Neat Image info / advice

MP · #1 (**permalink**) 19-12-2011, 03:00 PM

Hi, I am on the verge of buying Neat Image,to help me wage war against the noise in some of my photos. Do I need the pro version ? The home version does not seem to do 16 / 32 bit images. As you can probably tell it`s all a bit above me at the moment. I use a Canon 7D. From what I understand it will not work that well on complicated backgrounds either,so are it`s noise reduction uses limited in that way ? There is a stand alone version which I would most likely go for, and a plug in version,which I think may confuse me a little

Lots of people suggest using it with masks ect,I do not know much about masks and Layers ect I am very much a beginner in computer photo editing and only do very basic stuff really. I know there are a lot of users of Neat Image here,so please offer me your tips and any advice you can please.

With thanks Mark.

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 19-12-2011, 03:17 PM

I use the plug in version for Photoshop. It automatically installs itself in Photoshop, under the Filter heading.
Using masks is easy. All you do is make a selection with whatever tools your software use, in Photoshop I usually use the lasso tool. Then you run Neat image over the selection.
It works best where you want the background to be clean and out of focus. You can adjust the amount of noise reduction it does, although I rarely have to bother.
With the free version your also limited on the image size you can work on. It's not expensive though so I recommend buying the full version.

Ollie · #3 (**permalink**) 19-12-2011, 04:55 PM

I use Neat Image and like Graham I used the paid for version that automatically installs as a plug in. I Use PS elements 10 and Neat Image works very well with it.

Again like Graham mentioned you can adjust the settings as to how much noise reduction you apply but I generally use it on the default settings that mostly work fine.

I highly recommend it

Johnny81 · #4 (**permalink**) 23-12-2011, 10:55 AM

Agree with the above, all of my photos go through neat image and I'm still using the trial version, but I also should upgrade!

MP · #5 (**permalink**) 23-12-2011, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the replies, there are two types of paid for versions , a home version which does not support 16 / 32 bit images , or the pro version which does but is almost double the price, though still not over expensive really . I wonder if I need the pro version , I am not sure what difference it really makes having the ability to process 16 / 32 bit images. I also currently use Elements seven, and am due to upgrade, so I assume you can carry the Neat Image software over to newer versions of Photoshop ?

glsammy · #6 (**permalink**) 23-12-2011, 02:35 PM

There's also a different version depending on what software your using. There's a 64 bit version for users who have that version of editing software. To be honest I don't bother. I still use the 32 bit version of photoshop, even though I run the 64-bit version of windows 7.
I also only have a license for the home version. I've never had a need for high bit-depth images.
It depends really on what you intend to do with the images. If it's just for web use and to look at on your own screen at home then the home version is more than good enough.

MP · #7 (**permalink**) 23-12-2011, 06:38 PM

Thanks Graham .

The_Moaner · #8 (**permalink**) 26-12-2011, 05:11 PM

I use Nik Software "Define 2" at the Auto setting and find it quite good.

I also use pscs5's Noise Reduction on occasion as well and find that very good.
I set the first setting in photoshops to 10 and leave the other settings alone. Just use the Magic brush or whichever you prefer around the bird/object then chose inverse and noise reduction. I use it twice on the background. Try it before you decide to buy Neat image.
I use to use neat image but could not work out the settings to use so gave it away.