App Review: Plastic Bullet, by Jenny Phillips
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 11:00AM | Jenny Phillips 
I didn't know much about the company behind the new iPhone app Plastic Bullet. After a quick Google search, I found out that Red Giant Software is responsible for some pretty extensive desktop photo alteration and manipulation software suites. Knowing that really helped me appreciate what thought went in to developing Plastic Bullet.
There are three choices when you start the app: the Info screen, the Photo Library, or the Camera. One key item that I think should be acknowledged is that Plastic Bullet also allows you to save the original when you use the camera in-app, an option that can be selected within the iPhone Settings app.
I use a 3GS, and if you chose to take a picture from within the app, you'll be able to use the "tap screen for focus" option. Also, as an Easter egg of sorts, if you tap anywhere on the startup screen except for the Photo Library button, the app will automatically open the in-app camera function.
After deciding whether you'd like to take the picture within the app or use a preexisting image from your photo library, you are presented with a screen that gives four image thumbnails, the option to load a different image from the photo library, take a new image from the camera, or refresh the four image options for four new selections. One cool feature about this app is that it supports both landscape and portrait based images: rotating the screen will allow you the best view for the image orientation.
Tapping one of the four image thumbnails will enlarge your view of that selection. At that point you can choose to save by tapping the heart, return to the previous screen, or refresh to see a new choice. Once again the use of the accelerometer allows you to rotate the phone for the best viewing angle of the photo, and the controls will rotate their location on the screen as well.
Most of the effects that this app creates are fresh, creative, and quite beautiful. Sometimes the results are over processed or the detail you wanted to keep gets washed out by the effects instead of enhanced by them. There is a rough edge border added to the images, as well as various blur, saturation, and simulated light leak effects. Each image the app creates is unique, even though several may look very similar on the thumbnail view.
Some of the key features of this app are that it is simple and easy to use, you get instant gratification on the output of the effects applied to the image, and a near limitless selection of post processing effects to choose from.
Having said that, there are some points with which this app could improve on. Currently, the resolution output is only 800x600. The developers have stated that this is due to memory limitations on the older iPhone 3G and that a future, free update will support higher resolution on newer devices. I hope that they keep to their word, because I know a lot of us are burned out on purchasing apps that make promises for updates that, regardless of the reason, never happen.
Also, if you're an image tinkerer like me, you may feel like you have to refresh the selection screen dozens of times before you find the look that speaks to you best. Since there are no options to adjust or customize any of the effects within the app, including the border selection, you just have to live with the output it gives you. However, since this app is touted as a toy camera simulator, this is to be anticipated. Granted, these items of concern to me may not be of any relevance to other users. Also, for the more creative of the bunch, most of these nuances can be overcome by other means.
Overall, I think Red Giant has managed to pack a lot into Plastic Bullet. With near infinite possibilities of results, tapping into the accelerometer of the iPhone to make the experience as seamless as possible, and a UI that makes the app fun and easy to use, I'd rate this as three stars. If the developer does as they've stated and provide an update to Plastic Bullet that will increase the resolution, I'd knock my vote up a star.
AppStore Link: Plastic Bullet - Price: $1.99/£1.19
Plastic Bullet in iPhone App Review
Reader Comments (27)
Thanks for the interesting review, Jenny. Good to see you helping out at iphoneography so we can expect more of this.
Cheers, kai
Nice review, Nice App
this has become one of my very favorite apps, and it has replaced three other apps that i used. i find now that i'm mostly using hipstamatic, camerabag (helga) and silver bullet, and occasionally ProCamera. i especially appreciate the "tap to focus" on 3Gs and that it can be used in both orientations. it has a beautiful look, a nice interface, no annoying interminable splash screen, and the features are very intuitive. i love the endless surprise of the results! a wonderful app.
Thanks for the review Jenny. : )
Thank you @Kai, @Darren Stephens, @deborah d. lattimore & @Nacho!
Jenny, good to know that you will be a regular feature here!
@psikat: Thank you! Be forewarned, though...thanks to your initiative, you may see some "repeat" reviews :)
@Jennyland - I really enjoyed reading your in-depth review of Plastic Bullet. I have to say that if I hadn't already bought it, your review would certainly have been strong encouragement. I'm going to look forward to reading any future reviews by you, repeat or not.
Thanks for the review Jenny. I just purchased this one and so far I like the effects a lot. I'm glad you mentioned the resolution issue and I hope the developer takes note. I too, am becoming tired of low res apps with ignored or futile promises to upgrade it to high res. I'll keep my fingers crossed on this one as it has a lot of possibility.
Thank you @Tania & @Suzé!
I am curious what these "memory limitations" are that prevent them from supporting full res. I have several other apps on my 3G that don't seem to have any problems saving at full size. It looks like a nice app with some great effects and I would love to try it, but I refuse to buy anything that doesn't give me full resolution.
@JapanDave: I appreciate your sentiment & understand your concerns. Here's to hoping the dev's update the app w/full resolution!
Any sign of an update with decent resolution?
No word that I've heard of, @psikat :/ Chalk them up as another in a long line of developers that hasn't kept their word...
Nope. Just tested it to be sure and it's still saving at 600x800. I keep hoping for an update with a better res, because I really do like the effects of the app.
Maybe if you followed them on Twitter you'd know that a full resolution version has been submitted & awaiting release!
SCW
@SCW: Thank you for the status update. -1 for sounding like a condescending jerk while doing it.
@SCW. Thanks for the status update, but please bear in mind, when posting comments, we don't all follow all the dev's via Twitter.
@ Jennyland n/p that was my intentions! After your last few comments towards me don't ever expect a polite reply from me towards you.
SCW
@SCW I don't go out of my way to be mean, condescending, a jerk or a tool. To you or anyone on here. Or in general, but that's pretty far reaching. But if I read your comment correctly, you're saying you'll deliberately be anything but polite when replying to me on this board (or elsewhere, I assume).
That seems unnecessary, and rather unfortunate. It also comes off as very unprofessional. I wish you would reconsider that attitude, as it may have other consequences that may not have been considered.
I apologize if I have, however, been harsh in my conversations to you. At times, your comments come off as borderline .. Mel Gibson-y. You seem to rant and rave about issues that don't concern the topic at hand. I've even seen you tell someone that they must not know who you are, as if that meant something. So yes, I tend to take issue with that mindset. If that is a fault, then I own it.
I refuse to sink to your level, though. The decency and decorum gloves may be off where you're concerned, but I'm not that type of person. I wish you a good day ♥