IMPRESSIONS – TOPAZ STUDIO V1.01
I’ve been a devoted user of Topaz filters for a few years, but now, they have come out with a more complete graphics processing application. I downloaded it yesterday, and I’ve been playing with it since.
I thought it would be a framework to hang their existing filters — which you can do — but that’s not even close to all of what it can do for you. You certainly can use Topaz filters from in the application much you use them through Photoshop or Lightroom, However, it includes its own filters, too. From groups of basic settings through a wide range of different artistic filters, you’ll find glowing, abstract, and line drawings and most things in between. Quite a substantial collection of highly usable filters to do everything from basic set up through art.
There are areas of the application I have not quite figured out. Yet. Resetting the size and pixel count of a photograph is one of those things. You can set the pixel count from 72 on up, but there does not (yet) seem to be a function to fix the perimeter of the photograph, something I do constantly as I move photographs from desktop to website. I may have missed it and I’m going to do another run through of the tutorial.
Nor have I found a way to knock out or paint (make disappear) pieces in the original photo. I’m pretty sure this function IS there, but I’m missing it. I’m not a real whiz kid with graphics, so every new application of this type is a big learning curve for me.
As far as working in larger groups of photos, they haven’t quite gotten there yet … and they use the same klutzy save process for this application as for early stand-alone applications. Missing, too, is a simple “flat line” to straighten a crooked picture. They have a very classy rotator — classier than my version of Photoshop — but not a straight line for setting up a flat horizon. They need it. It’s a basic tool which almost everyone uses.
The filters — new and old — are great. I have heard a lot of people complaining that a lot of the presets are not different enough from the others to make them worth using. I disagree. I love the subtle differences between filters. These small changes are often what takes a picture from “okay” to “special.” Not every filter is perfect top to bottom, but this application includes an excellent selection of filters and I can’t imagine not finding many of them very useful.
This is a fine set-up for anyone who enjoys using filters and at this early point in the project’s development, you can be sure that even better things will be coming soon.
So what is my impression of Topaz Studio V1.01?
I like it. I am sure I will like it even more in subsequent versions. It’s still a bit awkward, but they will fix that. It works the way you’d expect Topaz filters “in a boxed set” to work.
They need to come up with a better naming method, precision sizing, and moving smoothly in a multi-photo array. But even at this very young point in the application’s development, you can get a lot of work done using their impressive collection of filters. Even if they didn’t change anything — most unlikely since Topaz is always developing new products — the tones, textures, and other transformations you get using this set make it worth your while.
This probably won’t be a substitute for Photoshop … but then again … with a bit more development, it’s not impossible.
Categories: Computers, Reviews, Software, Technology
Nice review! I enjoyed reading it.
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It’s a brand new baby app, so it was nice to find something good to say about it. I am enjoying it and it wouldn’t take much for it to become a great deal better, too.
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I have not played with Studio at all, I might need to look it up. I have been playing with FX Labs a lot lately and love the features in the current version. Have you ever tried FX Labs?
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Nope, not yet. But I will take a look at it. My copy of Photoshop is getting old and I refuse to rent my software.
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I resisted for a long time, but since i got the latest copy of PS i have never looked back. I looked online but cannot see Studio??? Beta version?
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I think yes, Beta. I think they are only releasing it to people who have already bought their other products. Topaz Labs, right? Because there area a lot of Topaz somethings out there!
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Topaz Labs yes, but I think they are all under the same banner now. I actually just saw my introductory email about it, in my junk mail oops. Might have to check it out, just need to find some time
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I think it has potential. It needs some more work, but it’s pretty nice, especially at the price.
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free???????? lol
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Yes, at the moment. I’m pretty sure it won’t last.
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true
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I use Corel Photopaint for most of my photo editing and manipulation. I learned everything I know from just fooling with it myself – so it’s likely there’s dozens of things about it that I don’t know. Some of these programs and so huge and complex I figure it would pay to take a Course or two. I’m looking to expand on what I know and right now so I’ll have to do some research. I have some fun with it, but I want a greater range of creativity.
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You might want to check this out. At the moment, it’s free. I don’t think it will stay that way.
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thank u.
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It’s nice to keep abreast of the latest.
Leslie
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Well, this isn’t even a full release yet. It’s a release to people who have already bought their products, so I’m not even sure it’s yet generally available. But Topaz must have liked it because they tweeted my tweet 🙂
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It’s news to me.
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They sent me a link to it yesterday. The price was right.
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🙂
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