When I first saw Viveza I wasn't sure why I needed it. After a decade of using layers & layer masks for image enhancement learning how to use U-Points instead seemed un-necessary. But once I started using Smart Objects more often in Photoshop I wanted a Smart Filter plug-in to allow me to do image adjustments while retaining all the power of Smart Objects. Viveza fit the bill perfectly. And to my surprise I found that I got quite quick with U-Points and they worked out very well. So now nik has upgraded Viveza...

Read More: Point & Click Photoshop made even Easier: nik Releases Viveza 2.0 Upgrade

David, I've been using Viveza for some time now. Version 2.0 is just knock-down great. The global adjustments work fine. The structure slider really makes things pop. It was money well spent.
Hard to imagine what the future versions will be like.
Charlie

Charlie--Glad to hear you're a loyal user and that Viveza is working well for you. One thing I would like to see them do is incorporate the irregular shaped smart selections that LightZone uses as an option for controlling the shape of the area affected by a control point. I got them to take a look at the idea but so far they don't see it adding any value over the way U-points work currently, but I keep hoping:-)

--David

Anybody here use Capture NX2? It uses U-point tech too!


effie

effie--I use Capture when I find an image that I can't find a good way to get the color I want in Photoshop ACR. I don't mind the U Point part of Capture, but I'm not a big fan of their non-standard user interface & I already use Photoshop, so I tend not to fire up Capture that often, but I know many folks rely on it religiously as it gives great results on Nikon raw files.

effie,

I use NX2. I wish it were faster. It is a fine piece of software for Nikon NEF conversions.
I agree with David about the interface. Having been a PhotoShop user since v3 any new software interface is a thought process instead of a reflex action for my work.

I like the U-Point stuff. Works great. I dont' like the step numbers without custom names in the editing phase. I can't remember what I did multi steps ago.

My workflow needs some fine tuning now that I am taking on more varied work to pay the bills and I am looking at a lot of different software solutions.

What is Viveza doing with U-Point that is not being done in NX2?

Have a prosperous new year everyone.

I have been using Viveza since it first became available. It seems to me that the U-Points in NX2 do give better results than the first Viveza in CS4 or Lightroom. I got Viveza 2 the first day it was offered. I think the results are much better, especially since I can now run it it on my 64-bit version of CS4 with Win7.

In my experience, the results in NX2 are still a bit better than the new Viveza 2 in CS4. If I have photos that need special attention, like one I just worked on for an X-mas card, NX2 gives better results. It was mid-afternoon, some fairly strong cross lighting, my wife and I with three horses, two goats in front of an open barn. NX2 pulled out the dark stalls in the background very well. Not quite as good with Viveza 2...

Mel Hughes
Sparta, TN

Mel--I think one thing NX2 has going for it is that it operates directly on the Raw. By the time you get to Viveza in PS or LR you've already passed the Raw stage and you're working on the processed image.--David

I agree, David. Add to that the fact that Nik created NX2 for Nikon. It makes for a powerful combination, working directly in raw in a software designed for processing with U-point being a core component.

I also find that NX2 works extremely well "enhancing" jpegs I shoot with my Canon SD770 IS and G11. I am able to open the images, run Nik Colorefex filters if necessary, and hit a few control points in a matter of moments. It is a great tool.

Am I reading the above posts correctly that the U-Point technology in NX2 is doing the same work and possibly better than the U-Point technology in Viveza 2 with Nikon nef files? The only advantage I can visualize for Viveza2 over NX2 would be its plug-in ability with Photoshop.

The more I use NX2 the more I like the results, but I still am frustrated with the slowness of NX2 in processing files.

It is amazing how software continues to be a major important factor in a commercial photography workflow.