Using Nik Plug-ins. The Collection consists of: 1. Analog Efex Pro. 2. Color Efex Pro. 3. Dfine. 4. HDR Efex. 5. Sharpener Pro. 6.

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1 Using Nik Plug-ins History: Original programs were sold separately, the group cost about $500. In 2012, Google acquired NIK. In March 2013, it dropped the price to $150. In Mar 2016: the Nik Collection is made available to everyone, for free. The Collection consists of: 1. Analog Efex Pro 2. Color Efex Pro 3. Dfine 4. HDR Efex 5. Sharpener Pro 6. Silver Efex Pro 7. Viveza Book available at Dayton Metro Library: Plug In with NIK by John Batdorff Using NIK --- (Page 1 of 20) --- K. Marano

2 The Seven Plug-Ins: 1. Analog Efex Pro - Applies film-era camera, lens distorsion, and film simulation to digital images. Can add light leaks, dust and scratches, lens distortion, etc. Each filter has adjustment controls. 2. Color Efex Pro - Package of filters: black and white, brilliance/warmth, bleach bypass, soft focus, detail extractor, glamour glow, graduated neutral density, borders. Each filter has adjustment controls and can use control points Create recipes to save and use later 3. Dfine - (no presets) Automatic or manual noise reduction. Global, selective, or color range 4. HDR Efex Pro - for processing HDR pictures from single image tone mapping or multiple bracketed images. Many adjustments 5. Sharpener Pro - (no presets) Image sharpening RAW pre-sharpener and output sharpener. 6. Silver Efex Pro - Black & White conversion. Many adjustments Global, selective, color filters, film types, color sensitivity, levels and curves, vignettes, borders, etc. 7. Viveza - (no presets) adjustments to an image s saturation, brightness, hue without making complex masks like PS. Using NIK --- (Page 2 of 20) --- K. Marano

3 All programs can be applied as a layer or painted selectively using the Selective Tool Panel Using NIK --- (Page 3 of 20) --- K. Marano

4 Interface: All are similar. The workspace is divided into 3 basic parts: Presets (most have this) on the left hand side of most are the presets, Library comes with it, Custom for yours and Imported from other places. And History for going back. Image Preview central part of the screen. Can be set up several ways: one image, split image or two separate images. Adjustment Panel or Tools on the right: Global, Selective, Finishing, Loupe and Histogram, etc. Using NIK --- (Page 4 of 20) --- K. Marano

5 Silver Efex Pro Using NIK --- (Page 5 of 20) --- K. Marano

6 Presets are just a starting point Using NIK --- (Page 6 of 20) --- K. Marano

7 Selective adjustments: Control points (U-point technology) Adjust the size of area affected Major adjustments: brightness, contrast, structure, etc. with sliders Using NIK --- (Page 7 of 20) --- K. Marano

8 Control Point in SEP. Using NIK --- (Page 8 of 20) --- K. Marano

9 You can examine the control point to check the areas affected. Small area Using NIK --- (Page 9 of 20) --- K. Marano

10 Large area Using NIK --- (Page 10 of 20) --- K. Marano

11 Silver Efex Pro Menu Using NIK --- (Page 11 of 20) --- K. Marano

12 Zone System scale Using NIK --- (Page 12 of 20) --- K. Marano

13 Suggested Workflow The recommended workflow for the Nik Collection is as follows: 1. If desired, apply Raw Presharpener using Sharpener Pro. 2. Apply noise reduction using Dfine. 3. Control color and light using Viveza. 4. Apply filter enhancements using Color Efex Pro. 5. Convert to black and white using Silver Efex Pro. 6. Apply output sharpening using Sharpener Pro. My Workflow Sharpen in ACR, unless large areas show noise. Open in Photoshop Open in NIK Step through the presets Make adjustments globally Selective adjustments Finishing with vignette or borders Output sharpening Using NIK --- (Page 13 of 20) --- K. Marano

14 Open in Photoshop Using NIK --- (Page 14 of 20) --- K. Marano

15 SEP Interface Using NIK --- (Page 15 of 20) --- K. Marano

16 Presets Using NIK --- (Page 16 of 20) --- K. Marano

17 Zone System Using NIK --- (Page 17 of 20) --- K. Marano

18 Set up for output sharpening Using NIK --- (Page 18 of 20) --- K. Marano

19 Output Sharpening: Using NIK --- (Page 19 of 20) --- K. Marano

20 Finally Experiment, try the options You can undo any steps with the History tab in the preset area Save settings in the Custom tab Look on-line; many presets available. Using NIK --- (Page 20 of 20) --- K. Marano