You're right in a big way Dave. All of the Enhancements should be set to All, IMHO, and you can then mask the Enhancement `out` of any areas of the photo where you decide you don't want it applied. Great video Dave and as far as I`m concerned you're the go to guy for any and everything to do with Topaz Photo AI. I don't think I`d have ever reached the point I`m at in terms of feeling comfortable with using this great software if it wasn't for your regular instructional videos on it. Thank you Dave from a UK subscriber.
Nice. Thanks Dave. Crystal clear and very important info on using and properly saving enhancements. AI is beginning to be a first and only stop for some jobs. I look forward to you next lesson. By the way I am hearing gripes from some on the new interface (from folks who want a separate "light" version). I would encourage Topaz to stay the course. I love where they are going.
Thanks Dave, great video. I used Topaz 2.4 the other day and the adjustments were subtle, but added so much value to my images. Importantly, you can get great results with just a few adjustments - so quick! Many thanks.
Excellent explanation Dave - I was frustrated by the fact that any sharpening didn't work!! Now I know why. Many thanks for this and lets hope Topaz upgrades this to take account of the shortcomings
Excellent job pointing out all the possibilities - you always open up my brain to new ideas. I have noticed in the majority of my landscape images that Remove Noise alone actually sharpens almost perfectly, as well as noise removal. I rarely have to add further sharpening - but when I do, the additional layers & masking is awesome. I use it on PS and open with Automate, which makes an additional Layer & names it, which I find useful - I could mask it, if desired (rarely needed). If I'm satisfied, I just flatten the layer with the new name, so I will always know I already used Topaz AI. I find this version far superior. Thanks again, Dave!
Dave …thank you . TPAI remembers your last used choice in the auto mask ..it does not default to none in sharpen or any other . My view is that users should have already been in the habit of going to auto mask choices for every image because invariably the user will want something different. I might want to switch from subject to all and or use add/ subtract brush . Even if Topaz chooses a new default in the design users will still need to always check what is being auto masked .
A good reason not to automatically sharpen the entire image and to allow for localized sharpening is that while denoising is best done in the dark areas, sharpening is usually locally done in areas where you want the viewer's eye to go and not everywhere on an image. Usually the subject but sometimes only part of the subject. So letting the user localize sharpening makes some sense. Just a thought
Just completed the update. I haven’t used it yet but thought I would watch the video first. I think I will revert to the earlier version. Something simple becoming much more complicated. I do little editing and the global approach for photo Ai suits me more.
@@minavaanwhat version did you go back to. I updated to the latest and want to go back. I think version 3.8 was ok. To me it is now easier just using LrC DeNoise but always thought Photo Ai was better. Glad someone else feels the same. 😊
@@tonyblake8841 I have v2.3.2. Before they changed the sidepanel. I didn't like the separate boxes. This is neat and does all I want it to do. I don't feel so dumb now that someone else also prefers an older version!😄
BTW Dave, I find it odd that the Lighting Enhancement and the Colour Balance Tools are not available for RAW Files. As photographers were always being told to shoot in `RAW` because there are so many benefits for recovering detail in post processing etc, so I find it kind of odd that you can`t use all the tools available in this great piece of software Topaz Photo AI, on `all` file types!
Thanks Dave. I like the direction Topaz is going in with this product. Having said that, I would never adjust my lighting in Topaz as it gets baked into the image. I would rather do that in Photoshop on its own layer. I feel that provides much more flexibility.
This seems to be a major redesign of their interface…sadly the release is riddled with bugs. Speaking of Adjust Lighting enhancement, my M3Pro MacBook Pro crashes everytime I add this enhancement. Looked at the community forum and it seems others are having the same problem. Common denominator is Apple Silicon Macs as the feature works fine on my old late 2013 Intel Haswell MacBook Pro. I long for the days of less frequent but more stable releases of software.
I might be wrong but it seems like all AI models have some variability every single time you run it even on the same numerical value. Locking each enhancement as you edit probably gives more consistent results than running the ai models all at once at the end. If I remember correctly you could take take 2 ai model images run at the same numerical value and drop them into another program as layers and set the blend to difference to reveal any differences.
First of all, thanks for the explanations (as it's not exactly an intuitive workflow). It does little good to have potentially powerful programs if you don't know how to effectively use them! One thing I'm curious about is how Topaz "knows" what the subject is (I know--AI) but more importantly, if it "guesses" wrong, how do we address that*)? Related to that, the masking looks a bit "loose" at the edges. Also, do you still use the "standalone" Topaz IQ Bundle (DeNoise, Sharpen, Gigapixel) or just Photo AI now? *Such as applying a negative Control Point in DxO to fine-tune selections--not all of us use LR/PS). My normal workflow is to process the RAW in DxO PhotoLab (currently 7) and if I need anything more, I export it (as a TFF to Nik, Topaz, or rarely, PaintShop Pro). I only start with Topaz if I'm working on an old JPG or film scan, as DxO NR only works on RAWs.
Thanks Dave. Question: Do you think it matters if you first sharpen the subject and then Denise it vs doing it the other way around? Some photographers insist that noise should be removed first before sharpening is applied so that you don't sharpen the noise. Your results are good so I assume you are in the "it does not matter" camp?
How can a development team with decades of experience begin to degrade intuitiveness in an application? It's one of the fundamental criteria. It has to be a policy to stay in work - Close in on the problems - incrementally and eternally - i.e. never, ever! leave a perfect result.
It appears to me that Topaz is using the "Why use one action when two or three will do?" criteria. Photo AI is becoming less intuitive and inserting more unnecessary actions into the processes! What happened to "KISS"? "Keep it simple, stupid".
I could’nt agree more with you concerning Sharpen: the default setting should be ALL.
You're right in a big way Dave. All of the Enhancements should be set to All, IMHO, and you can then mask the Enhancement `out` of any areas of the photo where you decide you don't want it applied. Great video Dave and as far as I`m concerned you're the go to guy for any and everything to do with Topaz Photo AI. I don't think I`d have ever reached the point I`m at in terms of feeling comfortable with using this great software if it wasn't for your regular instructional videos on it. Thank you Dave from a UK subscriber.
Thanks Dave. This explains some issues I was having. Your lessons are so valuable.
Nice. Thanks Dave. Crystal clear and very important info on using and properly saving enhancements. AI is beginning to be a first and only stop for some jobs. I look forward to you next lesson. By the way I am hearing gripes from some on the new interface (from folks who want a separate "light" version). I would encourage Topaz to stay the course. I love where they are going.
Thanks Dave, great video. I used Topaz 2.4 the other day and the adjustments were subtle, but added so much value to my images. Importantly, you can get great results with just a few adjustments - so quick! Many thanks.
Excellent explanation Dave - I was frustrated by the fact that any sharpening didn't work!! Now I know why. Many thanks for this and lets hope Topaz upgrades this to take account of the shortcomings
Excellent job pointing out all the possibilities - you always open up my brain to new ideas. I have noticed in the majority of my landscape images that Remove Noise alone actually sharpens almost perfectly, as well as noise removal. I rarely have to add further sharpening - but when I do, the additional layers & masking is awesome. I use it on PS and open with Automate, which makes an additional Layer & names it, which I find useful - I could mask it, if desired (rarely needed). If I'm satisfied, I just flatten the layer with the new name, so I will always know I already used Topaz AI. I find this version far superior. Thanks again, Dave!
Great point about the Automate making a new layer.
Dave …thank you . TPAI remembers your last used choice in the auto mask ..it does not default to none in sharpen or any other .
My view is that users should have already been in the habit of going to auto mask choices for every image because invariably the user will want something different. I might want to switch from subject to all and or use add/ subtract brush .
Even if Topaz chooses a new default in the design users will still need to always check what is being auto masked .
Great explanation, Dave. I look forward to your tutorials.
A good reason not to automatically sharpen the entire image and to allow for localized sharpening is that while denoising is best done in the dark areas, sharpening is usually locally done in areas where you want the viewer's eye to go and not everywhere on an image. Usually the subject but sometimes only part of the subject. So letting the user localize sharpening makes some sense. Just a thought
I agree.
Just completed the update. I haven’t used it yet but thought I would watch the video first. I think I will revert to the earlier version. Something simple becoming much more complicated. I do little editing and the global approach for photo Ai suits me more.
I tried it and went back to the earlier version. Much quicker and simpler to use.
@@minavaanwhat version did you go back to. I updated to the latest and want to go back. I think version 3.8 was ok. To me it is now easier just using LrC DeNoise but always thought Photo Ai was better. Glad someone else feels the same. 😊
@@tonyblake8841 I have v2.3.2. Before they changed the sidepanel. I didn't like the separate boxes. This is neat and does all I want it to do. I don't feel so dumb now that someone else also prefers an older version!😄
BTW Dave, I find it odd that the Lighting Enhancement and the Colour Balance Tools are not available for RAW Files. As photographers were always being told to shoot in `RAW` because there are so many benefits for recovering detail in post processing etc, so I find it kind of odd that you can`t use all the tools available in this great piece of software Topaz Photo AI, on `all` file types!
Thanks Dave. I like the direction Topaz is going in with this product. Having said that, I would never adjust my lighting in Topaz as it gets baked into the image. I would rather do that in Photoshop on its own layer. I feel that provides much more flexibility.
Same here Sam but I just want to show it is possible in Photo Ai to do these types of adjustments.
This seems to be a major redesign of their interface…sadly the release is riddled with bugs. Speaking of Adjust Lighting enhancement, my M3Pro MacBook Pro crashes everytime I add this enhancement. Looked at the community forum and it seems others are having the same problem. Common denominator is Apple Silicon Macs as the feature works fine on my old late 2013 Intel Haswell MacBook Pro. I long for the days of less frequent but more stable releases of software.
I was also hoping for an update and a correction for default sharpening from none to all.
excellent tutorial as allways, thanks
Great very useful video, thank you!!
I might be wrong but it seems like all AI models have some variability every single time you run it even on the same numerical value. Locking each enhancement as you edit probably gives more consistent results than running the ai models all at once at the end. If I remember correctly you could take take 2 ai model images run at the same numerical value and drop them into another program as layers and set the blend to difference to reveal any differences.
First of all, thanks for the explanations (as it's not exactly an intuitive workflow). It does little good to have potentially powerful programs if you don't know how to effectively use them! One thing I'm curious about is how Topaz "knows" what the subject is (I know--AI) but more importantly, if it "guesses" wrong, how do we address that*)? Related to that, the masking looks a bit "loose" at the edges. Also, do you still use the "standalone" Topaz IQ Bundle (DeNoise, Sharpen, Gigapixel) or just Photo AI now?
*Such as applying a negative Control Point in DxO to fine-tune selections--not all of us use LR/PS). My normal workflow is to process the RAW in DxO PhotoLab (currently 7) and if I need anything more, I export it (as a TFF to Nik, Topaz, or rarely, PaintShop Pro). I only start with Topaz if I'm working on an old JPG or film scan, as DxO NR only works on RAWs.
Thanks Dave. Question: Do you think it matters if you first sharpen the subject and then Denise it vs doing it the other way around? Some photographers insist that noise should be removed first before sharpening is applied so that you don't sharpen the noise. Your results are good so I assume you are in the "it does not matter" camp?
I've had good results both ways.
So do you mostly use Photo AI rather than Photoshop for sharpening, denoising, lighting adjustment?
I use Photo Ai for Sharpening, Noise Removal and Upscaling. I don't use it for lighting or color.
I agree with you Dave 👍
How can a development team with decades of experience begin to degrade intuitiveness in an application? It's one of the fundamental criteria.
It has to be a policy to stay in work - Close in on the problems - incrementally and eternally - i.e. never, ever! leave a perfect result.
Each update makes photo ai run slower. Mac with 64 gb ram and relatively new now has beachballing with latest update and much slower
Will these work on the mac silicone?
Yes no problem (tested on M1 and M2)
Topaz 2.4 is a step back. It's getting more complicated to use instead of the opposite. 2.4 is not an update. 😢
It appears to me that Topaz is using the "Why use one action when two or three will do?" criteria. Photo AI is becoming less intuitive and inserting more unnecessary actions into the processes! What happened to "KISS"? "Keep it simple, stupid".
This program is getting less and less intuitive. Thanks for this tutorial.