Q&A: Lightroom Classic plugins

by Andrew S. Gibson
Q&A

Sue: Please can you point me to some information about Lightroom Plugins?

I am using Lightroom Classic (2021) on Windows 10 desktop PC

I use Photomatix, Helicon Focus and Jeffrey’s Data-Explorer on a fairly regular basis and I access them via File > Plug-in-Extras.

I have recently downloaded the Show Focus Points plugin but only find it via Library > Plug-in-Extras.

Why do I have two different routes to Plug-in Extras and why do they each contain different software (although a couple show in both menus)? Have I set them up all wrong? 

The File > Plug-in Extras menu
File > Plug-in Extras menu

Andrew: The idea is that File > Plug-in Extras is for plugins that can be used in any module, and Library > Plug-in Extras is for plugins that work exclusively in the Library module

The reason that some plugins appear in both menus is because the plugin author (not Adobe) decides which menu the plugin should appear in, and some authors make it appear in both to make it easier for people to find.

You haven’t set them up wrong, and (in case you are wondering) there’s no way to change the menu location of a specific plugin.

The Library > Plug-in Extras menu
Library > Plug-in Extras menu



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2 comments

Lisa Sohngen October 27, 2021 - 8:36 pm

Hi Andrew……..I am interested in buying your tutorials, however, I would like to know if you use Microsoft Windows.
I just bought a new PC and have Windows 11 installed on it. I find that it is difficult to follow tutorials that use Apple systems because it is somewhat different than Windows. Could you please reply and let me know which system you use? Thank you.

Reply
Andrew S. Gibson October 27, 2021 - 9:13 pm

Hi Lisa, I use a Mac but for Lightroom Classic it makes no difference. The interface is the same in both operating systems. Hope that helps.

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