John Kwas Loc: Eagle Bridge, NY

This may be of value to this group.

https://mailchi.mp/topazlabs/live-webinar-0320-sharpen-joel-wolfson?e=7275b8c2ed

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

It really depends upon what is lacking in the image. For some images Sharpen AI - Sharpen Mode is best, and the other 2 modes don't look so good. Other times, Focus Mode is best. And yet other times, Stabilize Mode is best.

And then we need to consider Topaz Denoise AI and its corresponding Clear Mode too. Some times Denoise AI is best and other times Sharpen AI is best. It all depends upon the image.

And when it is not the best fit, I can find artifacts too. But when it is a best fit, there are no artifacts.

I also find Topaz Adjust AI to be useful too.

And then, of course, when to use DxO vs when to use Topaz. When the image benefits from using DxO, the results can be realy, really good. But other images, one of the Topaz options will outperform DxO.

I suppose by the time DxO is ready to roll out DxO Photolab 4 and Topaz is ready to roll out AI, Year 2, that its going to be quite a battle.

Doc Barry Loc: Huntsville, Alabama USA

I agree Jim. My only point was to demonstrate the comparison between these several tools. As you said, it depends on what the image contains on which tool will do the best.

11bravo

It's my understanding that AI clear software is no longer available. Or is it still there in the current version of Topaz Studio 2? Or in AI Denoise? Otherwise, what choice is there for someone who wants to try AI clear and compare to AI Sharpen?

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

AI Clear is included in the program DeNoise AI. When you buy Denoise AI, it has two options for processing, either Denoise or Clear. Topaz Sharpen has 3 options or sub-units, Sharpen , Focus, or Stabilize. All 3 produce different results. To try Clear, it is included in the trial of Denoise. HTH

RustyM

Question: To use both denoise and clear on an image, can you apply them both, then "save," or do you have to save after denoise, which closes the app, and reopen to apply clear? (Hope this make sense.)

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

Yes, you have to save one processed , then reopen it in the other and then save it. From my limited use, I don't think you would do that very often.

Doc Barry Loc: Huntsville, Alabama USA

I note that AI Clear is also included as the first filter in Topaz 2.3.1. It is indeed often a "go-to" filter first.

RustyM

Thanks!

drsdayton Loc: Dayton, Ohio

This link takes me to a message that this webinar is not available. I had the same experience clicking through from the email they sent me.

I'd like to attend the webinar...but doesn't seem to be available.

tomcat

I still have it in the original Topaz Studio ("1") because I bought it before the newer DeNoise AI came out. All the Topaz webinar presenters tell you to use AI Clear first before any other plug-ins or adjustment tools. I have not made the switch to Studio 2 yet.

Oh, one more point: Dang, bo.......you got some good eyes to see a fly at that distance!!

tomcat

Go to the Topaz website. There is a link for all of their webinars and you will find it. Joel has another webinar coming up this Tuesday, Mar 31. So sign up for it first, then hunt down the other webinars.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Some history on AI Clear. It was a separate product at first, and worked quite well. Then it was merged into Denoise AI, and at first, didn't work as well as the original. But eventually, it became very good with later releases and it got faster.

I have Studio 2, but seldom use it. I mostly call the Topaz products from Lightroom, or from Photoshop, depending on what I am trying to do.

As for seeing that fly. I didn't see it before I took the picture. I had purchased the Olympus 75-300mm lens and I went into my backyard to find something to test the lens and the pine cones caught my eye. Later, looking at the images, I spotted the fly and thought what a perfect object to see how sharp I could make it look. Using Sharpen AI, the module that worked best was Stabilization and that was because there was just a tiny amount of camera shake that IBIS didn't negate. In this case, Sharpen and Focus Modes couldn't match Stabilization mode. But I have found other images where Sharpen Mode worked best and yet others where Focus Mode worked best. In fact Focus Mode can actually expand (slightly) the Depth of Field and widen the area in sharp focus.

Same with Denoise AI and Denoise AI Clear. They do best with other images.

They work so good that they do tend to change the way I process images.

John Kwas Loc: Eagle Bridge, NY

I'm not sure why that is happening. I signed up for it when I first received the email on 3/25. When I click on the email now all seems to be in order. I'm expecting the webinar to take place tomorrow. You may want to try going directly to the Topaz website and see if there is a sign up page there. I'll post any additional info i receive that might be of value.