Nik Collection 4 Released
DXO labs has just released an updated of the venerable Nik Collection, which includes a number of new features. The biggest updates within theNik Collection 4 bundle are Silver Efex and Viveza, both of which are significant updates with new interfaces and under the hood changes, including much more control over u-points.
Here are some highlights of the new collection (from the press release):
A new, user-friendly design for an even more thrilling experience
The easy-to-use design of the software plugins Nik Viveza, dedicated to tone and colour local adjustments, and Nik Silver Efex, the ultimate solution for black-and-white conversion, has been completely revamped to offer an optimal user experience. Both plugins now feature a modern interface that is more beautiful and functional than ever. They also allow users to directly access all available presets, filter for type and favourites more seamlessly, and identify tools more easily through its newly redesigned palettes. That means photographers can concentrate on the essentials—expressing their creativity.
Next-level U Point™ technology
U Point™ technology, the first system to allow users to apply local adjustments without masks, has revolutionized photo editing. Nik Collection 4 now makes it possible to incorporate Control Points into personalized presets. That means photographers can apply a similar style to several images while still preserving a specific area. For example, users can choose to apply a colour effect as well as a blurred background to several portraits. U Point™ technology also includes a new Colour Tolerance setting so photographers can regulate the saturation of a specific tone range. Users can not only select the colour they want to change, but also adjust the tolerance of similar colour hues. Lastly, Control Points have been made easier to use than ever. This feature now includes fewer sliders, making the applied effect easier to view, and can be renamed so users can craft an optimized workflow experience.
Combine the settings of several plugins with Meta Presets
A new type of filter has been added for Adobe Photoshop users: “Meta Presets.” Directly accessible from the Nik Selective Tool, the Nik Collection software launch tool for Adobe Photoshop, these presets are Adobe Photoshop actions that combine the filters and settings of several Nik Collection plugins into one. They make it possible to edit photos by applying a series of presets from several plugins in just one click. Nik Collection 4 comes with a series of 10 Meta Presets.
Improved workflow with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
Nik Collection 4 is continuing to expand its selection of lightning-fast retouching features. The Last Edit function, which lets users re-apply the last preset they used in one of the Nik Collection plugins while using Adobe Photoshop, has been extended to include Adobe Lightroom Classic. In addition, the new Smart Copy & Paste feature lets users selectively re-apply the effect of a plugin to one or several images directly in Adobe Lightroom without having to launch the software suite’s interface.
Even more striking black-and-white photos
To help users create even more brilliant black-and-white images, Nik Silver Efex now includes revolutionary ClearView technology, which was first offered in DxO PhotoLab, the market’s leading image-development software. This technology removes haze and enhances local contrast. The results are spectacular: In just one click, users can eliminate haze, all while revealing more natural objects, edges, details, and transitions. Get ready to create even more dazzling black-and-white photos!
Ever more creative
To offer users an even better editing experience, Nik Viveza features 10 native presets designed by professional photographers. And for fans of analogue black-and-white photography, Nik Silver Efex comes with 39 new and incredibly realistic grains that are even better at accurately recreating the look of iconic films than before.
Availability
The updated version of the software is available now from the DXO website. Initial pricing includes a discount for the first month (until the end of June):
- €99.99 - regular price: €149
- $99.99 - regular price: €149
- £88.99 - regular price: £133
Upgrade Pricing
- €59.99 - regular price: €79
- $59.99 - regular price: $79
- £54.99 - regular price: £69
Initial Reactions
I’ve been lucky enough to have time with a beta of the software, and it is indeed a significant change, especially with Silver Efex Pro. Silver Efex and Viveza have both been re-built from the ground up, and you can definitely tell. The updated interface make it feel more up to date, and the new u-point technology does give you much more control.
Silver Efex (and I think Viveza) also gets DXO’s Clear View technology from DXO Photo Lab, which is like a combination of Dehaze and clarity and can be quite powerful for bringing up detail.
One of the things they mentioned at the press briefing that isn’t in the press release is that they now have 39 new grain settings, which have been created from real film grain, based on DXO’s years of experience with real film.
The only downside I’ve come across is that Silver Efex is a little sluggish on my M1 Mac. It’s still running under rosetta, and the company did say that they hope to have an Apple Silicon native version out by the end of the year, so hopefully that will address the issue. But other than that it’s a pretty big update.
I will have a full review of Silver Efex Pro 3 at a later date (as it’s the one I use the most) but for now you can check them out yourself on the DXO website (There’s a 30 day trial version available)
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