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 1.3.2. It can be downloaded from here.
The panel is free. However: we ask a voluntary donation from panel users. See the bottom of this page for a link.
This download (a zip file) consists of the following:
- PPW2025_PS_1.3.2.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 1.3.2 and the previous major release (1.2.0):
- Fixed some newly surfaced issues and incompletely implemented actions.
- Fixed some file access-related issues on MAC systems.
- Removed ‘Gamma 1.0’ and ‘Gamma 1.4’ buttons since these gamma choices are also available in ‘Other Gamma’.
- On request of a number of users, we added two new actions: ‘Contrast Boost’ and ‘Contrast Boost Extra’. Both actions mimic the effect of KnowHowTransfer's SHAPE plugin which is no longer maintained. ‘Contrast Boost’ is available in the Additional Actions panel and the more elaborate ‘Contrast Boost Extra’ has found its place as a new button. A manual for the new actions is available by clicking the ‘?’ icon on the Contrast Boost Extra button.
- Together with the panel, an initial set of additional actions is delivered into the PS action set ‘My Actions for PPW 2025’ (but only if this set does not exist yet). The actions of this set are shown as buttons in the ‘Additional Actions’ box. Users are free to make up their own ‘My Actions for PPW 2025’ action set. To reload their action set in the ‘Additional Actions’ box a button has been implemented under ‘PPW2025 parameters’ in the Preferences dropdown menu.
- The ‘Additional Actions’ box now resizes with the PPW2025 panel and implements scrollbars.
- The ‘Sharpen2025 preferences’ (in the Preferences dropdown menu) has been implemented.
- A new 'Color' menu item has been added to the main menu. Clicking it reveals a helpful PDF with LAB reference values for various color categories.
Wishlist for future versions:
- Implement ‘Reset Sharpen 2025 presets’ as it exists in the PPW5 panel.
- 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.
- Simplify the Sharpen 2025 options panel (especially the presets / defaults part seems overly complicated)
- Devise an interface to do a quick "prefab" run of the workflow by just clicking one or a few buttons.
- Evaluate various scripts and actions that have been submitted by users.
- Implement an (optional) logging facility to aid in troubleshooting bugs.
- Assess all panel documentation and bring it up-to-date where needed.
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, first version: 14 Jan. 2026, latest update: 12 July 2026
Picture Postcard Workflow
