Welcome to the Topaz Labs support forum

[skydog]

Okay... I found what I was seeking...thanks...now just the lucispro critique..

http://www.plugsandpixels.com/vivacity.html

[plugsnpixels]

I missed thanking Swampy--glad you liked the examples! I've got more examples to post soon. I will check later on the preset options--I'm on another computer now.

You'll note on my site and in my ezine I don't do proper reviews or rate software with stars or such, because I feel that is so subjective. I'll just post the facts and some custom results, and you guys can take it from there.

Lucis Pro 6 just went back on sale today (it was pulled temporarily to address a multi-processor bug, which has been fixed), and I don't personally know how many bought it prior to the pull, so we can't really say how it's going over just yet. I suspect a lot of people jumped on the renewed opportunity to pick up LucisArt 2 before it goes into the great beyond this coming Monday, but again, I don't know for sure.

BTW, did you enjoy the huge Lucis Pro 6 screenshot I posted on another thread?

[skydog]

yes ...thank you

[arkas]

Hey Eric
I tried downloading the free trial of Topaz adjust to use with CS2 on my mac but I CANNOT get it to work.... I tried everything but to no avail. It shows up in the filters but thats it, nothing else?????
Any suggestions?
Madero

[winu]

hello arkas
do you have an Intel Mac... ? Topaz adjust works only on the Intel Mac...

otherwise here is a link wich perhaps can help...

http://getsatisfaction.com/topazlabs...djust_for_mac?

greetings winu

[TnShutterbug]

I LOVE Topaz!!! I have used it for about a month, I think, and I love it. Very cool effects.

[plugsnpixels]

Version 2.5 of Adjust was just released. Here are the fixes and improvements:

"Topaz Adjust V2.5 , our popular creative exposure Photoshop plug-in, has just been released for both Windows and Intel-based Mac. All our Topaz Adjust customers are entitled to upgrade to this new version free of charge.

Even since Topaz Adjust's initial release, we have received a tremendously enthusiastic reaction and amazing feedback from all of you. Only with your help could we improve this product at such a fast pace. With this release we addressed more major requests from users like you:

Included the newest "Topaz DeNoise" technology to remove noise while maintaining details. It is especially useful when creating highly detailed images since noise also tends to be amplified in this case.

Improved adaptive exposure algorithm for more range of creative adjustment.
Included full support for Photoshop CS4 64-bit processing (64-bit Windows only) that will help when processing extremely large photographs.

Added "smart filter" functionality to support non-destructive editing.

Three new presets and better preset sharing. Each preset is now saved as a single file, which you can easily email and share with friends.

Improved usability and stability. For example, Topaz Adjust will now remember its size and location for the next time you call the filter. You can also now directly type in parameters instead of just dragging the sliders.

The Windows installer now automatically installs for Photoshop 7/CS/CS2/CS3/CS4 and Photoshop Elements 1 to 7. The Mac installer now automatically installs for Photoshop CS3, CS4, Elements 6 and Elements 7.

Fixed some bugs and stability issues."

[Schwartzie]

I have WindowsXPpro machine. Neither 2.5 or 2.6 will install correctly for me. When I open PS4 it says it cant find the correct signature for the tliadjust.dll and PS shuts down. I have tried everything to fix it that I can think of. Does this dll go somewhere other than the topaz program file, that my install isnt putting it into?

[cuggie]

Greetings from Tenn. I am so happy I found you folks. I am new to all this and just got Photoshop CS3. So I need a good place to learn and this looks like a very friendly and helpful site. The Topaz plug in is so nice. I think I better go ahead and buy it while it is on sale. I am such a sucker for "Sales" LOL I shall return often. Thanks to all for being here.

"What's Time To A Pig?"
Cuggie

[plugsnpixels]

Schwartzie, FWIW I have been running each new Topaz beta (and final version) plug-in using WinXP Pro under emulation on my Macs. Never a problem installing. Same with the native Mac side.

I don't dig into Windows enough to know how to fix your problem... Let's wait until Eric comes around.

[Swampy]

REPRODUCIBLE CRASH

Topaz Adjust, CS3, Mac OSX 10.5.5 on a MacPro 4gb ram, OnOne Software Suite 4

If I run TopazAdjust and then try to run OnOne's ColorTune, Focal Point or PhotoTune plugins, I get a hard hang (spinning beach ball) . It takes 5 or 6 attempts at force quit to actually quit Photoshop. I have no problem when I reverse the procedure and run OneOne plugins first then TopazAdjust. It seems like Topaz is not releasing the plug-in engine or memory back to PS.

My work around is currently to do my TA filter, save the file, quit PS, relaunch PS then run the OnOne plugin(s). Not an efficient way to work. All the plugins work find individually, but there's just something about running TA before running an OnOne plugin that is the problem.

[plugsnpixels]

Swampy, I discussed this very thing with the Topaz developer yesterday, and here is the reason (it has to do with Intel multi-processor support):

"If two plug-ins both use [the] Intel OpenMP library, it will set off this problem. Only Intel can fix this totally. I can disable the multi-processor support, or the other plug-in vendor [can] disable it. It works if only one plug-in is using [the] Intel openMp library."

You have discovered that one must exit PS in order to make a plug-in release the hold on the lib.

I do have a test version of the Topaz lib file without the MP support and it fixes the conflict with onOne, Alien Skin, etc. I will check with Topaz about sharing it.

[Swampy]

Wonderful news, P&P. Hopefullly Topaz will have a fix soon. If turning off MP support in Topez is the key, then turn it off. It would probably mean a slowdown in processing the filter, but I can accept that as long as it doesn't go crashing other stuff.

BTW.. It's always nice to know that A) you're not going crazy and B) your not the only one with the problem. LOL

[plugsnpixels]

I can provide the revised lib for anyone who needs it, and you'll be good to go.

I have instructions for Mac; I don't know if this affects Windowz.

[Swampy]

P&P, you da MAN!!! :-)

[TreesOfMyTime]

Originally Posted by Swampy

REPRODUCIBLE CRASH

Topaz Adjust, CS3, Mac OSX 10.5.5 on a MacPro 4gb ram, OnOne Software Suite 4

If I run TopazAdjust and then try to run OnOne's ColorTune, Focal Point or PhotoTune plugins, I get a hard hang (spinning beach ball) . It takes 5 or 6 attempts at force quit to actually quit Photoshop. I have no problem when I reverse the procedure and run OneOne plugins first then TopazAdjust. It seems like Topaz is not releasing the plug-in engine or memory back to PS.

My work around is currently to do my TA filter, save the file, quit PS, relaunch PS then run the OnOne plugin(s). Not an efficient way to work. All the plugins work find individually, but there's just something about running TA before running an OnOne plugin that is the problem.

Yes, I can duplicate it!

[Doug Nelson]

People, Topaz has an entire subforum here. Let's try to put new topics in their own thread in this Topaz forum instead of cramming dozens of different discussions into this single welcome thread.

[plugsnpixels]

Good point, Doug!

[TreesOfMyTime]

OMG! I am so sorry to have offended the subject matter! Gone!

[Swampy]

Doug... The title says SUPPORT FORUM... and we are discussing a crash issue with Topaz Adjust and we are getting support. I don't get your point. I'm afraid you've discouraged TreesofMyTime, from posting his issue here. Are you suggesting we start a whole new Topaz Support thread?

[Doug Nelson]

Originally Posted by Swampy

Are you suggesting we start a whole new Topaz Support thread?

This is the Topaz Labs Support Forum. Start as many Topaz support threads as you like. That's why it's here. If you cram all the Topaz issues into one single thread it might help you, but it won't help future users looking for support on that same issue (which is why Topaz requested a forum here).

[TreesOfMyTime]

Just for the record, I think that you need to understand how many of us use this forum. I for one don't go to the main menu and research what I want to discuss.

When I joined this forum, I set up my settings to send me an email whenever an item that I had shown interest in had a post. Thus, I click the link and enter a thread and see the recent comment. It does not seem surprising that one would read a comment and then reply. To expect that someone would do a reverse search for "topic relevance" really does not surprise me.

I understand that chaos in the forums does not help, but a softer approach seems needed in a World where we are "Policed" to exhaustion.

I am afraid many of the forums, no matter how valuable they may be, always have moderators who make a big deal of things that to them are important and make the forum less useful or guilt filled to the common user.

If someone gets off subject, I think a FRIENDLY comment or even an apologetic word that they have moved the comments to the correct forum are more appropriate. We are supposed to be helping each other and I have gained much from the information posted here.

When I created my avatar and username, I hoped to telegraph that my interest is the the past and how it relates to the present photographically. I noticed the mods avatar was designed to show frustration with the users (banging ones head on desk). Sorry f I have oversimplified this and sorry to anyone that I have offended.

[palms]

I hope that i am not pouring oil onto troubled waters here

I think that the point being made was that instead of adding to the welcome to topaz support forum post

start a new thread, instead, and join in with the post if you want too as in all the other forums

Palms

[starsong1966]

Hello,
I'm interested in the Topaz Vivacity, however my system is a G5 Mac, not an Intel. Since my computer is only 3 years old I am not willing to buy an Intel Mac at this time. I've invested way too much money adding a second hard drive, more memory, larger monitor, and lots of software.
Is there a recommended work around?
If not, I won't be able to use your software.

Thanks,
C. Gentz

[plugsnpixels]

Like some other plug-in developers, Topaz Labs has made an Intel Mac the minimum requirement for their software. I'm writing you from home using a dual 800 G4; while I can still run Leopard and Adobe CS4, other software has moved beyond this machine (as should be expected in the world of technology). Thankfully I have a MacBook to carry back and forth and a Mac Pro in the office so I can keep up to date!

If unlike myself you have no other option to run Intel-only software, and since Intel processors smoke the G5 (plus they support the running of Windows as necessary), you may wish to consider selling your system sometime soon (while it still has some value) and moving ahead hardware-wise. Hard drives are cheap, so is RAM, and you can still use the software (and possibly the monitor) you already have. You don't want to miss out on the latest software by remaining on an obsolete processor platform.

[Swampy]

Actually you can still use the hard drives in a MacPro too. Most all of your software sill still run. A few exceptions (really old stuff) may require you to run under Rosetta.

I have a rule of thumb about upgrading. When the processor speed doubles from what my current CPU will run, it's time to upgrade. OR when my 3 years of Apple Care runs out.

[starsong1966]

I may be upgrading to an IMac. But since the only reason to upgrade is to buy new software, just not sure if willing to do it yet, since I don't make any money with it. I just love photography and need to have great editing capabilities.

[markpsf]

Hi Eric and Co:

I was ready to purchase Noiseware Pro and then happened upon a forum rave about Topaz. I'm now sold and excited but have a few questions.

I'll be using it with Lightroom and CS4.
1. The basic bundle alone or bundle plus Vivacity? Complementary? Somewhat repetitive?
2. How smoothly do the plug ins work with PS CS4 and the new Mac Intel OS?
3. are there any coupons out there to ease the cost of the purchase?

Any advice/info appreciated.

Thanks.

Mark

[topazlabs]

Hi all,

Looks like I missed the last thread email notification! If anyone else still needs the file to disable multiprocessor support, just email us at support[at]topazlabs.com and include what you need.

Mark:

1. Vivacity is a collection of filters that seek to improve image quality. The bundle is a suite of our 3 newest plug-ins that are also sold on their own. The one point of overlap between Vivacity and the bundle is in noise reduction.

Vivacity uses what's called wavelet-based noise reduction, which is the technology that most 3rd party noise reduction software use. This has the advantage of being comparatively fast but doesn't preserve as much detail as is possible using a newer noise reduction method.

DeNoise uses the newer method and, although it's slower in processing, it gives a much higher quality output by preserving more details while removing more noise. To the best of our knowledge, only Topaz DeNoise uses this method.

2. The plug-ins work completely with Tiger and Leopard and CS4. However, they are not compatible with Lightroom 2 yet.

3. We've tried to make the bundle the coupon code =). There's a significant chunk of savings in getting the bundle off of already affordably-priced software, especially considering some of the alternatives.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,
Eric

[plugsnpixels]

The Topaz plug-ins seem to be for download only, but that's not a problem – simply burn your downloads to disc yourself for security (you should do this with any software you acquire via download anyway). That's more efficient than having a single tiny-size plug-in on a 700-meg CD; you can fit tons of plug-ins on one CD or DVD rather than having a shelf full of inefficiently stored items.

I store my plug-ins on data DVDs and keep current-version working copies of all of them on an external hard drive for easy access. I do admit I have a number of original plug-in CDs and DVDs that I received in the mail over the years, but I either stack them in CD tubs (50/100) or keep them in CD storage binders. But these discs are exceptions to the more commonly offered download-only titles, which I personally prefer (do I ever read through the hard-copy manuals I have clogging up my bookshelf? Not often...).

Note: Get 15% off any Topaz title using the coupon code here.