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06/24/2008 04:36:31 AM · #1 |
A lot of people are trying to reproduce the infamous LucisArt effects using convoluted actions, HDR tricks, manual dodging and burning, etc. But an inexpensive plug-in was just released that comes closer than anything I've seen so far: Adjust.
It not only gets pretty close to LucisArt's sought-after chiseled look, it also makes a decent go at its soft effects. Plus Adjust does noise-reduction, color effects, exposure adjustment and more.
There's a free 30-day trial.
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06/24/2008 06:26:16 AM · #2 |
Looking at the examples, it seems that the "after" results seem more like someone new to post-processing got carried away with noise reduction and built-in special effects (i.e. Texture, Artistic, etc...).
Also, in your post shouldn't you post a disclaimer that you're the business owner of the product your pitching here? |
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06/24/2008 08:20:45 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
Also, in your post shouldn't you post a disclaimer that you're the business owner of the product your pitching here? |
He owns the website Plugs 'n Pixels, which is basically a similar thing to ATN Central as far as I can see. He's not the developer/owner of this particular plugin, again as far as I can see...
R.
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06/24/2008 08:31:04 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
He's not the developer/owner of this particular plugin, again as far as I can see...
R. |
Looks like these people developed it. |
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06/24/2008 08:34:02 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by glad2badad:
Also, in your post shouldn't you post a disclaimer that you're the business owner of the product your pitching here? |
He owns the website Plugs 'n Pixels, which is basically a similar thing to ATN Central as far as I can see. He's not the developer/owner of this particular plugin, again as far as I can see...
R. |
Hmmm...well, both links matched his signature url and username. Seemed like he was promoting sales and derived a benefit from it. Not a big deal I guess - other's have done it here as well. |
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06/24/2008 08:49:50 AM · #6 |
Sorry I am not impressed with it at all, does very little to ENHANCE a photo judging by their examples.
Not on my Xmas list. |
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06/24/2008 10:14:20 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by MAK:
Sorry I am not impressed with it at all, does very little to ENHANCE a photo judging by their examples.
Not on my Xmas list. |
I downloaded the trial version, will mess with it and see what's up.
R.
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06/24/2008 03:49:27 PM · #8 |
It's actually a very interesting little plugin. Lucis Arts it ain't, but it seems to be behaving very much like a tone mapper with some other bells & whistles, notably defined presets and serious noise reduction. It seems to REALLY want to mottle up smooth areas (like sky), but it was easy enough for me to mask those out. I'm not sure I'll keep it past the trial period, but it's worth looking at, especially if you want to go heavy into some really dramatic effects.
R.
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06/24/2008 11:41:46 PM · #9 |
As Bear_Music said, I am not a developer, nor am I one to discuss high-end hardware like the big boys (I don't have any of it!). But software aplenty I do have, and my niche is to try to keep people informed about various plug-ins and other creativity-related apps and support materials through my website.
Some developers help support my site and/or offer my visitors discounts, though most don't ΓΆ€“ but I keep the site free for all and no registration required regardless, and give each plug-in, etc. equal space in a standard format.
Anyway, for those who wish to experiment I just created a couple of different treatments of an image using genuine LucisArt (the standalone Pro demo, as yet unreleased).
This zipped file* (5.33 megs) also includes the original unedited image so you can compare the results with Topaz Adjust or other methods on your own computer. Bear, spend some time with the sliders in each section while trying different presets, and you'll find you have a lot of control over the mottling, etc.
In LucisArt I could have gotten thousands of additional and totally different effects, but the two in the zipped file represent different points along its wide range. As for Adjust, I kind of liked what it did to the "sky" at the Venetian in Vegas. But again, you can either go sharp or soft with it, just like LucisArt. Some Adjust effects remind me of the CYMK trick where you Gaussian blur just the black channel or just the color channels (leaving the others alone) for some nice effects.
*Made on a Mac, so no virus worries!
Message edited by author 2008-06-24 23:44:33.
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08/20/2008 10:55:00 PM · #10 |
Alright, I got Lucis Pro 6 today (Mac version). I did some quick comparisons between it and Topaz Adjust ΓΆ€“ nothing scientific, just quick.
It seems they both have their own unique style! Though Lucis Pro seems to come off a little less gimmicky, perhaps more conservative.
Obviously, each plug-in can produce an endless stream of effects by virtue of slider and setting adjustments, so these examples are by no means the whole story.
Feel free to play with the originals.
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08/20/2008 11:14:27 PM · #11 |
| Well I tried it (on Leopard) and it crashed Photoshop CS3 ... so much for the trial! |
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08/21/2008 12:10:07 AM · #12 |
 plugsnpixels find me a key to theimagingfactory ConvertToBW Pro 3.0 |
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08/21/2008 11:54:28 AM · #13 |
Katmystiry, you must be using the old LucisArt 2, since there is no trial of Lucis Pro 6 (?). If you're on an Intel Mac, the old version is not compatible:
"MACINTOSH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
The Macintosh LucisArt 2 demo software is not compatible with the Intel Macintosh computers. Please visit Tech Support and FAQs for more information."
Let me know more about your setup.
undieyatch, I have a review copy but it's not my call to give it away ;-). Even though it's abandonedware.
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08/21/2008 12:15:12 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by plugsnpixels:
undieyatch, I have a review copy but it's not my call to give it away ;-). Even though it's abandonedware. |
I find that purchase on line is impossible - links from converttoBW to a seller are dead ends. Key software via torrent hacks are the only alternative I have found. Do you have any other legal suggestions in obtaining a key online? |
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08/21/2008 12:18:55 PM · #15 |
I tried the new Adjust version. I have not tried Lucis Pro 6 yet.
Originally posted by plugsnpixels:
Katmystiry, you must be using the old LucisArt 2, since there is no trial of Lucis Pro 6 (?). If you're on an Intel Mac, the old version is not compatible:
"MACINTOSH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
The Macintosh LucisArt 2 demo software is not compatible with the Intel Macintosh computers. Please visit Tech Support and FAQs for more information."
Let me know more about your setup.
undieyatch, I have a review copy but it's not my call to give it away ;-). Even though it's abandonedware. |
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08/21/2008 12:31:14 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by plugsnpixels:
But an inexpensive plug-in was just released that comes closer than anything I've seen so far: Adjust. |
Maybe it's just me, but I've never understood the Lucis Art look...and given the two examples on the main page of your link, the originals look better to my untrained, unartistic eye than the "processed" ones. What am I missing? Anyone?
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08/23/2008 12:44:18 AM · #17 |
undieyatch, the developer shut down his business a year or more ago after giving customers a heads-up and that was the end of that. It happens occasionally in the software biz and there's nothing one can do afterwards except troll the back alleys of the internet...
The same thing happened with buzzX (ArtMaster Pro, etc.). Disappeared one day. As another example of disappearing plug-ins, I'm presently trying to figure out what became of Twisting Pixels. I last heard from them in '06, now their domain kicks over to Amazon.com (??).
david_c, it's a matter of subjective taste, and plenty of people like the HDR/tonemapped look. Did you see the samples I posted here? They're much bigger than the others on the web page you referred to. I think the look is cool, especially in moderation.
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