For owners of Phantasm CS version 2, Designer or Studio with Illustrator CS and above. By combining the power of the essential Hue/Saturation Filter and Illustrator's Actions, this step-by-step guide makes light work of what would otherwise be a painstaking manual task.

To read this tutorial, visit www.phantasmcs.com/resources/tutorials.html

If you have any requests or ideas for future tutorials, please contact us.

Phantasm CS: £25.00, $49, €31

Phantasm CS Designer: £49.00, $97, €61

Phantasm CS Studio: £89.00, $177, €111

Note: prices based on £ (UKP). Conversion to $ (USD) and € (Euro) are approximate and calculated based on exchange rates as of 11th July 2008.

The final amount to be paid in your local currency will be shown prior to commiting in the PayPal payment system.

Your invoice from Astute Graphics Limited will now be in £ (UK Sterling). An automated PayPal receipt also confirms the charge made in your local currency.

Digital Arts, June 2008

“With such a range of Illustrator plug-ins on the market, it's rare to come across one that excels to this extent.”

“To have all these features available in Illustrator (Adobe take note) and at such a modest price tag puts this product in a class of its own. We wholeheartedly recommend that any designer or studio adds it to their software arsenal.”

Published in The Graphic Mac, April 2008
(re-published in Creative Bits, April 2008)

“If your design environment is primarily Adobe Illustrator, the full Studio version is a bargain.”

“Overall, Phantasm CS is probably the most useful plugin set I've ever come across for any version of Adobe Illustrator.”

The new Illustrator CS2 and CS3 script was developed by Nathaniel V Kelso specifically for Phantasm CS Studio users.

Click here for a sample PDF to load in Acrobat Reader. Within Acrobat, use the PDF layers control to view or hide each of the process inks.

More information and the free download may be found at www.phantasmcs.com/resources/scripts.html

The range of styles possible shows the immense flexibility of the vector Filter and Effect found in Phantasm CS Designer and Studio; from Roman Mosaic to Abstract.

To see more, visit www.phantasmcs.com/resources/halftone.html

If you wish to submit some Halftone settings to be made freely available through these pages (credit and a link will be given unless requested otherwise), please contact us.

This extensive step-by-step tutorial makes use of Illustrator CS2 or CS3 in combination with Phantasm CS Designer or Studio. Tools used include the acclaimed Phantasm CS Designer | Studio Halftone and Duotone Filter/Effects as well as Illustrator's native Live Trace and Envelope Distort. An innovative new technique is employed to generate a security-type vector halftone wave form in the background image.

To read this tutorial, visit www.phantasmcs.com/resources/tutorials.html

If you have any requests or ideas for future tutorials, please contact us.

Simply visit www.phantasmcs.com/buy, follow the Upgrade Now link and enter your original invoice number. A copy of this number may also be found on your PayPal receipt entitled "Transaction ID". You can then select the version type you wish to upgrade to and enjoy not only the upgrade discount but also the same multi-license discount!

Full details of the new features in Phantasm CS Designer and Studio can be found on the features page, including a new feature matrix and list of features for each edition.

As with Phantasm CS, the new Designer and Studio editions are available for Mac OS X® and Windows®, with versions available for Adobe Illustrator® CS, CS2 and CS3.

Based on your artwork, you can see the benefits native Duotones and Swap Channels tools bring, and be inspired by the possibilities of vector Halftones. You can also discover how the ability to in-line edit embedded images can transform your workflow, followed by the extra level of control the new Output Preview and full Separation tools can bring.

All versions are available for immediate purchase and download exclusively via www.phantasmcs.com/buy

for immediate release
Issued 19 March 2008

Astute Graphics Limited has reached its goal in expanding Phantasm CS, the 5* Adobe Illustrator® color correction plugin into a professional printer and publisher's essential companion. New tools include separations, ink coverage (user-friendly visualisation of TAC levels), overprint object preview and in-line editing of embedded images.

Whilst the Quick Separations tool provides instant visual information, the full Separations tool is powerful in its ability to produce vector-based separated artwork. These may be previewed as individual or combined separations or released as standard objects in Illustrator. Essential for any professional print output checking, this solution offers a much more efficient workflow than the current external methods of checking such as via Acrobat®, InDesign® or alternative high cost products. Development of this, and all tools within the Phantasm CS range has been in close collaboration with international print and publishing specialists to ensure that vital aspects such as accurate spot color handling is provided.

The in-line embedded image editing facility is guaranteed to become an invaluable corner-stone in cutting time and costs when reproducing in-house and customer's artwork. By enabling any embedded image, from greyscale to multi-ink spot images, to be edited directly in the likes of Photoshop®, not only is this actual task made possible allowing last-minute corrections to images, but workflows can be re-assessed to bring maximum efficiency.

Full details of the new features can be found at www.phantasmcs.com/features/ including a new feature matrix.

Available for Mac OS X® and Windows®, with versions available for Adobe Illustrator® CS, CS2 and CS3, Phantasm CS Studio is priced at $175+VAT with discounts for multi-licenses.

All versions are available for immediate purchase and download exclusively via www.phantasmcs.com

For further editorial information and resources, please visit www.phantasmcs.com/news/

Astute Graphics Limited, Hereford, England
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About Astute Graphics Limited

Astute Graphics Limited was incorporated January 2008 to better serve the continued popularity and growth of the Phantasm CS software range. It has taken over full ownership and support of the software originally developed by Astute Graphics (un-incorporated) which was formed in 1997.

Astute Graphics Limited is incorporated in England and Wales, company number 6465495.

Copyright Astute Graphics Limited, 2008. All rights reserved. All trademarks acknowledged.

for immediate release
Issued 17 March 2008

Phantasm CS, the acclaimed Adobe Illustrator® color control plugin has been greatly extended with a range of essential new professional-led design and publishing tools. The new features can be found in two new variations; Phantasm CS Designer and Phantasm CS Studio, each progressively adding to the original and popular Phantasm CS toolset which remains available separately.

Phantasm CS Designer is intended for professional freelance designers and publishers who are looking for even greater control of their colors (Duotones, Swap Channels and Tint/Temperature) and exciting new creative possibilities offered with vector Halftones.

Phantasm CS Studio builds on this catering for small to large design studios, publishers and printers with essential and much sought-after native color control and checking tools including separations, ink coverage and in-line embedded image editing.

Click here for full details of the new features including a new feature matrix and list of features for each edition.

As with Phantasm CS, the new Designer and Studio editions are available for Mac OS X® and Windows®, with versions available for Adobe Illustrator® CS, CS2 and CS3.

Keeping to the Phantasm CS tradition of wonderfully powerful tools at a very low cost, Phantasm CS Designer is only $95+VAT, with Phantasm CS Studio being $175+VAT. For such professional and essential toolsets, this represents amazing value. Existing customers will soon be able to upgrade between versions at cost-difference; notification will be given to existing customers when available.

A new combined Trial version of Phantasm CS | Designer | Studio is also available. Whilst maintaining the free basic unlimited Brightness/Contrast Filter and Effect, it now provides a much greater insight into the Filters offered as well as allowing limited experimentation with the Output Preview, Separations and Edit Image tools.

All versions are available for immediate purchase and download exclusively via www.phantasmcs.com

For further editorial information and resources, please visit www.phantasmcs.com/news/

Astute Graphics Limited, Hereford, England
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About Astute Graphics Limited

Astute Graphics Limited was incorporated January 2008 to better serve the continued popularity and growth of the Phantasm CS software range. It has taken over full ownership and support of the software originally developed by Astute Graphics (un-incorporated) which was formed in 1997.

Astute Graphics Limited is incorporated in England and Wales, company number 6465495.

Copyright Astute Graphics Limited, 2008. All rights reserved. All trademarks acknowledged.

for immediate release
Issued 17 May 2007

Astute Graphics are pleased to announce the release of Phantasm CS version 2, a significant upgrade for the acclaimed and unique Illustrator color control plugin, with the following benefits:

• Illustrator CS, CS2 and CS3 compatibility on both Windows and Mac (Intel and PowerPC)

• New, powerful controls for professional designers, publishers and printers

• Improved workflow, now with automation

Phantasm CS version 2 builds on the acclaimed 5* tools found in version 1.5 such as Curves, Hue/Saturation, and Levels filters and live effects, and the ability to load and save Photoshop-compatible color setting files. An overview of the new options and associated controls:

• Black / White color cut-off

• Rich black to pure black conversion

• Advanced overprint control including remove overprint white and add overprint to pure black

• Define rich black directly or visually

• Gradient Accuracy

• Auto Rasterize

• Save and manage option settings

To further emphasize Phantasm CS' professional credentials, all color filters can now be automated using Illustrator's Actions system. This represents huge potential for power users who need to batch modify artwork or ensure that certain color control tasks are swiftly and faithfully repeated.

With Illustrator CS3 came the new color experimentation tool "Live Color". Every care has been taken to ensure that the color workflow introduced with Phantasm CS compliments Adobe's new system as well as maintaining best interchangeability with Photoshop. Details of how all components work seamlessly together can be found in the Workflow table.

This significant upgrade remains at a highly accessible $37.50. Phantasm CS is available for Windows® and Mac OS X® running Illustrator CS, CS2 and CS3.

For further editorial information and resources, please visit www.phantasmcs.com/news/

Astute Graphics, Hereford, England

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for immediate release
Issued 24 February 2007

Astute Graphics are pleased to announce the release of Phantasm CS version 1.5. This welcome upgrade to the acclaimed Illustrator color control plugin brings designers the following benefits:

• Load and save Photoshop-compatible color adjustment settings files

• Advanced Hue/Saturation control

Recognising that Illustrator users are not isolated from a greater design process, full color control compatibility with Photoshop has been a priority. This release ensures that common color adjustment features found in the premier photo editing package are now matched in the leading vector design software. To allow this, Phantasm CS can now load and save Photoshop-compatible color setting files for Curves, Hue/Saturation and Levels.

In a related development, the Hue/Saturation Filter and live Effect controls now cater for selective hue range adjustments. Precise control over which color ranges are adjusted ensure that full creative freedom is realised.

Phantasm CS version 1.0 recieved excellent reviews with comments like "Phantasm CS is a great little plug-in" (Computer Arts, 5 star rating), "...brings functionality that really should have been there all along" (Digital Media Designer). Customers have also praised the color control tool with feedback including "Works terrifically!", "This is something I'm using every five minutes" and simply "WOW!"

Priced at only $37.50, it is accessible to hobbyist users and yet offers the level of control demanded by professionals.

Phantasm CS is available for Windows® and Mac OS X® running both Illustrator CS and CS2.

For further editorial information and resources, please visit www.phantasmcs.com/news/

Astute Graphics, Hereford, England

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for immediate release
Issued 7 September 2006

Astute Graphics is proud to announce the availability of a new and unique plugin for Adobe Illustrator®, "Phantasm CS", giving full color adjustment control such as brightness, contrast, curves, hue, saturation and levels directly within your Illustrator document.

Offering a comprehensive range of professional-grade color controls as both Filters and live Effects, this plugin is designed to tightly integrate into Adobe's leading vector design package, virtually removing any learning curve. With the ability to control all object types including simple vector shapes, other live Effects, high resolution bitmaps, this plugin allows a user to fine-tune, match colors and experiment with designs with immediate visual feedback.

With the development process being overseen by an experienced professional designer and extensive testing in the hands of some of the leading international illustrators and publishers, this plugin caters for real-world designers, publishers and printers.

Priced at only $37.50, it is accessible to hobbyist users and yet offers the level of control demanded by professionals. Phantasm CS is set to become the number one addition to all Illustrator's toolkits.

Phantasm CS is available for Windows® and Mac OS X® running both Illustrator CS and CS2.

For further information, please visit www.phantasmcs.com/news/

Astute Graphics, Hereford, England

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