Eye candy is a popular plug in filter. Go to
www.alienskin.com and check out the packages EyEcandy 4000 and Eyecandy 5: nature and EyeCandy 5 : texture. You can also downlaod trials of them.
Most commonly they are used to create metal effects ( EyEcandy 4000 : chrome and EyEcandy5: nature > Animal Fur or EyEcandy 4000 for fibres
They can also create effects such as glass, embossing, wood etc
I wouldnt be without them
HTH