BackdoorArts
Senior Member
I just got the email. I'm going to send it off to my brother and see if he can pull it down without having something already installed or if it looks for the software to be out there already.
NiK Complete Collection just got WAY affordable
- Thread starter BackdoorArts
- Start date
Thanks for being a long-time Nik customer. As a registered owner of one or more of our software products, we are pleased to announce that you are now eligible for a free copy of the new Nik Collection by Google, which includes all six of our award-winning plug-ins for Photoshop, Lightroom, or Aperture.
I really thought this was not real. Almost deleted it. Thought it was probably a way to lighten my wallet somehow. One becomes jaded that way after every sales pitch in the book is used with robo-calls, spam on the phone, computer, and if they could, on the read out on my coffee pot...probably in the works, now. LOL
However....WOO! HOO! Looks like the real deal...still almost can't believe it! (Small voice in the back of my gray matter is still wondering...)
May have to invest in larger quanities of Murine...maybe that's the catch!
I really thought this was not real. Almost deleted it. Thought it was probably a way to lighten my wallet somehow. One becomes jaded that way after every sales pitch in the book is used with robo-calls, spam on the phone, computer, and if they could, on the read out on my coffee pot...probably in the works, now. LOL
However....WOO! HOO! Looks like the real deal...still almost can't believe it! (Small voice in the back of my gray matter is still wondering...)
May have to invest in larger quanities of Murine...maybe that's the catch!
Macs are a "little less" prone to these horses Helene, at least I hope so. I've had mine for about 3 years and have not been caught by a virus or trojan yet. But just in case, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Control points are a great tool. Adjustment layer masks made easy. My only complaint about them is that when you put them to the far right the positive and negative direction on the sliders changes.
Nik has some great video tutorials on their site, and if you can schedule it their live sessions are great as you can ask questions ... and they're free too.
Nik has some great video tutorials on their site, and if you can schedule it their live sessions are great as you can ask questions ... and they're free too.
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
I installed the "trial" last night... Installation was painless although the HDR is not accessible from LR (at least on mine)
I will play some with it later tonight!
Pat in NH
I will play some with it later tonight!
Pat in NH
HDR Efex is not an "edit" feature but instead is an "export" feature. Select an image, right click and select "Export". . . see example below:
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Eduardo is exactly right, Pat. HDR Efex is the one plugin that is very different from the others, and I highly recommend watching their tutorials for it. Getting to the heart of the program with your photos set and merged correctly is the most important part, so pay attention to the parts about ghost removal since you can actually apply more than you need, leading to strange lighting around detailed objects like tree limbs. In the On Demand Video section there are a series of 4-10 minute How To videos that are foundational in getting started on the program. Once you have that under your belt, watch some of the longer lesson vids (about an hour each) to get a good feel of how to take full advantage of it.
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Eduard, Thanks a bunch!! You called it exactly correct... I had a minute or 2 before work so I tried it and "Eureka", worked just like you said...
Thanks for the steering to get me on track...
Pat in NH
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Thank you Jake! I tried what Eduardo said.. worked fine.. Now to go start learning!! Thanks for the tips on the video's. I will start the learning process tonight!!.. I am looking forward to trying this stuff out. I have Photomatix for HDR but I want to test this out to compare.. but I am really interested in the module (SilverFX?) for black and white work. I need some help there and this might be it!
Pat in NH
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
The nice part about the tools is that they are all very similar to use once you get to know one of them. There are some unfortunate inconsistencies in shortcuts (i.e. some zoom in on space bar, others don't) and programs like Viveza and DFine seem to have languished a bit in terms of updates while Silver Efex and Color Efex have gotten updates that included form as well as function. I would be great if Google can eventually get them to be consistent.
BTW, DFine is an incredible noise reduction tool. The ability to selectively control what kind of noise you're dealing with, where and how is great when you have low light shots.
BTW, DFine is an incredible noise reduction tool. The ability to selectively control what kind of noise you're dealing with, where and how is great when you have low light shots.
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Looks like I am sold~! (or I am buying!)
I have been loosely follwoing the tutorials and basics and am impressed with what can be done "easily". I have pretty well committed to buy the set.. Thanks for the info on the sale and also the help with a few questions..
Pat in NH
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
Don't forget to use a 15% off code when you do. I believe "timgrey" is one of them (no quotes).
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Btw, i take back all my beliefs about Nik's HDR program. The version I isn't anything to write home about but version II is amazing. You have so much more control, especially using the graduated filters to pull things out while calming other things down. HDR Efex II is miles ahead of HDR Efex I, not even close to one another.
RockyNH_RIP
Senior Member
Thanks Dave.. I tried it once and it worked.. I should do a comparison between it and photomatix (what I currently use) this weekend..
Pat in NH
BackdoorArts
Senior Member
I was wondering what you were talking about. LOL