Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture
- Price: $399.95
- Free Shipping (USA)
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Non Returnable
Availabillty Details
CloseItem is non-cancelable and non-returnable.
If you purchase this software and receive an older disc with Silver Efex Pro, you can get a free upgrade to Silver Efex Pro 2 upon registration with Nik Software.
The Complete Collection from Nik Software is a cost-saving bundle of their popular digital imaging plug-in applications. Compatible with Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture, the bundle includes Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, HDR Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro 3.0, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro 3.0.
You may receive an older disc that does not contain the latest versions of all software included in this package. If this occurs, please contact Nik Software directly -- they will provide you with instructions to download the latest version of the software from their web site. Rest assured, purchasing this package grants you a license to use all of the listed applications.
- Compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS3 through CS5, Photoshop Elements 6.0 through 9.0, Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 through 3.x, and Apple Aperture 2.1 through 3.1. Please note, that HDR Efex Pro is only compatible with the 64-bit version of Photoshop CS5, Lightroom, and Aperture -- it is not compatible with earlier versions of Photoshop or any version of Photoshop Elements. Color Efex 3.0 can also be used with Nikon Cpature NX 2.
- Dfine reduces noise in images created by using digital cameras at high ISO levels
- Viveza 2 allows you to control color and light in images, without having to create complicated selections or layer masks
- HDR Efex Pro allows you to create stunning HDR images from multiple exposures
- Color Efex Pro includes 52 filters that can create over 250 effects
- Silver Efex Pro allows you to create professional-quality black and white images from digital photos
- Sharpener Pro is an advanced sharpening tool for professional photographers
| System Requirements |
Computer: AMD or Intel CPU; Intel Mac Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, 7; Mac OS 10.5.8, 10.6 Memory: 2GB (4GB recommended) Compatible Host Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 through CS5, Photoshop Elements 6.0 through 9.0, Photoshop Lightroom 2.3 through 3.x, and Apple Aperture 2.1 through 3.1. Please note, that HDR Efex Pro is only compatible with the 64-bit version of Photoshop CS5, Lightroom, and Aperture -- it is not compatible with earlier versions of Photoshop or any version of Photoshop Elements. Color Efex 3.0 can also be used with Nikon Cpature NX 2. |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 80 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
97%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Versatile (56)
- Easy to navigate (52)
- Accurate colors (45)
- Easy to collaborate across programs (35)
- Easy to customize (29)
Cons
- Freezes or crashes (3)
Best Uses
- Professional quality (59)
- Presentations (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Quality oriented (74), Budget shopper (3)
- Primary use:
- Business (39), Personal (39)
- Computer Platform:
- PC (18), Mac (13)
Most Liked Positive Review
For people serious about photography!
I am not a professional but that doesn't mean I take my photography lightly. I choose products that fill a need, ehance my images while maintaing the look and feel of a photograph. My...Read complete review
I am not a professional but that doesn't mean I take my photography lightly. I choose products that fill a need, ehance my images while maintaing the look and feel of a photograph. My goal is to replicate what I saw and felt at the time I made the exposure.
I am a Nikon shooter so I use NX2, CS5, Lightroom 3.3 and various plug-ins. My desktop is ancient by todays standards - XP Pro, Pentium D 3.2 GHZ with 3.2 GHZ RAM. I have an NEC Multisnsync as my primary monitor and a 19" Dell to hold pallets etc. Why do I mention this - because you need horses to maximize efficiency with this software and that is what this product is all about!
I shoot RAW, archive my originals and open a copy in ACR. Only basic minimum adjustments are made with sharpening and noise reduction reduced to zero. Then into CS5 for cleanup, color correction and not much else since installing this product.
At this stage my entire workflow moves to the Collection which is now so extensive you can 'quickly and efficiently' accomplish almost everything once done in PSX/CSX/NXX in a fraction of the time those products require.
Dfine reduces any digital noise in a couple clicks unless you really need to focus on something special. Viveza requires more thought then the promo's lead you to believe but I use it 50% of the time, especially on the sky. I haven't used HDR, not my style at this time. Color Efex is the principle reason I purchased the Collection. I use at least 4 'filters' on almost every image. The graduated filters alone are reason to purchase the software. I'm just now experimenting with Silver Efex but the black and white possiblities are unlimited!
Sharpener Pro is very effective but I switch between it and the sharpener which comes with Resize Pro (different vendor).
Some considerations:
Very good tutorials and using video on demand is an excellant starting point.
Shadow/Highlight Histograms are really a great tool to help constrain adjustments to reasonable levels.
Not the Collections fault but you need horses if you use CS5 and have a larger monitor. Slow refresh rates, especially at 100% zoom, make it harder to distinguish incremental adjustments.
Non NX2 users will face a learning curve with U-Point Technology which is a major component of each application in the Collection. U-Points are wonderful but they are not a Lasso. I wish there was a way to restrict the changes introduced by a U-Point but a circle is a circle. Even so, with experience you will overcome many of those limitations.
Zoom controls are not consistent across products. Several are incremental but some are 0 to 100% and you don't always need or want 100%.
Sliders are used to control all adjustments. Arrow keys can be used to fine tune your setting in some products but in others you're locked into moving the mouse or trying to highlight the number and keying the desired setting.
Pin icons are hard to see on several of the Loupes.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Don't You Believe It!
I read the other reviews, and with all due respect, I suspect some of these comments are colored by some lack of experience (I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, I have...Read complete review
I read the other reviews, and with all due respect, I suspect some of these comments are colored by some lack of experience (I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, I have no doubt these people are totally sincere but what I'm seeing is very different). I just bought and installed this software. First, if you happen to receive a box that has a second VIVEZA disk in it, DO NOT INSTALL THE VIVEZA ON THE MAIN DISK!!! You will end up with a nonfunctioning version of VIVEZA stuck in your Photoshop Filters menu that you can't get rid of. Install the rest of the plug-ins, then VIVEZA from the stand alone disk, then use the KEY from the main disk (yes, that's right - what could they possibly have been thinking? Not to mention they didn't bother to provide even those simple instructions. The software is written in the same careless way). And don't bother to ask for help from "Customer Support" - they just do the old "presume ignorance on the part of the customer" thing and tell you to uninstall it (as if you would have written them before doing that). In my case my email explicitly TOLD them the uninstall doesn't work but they just told me to do it anyway. So the main point of all of that is that not surprisingly, the software has exactly the same low quality characteristics. Its written for inexperienced people who don't realize they're not actually getting anything useful for their money. Everything these plug-in's do can be done easily and more effectively with basic Photoshop but without the poorly thought out interfaces (Silver Efex Pro for example doesn't even display what effect you've chosen! Once you've selected it, you're stuck if you didn't write it down somewhere) and weird artifacts this very amateurish software produces. Oh, and don't expect that useless reply to your request for help anytime soon - they didn't respond to most of my requests at all, and the one time they did (and wasted my time telling me to do exactly what I'd just told them doesn't work), it took days. Don't waste your money on this - just do it in photoshop!
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 80 customers
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Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
BnH photo is a really great company to order from! I order all my photo equipment from them!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
This product helps every step of the photographic workflow is covered, from noise reduction and selective color and light correction to creative enhancements, skin retouching, fine art black and white conversion, high dynamic range (HDR) imaging, and image sharpening. Photographers will get the most out of every image, while saving time and taking their craft to the next level. It is very user friendly and easy to learn.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
Making adjustments is very easy.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
I have been using Nik Complete Collection for 3 years now for my photography business. I do a lot of event photography where images are not always as clean or accurate as I'd like them to be out of camera. Without this software, all of the flaws I sometimes encounter in the field would be much more apparent. These tools allow me to save images that would otherwise be sub-excellent. For images that are already excellent ouf-of-camera, there are so many tools that can enhance and beautify them further. I love Viveza for selective, localized adjustments. It really allows you to tweak your image just right. Love silver efex!! It's like being in a dark room, being able to dodge and burn. The software puts B&W photoshop actions to shame. Color Efex 4 was available as a free download since it wasn't quite released at the time of purchase. Very nice! Thank you, Nik! Love tonal contrast, pro contrast, colour cast correction. Post-editing-sharpening for large prints. The list goes on. I couldn't imagine living without this set. And I saved a hefty chunk of change buying here at B&H versus the official company's download distribution purchase method. Shipping in two days from New York to Canada... I'm a very happy customer!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Navigate
- Fast
- Sparks Creativity
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Graphic Design
- Photo editing
- Photography
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
I already owned Viveza 1, Color Efex Pro 3 Complete, and HDR Efex Pro and needed to upgrade the former two, plus purchase at least one of the others at the same time. The price B&H had at the time I purchased this was the same price it would cost me to upgrade my already-owned plug-ins to the Complete Collection directly from Nik, so I chose the B&H route so I wouldn't lose the plug-ins I had already paid for (can give them to somebody else).
I originally didn't think I'd really need Dfine, but after using it I see how it is useful to me and will be using it as my first step after RAW conversion/ACR. It is good at what it does, plus is simple and quick to use.
I already had HDR Pro, which I already loved. It is a great tool for creating both realistic and surreal HDR images.
I love the upgrades Nik made to Color Efex Pro in the new version (version 4). It is taking a little getting used to, as I had been using Version 3 of it for a long time, but I love some of the new filters. Stacking is taking some getting used to, especially since I've been naming my files by which filters I used and now that's hard since I can't name the file just by looking in the Layers list anymore, but I like that it will keep file sizes down.
I like the added features of Viveza 2 compared to the Version 1 of it I had been using.
I'm so glad to finally have Silver Efex Pro 2 in my arsenal! I've been wanting Silver Efex Pro for a long time, but other purchases always got in the way of adding it (since I could always use Color Efex Pro for good black-and-whites). I'm enjoying it a lot!
Sharpener Pro is helpful for printing, especially when printing on my wide-format printer for big prints.
Overall, these plug-ins are a good time-saver, do a great job, are easy to use, and give a great creativity spark. I'm sold on Nik for life!
I use them mainly in Photoshop, but have them installed for Lightroom, too. I use them on Windows 7 64-bit (Intel Six-Core i7 processor, 24 GB RAM) desktop and my laptop that is Windows XP SP3 (Intel Centrino, 2 GB RAM). I'm a photographer and graphic designer and have used the Nik plug-ins in both fields.
Don't forget to go to Nik's Web site to download additional presets/recipes for Silver Efex, HDR Efex, and Color Efex (version 4 only). There are some nice ones posted on there!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Powerful editing tools
- Useful photo effects
- Versatile
Cons
- Frustrating installation
- Nonexistant documentation
Best Uses
- Inhancing photos
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
To date I have used Dfine, Viverza, and HDR Efex Pro with Photoshop CS5, although I have also installed the plugin for Lightroom 3. Define did a marvelous job of removing noise from some pocket camera photos taken in low light conditions, and Viveza has allowed me to do enhancements to photos that would have been WAY beyond my ability using straight Photoshop. My limited HDR efforts have turned out awesome. So why only 4 stars?
First, even Nik does not try to claim that the pamphlet included with the software is an instruction manual. And getting the plugins installed to work with both Lightroom 3 AND Photoshop CS4 required manual undocumented update downloads and was an exercise in frustration.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
If you are not comfortable making complicated photoshop adjustments on your images using masks and layers, this is the softwear for you. Viveza 2 makes it a breeze when it comes to local adjustments in light and color using control points. I've re-processed many of my images w/ Viveza 2 and Color effects pro and see a big improvement. You can create the same effects using just Photoshop but I just don't have the experience/knowledge to do that. Buying the complete collection will save you money.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
Easy to use plugin for photoshop and lightroom, I like it a lot.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Presentations
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
easy to use, make adjustments quickly
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
So many excellent effects, used by the pros like Matt Kloskowski and RC Concepcion. This product saves significant time over developing your own effects and saving as presets. Additionally, the Nik U-point technology is amazing for local adjustments without the need to make complex selections. The product integrates seamlessly with Photoshop CS5.
My only complaint is the the setup really should be done from the disk as all the softwares are out of date. You need to head to the Nik web site and download the latest versions of each plug in set.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
Best Uses
- Im glad I bought Nik
- Presentations
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
Awesome product. It's worth the money three time over. Great plug-ins. Your photo's will have new look I promise.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
B&H scores a big hit here, with a deal better than [...]! This is a fantastic suite of software, with great tutorials online by Nik. View the tutorials, download the trial, then buy the software here.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
The software is easy to use. In fact, too easy. Using this collection in Lightroom is cumbersome and very slow to react especially in Viveza 2. After an email to tech support (took 3 days to respond and I got two different responses from two different staff members), I was informed that 16GB of RAM in a newer iMac still would not help the software responsiveness.
I still find myself processing some with NIK in PS and then finishing with layers in PS which is what I wanted to STOP doing with the purchase of this software.
Silver Efex Pro 2 and Viveza 2 are good (not mind blowing). They are the best part of the collection in my opinion. The others I haven't opened in a while. I want to be fast in post and this isn't helping. However, when I want to take my time and spend more than 10 minutes on an image this can be powerful software. It just needs to be faster for me. Back to my beloved PS actions.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
Would be unfair to not give it 5 stars just because I've recently purchased it and haven't vaguely explored all the possibilities! - it's such a comprehensive set of software applications to get to know. VERY powerful
Quite expensive as this costs virtually the same as full CS4 version
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Navigate
- Inspires creativity
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
Provides great filters and pre-sets to help generate new ideas about working with your images. I find myself shooting new images to take advantage of certain filters and pre-sets. All filter/pre-set settings can be tweaked before rendering the final image.
U-Point technology allows you to change things quickly without spending lots of time defining your masks. Combining points allows more natural looking adjustments.
Integrates seamlessly with Photoshop so that navigation is easy. I had experience working with Capture NX prior to working with the Complete Collection, but the interface is very intuitive.
The black and white conversions with Silver EFEX PRO 2 are really clean and provide lots of control.
Viveza has much of the same functionality as Capture NX 2, but it integrates into Photoshop so it can be applied to individual layers.
The first time I used Dfine 2.0 to selectively remove noise from a series of images shot at 6400 ISO, I was amazed how clean I was able to get the clothes and skin tones while keeping details sharp.
HDR EFEX PRO does a great job with either single image JPEGs/RAW files or bracketed exposures. Again, lots of control over the image handling process.
I use it with Windows 7 64-bit and have had no issues with crashing, freezes or other problems.
Nik's online tutorials are informative and provide great ideas about new ways to create images.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
I recently purchased the Nik Complete Collection and am in awe of this software. First, it is extremely easy to use. You can basically hit the ground running. Second, there are a wide variety of filters. You can get almost any effect you want and then easily tweak anything using a few levers. Third, this makes noise reduction and sharpening extremely easy. Fourth, the filter effects look incredible.
This software will save you hours of time and help you to get the look you want much easier. I very highly recommend it.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- U Point Technology
Cons
Best Uses
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
Customer expectations are rising. They not only want good pictures. They want pictures as they imagined the event. With Nik software you can accomplish it faster and better than before. The selling point for me was the U Point Technology making easier and faster to correct exactly where needed. There are other ways to do it, but it takes longer and that means loss of income.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Enhancing digital images
- Presentations
- Professional Quality
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
[...] A great tool to add speed and some really cool effects to my workflow. It is no secret that Nik is an industry leader in their field and this set is truely their complete collection. I couldn't be happier, thanks B&H!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
Excellent plug in suite for CS5. Saves serious time in post rocessing.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Accurate Colors and Controls
- Easy To Collaborate Across Programs
- Easy To Customize
- Easy To Navigate
Cons
- Corrected by Tech Support
- Freezes or Crashes
Best Uses
- Editing Images
Comments about Nik Software Complete Collection Software Plug-in for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture:
I use these plugins with Photoshop and Lightroom so the Ultimate Collection works great for me. At [$] for the collection it was a good price.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
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