neat image users - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/13/2005 03:22:38 AM · #1

Question for anyone.
I just started learning how to use Neatimage but I'm not sure when to use it. At what point in the workflow process is the most beneficial time to apply this.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

11/13/2005 03:26:50 AM · #2

Before sharpening for sure. Sharpening increases noise, basically (it "sharpens" it also, makes it contrastier) so if you are using neat image for noise reduction purposes, do it first. If you're using it as a special effect, to smooth out large areas etc, then it's more likely to be used near the end of the workflow.

Robt.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

11/13/2005 03:28:27 AM · #3

Don't fall into the trap I did and use after resizing. Always use it on full size image before save for the web.

11/13/2005 03:35:04 AM · #4

Originally posted by keegbow:

Don't fall into the trap I did and use after resizing. Always use it on full size image before save for the web.

Why? What happened?

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

11/13/2005 03:55:58 AM · #5

Originally posted by briantammy:

Originally posted by keegbow:
Don't fall into the trap I did and use after resizing. Always use it on full size image before save for the web.

Why? What happened?

With the free version I use, neat-image reduces the size by a substantual amount. I didn't realise till I entered a challenge here and someone told about the image size.

Carl Zeiss 35mm f2.4 Jena/Flektogon MC

11/13/2005 04:23:50 AM · #6

Originally posted by keegbow:

Originally posted by briantammy:

Originally posted by keegbow:
Don't fall into the trap I did and use after resizing. Always use it on full size image before save for the web.

Why? What happened?

With the free version I use, neat-image reduces the size by a substantual amount. I didn't realise till I entered a challenge here and someone told about the image size.

The reason I asked about what happened is because I just ran it on this image after resizing. I didn't notice any change in the image size though.

Uusilehto

Canon EOS-1D

11/13/2005 04:32:45 AM · #7

Originally posted by keegbow:

With the free version I use, neat-image reduces the size by a substantual amount. I didn't realise till I entered a challenge here and someone told about the image size.

Image size, as in file size. I think the freeware NeatImage is locked to 80% JPEG compression or so.

Message edited by author 2005-11-13 04:45:46.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/13/2005 04:36:20 AM · #8

In general, between 2 files, the neat-imaged version will have less detail; therefore, when saved to a specific jpg quality level it will generate a smaller file. Or to look at it another way, if you are saving to a 150Kb file, the neat-imaged version will allow you to save at a somewhat higher quality level.

The free version of neat image will ONLY allow saving files in jpg-low, so it is of limited value on an already-downsized image. The version that runs as a photoshop plugin doesn't requirte saving out of neat image at all; it's just another filter, photoshop handles the saving and it can be in any file format.

Bearing that in mind, if you have a paid-for version there's nothing to keep you from neat-imaging your downsized files assuming you are willing to accept the loss of detail. You've already lost a lot of detail byr downsampling, so neat image on top of that can be problematical, depending on what you are after.

Your portrait looks pretty good, though. You have maintained a sense of detail in hair and eyes both.

Robt.

cheekymunky

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/13/2005 06:49:43 AM · #9

I cant recommend enough getting the full version. Being able to select the areas you want to reduce noise on is a god-send.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/13/2005 05:12:44 PM · #10

Originally posted by Uusilehto:

Originally posted by keegbow:
With the free version I use, neat-image reduces the size by a substantual amount. I didn't realise till I entered a challenge here and someone told about the image size.

Image size, as in file size. I think the freeware NeatImage is locked to 80% JPEG compression or so.

I'm not sure if this is the same version but when I went to save this info window popped up:

kearock

Nikon D90

11/13/2005 05:19:37 PM · #11

I've been considering hoping on the neat image train, but am wondering which version I should go with. Are the pro versions worth the extra cost? Which version do you folks use and why?