Question for Luminar Users
Apr 11, 2020 16:18:08 #
I’ve been thinking about moving up from my current version of Luminar to Luminar 4. I just read a review that said L4 is completely different from previous versions, that it is like moving to the twilight zone, that one won’t find any of the tools he’s been comfortable with using without considerable hunting, and that the only real improvement is the sky replacement function.
My question, if you have made such a move to L4, is if the move is/was worth it, and is it really so different than older versions other than sky replacement?
I am currently using Luminar as a plug-in to LR, and would continue to do so. No LR lectures, please, just answers to the Luminar upgrade.
My question, if you have made such a move to L4, is if the move is/was worth it, and is it really so different than older versions other than sky replacement?
I am currently using Luminar as a plug-in to LR, and would continue to do so. No LR lectures, please, just answers to the Luminar upgrade.
Apr 11, 2020 16:35:54 #
Hi Jay
I have both Luminar 3 & 4.
- The interface at the #3 is much better, #4 is a little confusing.
About the features you will find at #4:
- Better AI: true, the AI acent (I think that's the name) is really good and it has better noise reduction.
- Sky Replacement: Well, it's funny, but you can't use it a proff way, there is not so many skies to use, after some months you will be bored, and is really bad when you have trees in your skies.
- There is 2 AI for portraits, I have tried and I think it does a good job, but well, I am a landscape photographer, so Portraits are not my area.
Now to answer your question:
No, FOR ME is not worth the move, not YET, if they update the interface at #4 like the #3 then is worth.
I have both Luminar 3 & 4.
- The interface at the #3 is much better, #4 is a little confusing.
About the features you will find at #4:
- Better AI: true, the AI acent (I think that's the name) is really good and it has better noise reduction.
- Sky Replacement: Well, it's funny, but you can't use it a proff way, there is not so many skies to use, after some months you will be bored, and is really bad when you have trees in your skies.
- There is 2 AI for portraits, I have tried and I think it does a good job, but well, I am a landscape photographer, so Portraits are not my area.
Now to answer your question:
No, FOR ME is not worth the move, not YET, if they update the interface at #4 like the #3 then is worth.
Apr 11, 2020 16:41:40 #
Hi Jay,
I made the move to Luminar 4 and now 4.2. I felt confused at first because of the big changes they made but now I have decided I like the new format better. It was worth it for me.
I made the move to Luminar 4 and now 4.2. I felt confused at first because of the big changes they made but now I have decided I like the new format better. It was worth it for me.
Apr 11, 2020 16:45:08 #
It's true that Luminar 4 changed a few things, tool names and such But after a fairly mild learning curve, I have found it to be a very good upgrade. I found Jim Nix's videos on You Tube to be VERY helpful, and very detailed. Don't think you'll regret the upgrade. Plus I like that it is a one time purchase. It has already had 2 free updates.
Apr 11, 2020 18:20:55 #
twosummers
Loc: Melbourne Australia or Lincolnshire England
I've been a Luminar user for years and always upgrade. Initially L3 was a disaster and was slowly improved, my upgrade to L4 did not go smoothly but quick response from Skylum corrected by issues. I actually prefer the L4 interface and the sky replacement is unbeatable in my opinion - you can use your own skies too. Free trial or money back offers should settle any nerves. Go for it!
Apr 12, 2020 05:44:05 #
miked46
Loc: Winter Springs, Florida
I have 3 versions on my laptop, Luminar 2018, Luminar 3 & 4 I am still processing if version 4 is an improvement. It is completely upgraded and somewhat different.
Apr 12, 2020 06:51:16 #
I like the layout of Luminar 4 better than 3. I agree that it is a short learning curve.
Apr 12, 2020 07:44:04 #
LarryFitz
Loc: Beacon NY
I have use Luminar 2018, L3 and L4 (.0,.1,.2) on a windows 10 system. I though the L3 had a lot of duplicate filter/tools with slight name changes, L4 consolidated these tool, removed duplicates making the interface cleaner easier to use. Also L3 was buggy, many time crashing or preventing some functions. L4 still has some bugs, but they are minor and they do not prevent me from preforming the basic functions.
Apr 12, 2020 07:53:23 #
Apr 12, 2020 08:02:49 #
jaymatt wrote:
I’ve been thinking about moving up from my current... (show quote)
I upgraded when it became available. I use it in conjunction with LR. It did take a some time to get to understand it. Now it's a so what.
Apr 12, 2020 08:07:14 #
Hi John. I had the previous versions of Luminar (including Flex), and I absolutely love Luminar 4. The workflow makes far more sense, and many of the filters have been improved. I had no problems loading L4, and overall speed has improved. Since it doesn't overwrite L3, you can keep the older version as a fallback; I did, but haven't used it once since L4 came out. I use L4 as a Photoshop plugin.
Apr 12, 2020 08:44:48 #
yssirk123 wrote:
Hi John. I had the previous versions of Luminar (including Flex), and I absolutely love Luminar 4. The workflow makes far more sense, and many of the filters have been improved. I had no problems loading L4, and overall speed has improved. Since it doesn't overwrite L3, you can keep the older version as a fallback; I did, but haven't used it once since L4 came out. I use L4 as a Photoshop plugin.
I like it. Photoshop and I have an arrangement. I don't bother it...it doesn't bother me.
Apr 12, 2020 08:49:08 #
the over all performance of Luminar4 is good.i especially like the sky replacement option.the skies blend in very well with your image.you need to make some adjusting in editng this option.photoshop has this option but in photoshop, i found it very difficult to blend the sky with the image to look real but not so with Luminar4 and you have so many skies to choose.you can watch the videos by Jim Nix &Anthony Morganti as how to use this option.the erasing tool is reasonably good.the other options are good as long as you don't overdo it.
Apr 12, 2020 09:21:34 #
Apr 12, 2020 09:36:08 #
I like the interface in 3 because I can easily find and use the filter I want. I wish they had a pull down menu listing the individual filters in 4, but I think they worship at the altar of machine intelligence.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that...
I use 4 for the sky and for routine processing of RAW and enjoy the presets they have. A powerful tool for the artist for sure, either 3 or 4.
PS I still use creative kit 2016. Has different tools, some of which have been used in Luminar.
Definitely give it a try if you don’t have it. Jim Nix has great pp videos.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that...
I use 4 for the sky and for routine processing of RAW and enjoy the presets they have. A powerful tool for the artist for sure, either 3 or 4.
PS I still use creative kit 2016. Has different tools, some of which have been used in Luminar.
Definitely give it a try if you don’t have it. Jim Nix has great pp videos.
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