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Photoshop Plugin Installation Guide (.ccx)

Installing Photoshop Plugins Photoshop plugins are add-on tools that extend the program’s functionality, offering new creative effects and features beyond the default set. Installing them is straightforward, but the process can vary slightly depending on your Photoshop version and the plugin’s format. Below are the detailed steps for installing a .ccx file through various methods. If you’re having issues with the default method of automatic installation, please see the alternate methods and troubleshooting guide later in the article. Installing Plugins Automatically Photoshop plugins automatically install through Creative Cloud upon opening of the .ccx file: - Download the .ccx file from the source you purchased the plugin. - Double-click the .ccx file. - The Creative Cloud desktop app will open automatically and begin installing the plugin. - Once installed, you’ll see a confirmation in Creative Cloud under Stock & Marketplace > Plugins. - Optionally Restart Photoshop to ensure the plugin loads. It will now appear in the relevant menu (often Plugins, Filter, or Window > Extensions). Note: If double-clicking the .ccx file doesn’t work or you get an error, please read below. Common Errors & Troubleshooting - “Plugin not compatible with this version of Photoshop” - Check that your Photoshop meets the plugin’s minimum version requirements. - Update Photoshop via the Creative Cloud app if needed. - macOS security warning (“can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer”) - Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and click Open Anyway for that plugin. - Error -2: - Make sure the .ccx Installer file and the Photoshop and CreativeCloud app are all on the same drive partition. (Error code -2 sometimes means the .ccx file is on a different drive or partition than your “UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent” which opens the .ccx installers.) - Try copying the plugin file to your desktop and installing from there. - Try copying the .ccx Installer file to Desktop (or to the “Downloads” folder) and then installing it from there. - Right-click on .ccx Installer file, Open With: “UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.app” - Ensure that the Creative Cloud app is running the latest release. Try logging out of the Creative Cloud desktop app and restarting the computer. Then log back into Creative Cloud via the desktop app and try again. Having trouble installing automatically? Installing manually is sure to work. Read below: Installing Plugins Manually Installing a Photoshop plugin manually is very easy and takes only a few minutes. See the applicable steps below ↓ For Windows 1. Install an unarchiving program like WinRAR or 7ZIP (both of which are universally trusted). 2. Navigate to the plugin (.ccx file) you wish to install. 3. Right click on the plugin and open with WinRAR or 7ZIP to extract it: 1. If using WinRAR, select ‘Extract Here’ to extract the files within the .ccx to the same folder. 2. If using 7ZIP, select ‘7ZIP>Extract to..’ and extract the files within the .ccx to the same folder the .ccx file is in. 4. Extracting the .ccx file will result in a folder being created with the same name as the .ccx file. 5. Navigate to the location you have Photoshop installed (Typically, /Program Files/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [Version]) and then open up the ‘Plug-ins’ folder within the Photoshop directory. 6. Drag or copy the plugin folder we extracted earlier into the ‘Plug-ins’ folder in the Photoshop directory. 7. Upon relaunch of Photoshop, you should see the plugin installed in the Plugins menu. (Video Tutorial) For Mac 1. Install an unarchiving program like Unarchiver from the app store (my personal recommendation). 2. Navigate to the plugin (.ccx file) you wish to install. 3. Right click on the plugin and select ‘Open With’ and then ‘Other' It will open up a dialogue where you can select an application from the applications folder to open the file with. Find and select ‘The Unarchiver’ then click ‘Open’. It will extract the contents of the .ccx into a folder in the same directory. 4. Navigate to the file location where you have Photoshop installed (Typically, Macintosh HD > Applications > Photoshop [version]) and then open up the ‘Plug-ins’ folder within the Photoshop directory. 5. Drag or copy the plugin folder we extracted earlier into the ‘Plug-ins’ folder in the Photoshop directory. 6. Upon relaunch of Photoshop, you should see the plugin installed in the Plugins menu. Alternate Install Methods Installing Photoshop Plugins Using ZXP/UXP Installer You may also install a Photoshop plugin using this software kindly created by the guys at AEScripts to easily install a UXP file. Please see the following webpage to get started: https://aescripts.com/learn/zxp-installer Installing Photoshop Plugins Via Command Line Please see the following article: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/working-from-the-command-line.html You can install via the command line directly with the UPIA tool. Windows: cd "C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Adobe\\Adobe Desktop Common\\RemoteComponents\\UPI\\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent" UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.exe /install /path/to/plugin.ccx Mac: `cd "/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Desktop Common/RemoteComponents/UPI/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.app/Contents/MacOS" ./UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent --install /path/to/plugin.ccx` For example: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\RemoteComponents\UPI\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.exe" /install "C:\Users\doronstudio\Desktop\DITHERTONE-PRO-1.0.0.ccx You may also refer to the FAQ section of the following article: https://blog.developer.adobe.com/how-to-install-uxp-plugins-using-command-line-tools-a6a62ca4cb1a Plugin Compatibility Our plugins are compatible with: - Adobe Photoshop CC 2023 and newer on Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows. - Plugins may not work with Photoshop Elements or non-Adobe image editors unless specifically stated by the developer. Always check the plugin’s included documentation for any version-specific requirements.

Last updated on Aug 11, 2025

Plugin License Code Activation

Activating Your Plugin with a License Code Our plugins require a license code to unlock full functionality. This ensures your copy is genuine and keeps your access secure. You’ll receive your license code with your purchase, and it can be activated in just a few steps. Finding Your License Code 1. Log into the User Portal using the email from your purchase. 2. Locate your plugin in the product list. 3. Click the three dots under the Action column. 4. Select Purchase Code. 5. Use the copy button (not manual highlight + copy) to copy your license code. These steps can also be found in the user manual included with your download. Activating Your License in Photoshop 1. Open Photoshop. 2. Go to Plugins > select your plugin (e.g., DITHERTONE Pro). 3. In the activation window, paste your license code using the copy button from the user portal to avoid typos. 4. Enter the email address used for purchase. Type it in manually (do not paste) to prevent invisible formatting errors. 5. Click Verify License. Once verified, your plugin will be ready to use. Using Your License on Multiple Devices - Each license can be activated on up to 3 different devices at the same time. - To deactivate a device, go to the User Portal, click Purchase Code, and remove the device from your activation list. - Device removals may take up to 72 hours to update. - If you previously activated a plugin, and are encountering an error when attempting to activate it again due to updating or switching program versions: Please try deactivating the device via your User Portal, then try again. If this does not work, please reach out to hello@doron.supply. Batch Licenses for Companies If you need licenses for multiple team members or computers: - Simply order the plugin with the quantity you require. - A unique license code will be generated for each purchased copy. - Distribute these license codes to your team for individual activation. Troubleshooting Common Errors License Failing to Verify on a Licensed Version of Photoshop? Try these steps in order: 1. Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date version of Photoshop. 2. Ensure you have an active internet connection. 3. Copy the license key from the user portal using the copy button, not manual highlight + copy. 4. Use the email from your purchase, exactly as it appears in your user portal. 5. Type your email manually (do not paste). 6. Close the plugin panel (Plugins > select plugin) and reopen it, then try again. 7. Close Photoshop completely, reopen it, and try again. 8. Uninstall and reinstall the plugin, then re-enter your license details. 9. If all else fails, email hello@doron.supply with your order number and a description of the issue + screenshots. License Failing to Verify on a Cracked Version of Photoshop? - Plugins may not work with a cracked/unlicensed version of Photoshop due to them sometimes blocking/firewall-ing outbound communications from Photoshop. - Please try all the solutions listed above in “License Failing To Verify on Licensed Version of Photoshop” first to be sure the issue has to do with your copy of Photoshop. - Please try unblocking Photoshop/Adobe from your firewalls outbound block list. Compatibility Notes - Plugins are compatible with Adobe Photoshop v25.0 and newer on Mac (Intel & Apple Silicon) and Windows. - .CCX plugins will not work in other programs outside Photoshop.

Last updated on Oct 15, 2025

Photoshop Preset Installation Guide (Actions, Brushes Etc.)

Installing Photoshop Presets Below you’ll find instructions for common preset types such as brushes, actions, gradients, and layer-styles. These steps work in the latest versions of Photoshop. Installation is quick and only needs to be done once per preset. Your download also contains an ‘INSTALLATION GUIDE’ booklet detailing these steps. 1. Brushes (.ABR files) Steps: 1. Open Photoshop. 2. Go to the Brushes panel: - If you don’t see it, go to Window > Brushes. 3. Open the Brush panel menu (three lines in the top right of the panel). 4. Choose Import Brushes…. 5. Select your .ABR file and click Open. 6. Your new brushes will appear at the bottom of the Brushes panel, ready to use. 2. Actions (.ATN files) Steps: 1. Open Photoshop. 2. Go to the Actions panel: - Window > Actions. 3. Open the panel menu (three lines in the top right). 4. Select Load Actions…. 5. Choose your .ATN file and click Open. 6. The new action set will appear in your Actions panel. Select it and press the Play button to run. 3. Gradients (.GRD files) Steps: 1. Open Photoshop. 2. Go to the Gradients panel: - Window > Gradients. 3. Open the panel menu. 4. Click Import Gradients…. 5. Select your .GRD file and click Open. 6. The gradients will be added to your list, ready to apply in the Gradient Tool or Layer Styles. 4. Layer Styles (.ASL files) Steps: 1. Open Photoshop. 2. Go to the Styles panel: - Window > Styles. 3. Open the panel menu. 4. Select Import Styles…. 5. Locate your .ASL file and click Open. 6. The styles will appear in the Styles panel and can be applied by clicking on them with a layer selected. 5. Patterns (.PAT files) Steps: 1. Open Photoshop. 2. Go to the Patterns panel: - Window > Patterns. 3. Open the panel menu. 4. Choose Import Patterns…. 5. Select your .PAT file and click Open. 6. Your patterns will now be available in the Patterns panel and in the Pattern Fill dialog. Tips & Troubleshooting - File not opening? - Make sure you’ve unzipped the download if it came in a .zip folder before trying to import. - Make sure you’re using the latest version of Photoshop. - Make sure you have ample space on your hard drive or scratch disks. - Version differences: Older Photoshop versions may require loading presets via the Preset Manager (Edit > Presets > Preset Manager). - Organizing presets: Rename or group presets inside Photoshop to keep your workspace tidy. Compatibility Our presets are designed for Adobe Photoshop CC (2018 and newer) on both Mac and Windows. - Some presets (such as brushes with advanced settings) may not work in older versions or in Photoshop Elements. - For the smoothest experience, ensure your Photoshop is up-to-date via the Creative Cloud app. - If you’re unsure whether your version supports a preset file type, check Adobe’s preset file type compatibility guide.

Last updated on Aug 11, 2025