Nik's Color Efex Pro 3.0 is an awesome suite of fine tunable filters. Very useful. It is very much improved over V2.0
The other one I use often is Tiffen's Dfx, absolutely wonderful array of fine tunable filters. This one I use to convert to B&W almost all the time now among other things, but still use Convert to B&W Pro as well at times.
They both have demos so give them a try.
I do everything on Layers so I can put the final touches in with Opacity or brush.
Arizona wrote:
Nik's Color Efex Pro 3.0 is an awesome suite of fine tunable filters. Very useful. It is very much improved over V2.0
The other one I use often is Tiffen's Dfx, absolutely wonderful array of fine tunable filters. This one I use to convert to B&W almost all the time now among other things, but still use Convert to B&W Pro as well at times.
They both have demos so give them a try.
I do everything on Layers so I can put the final touches in with Opacity or brush.
Between Nik's Color Efex Pro 3.0 and Tiffen's Dfx, which has the edge over the other? If I had to go with one, which would you recommend.
Do both work with 16-bit files?
Color Efex, if i'm not wrong, applies everything onto a separate layer. Does Dfx do the same?
I have worked with both and I like Nik's Color Efex Pro 3 more. There are some tutorials on their site that are well worth the time to watch. Between those and their downloadable user manual, you'll learn lots. They also have a trial download, so why not give it a whirl. I bet you'll like it! Tiffen is good also, but I just find the interface a little harder to work with. It's gonna have to be a personal choice.......
Cubic wrote:
Between Nik's Color Efex Pro 3.0 and Tiffen's Dfx, which has the edge over the other? If I had to go with one, which would you recommend.
Do both work with 16-bit files?
Color Efex, if i'm not wrong, applies everything onto a separate layer. Does Dfx do the same?
Thanks
Both work on 16 bit files. Nik does create a layer for each effect but I have to create my own layer for the Dfx effects which is no biggie, I just have to remember. They are both different from the other enough that I find them very complimentary. I like certain filters in each and use various filters quite often, others occasionally. Both have a good array of sliders to adjust inside the filter. It is hard to say which has the edge. Both have unique and very useful features.
I have the Dfx plugin because I like to stay in Photoshop for all my work if possible. You can buy a standalone version that costs about 100 bucks less and has its own masks but I don't know the details. I like to use Layers in PS and their masks and brushes.
Why don't you download the demos. I would do that anyway before buying just to make sure they work well for you. They do for me but I have tried some software that works on the machines of others but not well on mine. Also some of this is just going to be preference. I simply like them both enough to have both.
Thanks for the feedback.
I did download demos for Color Efex and Dfx. Must say that i'm much more impressed by Color Efex than Dfx, though the latter does have its good points. I just feel options in Efex are more useful to me than the other. Plus i really like the UI for Efex.
Will most likely get Efex first, then if necessary the Dfx.
