I’ve all the time been a fan of the Nik filters suite. I purchased it at first when it was fairly darn costly. Then I watched as Google gave it away at no cost, however didn’t assist updates. And at last, I cheered when DxO took over and added ongoing assist.
Now I’m much more excited, as DxO has launched Nik Assortment 5 with quite a lot of enhancements.
Whereas most of us know Nik as a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom, Nik Assortment 5 is ready to work as a standalone program. It will also be used as a plug-in for the DxO PhotoLab 5. As a bonus, whenever you get the Nik plugin assortment you additionally get DxO PhotoLab 5 Necessities at no extra cost.
Professionals
- The gathering has been upgraded to work with present laptop working programs
- Interfaces in a number of plugins have been modernized and improved
- DxO ClearView know-how has been added inside particular person plugins for dealing with haze, fog and smoke within the picture
- U Level Expertise has been added to particular person plugins and simplified
- Consists of DxO PhotoLab 5 Necessities at no extra cost
Cons
- The gathering shouldn’t be absolutely upgraded for Mac M1 machines as standalone software program (though it’s within the pipeline to be accomplished quickly)
- U Level masking shouldn’t be fairly the place I would love it, though it has been improved
Main upgrades
Along with supporting new variations of software program and working programs quite a lot of the person plugins have had a reasonably severe makeover.
Tops on my listing was making the U-Level know-how a lot simpler to make use of. I all the time had a tough time bending the picks to my will. A lot in order that I didn’t use the U Level tech in any respect. As an alternative, I put the layer with Nik modifications into my Photoshop file and used the masking there.
I should still use the Photoshop masking however the simpler to make use of U Level picks will make that mandatory much less typically.
Identical filter set, higher interface
My favourite plugins are nonetheless Shade Efex Professional and Silver Efex Professional. Each have had enhancements within the new model that make me like them much more than earlier than. Shade Efex Professional 5 and Analog Efex acquired the identical interface makeover as with a latest improve to Silver Efex Professional 3. If Nik Assortment 5 solely had these three plugins I might purchase it. However, there’s loads extra so that you can discover and use as properly.
Included in Nik Assortment 5
- Shade Efex Professional 5 with over 55 filters for creatively enhancing your picture colour, tone, distinction and extra.
- Nik Silver Efex Professional 3 is among the most versatile black and white conversion instruments on the market. From place to begin presets by way of many choices for dialing in tone, distinction and localized construction. Ansel would have been proud!
- Analog Shade Efex for including Traditional Digital camera and movie shares.
- Dfine 2 for Noise discount.
- HDR Efex 2 for mixing Excessive Dynamic Vary pictures.
- Sharpener Professional 3 for earlier than work in your pictures and after for output in printing.
- Perspective Efex. Simply because it sounds for cleansing up the leaning digital camera pictures.
- Viveza 3 for adjusting colour and tone
Pricing and availability
Right here’s the actually excellent news so far as I’m involved. After I noticed the enhancements, I pictured the value being a lot greater. Seems DxO is conserving the brand new consumer worth at $149. Those that are upgrading from Nik Assortment 4, it’s solely $79.
I’ve all the time stated when requested in the event you ought to spend money on software program plug-ins, “Do you’ve time and experience to do the modifications by hand? Or, must you make investments cash to avoid wasting time?” The reply here’s a no-brainer for me. This assortment will get two thumbs-up from me … trigger I don’t have any extra thumbs.
For those who aren’t aware of the Nik Assortment 5 lineup of filters and wish to make certain it’s for you earlier than shopping for the set you may obtain and put them although your paces for 30 days earlier than making the dedication.
Creatives and techies will like this assortment
This assortment is a will need to have if you’re like me. I wish to be artistic however I additionally need a lot of my pictures to be technically appropriate. The plugins enable you to do all of that quicker and with extra accuracy than making an attempt to determine it out by your self. Who doesn’t like WYSIWYG sort know-how?
Yours in Inventive Pictures, Bob
