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07/05/2012 02:45:56 PM · #1 |
Picking up the topaz FXLab thing tonight (the deal ends tomorrow), but i'm wondering what are the optimal plugins to get with it for everyday editing or 'challenges here' editing?
I'm thinking Adjust and InFocus seem to be the most useful, but i thought i'd get the thoughts of the community here as $$$ is a concern and i don't want to buy something that won't be of much use. |
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07/05/2012 02:48:11 PM · #2 |
| You'll be better off not :) |
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07/05/2012 02:52:18 PM · #3 |
not getting it at all?
Right now my only editing program is Corel PaintShop Pro X4, i don't want to drop $1000 on Photoshop, figured with all the people here "topaz"ing their images, it could be worth getting while i can get $50 off the $80 price tag for the FXLab....
why do you say i'm better off not getting it? If it's a valid, tangible reason i'll happily take it into account |
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07/05/2012 02:54:02 PM · #4 |
DeNoise is the best plugin they make by far. The noise reduction powers have enhanced and saved so many images, it's well worth the price tag.
Adjust is good, especially with Adjust 5. It's the cornerstone of the Topaz products, and the one I would suggest second.
B&W Effects is the other big one I would recommend. Almost all of my B&Ws come from it now, and I really enjoy the output.
Other plugins are less useful. Lens Effects is fun to play with and get creative, but I don't use it a ton. InFocus I use even less, and often don't like the results when I do use it. Detail is ok, but I find myself staying away as I don't like the artifacts in the un-focused areas of the image. |
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07/05/2012 03:02:13 PM · #5 |
| There were some bugs with the software. The special offer has been extended to 7/31/2012, $29.99 instead of $79.99. |
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07/05/2012 03:04:03 PM · #6 |
Adjust and denoise are the two I'd get. I don't use any of the others (weren't impressed with some, outgrew others)
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07/05/2012 03:13:25 PM · #7 |
| Detail is extremely useful, in particular for the complementary-colors sliders, that adjust the relative luminosity of opposing tones. You can use that to hugely-fine-tune color values rapidly and accurately, when you set the result as a luminosity layer in Photoshop. |
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07/05/2012 03:14:01 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by RyanWareham:
not getting it at all?
Right now my only editing program is Corel PaintShop Pro X4, i don't want to drop $1000 on Photoshop, figured with all the people here "topaz"ing their images, it could be worth getting while i can get $50 off the $80 price tag for the FXLab....
why do you say i'm better off not getting it? If it's a valid, tangible reason i'll happily take it into account |
so your solution is the wast money so you can overcook your images?
get Photoshop elements instead, actually get lightroom, it should be all you need. I rarely go into photoshop any more.
ETA, i dont want to be so harsh, but most people dont know where to draw the line between light searing and burning. i find that topaz to be a waste of money, your money is better spent on other software
Message edited by author 2012-07-05 15:18:44. |
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07/05/2012 03:18:18 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Detail is extremely useful, in particular for the complementary-colors sliders, that adjust the relative luminosity of opposing tones. You can use that to hugely-fine-tune color values rapidly and accurately, when you set the result as a luminosity layer in Photoshop. |
That's what I mostly use Detail for as well. Occasionally I use it to sharpen up an image that is just a tad soft. I've tried InFocus, but I haven't liked the results I've gotten with it.
Like Wendy, I mostly use Adjust and Denoise. A lot. If I didn't already have Nik Silver Efex, I would also use Topaz B/W effects a lot.
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07/05/2012 03:25:36 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
ETA, i dont want to be so harsh, but most people dont know where to draw the line between light searing and burning. i find that topaz to be a waste of money, your money is better spent on other software |
Any tool can be used as a scalpel or a sword. I happen to like the added bit of pop and dimension a bit of tonemapping can add. I've also used Topaz products to soften images once in a while. I used Detail the other day to soften the skin of a coworker who wanted me to take a passport photo of her. Tried to make the mug shot a little more flattering.
BTW, Ryan, PSP has a local tonemapping adjustment that is similar (though much simpler) to what Topaz Adjust does. I usually use a little of both instead of a large amount of just one. I think it gives a better end result.
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07/05/2012 03:29:55 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
get Photoshop elements instead, actually get lightroom, it should be all you need. I rarely go into photoshop any more. |
Why? He already has a perfectly good image editor that is superior to Elements. I could understand moving to Lightroom, however. It's a different sort of application and many people prefer it. I tried it and didn't care for it, but I'm the odd one there.
Message edited by author 2012-07-05 15:30:06.
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07/05/2012 04:25:00 PM · #12 |
Double-check - I'm not sure TopazFX comes with any of the Topaz plugins.
The Nik Silver Efex does as good (imho) as Topaz Adjust, and if you have the PSP X4 Ultimate, it comes with it. $39.99 upgrade if you don't have the Ultimate edition.
Before Nik, I too use Topaz Adjust the most for DPC. Denoise I use occasionally. Outside of dpc, I use Topaz Mask also (on dpc, you can only use it on Expert challenges) - probably more than Denoise. From the others' comments, it sounds like I need to do more exploring with Detail...
Topaz did cause me one DQ by introducing an artifact in the editing.
From my experience, InFocus only works on certain types of pictures, and what it ruins in the picture far outweighs what it fixes. But, so far, that is the only one of their plugins I've been seriously unhappy with.
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07/05/2012 04:44:40 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by RyanWareham:
not getting it at all?
Right now my only editing program is Corel PaintShop Pro X4, i don't want to drop $1000 on Photoshop, figured with all the people here "topaz"ing their images, it could be worth getting while i can get $50 off the $80 price tag for the FXLab....
why do you say i'm better off not getting it? If it's a valid, tangible reason i'll happily take it into account |
so your solution is the wast money so you can overcook your images?
get Photoshop elements instead, actually get lightroom, it should be all you need. I rarely go into photoshop any more.
ETA, i dont want to be so harsh, but most people dont know where to draw the line between light searing and burning. i find that topaz to be a waste of money, your money is better spent on other software |
I wish I could just use Elements. My current Sony A35 does not have compatability with any program when it comes to RAW files. I have to get CS6 if I want to be able to actually edit my RAW files. I am not sure even if Lightroom would work. Right now I am using trials for Topaz. I agree that Paint
Shop Pro does take care of many of the things Topaz does. I have Paint Shop Pro X2. It does not open my new RAW files, but it worked great on my old RAW files. I will not be buying Topaz at all, but I will continue using it until my trial is done. I don't see a lot of reason to have it, other than it might quicken some of the editing functions, but you can get them pretty much with any other editing program, it just takes a little more time.
If you have to get a Topaz product, I think the denoise is the best for your buck. |
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07/05/2012 05:20:36 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by JunieMoon:
I wish I could just use Elements. My current Sony A35 does not have compatability with any program when it comes to RAW files. I have to get CS6 if I want to be able to actually edit my RAW files. I am not sure even if Lightroom would work. Right now I am using trials for Topaz. I agree that Paint
Shop Pro does take care of many of the things Topaz does. I have Paint Shop Pro X2. It does not open my new RAW files, but it worked great on my old RAW files. I will not be buying Topaz at all, but I will continue using it until my trial is done. I don't see a lot of reason to have it, other than it might quicken some of the editing functions, but you can get them pretty much with any other editing program, it just takes a little more time.
If you have to get a Topaz product, I think the denoise is the best for your buck. |
Here's a free DNG converter from Adobe: //www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5389
This will convert any RAW to DNG, which your elements will open and work with.
Message edited by author 2012-07-05 17:20:43. |
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07/05/2012 05:43:16 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by JunieMoon:
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by RyanWareham:
not getting it at all?
Right now my only editing program is Corel PaintShop Pro X4, i don't want to drop $1000 on Photoshop, figured with all the people here "topaz"ing their images, it could be worth getting while i can get $50 off the $80 price tag for the FXLab....
why do you say i'm better off not getting it? If it's a valid, tangible reason i'll happily take it into account |
so your solution is the wast money so you can overcook your images?
get Photoshop elements instead, actually get lightroom, it should be all you need. I rarely go into photoshop any more.
ETA, i dont want to be so harsh, but most people dont know where to draw the line between light searing and burning. i find that topaz to be a waste of money, your money is better spent on other software |
I wish I could just use Elements. My current Sony A35 does not have compatability with any program when it comes to RAW files. I have to get CS6 if I want to be able to actually edit my RAW files. I am not sure even if Lightroom would work. Right now I am using trials for Topaz. I agree that Paint
Shop Pro does take care of many of the things Topaz does. I have Paint Shop Pro X2. It does not open my new RAW files, but it worked great on my old RAW files. I will not be buying Topaz at all, but I will continue using it until my trial is done. I don't see a lot of reason to have it, other than it might quicken some of the editing functions, but you can get them pretty much with any other editing program, it just takes a little more time.
If you have to get a Topaz product, I think the denoise is the best for your buck. |
Yeah thats one big problem with adobe, the new raw file support in the older versions with support being dropped. But, I'm pretty sure adobe uses the same raw converter across all its products. |
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07/05/2012 05:48:07 PM · #16 |
I got an email saying the deal ends July 31st. Are we talking about the same thing? photoFXlab?
ETA:
Oops: Didn't see Bear's post.
Message edited by author 2012-07-05 17:48:58. |
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07/05/2012 06:04:01 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by JunieMoon:
I wish I could just use Elements. My current Sony A35 does not have compatability with any program when it comes to RAW files. I have to get CS6 if I want to be able to actually edit my RAW files. I am not sure even if Lightroom would work. Right now I am using trials for Topaz. I agree that Paint
Shop Pro does take care of many of the things Topaz does. I have Paint Shop Pro X2. It does not open my new RAW files, but it worked great on my old RAW files. I will not be buying Topaz at all, but I will continue using it until my trial is done. I don't see a lot of reason to have it, other than it might quicken some of the editing functions, but you can get them pretty much with any other editing program, it just takes a little more time.
If you have to get a Topaz product, I think the denoise is the best for your buck. |
Here's a free DNG converter from Adobe: //www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5389
This will convert any RAW to DNG, which your elements will open and work with. |
Thanks for the link but not sure it is compatible with photoshop elements 5. I will try the download and keep my fingers crossed. I know I need a more current photoshop but it isn't in the budget right now. |
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07/05/2012 07:13:17 PM · #18 |
Detail and Denoise are both very good. Quick mask might be worth your time, or it might not. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it really struggles with things I'd think it would be fine for. I tried out Adjust a good bit, but thought it tended to produce more over the top results than Detail did, which is more subtle. For BW I use SEP so I never really messed with the BW Effects.
I use detail a bit on most of my images.
These all used Detail (though not exclusively), for instance.      |
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07/05/2012 08:31:31 PM · #19 |
Here's a free DNG converter from Adobe: //www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5389
This will convert any RAW to DNG, which your elements will open and work with.
Thanks for the link. I just tried it. It works. I can now open up my RAW 2 files in Photoshop Elements 5. I don't have to invest in a new program yet. Whew, that was fun. |
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07/05/2012 08:37:45 PM · #20 |
Yeah, I have psp ultimate with nikeffects 3, not sure what would be legal from it sometimes.
I'm not trying to overcook images or waste money, I just thought that it might be worth getting while on sale, and I didn't know how long it was extended for...
I wasn't sure about elements, seemed virtually the same as what I have now, not sure what plugins would work.
I'll check lightroom to see if I can find a demo. I'm just looking for good software I can utilize that won't make me poor. Figured this is a good chance to get The plugins set everybody here seems to love for a good price since it doesn't seem to work with psp. |
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07/05/2012 09:09:54 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by JunieMoon:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by JunieMoon:
I wish I could just use Elements. My current Sony A35 does not have compatability with any program when it comes to RAW files. I have to get CS6 if I want to be able to actually edit my RAW files. I am not sure even if Lightroom would work. Right now I am using trials for Topaz. I agree that Paint
Shop Pro does take care of many of the things Topaz does. I have Paint Shop Pro X2. It does not open my new RAW files, but it worked great on my old RAW files. I will not be buying Topaz at all, but I will continue using it until my trial is done. I don't see a lot of reason to have it, other than it might quicken some of the editing functions, but you can get them pretty much with any other editing program, it just takes a little more time.
If you have to get a Topaz product, I think the denoise is the best for your buck. |
Here's a free DNG converter from Adobe: //www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5389
This will convert any RAW to DNG, which your elements will open and work with. |
Thanks for the link but not sure it is compatible with photoshop elements 5. I will try the download and keep my fingers crossed. I know I need a more current photoshop but it isn't in the budget right now. |
It's not required to be "compatible" with anything; it produces DNG, "Digital Negatives", that are theoretically compatible with everything. The program itself is standalone. It exists specifically to address the problems you have of backwards-compatibility with newer formats and older programs. Ii's easier for Adobe to update the single, DNG converter as new formats come out, than it is to backwards-engineer all the older versions of Elements and Photoshop...
ETA: I just saw you tried it and it works. Congrats!
Message edited by author 2012-07-05 21:12:08. |
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07/05/2012 10:19:35 PM · #22 |
Ryan, topaz plug-ins are compatible PSP X series. I'd the only reason you are buying FX only for plug-in caompatability, you've already got it.
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07/05/2012 10:37:14 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by ambaker:
Ryan, topaz plug-ins are compatible PSP X series. I'd the only reason you are buying FX only for plug-in caompatability, you've already got it. |
Good catch, I use PSP and didn't realize he may have been thinking that. X2 isn't fully compatible with some recent plugins, but X4 seems to have taken care of that issue.
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07/06/2012 10:57:18 AM · #24 |
really? well then, i can save myself $40.
I thought i had read it wasn't compatable with PainShop Pro (maybe they meant old versions). |
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07/06/2012 12:00:23 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by RyanWareham:
really? well then, i can save myself $40.
I thought i had read it wasn't compatable with PainShop Pro (maybe they meant old versions). |
Even under X1 and X2 I was able to use most Photoshop plugins. It was only some more recent ones that gave me trouble and they all seem to work fine under X4. The only problem you will encounter is if you install the plugins in the default folder where photoshop wants them, PSP needs to be told where they are. You need to tell PSP where the plugins reside. Here's how:
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