A LucisArt contender has arisen!

[plugsnpixels]

As you know a lot of people are trying to reproduce the infamous LucisArt effects using convoluted actions, HDR tricks, manual dodging and burning, etc. But an inexpensive plug-in was just released that comes closer than anything I've seen so far: Adjust.

It not only gets pretty close to LucisArt's sought-after chiseled look, it also makes a decent go at its soft effects. Plus Adjust does noise-reduction, color effects, exposure adjustment and more.

There's a free 30-day trial.

[plugsnpixels]

Here's a quick sample comparison (original, Adjust).

[skydog]

Very nice find...I wonder where this leaves Lucis?
I still can't understand why Lucis Art was discontinued...do you think the market for the product was saturated. I'd probably pay $200 for the upgrade..but $500+? I'd like to see the marketing research that determined that price!

[synthetamine]

why would you want to do those affects? that adjust thing looks like anti-aliasing seen in video games, which does not even compare to real smoothing techniques yet.

[plugsnpixels]

skydog, I think for the home user, Adjust presents a useful alternative. It's still no LucisArt–having used both, I feel LucisArt is still quicker, easier and has a wider range of effects. But Adjust can get in the neighborhood enough to be a poor man's LucisArt.

It was time for LucisArt to get upgraded (it's several years old), and the developer chose to cater to the high end of the market where they have the need and wherewithal to purchase it.

synth, my screenshot and examples (if you are referring to them) are greatly reduced in size, but if you look at the original treated images, they hold up better. I'll try to post the full-size before-and-afters for download later today.

[plugsnpixels]

I've posted a 983k 100% cropped view of an image with different Adjust effects that mimic LusicArt (top to bottom: Original 6mp JPEG shot at the Venetian, Las Vegas; Topaz Adjust Detail; Topaz Adjust Simplify). I think this will give you a better idea than the reduced-size samples on my website.

I checked Adjust again and the jaggies in the preview (at all settings except 100%) do not apply to the finished image.

Like I said, it's not quite LucisArt, but almost!

[plugsnpixels]

For those who wish to experiment I just created a couple of different treatments of an image using genuine LucisArt (the standalone Pro demo, as yet unreleased).

This zipped file* (5.33 megs) also includes the original unedited image so you can compare the results with Topaz Adjust or other methods on your own computer.

In LucisArt I could have gotten thousands of additional and totally different effects, but the two in the zipped file represent different points along its wide range.

BTW: The LucisArt demo also shows jaggies in its preview, as will Photoshop itself if you zoom to an odd percentage other than 25/50/100.

Note: I see on this forum if you use the initials P-S together, it gets translated as "Photoshop".

*Made on a Mac, so no virus worries!

[hardboiled]

I've got Lucas and I'm not that impressed with it be honest.

[I. V. Razmanov]

Originally Posted by plugsnpixels

Here's a quick sample comparison (original, Adjust).

Hm, from this example it doesn't seem to be any better than my stuff from

http://photoshop.msk.ru/aspd/

(which is even less expensive)

but well, may be I'm just missing something.

[NCP Doug]

Do you know if either one of these works with PS 7?

[plugsnpixels]

"Topaz Adjust does NOT work with:
Fireworks
ImageN
The GIMP

Topaz Adjust is compatible with
Photoshop CS and above
Photoshop Elements
ImageReady
Photo Impact
Paint Shop Pro
IrfanView (requires Photoshop 8bf plug-ins add-on)"

[NCP Doug]

plugsnpixels,

Topaz Adjust seems to work well on PS 7. I just ran the trial on a few images and was very impressed. I bought it yesterday and I am still checking out the effects.

(If anyone is interested in purchasing Topaz Adjust,The introductory price is $39.99 'till August 1st.)

I will post an image or two when I have a handle on it.

[plugsnpixels]

Oh good! I'm glad you're able to use it.

[I. V. Razmanov]

Originally Posted by NCP Doug

Do you know if either one of these works with Photoshop 7?

If you are asking about my plugin (I guess so), then yes, it does work with Photoshop 7, Windows.

If you are asking about Topaz thing, then I don't know.

[plugsnpixels]

The Mac version of Adjust just came out today. I played with it some more and it does indeed mimic the most popular LucisArt HDR effects. Plus they extended the discount deal until 9/1.

[dancremeans]

Topaz is sooooooo slooooooww! On a 2.4 GHz Core duo macbook.

Dan

[plugsnpixels]

Out of curiosity, what size/res images are you running through it? There's one JPEG repair setting that warns of slow processing; are you using it?

[dancremeans]

Hi,

File size is around 23 MG. I don't think I have the "JPEG repair setting" turned on, when I saw that it would cause a slowdown. However I did email the developer about the problem, who acknowledged they were working on a fix, but in the mean time gave me some items to "turn off," one being any "noise reduction."

Short of these issues, I'm really impressed with the programs capabilities. I use only two of the adjustment features in Lucisart, and I find this program to actually do a better job, with the implementation of "noise reduction" and others (which Lucis doesn't offer).

-Dan

[plugsnpixels]

Thanks for the additional info!

I hope to do some Lucis Pro/Adjust head-to-heads soon.

[photos]

How come everyone keeps comparing Topaz Adjust to LucisArt. adjust can produce some similar results but it's focused on exposure correction and making HDR like images. To me they're two completely different plugins.

[plugsnpixels]

They are different, but they cross paths at a certain point (a lucky accident on Adjust's part!). And LA is known for its HDR effects, so the comparison is valid.

[Ayumi]

Guys, I downloaded LucisArt.
But I don't know really how to use it! I mean, how to get effect similar to Dave Hill's.
I tried so many options :<

Help please.

[plugsnpixels]

Ayumi, Dave Hill may or may not use LucisArt. There's a huge discussion here at RP about his technique (which no one has successfully dissected yet!).

LucisArt enables you to reveal detail in your image you wouldn't otherwise notice. I assume you're working with LucisArt 2? Experiment with each preset (starting with Sculpture and Winslow) and see what the sliders do to your image. Also try mixing your original image back in, while checking the Show Original button to see what's happening.

The upcoming LucisPro 6 won't have the presets, buttons and sliders as you see them; there will be two main sliders (plus other separate options) that when used in combination with each other can cover the whole range of possible Lucis-like effects much more fluidly and easily.

[Ayumi]

Thank you very much for answer.
But I saw some examples which were done with LA, and they were so similar to Dave's work! I know that he is using much more than only one plug-in but I'm still searching for my 'style' in photoretouching/manipulating.
I hoped that it would help me... Is there any tutorials maybe about LA?

[plugsnpixels]

As for tutorials, there should be some appearing on the LucisArt developer's website soon, once LucisPro 6 is released. In the meantime, see what you can learn from the info they posted here and here.

[Kraellin]

ayumi,

remember, there is a style of having no style

[plugsnpixels]

Alright, I got Lucis Pro 6 today (Mac version). I did some quick comparisons between it and Topaz Adjust – nothing scientific, just quick.

It seems they both have their own unique style! Though Lucis Pro seems to come off a little less gimmicky, perhaps more conservative.

Obviously, each plug-in can produce an endless stream of effects by virtue of slider and setting adjustments, so these examples are by no means the whole story.

Feel free to play with the originals.

[beestripe]

Originally Posted by plugsnpixels

Alright, I got Lucis Pro 6 today (Mac version)

Care to send me a copy with serial#? - will give you $50

[plugsnpixels]

Better yet, save yourself a penny and get Topaz Adjust for $49.99 and you'll be even happier.