Help! Has anyone used agar instead of gelatin?

[CakeInMyFace]

Hi
I'm baking a weight watchers cheesecake, and it calls for 1 and 1/2 tbsp of gelatin disolved in water (to thicken it up since the filling is made with low fat soft cheese and plain yogurt). I couldn't find powdered gelatin anywhere, but did find some stuff called agar which I've been told is essentially the same as gelatin.

Anyone know if it IS the same, or whether I would need to use more/less to get the same effect as gelatin?

Thank you!

Awaiting answers :) I'm vegan and bought some a while ago to try, it's still sitting here untouched! I couldn't find powdered agar but a bar that looked a bit like sponge only red! Sort of scares me a little bit!! Did you buy powered?

No it is stronger I think (never used it for baking though, only microbiology ).
hold on I have a recipe somewhere for conversion.

Apparently you substitute 1 tablesp, for 1 tablespoon (if powder) in cooking.
If what you are cooking is acidic you have to had more agar than you would gelatine.
You have to boil it to dissolve it (85C).

multipoodles - I found it in powdered form from a health food shop, couldn't find it at any of the major supermarkets.
LeMouse - thanks for the advice! Fingers crossed it works. Will let you know how it turns out.