I've read in a few posts and such about somethingsomething Universe or something and it being used to crease lens flares or haze or atmospheric effects? What is it and how do you use it? TIA

Universe Image Creator comes in two forms; a stand alone app that lets you export various image files,or, as a "plug-in" for PhotoShop. Diard software is the maker. Check your Google, there are tutorials on the makers'site, plus a limited time demo with some features removed.

Ah ha, found it. Not Mac compatible, I see. Oh, well...

Sorry for your MAC problem. I always enjoy using Universe. Makes wonderful space background images. :-)

Attached Link: http://www.flamingpear.com/

I'm not sure where you get this now, but the KPT 6 plugin suite for Photo-whatever has a plug called Sky Effects which does all sorts of atmospheric effects but not stars,etc. Mac/PC. Another interesting Mac/PC app is Lunar Cell (at the link above) which creates planets. As far as stars, etc go I use real images from various astronomy sites (like www.solarviews.com). HTH; Dan

Universe is really quick and painess, but you can mimic most of it's effects with a bit of Photoshop or Paintshop talent... Mostly it's for starfields, lens flare... Space stuff, but people use it for all kinds of effects, 'round here...

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?Form.ShowMessage=1264208

Lens flares? Here is a tut I posted a while ago on making lens flares in Bryce. Maybe you could use it. : )

flaming pear also has a plugin called Glitterato (I think?) which makes stars and nebulas (nebulae? nebuli? whatever :P)

Since we're throwing out plugins, Photoshop has a plugin called Mystical light which does nothing but lighting effects from flares, glows, pixie dust, highlights, twinkles and such, a bit on the expensive side (@ $179.00 USD), but Universe Image Creator is a great little tool and a lot cheaper.

I have had it for a while but never used it as a plugin, how do i set this up??

Attached Link: http://www.pluginsworld.com/Photoshop/plugins.php3?action=software1&soft=Photoshop

Here's an old link to autofx's mystical lighting!

Beanzvision, if you're asking about UIC, then visit their home site for more information; Universe Image Creator. If you're asking about AutoFX Mystical lighting, that becomes a bit more involved since each different lighting effect has a myriad of different parameters that can be controlled to adjust such things as color, intensity, opacity, diffusion strength, masks, angles, size, falloff, light beam styles and intensities and quite a bit of other controls. You can also bring in selected areas of your image to work on. It also has a list of different presets for ready made effects or you can save your own.

It's all good! Works well with photoshop, all i needed to do was read install info! :s