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Slightly OT: NIK Tools update, not sure what's new

SnowSultanSnowSultan Posts: 3,820
in The Commons

A new version of the essential Photoshop plugin set, NIK Tools is available at a limited time reduced price. However, I can't really tell what has been improved over the free version that's been available for a while. The homepage says it's fully compatible with Photoshop CC, but I haven't had any problems with the free version on my CC.

Does anyone have any idea why a user of the free version should upgrade? Thanks.

https://nikcollection.dxo.com/

Comments

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,705

    I'm a bit afraid to upgrade. The free version works so well for me, I don't know if there will be enough improvement to justify changing, and starting to pay.

  • AllenArtAllenArt Posts: 7,175

    The free version works just fine for me. No need for me to upgrade ;)

    Laurie

  • Charlie JudgeCharlie Judge Posts: 13,574
    edited June 2018
    Serene Night said:

    I'm a bit afraid to upgrade. The free version works so well for me, I don't know if there will be enough improvement to justify changing, and starting to pay.

    In various review comments all I've seen is that there is better ability to work in layers and with smart content. Personally as long the free copy works well for you and does all you need then I would keep it and guard your copy well.

    Post edited by Charlie Judge on
  • Phoenix1966Phoenix1966 Posts: 1,990
    edited June 2018

    I'm not sure about improvements, but if you are using the last version by Google, the DxO version will overwrite the Google version and license. Even if you uninstall the DxO version, you can't reinstall the Google version according to this post over there. I'm guessing only an OS reset/reinstall would let you use the old, free one.

    In the same forum, another person noted that many "new" features are ones that already existed. The staff's response was: "We start developing Nik collection with fixing the most nasty bugs and problems with the latest versions of the host applications. At the same time we are working on the existing code as well to bring you new improvements and features."

    So it doesn't seem like there's much new yet.

    Post edited by Phoenix1966 on
  • BrotherHadesBrotherHades Posts: 89

    As with any update I would say if it is still working with your system and there are no major differences keep with what works. Mainly all I am seeing is stability updates etc, though on the other hand it does show what DXO is going to be charging for it. For me it means I will likely be sticking with the free version for a while as it works fine with my older versions of PS and PS Elements. 

  • Charlie JudgeCharlie Judge Posts: 13,574
    Phoenix1966 said:

    I'm not sure about improvements, but if you are using the last version by Google, the DxO version will overwrite the Google version and license. Even if you uninstall the DxO version, you can't reinstall the Google version according to this post over there. I'm guessing only an OS reset/reinstall would let you use the old, free one.

    I'm not sure if that if that is really true. The original post in your referenced post isn't completely clear as to whether he actually tried to reinstal the free version. And a reply by a DXO staff member further on down indicates thar you can reinstall your free version after uninstalling the demo version. 

  • LlynaraLlynara Posts: 4,772
    edited June 2018

    You can still get it from some of the download sites like File Hippo and Cnet. Looks like Google has taken down their main Nik pages. So if you didn't grab the free one yet, probably good to do so before it completely disappears. 

    Post edited by Llynara on
  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,863

    Sounds silly that Google would buy, make free, and then turn around and sell NIK Tools. I guess there court loose regarding image search to the big photo warehouses like Corbis changed their plans for tools like the NIK Tools.

  • Serene NightSerene Night Posts: 17,705
    edited June 2018

    I have kept the old installer but even so I think I will pass on the paid upgrade. I don’t like you can’t  remove it

    Post edited by Serene Night on
  • Charlie JudgeCharlie Judge Posts: 13,574
    edited June 2018
    Llynara said:

    You can still get it from some of the download sites like File Hippo and Cnet. Looks like Google has taken down their main Nik pages. So if you didn't grab the free one yet, probably good to do so before it completely disappears. 

    Yep. It looks like CNET sends you to the Google download page which is now 404; but you can still download the free Google edition from Filehippo

    Post edited by Charlie Judge on
  • SaldazSaldaz Posts: 168

    The good part is that Nik will be maintained and hopefully improven over time.

    My free version works great for now.

  • SnowSultanSnowSultan Posts: 3,820

    Oh I wasn't planning on upgrading without knowing more about it. The free one works just fine for me too. I was just curious if anyone had upgraded and knew what, if any, the new improvements were. I'll be happy to upgrade once we get some actual new features, as it really is the best set of PS filters around today.

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,863

    Those tools would have been nice for DAZ 3D to buy and integrate directly into DAZ Studio in some post-render workflow. I bet DXO didn't pay the 'fair market value' for those filters (even though image filters are sort of ubiquitous and getting more and more so)..

  • HorusRaHorusRa Posts: 1,665
    edited February 2019

    .

    Post edited by HorusRa on
  • 3dOutlaw3dOutlaw Posts: 2,481
    edited December 2018

    I just got Photoshop CC (latest), and tried/copied the Google free version of Nik Collection to it, and they failed to work. (seemed to work, but never a result)  Then I found a post that said that the free version is not working in the latest Photoshop CC, unless you change NIK filters to apply the setting from “Apply the filtered effect to a separate layer” to “Apply the filtered effect to the current layer.”  I did that, and now they work for me!  Yay!

    Post edited by 3dOutlaw on
  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,863

    The old Google version of those work on Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 and probably older

  • mindsongmindsong Posts: 1,769
    3dOutlaw said:

    I just got Photoshop CC (latest), and tried/copied the Google free version of Nik Collection to it, and they failed to work. (seemed to work, but never a result)  Then I found a post that said that the free version is not working in the latest Photoshop CC, unless you change NIK filters to apply the setting from “Apply the filtered effect to a separate layer” to “Apply the filtered effect to the current layer.”  I did that, and now they work for me!  Yay!

    nice! thanks for sharing that tidbit!

    saving that detail in the folder with my original intaller. "long memory good, short pencil better!"

    --ms

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