Everybody has heard about the famous “plug-ins” design pattern. Allowing third-party extensions to one’s software was a key feature that took applications like Photoshop or Mozilla where they are today. But let’s not stop there. With a few minor improvements, this design pattern can be much more usefull - I call it Cooperating Plug-Ins.
A drop shadow filter is a crucial part of every web or application graphics editor. If you need more convincing that drop shadow is your friend, read the article about the role of shadows in icon design. The good news is that the old JScript-based filter will be replaced by a new one. A better one. A faster one.
Upcoming versions of RealWorld Designer-based applications are going to have a much needed feature: the ability to run a filter and display a preview of the outcome.