Version 7 of Nik Collection is 30% quicker, introduces choices for ellipses, polygons, and luminosity masks, and normally affords photographers extra management than ever earlier than.
Created in 1995, Nik Collection is a basic and widespread photograph enhancing suite that has advanced and expanded since its introduction. Its hottest app, Nik Color Efex, was launched in 2004, 20 years in the past, and this new model sees a number of the most fun modifications occur to Color Efex. DxO does with Nik Collection 7 a rearrangement of the suite and interface which interprets in a sequence of dramatic modifications which are liable for a extra inventive and quicker workflow. One of the important thing modifications is the choice to immediately swap between plugins, which means you now not want to shut the software program and return to the bottom photograph enhancing device used, to open one other of the plugins. It’s not the one change, but it surely’s one you’ll respect I you’ve been utilizing the accessible variations of the software program.
This new model is the primary full DxO model, one thing that allowed the workforce to not solely reorganize the plugins but additionally alter the code behind all of the magic. This is one thing that DxO has been doing because the firm acquired Nik Collection, in 2017. For these not acquainted with the story, in 2012 Google acquired the entire suite, as a part of its technique associated to images, however with no plan for the way forward for the suite, Google lowered its worth, made it free after which dropped assist totally.
With critical issues of compatibility arising, customers felt Nik Collection was useless. Fortunately, DxO determined to purchase the suite from Google and develop it additional, with the primary launch by DxO in 2018 and a whole redesign of the plugins in 2023. Now, practically three many years after it was created, Nik Collection reaches model 7, and celebrates the very fact with a sequence of modifications that can dramatically change the best way you’re employed.
A brand new prolonged HSL filter in Color Efex
DxO supplied me with a preview copy of the software program to check and whereas I’m nonetheless adjusting to a number of the modifications within the interface and the brand new choices to immediately swap between plugins, it’s clearly seen that the brand new choices accessible make for a quicker workflow. The new choice to entry Nik Viveza from inside Nik Color Efex, for instance, introduces a extra fluid and simplified workflow.
Nik Color Efex now options an prolonged HSL filter for altering shade ranges full with a brand new Vibrancy slider. I’m nonetheless discovering my approach by all these new issues, however in the event you use Nik Software as an extension of your photograph editor, all the brand new choices – like luminosity masks – are a welcome addition to a set that’s rising to be greater than initially deliberate. In truth, though it’s basically a plugin assortment, it now has a standalone possibility. There can also be a brand new Quick Export possibility, not accessible earlier than, that permits customers to conveniently output pictures from inside a plugin, making a smoother workflow expertise.
“Nik Collection exists to accelerate visual creativity in any photography workflow. With version 7, not only have we maximized performance, but we’ve introduced new selection tools that deliver a remarkable level of control,” explains Boris Oliviero, Product Director. “As an upgrade, users get creativity, speed, and flexibility like never before.”
A brand new Polygonal Tool
Here are a number of the key options now included in Nik Collection 7:
- Nik Collection’s signature U Point native adjustment expertise will get three new instruments to offer customers excellent precision when making choices. The introduction of a brand new Polygonal Tool permits photographers to shortly masks out irregular shapes, whereas customary Control Points can now be stretched or squashed into any elliptical type.
- A brand new shade picker device permits customers to decide on a hue and tone for the adjustment to focus on, unbiased from the location of the adjustment itself.
- Furthermore, Luminosity Masks can be utilized throughout the suite to focus on ranges of brightness. With these upgrades, the quickest, easiest, and most intuitive choice expertise turns into higher than ever.
Version 7 of the suite additionally introduces important boosts to hurry and effectivity, which will be verified when evaluating it with the earlier model, in the identical pc, as I had an opportunity to do with the preview model. I usually work with enormous dimension pictures (12480×12480 pixels) and it’s instantly seen that the brand new model is quicker. DxO says that “images now launch up to 30% quicker, be it from a host program or in standalone mode, underpinning a more efficient workflow” and whereas I didn’t measure it, it’s clear that information open quicker.
The means to modify seamlessly between plugins is an alternative choice customers will respect, particularly in the event that they use the totally different elements of the Collection. Although I spend more often than not in Color Efex plugin, it’s good to know that if I want to make use of any of the others, just like the Nik Silver Efex for B&W pictures, I can soar effortlessly between plugins with out having to return to the host program, making edits circulation extra easily.
A Quick Search device
Version 7 introduces a Quick Search device and permits customers to prepare their presets and filters for faster entry, one thing I have to discover additional. One factor I actually wish to attempt is the prolonged HSL filter for altering shade ranges full with a brand new Vibrancy slider, included in Nik Color Efex. In addition, a brand new ‘stacking’ characteristic means photographers can mix and reorder all filters as required for inventive impact.
If you’re a type of customers who like Nik Perspective, the dangerous information is that the plugin has been faraway from Nik Collection 7, “for consistency” causes, in keeping with DxO. The excellent news, in the event you want it, is that due to parallel set up, homeowners of earlier variations will have the ability to proceed to make use of this plugin.
Nik Collection (Windows and macOS) is now accessible for obtain on the DxO website on the following costs:
- Nik Collection 7 improve $/€ 89
- Nik Collection 7 full model $/€ 159
A free, 30-day trial is obtainable.
