Topaz Studio

[kev7d]

Discovered a new piece of editing software which I believe is on general release in June, Topaz Studio. It looks ok, but.........

A good point is that the application itself is free. It packs with 10 image adjustment tools at no cost. More "advanced" tools are available at a cost. As ever with Topaz, I would never buy at full price, discounts are a regular thing, particularly if you already have 1 or 2 plugins.

It feels a bit clunky (probably because of unfamiliarity) but there are similarities with the Topaz plugins. This is where it may become beneficial to Topaz fans. The current suite of plugins can all be accessed nicely through the app. Topaz claim the software will be an ongoing development. I use all of the Topaz plugins but I won't be cancelling my PS CC subscription at this moment in time although I am a BIG Topaz plugin fan.

I don't think this will be everyone's  cup of tea, but I thought I would share. What it means for Topaz fans is that there is no longer a total reliance on subscription based software etc to run your favourite plugins. 

How good is this software? I will soon find out.  

 

 

[Korky]

It certainly looks to be worth a download. It would seem that Google making the Nik software free has given Topaz a bit of a boot up the pants, hence this being a partial freebie.

I shall look forward to exploring its capabilities, but I do hope it isn't filled with nags for me to buy the upgrades.

Korky

[kev7d]

I got a big discount on the extras so I spent the money.  One thing that is really lacking is a function like PS content aware fill.  I think this might come later as Topaz add to the capabilities.   I am a big Topaz plugin fan and these work nicely in the software.   I think it has to go some distance yet before I would think about cancelling my ps cc subscription.  

Will Topaz nag you? I don't think you will get too many nags but their usual style is to send the odd email with discounts.  Sometimes the discounts are big and really  make it worth thinking about.  

At this point in time Topaz plugins  and PS CC are my choice.   I think Topaz are tapping into a market that will allow people to use their  plugins without outlay on host software such as PS CC.  

One big thing in the Topaz / NIK debate is the fact that Topaz software is in development, NIK is at the end of it's road.   

[kev7d]

A healing tool has now being added to Topaz Studio at no cost which is a very big step in the right direction.  

[JHFoto]

I have been a Topaz user for a while now, they let me use this on a trail it was good but not good enough at the price, IMHO

[kev7d]

It has not replaced PS CC for me yet JH. 

I have not been overly praising about it. But, to be fair, I need to give it time. Its easy to put down a piece of software without really knowing how to use it. I think what I might do is use Topaz Studio exclusively for the one a day starting from next Monday for a whole week. No dipping into PS CC. That will force me to learn how to to use it.

Studio is actually a free download with 10 adjustment tools. Its what is called the "pro-pack" that will cost you. 

[kev7d]

I just started messing around with Topaz Studio to see what effects were available for my original image. I have decided I am getting into Topaz Studio. The edits were all from the loads of presets and using Topaz plugins.  I think I am starting to like it. Plenty of potential still unexplored.

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[David61]

I have the Topaz plugins, Detail,Clarity and Adjust.  I am having the 30 day trial on B&W Effects, but the thing that really bugged me was, I could not register at all for Topaz Studio, and in the end I gave up as it was very strange that it would not let me register.  So I just have the plugins in both LR 6 and PSE15.

[kev7d]

I had the same problem David.  It really was annoying.  I cannot remember what I did now but you have to go to a separate site for Studio.  The instruction was dire.  I sent an email to Topaz for help and cracked it.   

That said, now I have it I have started to use Studio seriously in the past few months. It is a steep learning curve but I can access Studio and all plugins outside of a host programme like Photoshop.  

I was actually thinking last night of working all images totally through Studio for a period of time to see how I get on.   I am actually thinking of ditching photoshop subscriptions now as I use it less and less.   As I learn more about Studio I have to say I am starting to appreciate that it is seriously good.  

 

[David61]

I sent a message to them too last year but they never got back, so after changing my password four times I gave up.

[kev7d]

I am at a loss!    Its a shame it is so difficult. 

[David61]

4 minutes ago, kev7d said:

I am at a loss!    Its a shame it is so difficult. 

Someone did say that it could be done, but I needed the other link to manage to register.  As you say, it is a shame.

[kev7d]

I can see if I have the link and PM you?

 

[David61]

11 minutes ago, kev7d said:

I can see if I have the link and PM you?

 

That would be a great help if you can Kev, wonder why it happens so much with not letting folk register.

[kev7d]

I will boot up Mac later and see what I can find.

I think the problem has something to do with Studio needing a completely separate account. Might be wrong.   

[kev7d]

Here is where I got it from:

https://web.topazlabs.com/downloads

[David61]

12 minutes ago, kev7d said:

Here is where I got it from:

https://web.topazlabs.com/downloads

When I logged out I just got that same one up, and it downloaded, but this time I registered using my Yahoo account and YES it came up and with my Topaz plugins too.  Thanks very much for the help Kev, as now I can really look forward to giving Studio a good try 

[kev7d]

Nice one!

I am finding it takes a bit of getting used to the interface.

[David61]

The really strange thing about it all is, every time I tried to register using Google Chrome it would not let me.  So this time I tried to register Topaz Studio, I used my Edge browser and it flew through, so thanks again.

[kev7d]

[Ryewolf]

I think I might have a look at Topaz Studio myself and maybe also get Lightroom 6. The only reason I haven't done so before was my old Win XP machines couldn't run either software.

[kev7d]

Does no harm to try it Rye.  

[Ryewolf]

I couldn't get past the download/install stage, kept coming up with error about not being able to download a file for the latest version of Topaz Studio. I couldn't find any help  on their support site, so I've given up....

[kev7d]

Most odd!    

[Ryewolf]

Well, I finally got the latest version of Topaz Studio 1.7.6 to download and install, so been having a quick play about with it to see what it can do.