Hi,

I've struggled with the Tutorial (PRO) that is on the Lucis web site. It is probably well written, provided you have a degree in Computer Engineering. But since I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, I need down-to-earth, step by step instructions on how to get things done.

So - I was wondering if there is nice, simply worded "Lucis For Dummies" kind of tutorial anwhere out there?

Thanks,

Skippy2

For those with Lucis experience, what exactly is the difference between the Pro version and the Art version? I read the discription, but I'd like to hear from the users? The price difference is significant and I was wondering what one gets for the extra $300. Thanks.

I was wondering what one gets for the extra $300. Thanks.

Skydog,

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to figure out too.

I mean the Lucis web site sez that the PRO version gives your much more control. Okay. Fine. But how? That's why I'm looking for a better tutorial than the one they offer on their web site.

Regards,

Doug Nelson, our site owner/admin, confirmed Barb from LucisArt, receives e-mail notification of threads started in this forum. It may take a day or so for her to get "replying to RetouchPRO threads" plugged into her workflow, so be patient...

Your question of elaboratin on differences between the Pro vs. vanilla editions is a good one. I, too, look forward to reading her response.

~Danny~

Until Barbara checks in, here is a comparison chart (http://www.lucispro.com/lucis_lucisart_comparison.htm) for the two versions, and here is the user's guide (http://www.lucispro.com/PDFs/Lucis%20Pro%20User%27s%20Guide%20for%20Artistic%20Effects.pdf) for Lucis Pro.

Doug...thanks ...I've seen that, but I really don't know what that is telling me...all I see is the bottom line: $300 more. I did break down and bought the art versions, which I like and use, but I only use the scupture option and have found no use for the other four. I sometimes question the money I've already spend for this one function, but I do use it and like it so I'm okay...but when I see the price for the Pro I wonder what one is really getting. How much better can a photo be? Also can one upgrade from Art to pro for the difference? Does anyone out there own the Pro version?

Hi everyone. There is information on the web sites about LucisArt verses Lucis Pro. Lucis Pro has a manual and Users Guide for Artistic Effects. LucisArt has usgae tips. There is a comparison chart. I will see what I can do about adding more information. Please note that there is a scientific section for Lucis Pro and an artistic one. The artistic one is the one to look at for photography. Go to www.lucispro.com and click on artistic applications. Lucis Pro was originally developed for scientists.
Pro offers full access to image content using 2 sliders. One slider reveals detail and one smoothes the image. Each slider can be moved in increments of 2 intensity levels which is 125 settings each for a typical 8-bit image. Plus Lucis Pro allows you to alter the grayscale information of each RGB layer seperately. That allows you to do amazing things. The Pro version has a mix user interface that lets you add or subtract any two images. The Pro version always creates a new image- it does not write over the original. The Pro has batch processing, image scaling, image rotaion, etc. It is stand alone software so you don't have to own Photoshop or Elements.
LucisArt is a Photoshop plug-in. LucisArt was developed using presets developed from Lucis Pro. So anything LucisArt can do Lucis Pro can do and then some. There are image examples on both sites so you can also see.
Typically professional photographers buy LucisArt because they want to stay within Photoshop. High-end amateurs or people who want to win contests buy Lucis Pro. Scientists also buy the Pro.
Please feel free to call to discuss your application to see which product would be best for you. US- 866- RING-ICT. 508-346-3491.
Skydog- please take a look at the usage tips and the customer image examples for LucisArt. I think you might not be using LucisArt correctly. The photographers I speak wth tell me that they end up using LucisArt, even if it just the first button in the effect Exposure, on most of their images. In the 7.5 years I have been selling LucisArt only 5 people have ever returned it.
If you own LucisArt and want to buy Lucis Pro right now I offer 15% off, a savings of $74. Just call or e-mail sales@imagecontent.com to get the discount before you use the online store.
Thanks for the questions.
Best regards
Barbara

Experiment...experiment...experiment. And what works beautifully on one image won't work at all on the next one you try.

Pick an image, run thru several of the settings on it. If you hit something you like write it down. May or may not work on the next image, as I say, but sometimes it will.

Steve

Hi Barbara:

You said, "High-end amateurs or people who want to win contests buy Lucis Pro. Scientists also buy the Pro." I guess that explains a lot.

I am not a scientist nor am I a person "who want(s) to win contests". (<-- joke)

Seriously, I thank you for your post. It really did make one thing evident though, and that is, I am a slow learner when it comes to anything remotely related to numbers. I graduated after four years at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, then spent 20 years in Chicago as a TV commercial Art Director, producer and film director. The only thing that ever flummoxed me was when dealing with mathmatical stuff. That's what scared me about Lucis Pro, I think. The constant reference to Small cursor and Big Cursor numbers and stuff like, "Each slider can be moved in increments of 2 intensity levels which is 125 settings each for a typical 8-bit image"

I will continue trying to stay in the learning curve of Lucis Pro.

I will also continue trying to study and understand the .pdf users guide. As Steve Conway says, "Experiment, experiment, experiment."

Thanks,

Skippy2
(aka Don Schaaf)

Lucis Art is one of my favorite plug-ins, and generates cool and unique results quickly (see here (http://www.plugsnpixels.com/lucisart.html) for some of my work with it, as well as my ezines (http://www.plugsnpixels.com/ezine.html), where I have Lucis Art-related tutorials and examples).

There are several ways to work with Lucis Art:

•Choose from among the different style presets (Klimpt, Sculpture, Plaid, etc.) as appropriate for your image
•Adjust the intensity and opacity of each filter's result, including blending back the original image
•Add duplicated layers to your image and apply different Lucis effects to each, using blend modes to control the interaction between/among the layers

I'm attaching a sneak preview from the cover tutorial in my upcoming Plugs 'N Pixels ezine (http://www.plugsnpixels.com/ezine.html) (issue #7). The first step to creating the final cover image was to apply Lucis Art's Sculpture filter to the original image of the window (shown at left). Notice how a number of things happened: The shadows popped open, the image gained overall sharpness, and a nice vintage grain effect was added.

(After this I did several other treatments, not shown here, which you will read about in the tutorial).

Also attached is another example of Sculpture with a separate vignette on the hanging flowers (now I have a nice colored pencil sketch), and Klimpt (high in sugar content!) on the vintage cars (next post).

In many cases, Lucis Art/Sculpture works like Photoshop's Shadow/Highlight feature, but adds a lot more detail in both shadows and highlights (almost as if you lightly outlined every edge in pencil).

Barbara mentioned a discount on Lucis Pro; using the "plugsnpixels" coupon code will get you a 15% discount on it as well as Lucis Art. I first bought Lucis Art a few years ago and it was well worth it!

And the cars, which didn't fit in the last upload.

In many cases, Lucis Art/Sculpture works like Photoshop's Shadow/Highlight feature, but adds a lot more detail in both shadows and highlights (almost as if you lightly outlined every edge in pencil).




I started this thread about Lucis PRO and see that it has now evolved into Lucis Art, which is okay of course, but it does not not help me with my struggles with Lucis Pro. Did you mean Lucis PRO or Lucis Art ". . .works like Photohop's Shadow/Highlight feature"?

If the comment was made regarding Lucis Pro, could you tell me how to do this?

Thanks,

Skippy2

Skippy, true--we are guilty of topic drift...

I was commenting about Lucis Art; I don't have Pro (it is Windows-only and my main platform is Mac). Though I would assume Pro can do anything Lucis Art can do and then some, it having the capability to control the effects to a finer degree.

I have the Lucis Art plugin and have been very satisfied. It took me a while to find the combinations that gave me the required results and I also use the plug-in along with layer masks so I can better control the amount and where the effect is present. I remember talking with Barbara when I purchased the software and she said the plugin seems to be a well guarded secret within the photography community. Looks like the word is getting out now. Here are a couple of real-world examples:
I used Lucis Art to put back texture into the hat of this model after retouching the image.
This baby was a photo-art challenge here on retouchpro. I used Lucis art but then used a layer mask to paint out some of the effect from the face. However, this was not just Lucis Art as I then took it into painter to add the outlines. The plugin also works well in combination with painter to create a sketch look.
Hope this helps.
~Nancy~

____________________________________

www.photart123.com
www.pix2portraits.com

Sorry I have been away.

Lucis Pro gives you much more access to image content than LucisArt. I know that the terms "big cursor" and "small cursor" are scientific but the big cursor slider really is "detail enhancement" and the small cursor slider is really "detail smoothing." Using both sliders lets you pull out contrast patterns in the image.

Lucis Pro is very easy to use but you have to have a good eye. Right now I have a policy whereby I give any person who buys Lucis Pro 5.0 a 15 minute tutorial over the phone to show the customer the major features of Lucis Pro. That is how easy it is to learn to use. The tutorial must be used with 30 days of buying Lucis Pro. Also anyone can return Lucis Pro within 30 days of buying it. There is a refund on the software if the materials are returned in excellent condition. There is a restocking fee if the materials are damaged. The customer is responsible for shipping costs out and back. Lucis Pro is protected by a HASP key so if you return the key you can't use the software. (A necessary disclaimer- this policy is subject to change without notice.)

The best thing to do if you are considering buying Lucis Pro 5.0 and the web site does not answer your questions is to call me. US toll free 866-RING-ICT.

Also barring anything unforeseen I plan to release LucisArt Pro for Windows in late 2007. LucisArt Pro will have Lucis Pro 5.0 features but will be a Photoshop plug-in. This is what my photography customers really would like. People who purchase Lucis Pro 5.0 between now and the release of LucisArt Pro will have the option to upgrade for free to LucisArt Pro. They would simply have to return the Lucis Pro HASP key.

In mid 2007 I also plan to release LucisArt 3.0 for Windows. This software will have a larger preview window, the ability to handle 48 bit color and 16 bit grayscale, plus a few other features that i think my customers will like. I don't have LucisArt 2.0 upgrade or LucisArt 3.0 pricing yet.

I don't know what my plans are yet for Macintosh. I have to let the installed base of Pentium Macs incease plus I also have to let Adobe address this issue first.

Best regards
Barbara
Image Content Technology LLC

When is the issue to be available?

Just checked and no way to get it from the site, as yet.

Steve


•I'm attaching a sneak preview from the cover tutorial in my upcoming Plugs 'N Pixels ezine (http://www.plugsnpixels.com/ezine.html) (issue #7). The first step to creating the final cover image was to apply Lucis Art's Sculpture filter to the original image of the window (shown at left). Notice how a number of things happened: The shadows popped open, the image gained overall sharpness, and a nice vintage grain effect was added.

(After this I did several other treatments, not shown here, which you will read about in the tutorial).

Also attached is another example of Sculpture with a separate vignette on the hanging flowers (now I have a nice colored pencil sketch), and Klimpt (high in sugar content!) on the vintage cars (next post).

Hi Steve,

It's coming along nicely, though it will be a short while yet. I'm waiting for artwork from one contributor and still have a few pages to lay out and a long contributor article to edit down. The pages that are finished look very nice. In the meantime, I continue to add products to the companion website regularly.

If you're signed up for my ezine mailing list, I can send you the ezine as soon as it's ready.

Thanks for your interest!