NIK and Topaz Plugins: I am relatively new to doing a lot of post processing. In the past I used mostly Picasa on my old work laptop. I am retired now and recently got a new computer.

jimjjc Loc: Wisconsin

I am relatively new to doing a lot of post processing. In the past I used mostly Picasa on my old work laptop. I am retired now and recently got a new computer. I have installed PSE 2018. I am going through a set of video tutorials and seem to be picking it up fairly quickly. I've read quite a bit on UHH about the various plugins available. Although I may not need them now I decided to download both NIK (while still free) and Topaz plugins.

NIK.. All these plugins loaded and seem to be functional within PSE 2018 without any issue.

Topaz...Downloaded the 'free' bundle of Topaz Studio. Integrated into PSE just fine, BUT...some of the plugins seem functional while some ask for a license key and/or offer a 30 day trial.

Did I do something wrong or are the Topaz plugins 'not free'...all or just selected plugins? Please advise. Thank you!

dnathan

Yup.....you pay to play. But they are fun & will spark your creativity. Enjoy!

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

jimjjc wrote:

I am relatively new to doing a lot of post process... (show quote)

Topaz plugins are not free. I hear they are good, but I also have seen lots of complaints about the lack of technical support if they stop working correctly. I have no experience with them.

The Nik plugins are quite good and it's a big plus that DxO has picked them up and plan on an update sometime this year. A fellow by the name of Robin Whalley from the UK has written a few very good books about how to best use the Nik plugins. I like his style. You may want to check out the books.

jimjjc Loc: Wisconsin

Thanks. I will check out the books. So much to learn, but so much fun at the same time.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

jimjjc wrote:

Did I do something wrong or are the Topaz plugins 'not free'...all or just selected plugins? Please advise. Thank you!

Nope, they're not free. And I think you cannot save processed images with the eval copies. That being said, other than Impressions, Glow and Textures, you can do most of what you want with the Nik software. I know a lot of photographers who are big fans of Nik Silver Efx for grayscale conversions, but I prefer to do it the old fashioned way in Lightroom.

jimjjc Loc: Wisconsin

Thanks. I agree. What I most likely would do I can accomplish in my existing and/or free programs. As I learn more I can always add as required. Right now I have enough to keep me busy on the learning curve for a long time!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I have the full cadre of Topaz and am learning Studio. I purchased the new Topaz AI program tho not impressed, but previous programs not impressive have been greatly improved based on user response.

Many of my Topaz have seen little use, best are deNoise, Detail, Clarity [now in 2 parts for studio] and of course BW2. Watching webinars you will get 15-20% off. End of year holidays they give large discounts.

cyan Loc: Northern NJ

brucewells wrote:

Topaz plugins are not free. I hear they are good, but I also have seen lots of complaints about the lack of technical support if they stop working correctly. I have no experience with them.

The Nik plugins are quite good and it's a big plus that DxO has picked them up and plan on an update sometime this year. A fellow by the name of Robin Whalley from the UK has written a few very good books about how to best use the Nik plugins. I like his style. You may want to check out the books.

I put his name in books from amazon....he has many books! Which one do you recommend?

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

jimjjc wrote:

I am relatively new to doing a lot of post process... (show quote)

Not all the plugins are free. If it’s grayed out there is a charge.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

cyan wrote:

I put his name in books from amazon....he has many books! Which one do you recommend?

- Mastering Nik Viveza
- Nik Color Effects Pro

These two deal with Nik and the books for Photoshop are very good.

cyan Loc: Northern NJ

brucewells wrote:

- Mastering Nik Viveza
- Nik Color Effects Pro

These two deal with Nik and the books for Photoshop are very good.

Thanx for answering! I'll look at them!

RichardE Loc: California

You can find NIK videos at

https://www.lynda.com/Photoshop-tutorials/Nik-Creative-Effects-Workshop/123499-2.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=l1-US-Search-Pht-Nik&cid=l1-us:en:ps:lp:prosc:s70:279:all:bing:xct-nik_videos&utm_content={creative}&utm_term=[Nik%20Videos]&src=pa-bi&veh=skwd-26863754827:loc-190_pcrid_6785283301_pkw_[Nik%20Videos]_pmt_be_pdv_c_agid_2708997287_cmid_72542873_adp_{adposition}_net_s_qs_nik%20videos&lpk35=9137?msclkid=2215cf7f12dd14689e7195e2822d4d88

and

https://www.google.com/nikcollection/learn/

tropics68 Loc: Georgia

[quote=rgrenaderphoto]And I think you cannot save processed images with the eval copies.

Always worked for me. Some of them however are memory hogs.

PhotoMike5319

I also use both the NIK and Topaz plugins. The basic free version of Topaz does allow you to save your changes when used within Photoshop. The only limitation to the free version is that you do not get to modify the layers used to create the presets. If you decide to purchase the Pro versions, then you get access to being able to modify the layers of the presets. IF you buy the various components, then you also get to save whatever changes you create as your own one of a kind presets. This allows you to apply your custom preset to all your photographs if you choose to do so.

Attached is a photograph of Shoshone Falls in Idaho. Processed with Vivenza (from NIK) then 3 different presets in Topaz using Impression. I changed the opacity of each of the 4 layers to create what you see. Others use layer masks of the various layers to reveal just the part they wanted to modify. Lots of creativity is possible without purchasing the pro versions.

StaneeRae Loc: Lincroft, NJ USA

Topaz Studio includes a set of basic adjustments for free.
https://web.topazlabs.com/free-features/

And a bunch more that are available for purchase.
https://web.topazlabs.com/pro-features/