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Posts for: mrgarci
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Mar 17, 2024 17:27:36   #
I subscribed to ON1 last year and thought I was mostly happy with it. I’m using ON1 Photo Raw Max 2024 via subscription. While on a cruise this year without internet connection, to my disappointment I discovered that ON1 subscriptions can’t be used without an internet connection. Maybe I’m naïve, but I think any software installed on a laptop should be able to be used while offline. I asked ON1 support about it because I thought I just didn’t know what I was doing. They told me that their subscriptions don’t work offline and that only their outright licensed software will work offline. I asked them why they thought that was reasonable, asking if they didn’t think subscribers would ever have a reason to use their software when there is no internet service, or even when having internet service, did they think that service would never be interrupted for any reason. They ignored my question and would not explain why they thought it was reasonable. I asked if they would ever support their subscribers with offline use and they said they don’t have any plans to. I questioned why they aren’t upfront about this in their marketing information, and they basically told me that I’m the one to blame because I wasn’t astute enough to read their System Requirements well enough to decipher that I would not be able to use my subscription when offline. I find ON1 marketing confusing, but if you think you might ever need to process photos offline, you might consider an outright license rather than a subscription.
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Sep 22, 2022 17:03:37   #
DWU2 wrote:
Not sure why the photo didn't go the first time.


I love it, thanks for sharing!
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Sep 22, 2022 16:24:11   #
burkphoto wrote:
Here are a few processed images made with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop... mostly neural filters.

Some of these were film originals.

#1 was a Kodachrome 64 slide from 1983.
#2 was a digital capture from April, 2022.
#3 was a Tri-X negative from 1975.
#4 was a digital capture from 2018.
#5 was a Tri-X negative from 1973.
#6 was an Ektachrome Infrared slide from 1976.

I just push the sliders for maximum weirdness. Some Neural filters derive their "looks" from other images, either stock Adobe images or your own.
Here are a few processed images made with Lightroo... (show quote)


Super! Nice images! I love examples. I'm interested in learning more about the Neural Filters and spending some time using a trial version of Adobe Photoshop at a time I can spend a worthwhile chunk of time with it.

#s 2, 4, and 6 remind me of my images from Steampunk HQ in Omaru, New Zealand-South Island. I wanted a fantasy-feel to align with the Steampunk theme. A few Steampunk images are below.

I do like just experimenting with sliders and seeing what comes out. However, at times I have a vision of what I would like, and I try to see how close I can get to it. As an example, I'm including a tree image that I created by stitching 5 photos together. I started with a black and white image and then had a vision of more abstract, stencil, and color, and evolved to the colored version below. When I can do the something similar with other than Studio 2 then I'll know I've arrived.

The last image below is just an image I created awhile back that I just ran across and thought it looks cool, so I'm sharing as an example of what I've done in the past and is representative of what I hope to do with other tools.










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Sep 22, 2022 12:50:28   #
DWU2 wrote:
If you do trial Dynamic Auto Painter, there are several presets that produce similar effects to the bird. Among them, Carver, Graphic Novel, and Azo.


Thanks for the input! I'm very interested in DAP. It seems to have lots of great creative options. Also, MeredithImages uses it, and she also uses the Adobe suite and Studio 2, so it has additional value, to her at least.
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Sep 22, 2022 12:43:16   #
dannac wrote:
Topaz Studio for your operating system

https://topazlabs.com/downloads/


Here's the link to actually buy it, though, as I've said, I don't recommend it given it's supposed to become legacy software soon.

https://topazlabs.com/studio/
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Sep 22, 2022 12:30:22   #
rwm283main wrote:
I like this version that you created using Studio 2. I took a look at Topaz Labs website and it’s quite confusing with all their offerings. What product would I choose to create what you’ve done?

I apologize for taking over this conversation since you’re the one initially asking for suggestions. I hope that you’re able to get some advice from these postings. Rich


I appreciate your discussion and don't consider it taking over my topic, but more of a refinement in discussion.

Yes, Topaz Labs can be confusing with their offerings as they are very specialized in their approach now. Studio 2 is a nice tool, though it still crashes frequently for me, and has inconsistent idiosyncrasies to work around. According to my recent communication with Topaz Labs they will make Studio 2 legacy software soon, though they don't elaborate how soon. So, I can't recommend it knowing that it could stop working on future operating systems or hardware configurations without any vendor support. Thus, my desire to find a comparable solution before that happens.

I'm glad you like my recent version of your photo. You are welcome to have it if you desire.
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Sep 22, 2022 12:15:23   #
bobfitz wrote:
I have been an Adobe Photoshop user since 1992 and several years ago added Adobe Lightroom to the mix. I also use the Nik collection of creative filters and so far, I haven't felt a need for anything else. I will say, there is a learning curve involved but totally worth the time and effort. Adobe offers a subscription which includes Photoshop and Lightroom for only about $10.00 per month. That's about equal to one trip to Starbucks and maybe even less.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Bob
I have been an Adobe Photoshop user since 1992 and... (show quote)


Well over a decade ago I had and used the Nik collection before I moved over to Topaz Labs. Besides their tools, I liked Topaz "free updates for life" policy and wanted to reward them with my business. That went away over two years ago, along with their commitment to creative tools, Studio 2 specifically. My loyalty to them was more than their loyalty to their customers. I'll look at Nik more closely again to see where it overlaps with Studio 2.

I plan to do a trial with the Adobe tools to seriously evaluate. My impression is that Adobe is continually improving and adding creative capability, though they probably aren't yet caught up to what's available with third-party software, given that MeredithImages and other creative photographers that use the Adobe offerings still use Studio 2, JixiPix and other creative tools to fill Adobe gaps. At some point Adobe might be all encompassing, and I don't want to end up in a situation again where software and support is discontinued. Adobe will likely continue on for some time.
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Sep 22, 2022 10:03:13   #
dannac wrote:
Here's a try with Jixpix Spectral Art as plugin to PS CS6.


I've looked at JixiPix and I'm impressed with all the plugin options. It reminds me of where Topaz Labs was several years ago with all their individual plugins before combining into one application, photoFXlab first, then Studio, and finally Studio 2. One of the things I'm not seeing with JixiPix is the ability to layer, mask, and blend within the program. Studio 2 allows me to pick and choose various effects from across their entire creative library and apply them in various layers with different blending/opacities and masked to different photographic areas, and then be able to tweak them as needed until happy with the result. I can also save the project to refine later if desired. So far, I'm not finding a single solution to duplicate all of Studio 2's capability, though there are some promising alternatives that have been suggested. Over the next few months, I hope to trial some options and see what is most reasonable to me, and hopefully make a decision that can take advantage of potential holiday discounts and sales. FYI, this is a Studio 2 result that is similar to the JixiPix version you provide.


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Sep 21, 2022 23:20:34   #
rwm283main wrote:
I took a look at BeFunky today (7 day free trail) and it definitely had what I was looking for by being able to convert my original bird photo into something a bit more artistic for an informational card I plan to create for a wildlife sanctuary.
What other software can create this sort of result?
Hope this might be something the original poster might want to look into.
Rich


Nice result, Rich!

Yes, I was impressed when I looked at BeFunky and would be interested if it worked as a standalone and plugin. I does appear to have a lot of Studio 2's capability. I can do similar things with Studio 2. I did a quick edit with Studio 2. Taking a bit more time, I could probably get closer to your result.


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Sep 20, 2022 23:59:08   #
rwm283main wrote:
I interpret from your post that you’re looking to apply some artistic design to an already post processed (Lr, Ps, etc) image. I’ve also been interested in doing this sort of thing myself but haven’t really looked into it with much effort so I’m looking forward to hearing what others have used.
Your topic piqued my interests so I googled “photo artistic software” and saw one that looks like it would be something that is up my alley. Has anyone used “BeFunky” and if so what are your thoughts.
I interpret from your post that you’re looking to ... (show quote)


Thanks for the input! I hadn't heard of BeFunky before. Looking it over, it is pretty cool and has many of the creative features that Topaz Labs Studio 2 has; however, it is online based, which I assume means that standalone and plugin capability aren't supported. I'm not personally interested in online only based applications.
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Sep 20, 2022 18:29:56   #
Thanks for all the input and great suggestions!

FYI, I just noticed this YouTube video by MeredithImages, which seems to be focused on alternatives to Topaz Labs Studio 2! I'm sharing for those that are interested and also might be looking for alternatives as I am. I haven't yet viewed the whole video as it just came out, but here's the link:

https://youtu.be/OSmzdA96J0Y
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Sep 19, 2022 23:23:02   #
Sentinel4 wrote:
I enjoy using Snap Art 4.
Sentinel4


Another one I hadn't heard of, thanks for the reference!
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Sep 19, 2022 23:15:46   #
StaneeRae wrote:
Sign up for JixiPix emails, as they have sales at various times. One is over Black Friday - Cyber Monday. Sale prices are usually 40% or 45% off.

But last year, their 12 Days of Christmas event had the best deals. Each day, one app was featured at a discount. The Desktop daily apps were 45-60% off.
iPad apps were just $5 each (reg. $20), whereas they were $11 or $12 each over Black Friday.


Good to know, thanks for the tip!
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Sep 19, 2022 17:17:49   #
burkphoto wrote:
Lightroom does 80% for me. Photoshop does most of the other 20%. Lots of things can be presets in LrC.


I've had the attitude for a long time to not jump on the Photoshop bandwagon and to resist subscriptions, which in this day and age is becoming the norm. Perhaps it's time for me to reconsider. I'll certainly be looking at the Adobe option with an open mind. Thanks for your encouragement!
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Sep 19, 2022 15:29:46   #
Capn_Dave wrote:
If you right click on a photo any photo a dropdown will appear. Here is where I messed up the dropdown will give you a selection of programs to open the photo with one will say OPEN WITH click on that and Photo AI should be a choice


Okay, now I understand. You were referring to one potential way to open Photo AI within Microsoft Windows. Thanks for the clarification.
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