Plug-ins in Photoshop 2025

[picazorra]

So here's the story 😊

I have Photoshop CS5 on a Windows laptop. I very recently acquired Photoshop 2025 on a MacBook. 
I have several useful plug-ins (.8bf files) in CS5 that I would like to use in PS 2025.  

Question - Is it possible to do this?

Question - if yes, how do I do it? 😁

I have watched innumerable YT videos, contacted the Adobe chat thingy and I'm still none the wiser. Also be aware I am not a spring chicken (read OLD!) and, while not a tech expert,  I get by fairly well. I am truly hoping someone can help. 

Thanks, Chrissie

[LAMY2017]

While we wait for the really right answer, check out this germain discussion. I think it will help.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/plugin-8bf-file/m-p/15034624

[picazorra]

Thank you for responding. I did check the post you mentioned before I posed my query. It related to Windows and as such I could not relate it the Mac file system. I do appreciate that you pointed it out though 😊

[Warren Heaton]

@picazorra

Unfortunately, third-party Photoshop plug-ins have never really been cross-platform. A Windows plug-in for Photoshop CS5 wouldn’t have worked on Photoshop CS5 for macOS back when CS5 was current, and it won’t work in Photoshop 2025 for macOS either.

If you need these plug-ins on a modern Mac, you’ll want to reach out to the publisher to see if they offer an Apple Silicon-compatible version that you can upgrade to.

[picazorra]

Many thanks for explaining the situation., Warren. I deeply appreciate your help. Perhaps I'll look for modern equivalents of the ones I like the best rather than try to recall who published what -.it was a few years ago! 

[Jeff Arola]

It you gave us the names of the plugins, perhaps other users would know of suitable replacements if the the plugin maker is no longer around or doesn't have Apple Silicon compatible plugins.

[picazorra]

Wow! That is unbelievably kind to offer that. Thank you! It's late in the evening here so I'll check the names tomorrow and list them. I do remember some were from Redfield but that's as far as my old memory goes 😊

[Trevor.Dennis]

Posting just to follow this thread mainly, but if you do find Mac versions of the plugins, there some (mainly older) plugins that you only need place the .8bf in the right folder for them to work.  Most will need an installation file though.

[picazorra]

Thank you for even more information, Trevor. This community is a good source of info 😊

I don't hold out much hope of finding an equivalent to the ones I used years ago but it may happen. Ever the optimist! 

[picazorra]

@Jeff Arola  The plug-ins I'd like to replace are Jama3d, LatticeComposer and 3dsphere - all .8bf. They are all Redfield Windows based. If anyone does have an idea of compatible types I'd appreciate any help.

Many thanks,

Chrissie

[Trevor.Dennis]

In a perfect world, you'd be able to get onto Redfield support and say you have switched platforms, and they would gladly supply the relevant file.  I am able to do that with some of the Topaz plugins, for instance.  However, that is not going to work AFAICT.   The specific plugins you mention are not longer available on the Redfield site.

Looking at your list again, 3DSphere has a Kai Power Tools ring to it, so very old and I wonder if they'd even work on current Windows Photoshop versions?  (a lot of the old plugins were coded with Flash, and stopped working after Photoshop changed to HTML5).

So, it's going to come down to some research.  I found this extensive list on the Photoshop Help site recently, which should get you started.  I intend having thorough read of it myself to see if there are any shiny new tools that I can't live without. 😉

Please let us know how you get on.

[picazorra]

Alas we'd likely struggle if we had a perfect world 😊 but I do know what you mean, Trevor. 

Thank you seems inadequate for all you have done to help but I do sincerely thank you. 

Shiny new toys? Sign me up!  My reading matter for the week ahead will be your "extensive list".

I will indeed let you know how I get on.