[plugsnpixels]

After several years of availability, the current version of the popular LucisArt plug-in will cease to be available as of May 8. It will be replaced later in the summer with the new advanced LucisArt Pro plug-in, aimed at professional photographers.

See this page for details.

[Hendrik]

$595 for a Photoshop plug-in? They must be kidding!

[skydog]

I've asked the question a few times and never got an answer...has anyone tried the current pro version? If so, what comparision can you make, if any, to the less expensive plug in? Will the new pro version do anything different compared to the currentl pro version or even current plug in version. Please..who ever is the first to buy the $595 plug in please show me your $595 results...

[plugsnpixels]

Of course that is the first question to ask! I have discussed this pricing with the developer and her experience with working pros (wedding and portrait photographers) indicates that the unique LucisArt-type effects set them apart from what home users and other competitors are able to do, and as such the purchase price is worth it to them.

Real-life examples I was given include studios boosting print sales immediately after incorporating LucisArt into their workflow, in which case the purchase price becomes negligible. Again, this new version, with better specs than the current (16-bit support, etc.) is not targeted at the home user but is very attractive to the working pro.

skydog, check the link below for the technical details. For both Windows and Mac users there are advantages, but especially to Mac users (for starters, LucisArt Pro will be Intel-native, unlike LucisArt classic).

Clients and customers want something besides straight, unprocessed shots (consider the current goo-ga over the "Dave Hill effect", for which LucisArt seems to be the next best thing besides the actual technique he uses. And this is but one of thousands of effects you can create with a flick of the sliders).

Studios can spend hours creating popular post-shoot portrait effects with Painter (and some do), but this is not time-effective for most. LucisArt can create its effects almost immediately, and of course can be combined with other techniques for even more customized results.

As time goes by I'll be posting some examples created with the new version of LucisArt Pro on the Plugs 'N Pixels website.

[pixelzombie]

$595 is a lot to pay for something that is turning out to be an overused fad...

[Markzebra]

"set them apart from what home users and other competitors are able to do" - yeah sets them apart alright

[plugsnpixels]

I personally haven't engaged in the Dave Hill frenzy but there seem to be a lot of members here who have an interest in it, judging by the huge thread here ;-).

But that particular effect is but one blip along the LucisArt continuum, so if it's not your style, no problem, keep the sliders moving.

Here's a quick portrait-type example of the extreme range of LucisArt, from "Dave Hill gone wrong" to something much softer (unretouched original at top). Moving from one effect to the next takes seconds.

Next, a before-and-after LucisArt Pro shot from the Luxor in Vegas (simple single-channel processing, followed by a shot from the Kimberly-Clark mansion in Redlands, CA (original, single and exaggerated color three-channel processing).

These examples were done with the pre-release core of LucisArt Pro (Windows version, running under Parallels on a MacBook). When we get closer to the actual release, I'll post an unretouched image followed by the LucisArt Pro effect version, and we can have a fun challenge to see who can duplicate the LucisArt effect in Photoshop or with other non-Lucis methods.

[Stroker]

When we get closer to the actual release, I'll post an unretouched image followed by the LucisArt Pro effect version, and we can have a fun challenge to see who can duplicate the LucisArt effect in Photoshop or with other non-Lucis methods.

Heh.

Where will this challenge be posted? In a sub-forum here?

[plugsnpixels]

Probably on this same thread.

[plugsnpixels]

For those of you who are NAPP members there is an 8-page "Dave Hill" thread over there too, FWIW!

[Nanls]

I bought the plug-in in summer 2006. At that time, when asking the developer a few questions, via email prior to my purchase, I remember her remarking that the plug-in was a well-guarded secret among some photographers and she wished the secret would get out ( not verbatim). Looks like her wish has come true. I do use the plug-in, however, end up masking the effect (especially in skin) adjusting Hue/Sat and adding additional adjustment layers to get the final effect. It is a great tool, but not a magic wand... but what is?
~Nancy

www.PhotoArt123.com


BTW: Although I would love all of you to hit one of my sites (please do) just for ranking, many of you who understand the value of SEO realize the value of a non-reciprocal link to A 7/10 PR site; retouchpro.com. All of the resources here and invaluable help (both solicited and non-solicited alike... from talent and lurkers alike, lol) and sometimes just helping makes you feel good (and now you're saying - OMG she is such a girl; you who think that: SHUT UP) "Plus" the advantage of a non-reciprocal link to your site should give you a reason to become a "Patron" to this site. SO JUST DO IT AND CONTRIBUTE!!! Help keep this site funded. Whatever your reasons for being here; it benefits you to help. Just my 2 cents.
__________________________________

www.PhotoArt123.com

[plugsnpixels]

Updated information just released by the developer:

1) The old LucisArt user interface will not be included in LucisArt Pro. The new user interface is easier to use than the current version of LucisArt. While the approach to accomplish the various effects is a little different, LucisArt Pro can do everything the current LucisArt can do (and more).

2) The Mac version of LucisArt Pro will only run on Intel-based Macs, while the Windows version will run on Windows XP service pack 3 and Windows Vista service pack 1.

3) Both the Windows and Mac versions of LucisArt will require Photoshop CS3 or Photoshop Elements 6.

[plugsnpixels]

The sale deadline for LucisArt classic has been extended to May 9, 3pm EST (due to heavy traffic at the developer's website).

[skydog]

For those of you who own Lucis Art...if you don't have it...download and SAVE a copy of the file and your access code. If you happen to have a computer crash it looks like you will not get support.
I'm begining to wonder if this is more about marketing and price vs improved technology. I'm not aware of any other plugn at this price.
Plugnpixels...have you become an paid agent of the developer?

[plugsnpixels]

ICT (the developer of LucisArt) is one of about 32 developers that help support my website (covering hosting and registration as well as time/labor expenses), keeping site access free, without need for visitor registration and absent of Google ads and the like. Nevertheless, I actually bought my copy of LucisArt because I really like what it does ;-).

I spoke with the developer about my concerns over the new LucisArt Pro pricing scheme (which is not actually entirely new, because Lucis Pro has cost nearly as much all these years–$495, IIRC), and between her needing to recoup steep development costs and considering her professional/commercial target audience who consider Lucis effects a valuable selling tool, the price is what it is.

LucisArt Pro will be the first time this level of technology has been included in a plug-in version. The Windows-only Lucis Pro had advanced specs but was standalone-only. LucisArt and its presets/buttons was derived from Lucis Pro (a "lite" version if you will). LucisArt Pro also introduces a 16-bit workflow, Windows Vista, Intel Mac and cross-platform Photoshop CS3 support, a larger preview (etc.), all for the first time, so I would call it "improved technology".

The upcoming challenge I described elsewhere (pitting LucisArt Pro against Photoshop and other third-party plug-ins) is intended to help determine whether the cost is justified, so it should be an interesting exercise.