I like to use Clarity for my real estate shots. I apply different levels of contrast to different components. For example, micro and low contrast brings out the grain in wooden cabinetry and adds punch to clouds. Other components benefit from the smoothing effect of reduced contrast. The old Topaz Labs version allows me to apply the contrast and then mask it out everywhere else but the new Topaz Studio version does not have the masking feature. The newer version is supposed to be improved in that the different levels of contrast are more discrete and do not overlap with each other as does the Topaz Labs version. Maybe that aspect is an improvement, I don't know, because the lack of masking ability does not allow me to easily treat different components differently and so I still use the old version.

Topaz has a lot of fans on UHH, usually because of their plug-ins. When I bought mine, you needed a "host" app of some sort. As a (very happy) Adobe CC user, my host has been Lightroom and Photoshop.

Yesterday I was watching a Topaz online seminar and heard the word "free" used with Topaz Studio. It turns out that there is a free, capable, free standing photo editor that can process image files, including RAW. Yes, it gives you options to spend your money on lots of things Topaz sells, but you don't need to spend a penny.

In all the topic's I've read on UHH about RAW converters, simple PP software or cheap software, I don't recall reading anyone suggesting Topaz Studio.

Anyone using it for primary post processing?

Topaz has a lot of fans on UHH, usually because of their plug-ins. When I bought mine, you needed a "host" app of some sort. As a (very happy) Adobe CC user, my host has been Lightroom and Photoshop.

Yesterday I was watching a Topaz online seminar and heard the word "free" used with Topaz Studio. It turns out that there is a free, capable, free standing photo editor that can process image files, including RAW. Yes, it gives you options to spend your money on lots of things Topaz sells, but you don't need to spend a penny.

In all the topic's I've read on UHH about RAW converters, simple PP software or cheap software, I don't recall reading anyone suggesting Topaz Studio.

Anyone using it for primary post processing?

I've been using Topaz for several months for my desk publishing hobby and very pleased with it. I haven't used any plugins, just their free package and I've purchased several of their upgrades (denoise, textures, impressions, glow) when they were on some holiday discount. Very reasonably priced - I probably have around $100 invested so far. I love the simplicity of calling up one image and instantly seeing it displayed in dozens and dozens of ways. Many have become book covers and several still life have been framed, displayed, and sold in local art galleries. Eye-poppers, all. I have only scratched the surface of possibilities, but could not be more pleased with the stunning results from my short, short distance down the learning curve. And what makes them an even better value are all the free webinars and tutorials (live and view-anytime podcasts) and their free lifetime upgrades for the add-ons I have purchased. I was getting nowhere with photoshop. My semi-pro buddy is heavily invested in photoshop & lightroom, but he recommended Topaz to me because he knew it might better suit my needs since my priorities are writing, publishing, guitar, and photography in that order. He was right.