Corel KnockOut 2 is a legacy masking plug-in for Adobe Photoshop that specializes in "masking the impossible," such as hair, smoke, fire, and liquid, by preserving fine image details and transparency. Key Features
Transition Area Masking: Unlike standard tools, KnockOut 2 allows users to define foreground, background, and transition areas. It analyzes pixels in the transition zone to categorize them based on color, ensuring high-quality composites.
Complex Object Retention: Retains fine details for transparent objects like glass, ice, and hair that are traditionally difficult to capture precisely. Workflow Integration:
CMYK Color Support: Work directly with CMYK images without converting to RGB, maintaining color accuracy.
Touchup Tools: Includes a Brush and Eraser for manual detailed corrections post-masking.
Multiple Undo/Redo: Offers up to 99 levels of undo/redo for flexible editing. Specialized Tools:
Property Bar: Quick access to tools like "Auto Outside Object" to automate selection.
Background Insertion: Users can insert custom backgrounds (JPEG, TIFF, etc.) directly after processing the foreground. Compatibility & Version Details
While v10387 is a specific build often found in community-shared or archive contexts, the official software (v2.0) has extensive historical compatibility:
Host Applications: Compatible with Adobe Photoshop, Corel PHOTO-PAINT, and Corel Painter.
Operating Systems: Originally designed for Windows (including older versions like XP) and Mac OS X (including legacy support for Mac OS 8.6 to 9.1).
Legacy Note: As a very old plugin, modern Photoshop users may encounter installation hurdles. Manual installation typically involves placing the plugin files directly into the Photoshop Plug-Ins folder. Availability
Free Status: The plugin is no longer actively sold or supported by Corel. Legacy versions are sometimes found on community repositories like the Internet Archive. knockout 2 v10387 plugin photoshop free new
Mobile Alternative: A separate free app titled "KnockOut 2- Photo Cut and Paste" is available on iOS for mobile photo editing, though it is not a direct Photoshop plugin. #2014-31 KnockOut Fact Sheet - Corel
Corel KnockOut 2 is a legacy masking and cutout plugin for Adobe Photoshop designed to handle complex edge detection for difficult subjects like hair, smoke, fire, and transparent objects. While originally a paid product released by Procreate (a Corel subsidiary), it is now widely considered abandonware and can often be found for free on digital archive sites like the Internet Archive. Key Features of KnockOut 2
Precision Masking: Specialized tools to preserve fine details that are typically difficult to mask, such as shadows and highlights.
CMYK Color Support: Allows users to work directly with CMYK images without converting to RGB, maintaining color accuracy.
Touchup Tools: Includes refined Brush and Eraser tools for making manual corrections to masked images.
Automatic Selection: Features like "Auto Outside Object" speed up the workflow by automatically defining background boundaries after you select the foreground. Installation and Compatibility
Because KnockOut 2 is a legacy tool (initially supporting versions like Photoshop 7 and CS), running it on modern systems requires specific steps: KnockOut 2 update adds Photoshop 7 support, more - Macworld
It looks like you’re searching for a free version of the Knockout 2 plugin (version v10387) for Adobe Photoshop.
Before providing a direct development path or download, I need to give you an important legal and technical warning: Knockout 2 is an abandoned/extremely old plugin (originally by Corel/Ultimate). There is no legal “free new” version. Most downloads online labeled “free” are either:
This matches 90% of what Knockout 2 did, without any plugin.
Topaz Mask AI (still available via Topaz Labs) uses AI tri-map exactly like Knockout 2. You paint red (Keep), blue (Remove), and click “Compute.” It handles transparency, flies, and glass. It works as a plugin for Photoshop CC 2025.
Do not download.
It’s not “new”—it’s an obsolete, unsupported plugin from 2002–2005 repackaged by pirates. Instead, use a modern, safe, and legal free tool like GIMP or Photopea. If you need professional masking, subscribe to Photoshop CC for AI‑powered edge detection that far surpasses Knockout 2. Corel KnockOut 2 is a legacy masking plug-in
Safety rating: ❌ Dangerous
Usefulness today: ❌ Negligible
Recommendation: Strongly avoid.
Corel KnockOut 2 (v10.387) is a legacy masking plugin from the early 2000s that is no longer supported by modern Adobe Photoshop versions. While once a "gold standard" for complex cutouts (like hair and smoke), it has been largely superseded by Photoshop's built-in AI tools. ⚠️ Warning: "Free New" Downloads
If you see links for a "free new" version of KnockOut 2 v10.387, proceed with extreme caution. Legacy Software: Corel discontinued this product years ago.
Malware Risk: Sites offering "new" or "free" versions of discontinued paid software are often fronts for malware or adware.
Incompatibility: This version (v10.387) was designed for Photoshop 6 or 7 and Windows XP/Mac OS 9. It generally will not run on 64-bit modern systems or recent Photoshop CC versions. 🛡️ Product Review: Corel KnockOut 2 Legacy Performance Modern Context Masking Detail
Unbeatable for its time; handled glass, fire, and fine hair.
Now matched or beaten by Select and Mask and AI Remove Background. Workflow
Required a separate interface and "Inside/Outside" object lines. Much slower than modern one-click AI selections. Compatibility Adobe Photoshop 6.0, 7.0; Corel Painter 8.
Non-functional on macOS Catalina+ or Windows 10/11 without emulators. Price Originally ~$89–$100. No longer officially sold; mostly found as "abandonware." 💡 Modern Alternatives
If you need high-quality masking today, avoid hunting for old plugins and try these:
Photoshop "Select Subject": Uses Adobe Sensei AI to handle complex edges automatically.
Topaz Mask AI: A dedicated modern alternative for hair and transparency. Built-in Photoshop Method (No Plugin Needed)
Fluid Mask: One of the few legacy-style plugins still in some form of development.
Remove.bg: A popular web-based tool for quick, high-quality background removal. If you'd like, I can help you: Find tutorials for Photoshop's modern AI masking tools.
Troubleshoot legacy software on a Virtual Machine (if you absolutely must run old files).
Recommend free, modern alternatives like GIMP or Canva for quick cutouts.
Let me know what your primary goal is for the masking project! An Overview Of Knockout 2 - Washington Apple Pi
I can’t help find or provide pirated or cracked plugins. If you want a proper report, I can instead:
Which of these would you like?
Adobe has integrated background removal technology far superior to Knockout 2. These tools are included in your Photoshop subscription (or free trials).
You could create a similar plugin using Photoshop’s UXP/CEP + AI background matting. Here’s a pseudo-code concept:
// Photoshop ExtendScript (modern equivalent of Knockout)
var doc = app.activeDocument;
var originalSelection = doc.selection;
// Use AI-based background removal
app.activeDocument.activeLayer = app.activeDocument.backgroundLayer;
app.activeDocument.selection.selectAll();
// Run "Remove Background" AI action
var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
desc.putString( stringIDToTypeID( "algorithm" ), "background" );
executeAction( stringIDToTypeID( "removeBackground" ), desc, DialogModes.NO );
But that requires Adobe’s AI engine – not a standalone plugin.
What it was:
Knockout 2 was a dedicated masking plugin for Adobe Photoshop (classic versions, CS6 and earlier). Its specialty was extracting complex semi-transparent objects—like hair, glass, smoke, or fur—from backgrounds using a simple “inside/outside” stroke method.
Performance (genuine software):
Downsides of legitimate version: