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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> HELP! Alternatives to NIK
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09/30/2017 07:33:18 AM · #1
I just upgraded my MAC MINI to OS 10.13 (sierra) and this what made NIK color and silver efex obsolete. I am in search of an alternative plugin on the Photoshop CS4 I am used to.
Nik silver was essential for me.
I watched the other forums on the subject (ON1 which seems to be a stand alone application) and am not convinced that it's the solution.
Please help!!!!! Thank you

09/30/2017 07:48:31 AM · #2
Hi there. Have you tried Topaz? They also have a standalone application that enables you to use all the filters outside of photoshop.

I detest the way we are forced to 'upgrade' our software simply because Mac OS X no longer supports it! I do not understand why, hence the reason I am still using yosemite OS X and I am as happy as larry.

If I were you I would reinstall with an OS X that supports your favourite software, is there any real benefit to having Sierra installed?

Good luck with it.
09/30/2017 08:12:23 AM · #3
Thank you Marac, I reached the point in which all the other applications were sluggish and I was facing the inevitable.
Downgrading from sierra to yosemmity?
I suspect it is a complicated process, if not impossible.
Have you heard of Luminary as a stand alone?
09/30/2017 08:16:14 AM · #4
Topaz B/W plug-in is very good. Also, I have only recently discovered (silly me) that LR has an EXTREMELY useful adjustment brush that basically functions like a NIK control point but with the ability to cover custom-shaped areas, not just circular ones. I don't think Luminary is your answer...
09/30/2017 08:26:26 AM · #5
MacOS 10.13 is named "High Sierra". Just upgraded myself and like the benefits. Haven't found any downsides, yet. All of my Nik plugins are available in Lightroom CC 2015.12 and Photoshop CC 2017.1.1. I think you are okay with High Sierra, if you upgrade to the recent version of Lr and Ps.
09/30/2017 09:48:09 AM · #6
Thank you all. I do need all the help.

Richard,
I truly regret upgraded to High Sierra. It takes an inordinate amount of time to open apps, to browse, either on Safari or Chrome. It is sluggish to the point that makes me contemplate the downgrading. I thought that patience is the key, with the machine re-arranging and indexing everything, but it is the 3rd day and I see no improvement. It doesn't seem to be your experience, does it?
09/30/2017 10:15:29 AM · #7
You can downgrade your OSX by reinstalling, depending on the age/spec of your Mac mini, it may not be able to handle the latest OSX and as a result will struggle in exactly the way you have explained.

Back up your personal files and wipe the HDD and reinstall an earlier version of OSX and it will run smoother and all your programs will be compatible again.
If you need any help, feel free to drop me a PM and I can guide you through it.
09/30/2017 10:19:11 AM · #8
Originally posted by mariuca:

Thank you all. I do need all the help.

Richard,
I truly regret upgraded to High Sierra. It takes an inordinate amount of time to open apps, to browse, either on Safari or Chrome. It is sluggish to the point that makes me contemplate the downgrading. I thought that patience is the key, with the machine re-arranging and indexing everything, but it is the 3rd day and I see no improvement. It doesn't seem to be your experience, does it?


I couldn't be happier with High Sierra MacOS 10.13. It has literally doubled the speed of processing files. Safari and Chrome run instantaneously... well, there's no wait time anywhere. Probably the biggest improvement is in LrCC2015.12. (I haven't used PsCC2017.1.1 enough to tell, but I expect same.) It's the shift to APFS file architecture that has caused the improved performance. (I am running all on a Mac Pro with 32 Gb of memory and plenty of Tb of Thunderbolt storage, so my equipment is geared for the new operating system. I do think that's important.)
09/30/2017 10:26:45 AM · #9
Thousand thanks for all the answers.
Have to wait for my husband 'cause I have a massive headache! I need a break.

Marac, I might ask you details.
Now I'll post a FS as well as I can and go out for a walk. Drop any ideas you might help.
09/30/2017 06:48:26 PM · #10
Mariuca, I just did my update/upgrade to PsCC 2017 last night. I just opened my PsCC and all of my plug-ins are gone.

I went back to my early version of PsCC 2015 and copied my file from there to PsCC 2017....now its back and working fine.

I also lost my Topaz plug-ins. I went to the help inside PsCC (far right side top bar) I bumped around in there and when I opened the program again they were back???

Hope this helps...
09/30/2017 08:14:14 PM · #11

Update of the panic saga:
1. cleaned the PRAM. ( alt-command+p+r )
2. Shut off everything, unplugged, waited 5 minutes, restarted and voila! Works faster. This was an advice from a blog dealing with sluggish High Sierra.
Miraculous!

Lost NIK - got a trial of topaz basic. Seems more complicated than NIK. I wonder if I need it at all or stay with Photoshop CS4 only (for I feel so very tired).

Thanks folks

PS. Richard it seems that you have an entire factory! Cannot compare with you

09/30/2017 08:44:30 PM · #12
I'd be lost without my NIK... Currently I have System Version macOS 10.12.6 (16G29). You have me worried. I do have CS6... will I be ok if it upgrades?
09/30/2017 09:33:08 PM · #13
Originally posted by PennyStreet:

I'd be lost without my NIK... Currently I have System Version macOS 10.12.6 (16G29). You have me worried. I do have CS6... will I be ok if it upgrades?


I don't think you get upgrades for CS6. I thought they stopped updates for previous versions. Only PsCC will be effected because this wasn't just a little bug fix. They replaced the operating system with the new one (PsCC 2017 vs PsCC 2015)
09/30/2017 09:56:32 PM · #14
I thought Mariuca said she uses CS4
09/30/2017 10:04:48 PM · #15
Lynn,
I copied from NIK collection:
"The Nik Collection is free and compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 through 10.10; Windows Vista, 7, 8; and Adobe Photoshop through CC 2015. We have no plans to update the Collection or add new features over time."

I have now OS 10.13 High Sierra
I do have a bootable HD and could use NIK but it will be a drag.
Nothing is forever so I said today goodby to NIK with tears in my eyes

Message edited by author 2017-09-30 22:09:07.
09/30/2017 10:51:54 PM · #16
Mariuca, so sad. Hard to imagine editing without NIK. It appears we'll all have to move off NIK at some point.
09/30/2017 11:20:54 PM · #17
Originally posted by mariuca:

Lynn,
I copied from NIK collection:
"The Nik Collection is free and compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 through 10.10; Windows Vista, 7, 8; and Adobe Photoshop through CC 2015. We have no plans to update the Collection or add new features over time."

I have now OS 10.13 High Sierra
I do have a bootable HD and could use NIK but it will be a drag.
Nothing is forever so I said today goodby to NIK with tears in my eyes


oh dear.So I guess Google decided this? I still have my art filter though.

And I haven't turned off my machine in a few days... I guess it could go a few more:) .
10/01/2017 08:48:13 PM · #18
Originally posted by PennyStreet:

I'd be lost without my NIK... Currently I have System Version macOS 10.12.6 (16G29). You have me worried. I do have CS6... will I be ok if it upgrades?


I have no idea. According to what I read in the NIK collection, it iS NOT compatible with system 10.12 or Ps CS 4-6 just with Ps CC
hahn23 has a different experience though that I cannot match it.
I got topaz; interesting but not so easy or fast than NIK
Bear_Music is right about topaz B&W - seems nice. I never used Lr. Any advice on it?
10/01/2017 09:06:26 PM · #19
Originally posted by mariuca:

Originally posted by PennyStreet:

I'd be lost without my NIK... Currently I have System Version macOS 10.12.6 (16G29). You have me worried. I do have CS6... will I be ok if it upgrades?


I have no idea. According to what I read in the NIK collection, it iS NOT compatible with system 10.12 or Ps CS 4-6 just with Ps CC
hahn23 has a different experience though that I cannot match it.
I got topaz; interesting but not so easy or fast than NIK
Bear_Music is right about topaz B&W - seems nice. I never used Lr. Any advice on it?


I just searched in YouTube for Lightroom B&W tutorials...there’s a boatload!!!
10/03/2017 10:57:11 AM · #20
FYI - how I sorted it out for now:

- High Sierra OS 10.13 did not brig but endless problems. It did not improve the speed and I was advised only to have patience (?)
- I had a bootable HD and will go back to it using Yosemite and NIK color and silver efex with Ps C5as before until....don't know

Conclusion:
I don't know what I'll do in the future.
I have topaz also but it seems overwhelming to me with way too many possibilities and info and having Ps I wonder if it's really needed
Yes Bear_Music, I like topaz B&W - I'll keep it on the back burner
10/03/2017 12:43:04 PM · #21
Originally posted by mariuca:

FYI - how I sorted it out for now:

- High Sierra OS 10.13 did not brig but endless problems. ...


Just to be fair, High Sierra MacOS 10.13 did dramatically improve speed and efficiency on my system. And, I have full use of Nik Collection on LrCC 2015.12 and PsCC 2017.1.1. I've used all to edit images this morning, with absolutely no slowdown or difficulty. The system and software reacts in an instantaneous manner... as fast as I can hit the keys. I'm adding this comment to this forum thread, because it simply isn't true that everyone will lose their Nik Collection, if they upgrade. I expect to have the Nik Collection for many years to come on the most recent releases from Apple MacOS and Adobe CC.

Now, there are minimum system requirements for the new MacOS... If you don't meet the minimum requirements, then your only choice is to revert to older, less safe, OS.
10/03/2017 03:19:27 PM · #22
Originally posted by hahn23:


Just to be fair, High Sierra MacOS 10.13 did dramatically improve speed and efficiency on my system. And, I have full use of Nik Collection on LrCC 2015.12 and PsCC 2017.1.1. I've used all to edit images this morning, with absolutely no slowdown or difficulty. The system and software reacts in an instantaneous manner... as fast as I can hit the keys. I'm adding this comment to this forum thread, because it simply isn't true that everyone will lose their Nik Collection, if they upgrade. I expect to have the Nik Collection for many years to come on the most recent releases from Apple MacOS and Adobe CC.

Now, there are minimum system requirements for the new MacOS... If you don't meet the minimum requirements, then your only choice is to revert to older, less safe, OS.

Do you really think the Nik apps will continue to work with future versions of Adobe CC, even though Google have said they are not going to do any further updates?

I didn't panic when Apple withdrew Aperture and I still use it on a daily basis, but I'm also aware that one of these days it will stop working. This is a little bit how I feel it will go with Nik. Fingers crossed that's not any day soon.
10/03/2017 03:55:22 PM · #23
Originally posted by hahn23:

Just to be fair, High Sierra MacOS 10.13 did dramatically improve speed and efficiency on my system. And, I have full use of Nik Collection on LrCC 2015.12 and PsCC 2017.1.1. I've used all to edit images this morning, with absolutely no slowdown or difficulty. The system and software reacts in an instantaneous manner... as fast as I can hit the keys. I'm adding this comment to this forum thread, because it simply isn't true that everyone will lose their Nik Collection, if they upgrade. I expect to have the Nik Collection for many years to come on the most recent releases from Apple MacOS and Adobe CC.


Richard, thank you for updating your experiences with NIK on your Apple computer. I’m in the process of making a final decision about what system to use in future: Microsoft or Apple. My heart goes out to Apple, but when it is clear NIK is not going to work under the newest IOS, it might change my mind and make me choose a Windows machine.

I hope other members with good or bad experiences re this matter will post in this thread as well.
10/03/2017 05:35:18 PM · #24
Originally posted by Kroburg:


Richard, thank you for updating your experiences with NIK on your Apple computer. I’m in the process of making a final decision about what system to use in future: Microsoft or Apple. My heart goes out to Apple, but when it is clear NIK is not going to work under the newest IOS, it might change my mind and make me choose a Windows machine.

I hope other members with good or bad experiences re this matter will post in this thread as well.

Do you believe it will be any different with Windows machines, since it is Google who are no longer updating the NIK collection in the future? I would think the situation would be the same whichever operating system is used
10/03/2017 05:42:05 PM · #25
Originally posted by salmiakki:

Originally posted by Kroburg:


Richard, thank you for updating your experiences with NIK on your Apple computer. I’m in the process of making a final decision about what system to use in future: Microsoft or Apple. My heart goes out to Apple, but when it is clear NIK is not going to work under the newest IOS, it might change my mind and make me choose a Windows machine.

I hope other members with good or bad experiences re this matter will post in this thread as well.

Do you believe it will be any different with Windows machines, since it is Google who are no longer updating the NIK collection in the future? I would think the situation would be the same whichever operating system is used

If these function as Photoshop plug-ins, then the other question is whether Adobe changes its architecture for handling those. In the past they were pretty good about maintaining backward-compatibility, but I don't know how it is with the CC versions.
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