPW2025_Overview_and_Options.pdf
A concise panel manual, briefly describing what each button does and which user options are available - PPW_Overview.pdf
A step-by-step overview of the Picture Postcard Workflow itself, establishing the link between the workflow and the panel
All this can be obtained for free. Members of the colortheory forum can find the same package in the Files section of the forum here. Feel free to download from there. The package is the same.
System requirements, installation and uninstallation
The PPW2025 panel is a Photoshop plug-in. As it makes use of newest Photoshop technology, an up-to-date version of Photoshop is required. We cannot guarantee correct functioning of the panel on systems with older Photoshop versions.
The panel works on both Windows and MAC operating systems. There are no further restrictions than the Photoshop technical requirements as listed on the Adobe website.
The panel package contains both scripts and extensive documentation. After having downloaded the zip file, perform the following steps to install the panel:
- Unpack the zip file and put the .CCX file into a convenient folder
- Double-click the file (or, if that does not work, right-click on it, and Open with > UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent)
- The Creative Cloud Desktop application opens
- A warning is given about installing a non-marketplace plugin; click Install
- Another warning follows; read carefully and if you agree, hit OK
The dashboard of PPW2025
- PPW2025 is now installed; restart Photoshop and find it under the Plugins menu
To uninstall, proceed as follows:
- Open Photoshop, navigate to the Plugins menu and click "Manage Plugins..."
- The Creative Cloud Desktop application opens
- Search the item for PPW2025 (be aware that multiple PPW2025 versions may be installed simultaneously, so pick the correct one)
- Click the '...' bottom right and click Uninstall
- On the confirmation popup, click Uninstall again and the plugin is removed from Photoshop
Version information
These are the relevant differences between version 1.2.0 and the previous public version (0.3.0):
- Numerous bugs have been fixed.
- PPW2025 provides a set of color profiles (for the “other Gamma” function) and when starting Photoshop, PPW2025 gives a warning that the user might need to move the profiles to the correct location (generally a system folder). The warning can be suppressed by a preference (Preferences - PPW2025 parameters).
- The Preferences for Variants now supports the choice of a folder where Variant subfolders are stored. (The system default has an awkward full folder name and annoyed quite a few users.)
- Preferences have also been added to allow the user choose a folder for a Variant structure and to choose a filename for a Variant save.
- Functionality has been added to clean up the Variants folder (accessible on the Variants Preferences panel).
- A button ‘Other Gamma’ has been added to allow the user to choose a gamma value to, interactively, try out different settings. This makes “1.4 gamma” and “1.0 gamma” obsolete – these will be removed in a next release.
- Sharpen2025 sliders now use an exponential scale to allow more sensitivity for lower numbers.
- On a technical note: PPW2025 can now use SWC (Spectrum Web Components). Essentially they provide the ‘button’ functionality but with more possibilities than the alternatives.
Wishlist for future versions:
- Implement ‘Sharpen2025 preferences’ and ‘Reset Sharpen2025 presets’.
- New actions that may fit in the Picture Postcard Workflow have been developed since 2018. They may get their place in the new panel.
- For some actions we know variations. They may somehow be integrated in their existing counterparts. Think of the MMM Finetuned action: it would be nice if it could be accessed from the MMM button on the main panel.
- Implement an (optional) logging facility to aid in troubleshooting bugs.
Contact information
If you notice a problem in the panel, question the correctness of its functioning, have an urgent improvement idea, or just want to say anything about it: please use the contact form of my website.
Donations
The panel is free. However, a lot of work went into it, so we would very much appreciate a donation. It will help to keep us motivated to continue adding new stuff to the panel. Click below button and follow the instructions. Thanks a lot!
Gerald Bakker, 14 Jan. 2026 / 21 Feb. 2026
Picture Postcard Workflow
