Thumbs up for Nik. I had some problems with Silver Efex after upgrading to CS5. Nik customer service answered the phone on the second ring (!!) and fixed the problem with some info and an e-mail.
I'm using the trial version of Silver Efex and Color Efex Pro and have been impressed. The good news it that I can obtain the entire package at academic pricing. I'm trying to decide what edition, one works in just LR/Aperture, while for $100 more there's a version that also works in PS. Since I have both PS and LR, I'm thinking I can take the image into PS either before or after the NIK effect and then bring it back into LR for printing.
sbeme wrote:
For the $100 extra I'd get the PS version unless you do almost everything in LR anyhow. Editable layers helps.
Scott
Most definitely get the PS version if you can afford it, using NIK on a layer is a substantial improvement over just using it via LR export/import. I can't count the times I've decided to go back and "touch-up" my NIK work. Without the layer in PS, not so simple.
Yes on both accounts: PS version and yes, there is a human being on the other end of the phone at NIK - almost startling really. I own the whole suite but really have gotten to know only Color Efex Pro 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2. I bought the suite having have prior good experience with SEP 1. These two programs are now in really regular rotation on our systems. Really nice.
I have been using the "Complete collection"(PC/PS) of NIK sw for over a year now. Any problems are most always remedied. Dfine and Viveza since "day1".
I did have 2 "outstanding" troubles, both of which have yet to be fixed but not a major problem. CS5 eliminated 1.
Tech Support is A1. NIK webinars are "top shelf" and a must to "learn the ropes.
Kudos to NIK!
Dan
mdbassman wrote:
I have been using the "Complete package"(PC/PS) of NIK sw for over a year now. Any problems are most always remedied. Dfine and Viveza since "day1".
I did have 2 "outstanding" troubles, both of which have yet to be fixed but not a major problem. CS5 eliminated 1.
Tech Support is A1. NIK webinars are "top shelf" and a must to "learn the ropes.
Kudos to NIK!
Dan
Couldn't agree more! I had trouble loading one of the programs, Silver Efex maybe, don't remember, but their tech support took over my computer remotely and had me going in no time. Webinars are great, I agree.
Well, I bought the complete package for both LR and PS over the weekend. Thanks for all the advice.
While I was working with the trial packages, I discovered an important feature that really sold me on the PS version. As Jo pointed out, in PS, NIK puts the effect on a layer. It easily creates a mask that allows you to "paint" in an effect on a specific area of the photo.
For instance, in the photo below, which was taken with a Lensbaby, the dew drop was not quite sharp enough to read well. I used NIK Sharpener Pro, but while sharpening the image, it introduces artifacts. Because of the nature of the photo, I really only needed to apply sharpening to the drop. I "painted" in the sharpening carefully on just the drop. I was looking for a 13x19 print size and the sharpening artifacts are acceptable at that size. Here's the example:
