Nik
Collection comes with an amazing package of photo editing tools every
photographer will find useful. The Nik Collection is a well-regarded series of
seven image manipulation apps that can be used standalone, or as plug-ins for
various image editing apps.
The collection originally sold for $500, when the
apps were part of Nik Software. After Google acquired Nik, the price for the
Nik Collection dropped to $150, a relative bargain.
Now
Google has announced that the Nik Collection will be available for free, an
even better bargain, although this probably means that Google is abandoning the
apps, and won't be providing any updates in the future.
Still,
the Nik Collection is a must-have for every photographer.
Pros
o Collection
of seven standalone or plug-in photo apps.
o Works
with Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, and Aperture.
o Can
make selective adjustments without the need for complex masks.
o Large
collection of preset adjustments available.
Con
o Although
not officially discontinued, may not see further updates.
Nik Collection Download | Photo Manipulation Apps
The
Nik Collection is a bundle of seven photo manipulation apps:
1.
HDR Efex Pro 2: Create HDR images from one or more images.
2.
Silver Efex Pro 2: Create black-and-white conversions from color sources.
3.
Sharpener Pro 3: Apply selective sharpening to an image.
4.
Color Efex Pro 4: Perform color adjustments.
5.
Viveza 2: Adjust white balance, contrast, and brightness.
6.
Dfine 2: Use selective noise reduction.
7.
Analog Efex 2: Apply film-based characteristics to digital images.
Each
app can be used independently of the others; each can also be used as a
standalone app, which allows you to open, edit, and save an image directly, or
as a plug-in that works with Photoshop CS5 and later, Photoshop Elements 9 and
later (HDR Efex does not work with Elements), Lightroom 3 and later, and
Aperture 3.1.
Nik Collection Installation
The
Nik Collection downloads as a disk image (.dmg) file. Double-clicking the .dmg
file expands and mounts the image on the desktop. Once the image is open,
you'll find the Nik Collection installer, as well as an uninstaller.
Before
you launch the installer, make sure any photo editing app you plan to use with
the Nik Collection isn't running. During the installation process, you'll be
asked which supported photo editing apps you would like to have the Nik
Collection installed in. You don’t
have to choose any of the listed apps if all you want is the standalone version
of the Nik Collection. If you do select one or more photo apps to host the Nik
Collection, the installer will still create a folder within your /Applications
folder for the Nik Collection standalone apps.
Using the Nik Collection
When
you're using the collection as plug-ins, it shows up as a floating tool
palette, as well as an entry in the Filters menu. Selecting any of the plug-ins
from either the tool palette or the Filters menu will launch the standalone app
with the currently open image.
Once
you complete the edits in the Nik app, the app closes, and the image is updated
in the host app.
Using
the Nik Collection as standalone apps allows you to concentrate on a workflow
using just the Nik Collection.
Nik Collection Workflow
You
are allowed to develop your own workflow as well as view suggested workflows
from Google.
Selective Adjustment
All
of the Nik Collection apps make use of selective adjustments, the ability to
create control points to quickly select precise areas where an app's effects
will take place. This approach is quicker and much easier than creating masks
to hide or reveal areas on an image.
Control
points are placed on the section of an image on which you wish to have an
adjustment effect. Control points look at the characteristics of the area where
they are placed and create a selection based on color, hue, and brightness of
items near the Control point. You can place multiple Control points to help in
creating one or more selections.
Once
the Control points are set, any effect you apply will only affect the selected
areas.
Help Files
Nik
Collection help files are all currently available from Google’s Nik support site and can be accessed by
selecting the Help button within each Nik app. Each app includes an overview,
tour, and specific details about using it. This should be your first read. You
even want to save help files for future reference.
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