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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Proper NeatImage technique
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 02/09/2005 09:30:35 PM · #1
Note: I'm using the free "demo" version of NeatImage, which may be the reason I say what I do.

I've found that when using NeatImage, an original 640x480 image that was around 150k winds up being less, sometimes as little as 80k, after NeatImage processing. Since it's of benefit to get the image as close to that 150k limit as possible, I frequently will wind up saving an edited PSD file as a full-res jpeg (100% quality), putting it through NeatImage, then going back through PhotoShop and resizing it.

This, of course, puts the image through three levels of lossy compression before the final result. Does anyone have any comments about which method is better- or if it's worth the cost of getting a registered version of NeatImage for a semi-decent photographer such as myself?

Thanks folks-
Damon
 02/09/2005 09:35:25 PM · #2
I still use the demo and do what you said, I send the edited PSD file to neat image the go back to PS7. In some cases I have found that saving the edited as JPEG will yield better results depending on the color and contrast of the image. But if funds are available I believe the PS plug-in version would be better. JUST MY 2 CENTS.
 02/09/2005 10:07:32 PM · #3
yeah, from my experience with it (which isn't a huge amount) i think the PS plug-in is the better option!
 02/09/2005 10:57:04 PM · #4
How do you get the PS plug-in?
 02/09/2005 11:02:32 PM · #5
You buy the plus version. Home and pro both have a regular (standalone) and plus (standalone + plugin).

Robt.
 02/10/2005 12:06:02 AM · #6
you really don't need one of the the plug-in versions to get better saved quality, just any of the purchased versions. The demo will always save at a very high compression (low quality). That's why it's a demo, and that's why the file sizes get so much smaller. Some photos suffer visibly, while others not so much; it all depends on the level of detail present in the photo. More detail, more compression artifacts. Especially where high-detail areas meet very smooth areas such as sky, the artifacts will be very noticeable.
The plug-in version, while not necessary, makes life alot easier, since you can perform NeatImage on only a part of the image (using layer masks). Yes you can work around this with the non-plugin version but it is more time-consuming, and after you've done it dozens of times, you'll wish for the plug-in version :)
 02/10/2005 12:31:30 AM · #7
In many ways the standalone version seems to work more easily on adjusting already downsized images for DPC. Unless I'm missing something... So far, I am having trouble staying IN NeatImage plugin version when I try to test settings across the entire print.

Does anyone have nay advice on how to work with NeatImage in general? I haven't had time to research it thouroughly.

Robt.
 02/10/2005 09:58:44 AM · #8
What does it do, that photoshop wouldn't be capable of doing?
 02/10/2005 10:13:19 AM · #9
Come on guys, think about this...
NeatImage saves at a very respectably low compression rate, there's no way that most people could tell any jpeg artifacting as a result of the compression level.
Think about what NeatImage does.
It takes noise, and turns it into areas of flat colour.
What do you think this will do to file sizes?
Don't use NeatImage on your 640 pixel image, either use it as the very first step, or as the last step before you resize. This allows it to sample the quality of noise much more effectively. Why are you using it as the very last step?
 02/10/2005 10:44:47 AM · #10
I should have been more clear, Bobster;

Neat Image not only works as a noise reduction software, it works also as a sharpening tool. I find it more effective than USM as a last step before presentation to sharpen a lo-res image for web viewing.

You are of course absolutely correct that if using it for its primary purpose of noise reduction, this should be done early on. You are equally correct that it will reduce file sizes when it smooths out large areas of noise, because this allows much more effective compression.

Robt.

02/10/2005 11:29:41 AM · #11
Originally posted by bear_music:
I should have been more clear, Bobster;

Neat Image not only works as a noise reduction software, it works also as a sharpening tool. I find it more effective than USM as a last step before presentation to sharpen a lo-res image for web viewing.

You are of course absolutely correct that if using it for its primary purpose of noise reduction, this should be done early on. You are equally correct that it will reduce file sizes when it smooths out large areas of noise, because this allows much more effective compression.

Robt.


I've never used NeatImage for sharpening... I'll have to try it out :-)
 02/10/2005 09:43:25 PM · #12
It works like a charm. Wonderful tool.

Robt.
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