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08/26/2011 02:25:06 PM · #1 |
Don't think anyone's posted this yet, so just thought I'd throw this out there and see what folks think.
Topaz Labs releasing a Black&White effects program (currently in testing):
Demonstration:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1pR2ajQfOI&feature=youtu.be
Gallery:
//gallery.topazlabs.com/Photography/BWEffects/18715318_V9DKNW
Message edited by author 2011-08-26 14:25:44. |
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08/26/2011 02:29:14 PM · #2 |
I am not sure what it will bring to the party that Nik's SEP2 doesn't offer, and for sure it won't have Nik's patented u-point technology, so I'll have to wait and see. I'll certainbly give it a trial run when it is available for download.
R. |
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08/26/2011 02:33:17 PM · #3 |
Looks compelling. I've not used Nik SEP though.
I like the vinnie-etting. LOL |
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08/26/2011 02:35:23 PM · #4 |
They tried to incorporate more advanced editing into it, by the looks of things (masks, brushes etc) whereas the other products of theirs I've tried before effected the whole image. Some lovely effects, but I do agree that it would be hard to top SEP2.
It may appeal to a difference audience than SEP2 though, since typically Topaz products are significantly cheaper than Nik is. So this may be an option (depending on how they choose to price it) for someone to get into B&W effects without "splurging" on SEP2.
Will give it a good try when the trial version is released since I'm less than enthused with LR3 B&W.
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08/26/2011 02:45:55 PM · #5 |
I've been beta testing it. Some pretty good results so far. It lacks the fine control of the Nik U-point adjsutments, but otherwise it seems very comparable. One of my first edits using it:
Biggest issue I'm having is getting it to work with PaintShop Pro. Tried it on 4 computers and only got it working on one of them. On the others, PSP shows it in the plugins list, acts like it executes it, but nothing happens, then the history palette says it has been run. Have not been able to identify the source of the problem yet.
Message edited by author 2011-08-26 14:46:04.
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08/26/2011 02:55:37 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Looks compelling. I've not used Nik SEP though.
I like the vinnie-etting. LOL |
I've used Nik SEP through the trial. Loved it, but, didn't want to put out $200 for it. The funny thing is I recently got a survey from Nik asking why I didn't buy it after trying it. I told them it was too expensive for a hobbyist not making any money on it. I'm sure the topaz will be much less. |
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08/26/2011 03:41:05 PM · #7 |
n/m, that was upgrade price...
Message edited by author 2011-08-26 15:41:50. |
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08/26/2011 04:04:40 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Kelli:
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Looks compelling. I've not used Nik SEP though.
I like the vinnie-etting. LOL |
I've used Nik SEP through the trial. Loved it, but, didn't want to put out $200 for it. The funny thing is I recently got a survey from Nik asking why I didn't buy it after trying it. I told them it was too expensive for a hobbyist not making any money on it. I'm sure the topaz will be much less. |
You're right about Topaz more than likely being cheaper. One thing that bugs me about Topaz compared to how OnOne Software does business (yes, I know you were comparing Nik and Topaz) is as an owner of both the OnOne and Topaz suites/bundle (newest versions mind you) when OnOne came out with a new product added to their suite they either gave it to existing owners for free (usually the case) or added it at a very deep discount off the indidiviual software price.
That as opposed to Topaz who came out with InFocus and now their new B&W program. No real offers to existing users worth jumping at. Not that I could get either right now, but in the future...maybe.
It would be nice if more companies were like OnOne who offered it up for free to customers who bought their latest and greatest. Just a thought.
I did watch the video for the Topaz B+W software last night. Looks promising, but as far as Topaz InFocus goes I'm really happy with OnOne's FocalPoint which does the job nicely so no real need to get that one. Of course if I was lucky enough to have some nice L-glass lens where I could shoot at f/2.8 more often I probably would need or want either program. LOL.
Dave
Message edited by author 2011-08-26 16:04:55. |
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08/26/2011 05:08:15 PM · #9 |
| My biggest issue with Topaz vs SEP is that the former applies the effects to the existing layer, while SEP creates a new layer for me. I like that. Yeah, I'm lazy. But I also sometimes forget. |
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08/29/2011 05:54:29 PM · #10 |
Here are a few treatments I did with B&W Effects.
This and all other Topaz products are discounted (waiting for the B&W Effects details this week).
Topaz has been known to give existing customers free upgrades as well, so keep an eye out for this too. And I believe any new plug-in is incorporated into the latest bundle (it's up to 9 plug-ins now) and there should be an incentive for existing bundle customers.
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08/29/2011 06:45:52 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by tanguera:
My biggest issue with Topaz vs SEP is that the former applies the effects to the existing layer, while SEP creates a new layer for me. I like that. Yeah, I'm lazy. But I also sometimes forget. |
If you ever make that mistake again, and I've made it often, do what I do: "select all", "cntrl-C" to copy, revert in history to the previous state, then "cntrl-V" to paste the copied effect on as a layer of its own. Easy-peasy...
R. |
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08/30/2011 11:52:50 PM · #12 |
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08/30/2011 11:56:47 PM · #13 |
| Just down loaded it... (trail) gonna go see what Messter-piece I can create... |
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08/31/2011 07:41:40 AM · #14 |
That makes it $30. I'll buy it for that price vs. $200 for Nik. |
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08/31/2011 07:53:16 AM · #15 |
| has anyone tried it with a version of PS older than CS3? |
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08/31/2011 08:28:07 AM · #16 |
Just played with it for about 20 minutes, and I'm really liking it. Way more options than any other Topaz Plugin, and faster too! Possibly my favorite part of it is the transparency option to reduce the overall effect right in Topaz. I hope the other plug in get some of these features.
I haven't used Nik Silver Efex as of yet (that $200 price tag is off-putting), so I cannot compare the results. But for $30 this looks like it will produce some spectacular results. |
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08/31/2011 08:30:22 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by skewsme:
has anyone tried it with a version of PS older than CS3? |
I'm on CS2. |
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08/31/2011 09:46:52 AM · #18 |
| I've just downloaded the trial version and can't say i was that impressed, i will continue to trial it but my first imprsssion leads me to believe i would not use it that much. |
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08/31/2011 11:28:32 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by Kelli:
Originally posted by skewsme:
has anyone tried it with a version of PS older than CS3? |
I'm on CS2. |
Thanks Kelli! Just tried it and it seems to work on plain old CS as well. It's pretty cool but a problem is that there are too many options to play with! |
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08/31/2011 11:42:04 AM · #20 |
is this a CASE of when you buy better brushes you will become a
better artist?
laughable
so buy your topaz
snopaz
and may the lord have mercy upon your so called artistic soul
because in the end you are just that
picture snappers
Message edited by author 2011-08-31 11:44:50. |
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08/31/2011 11:44:13 AM · #21 |
| what do the brushes matter.. it's what you do with them. |
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08/31/2011 11:46:18 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by skewsme:
what do the brushes matter.. it's what you do with them. |
tell that to old vincent |
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08/31/2011 11:59:35 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by skewsme:
what do the brushes matter.. it's what you do with them. |
i have read that before
in a rather different concept;)
Message edited by author 2011-08-31 12:13:54. |
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08/31/2011 12:11:56 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by cutout:
is this a CASE of when you buy better brushes you will become a
better artist?
laughable
so buy your topaz
snopaz
and may the lord have mercy upon your so called artistic soul
because in the end you are just that
picture snappers |
Nice haiku you got there, you had a few too many syllables so I fixed it for you. I got the trial so I guess it was my merciful soul being artistic. :]
laughable snopaz
have mercy upon your soul
you're picture snappers |
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08/31/2011 12:15:19 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Eagle40Fox2:
Originally posted by cutout:
is this a CASE of when you buy better brushes you will become a
better artist?
laughable
so buy your topaz
snopaz
and may the lord have mercy upon your so called artistic soul
because in the end you are just that
picture snappers |
Nice haiku you got there, you had a few too many syllables so I fixed it for you. I got the trial so I guess it was my merciful soul being artistic. :]
laughable snopaz
great
have mercy upon your soul
you're picture snappers |
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