Nik Help

**JimD** · 03-29-2016, 11:16 PM

All of my photos are in dng format and I currently use Lightroom 4. I get on ok with it and the final results are to my liking.

Unlike back in the film days (1970's and 80's) I don't publish anything. I've never even posted anything - not sure I'd know how to. All of my shots are for myself and my family.

I downloaded the Nik freebie on both my PC (Windows 8) and my laptop (Windows 10) and all seemed to go well. During the download Lightroom was identified as the Host.

The problem I've got now is how do I access it? Where is it? I clicked on plug-ins but as far as I can make out it's not there. Am I looking in the wrong place? Or has it downloaded to the wrong place?

I'd be grateful if anyone can direct me to any tutorials, YouTube videos or anything else that would help.

I was far more at home in a darkroom than I am with a computer

Davidparis · 03-29-2016, 11:58 PM - **1 Like**

Hello,
I don't use the plug-ins with LR anymore as I'm perfectly content with LR6 and what it can do. However, as I recall, you can access the Nik modules by launching LR, selecting your photo to work with and then on LR menu, you select Photo>Edit In> and then you will see a list of the Nik modules to use for further modification. Finally, after editing with NIK, you'd save your work and your edited photo will be sent back into the LR Develop module. Perhaps, give that a try?
Brgds.

**wizofoz** · 03-30-2016, 12:53 AM - **1 Like**

David is perfectly correct. photo>edit in> various plugins

**Rondec** · 03-30-2016, 02:49 AM - **1 Like**

Nik doesn't work on RAW files, but on a TIFF file that lightroom will create. My work flow is to do some general edits (bump shadows, burn highlights, clone out anything weird) and then you right click on the photo and under "edit in" you will see the various nik programs (Color Efex, Analog, etc). Pick one and then it will create a TIFF copy, export the file and when you are done in the Nik program you click Save and it will send it back to Lightroom.

The one exception is HDR Efex, where you pick your files you want to create an HDR from, right click on them and under "Export" you will find HDR Efex Pro.

LeRolls · 03-30-2016, 03:05 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rondec

Nik doesn't work on RAW files, but on a TIFF file that lightroom will create. My work flow is to do some general edits (bump shadows, burn highlights, clone out anything weird) and then you right click on the photo and under "edit in" you will see the various nik programs (Color Efex, Analog, etc). Pick one and then it will create a TIFF copy, export the file and when you are done in the Nik program you click Save and it will send it back to Lightroom.

The one exception is HDR Efex, where you pick your files you want to create an HDR from, right click on them and under "Export" you will find HDR Efex Pro.

Yep, that's what I do.

**JimD** · 03-30-2016, 04:36 AM

Thanks very much guys. I'll give it a try when I get home tonight.

**vrphoto** · 03-30-2016, 04:55 AM

Originally posted by JimD

I'd be grateful if anyone can direct me to any tutorials, YouTube videos or anything else that would help.

here's a link to manuals and youtube videos (scroll down a bit and you'll find them)

Nik Collection Manuals

**Schraubstock** · 03-30-2016, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Nik doesn't work on RAW files

Not so, I load DNG files in PS CS6 or (SC3) go to "Filter" > "Nick Collection" and when the work is done "save as"TIF or JPG. Works every time.
So Nik does works with Raw files.

**Rondec** · 03-30-2016, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by Schraubstock

Not so, I load DNG files in PS CS6 or (SC3) go to "Filter" > "Nick Collection" and when the work is done "save as"TIF or JPG. Works every time.
So Nik does works with Raw files.

I don't use it with photoshop, so not familiar with that. With Lightroom, it does not work with RAW files.

photolady95 · 03-30-2016, 11:03 AM

Works that way in PSE13 also. So, that's another negative to stay clear of LR, for me.

**clackers** · 03-30-2016, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by Schraubstock

Not so, I load DNG files in PS CS6 or (SC3) go to "Filter" > "Nick Collection" and when the work is done "save as"TIF or JPG. Works every time.
So Nik does works with Raw files.

But your PS is doing the RAW conversion first, Schraubstock.

photolady95 · 03-30-2016, 02:02 PM

In PSE, when I use a plugin, I then have to merge down the layer attached, then I can save it as .jpeg. Otherwise it wants to save as a copy and I have to chose to save as jpeg otherwise it tries to save as .psd.

mee · 03-30-2016, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by photolady95

In PSE, when I use a plugin, I then have to merge down the layer attached, then I can save it as .jpeg. Otherwise it wants to save as a copy and I have to chose to save as jpeg otherwise it tries to save as .psd.

PSE doesn't support 16 bit processing though.. that is the negative of it. Which is why I tend to do most of my work in LR through the Nik plugins, THEN go into PSE if I need to do any healing or other options (since it will convert the image to 8-bit at that point).

**Schraubstock** · 03-30-2016, 10:43 PM

Originally posted by clackers

But your PS is doing the RAW conversion first

Yes of course

**JimD** · 03-30-2016, 11:08 PM

All working as you described. Thanks again.

03-29-2016, 11:16 PM	#1
JimD Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 187	Nik Help All of my photos are in dng format and I currently use Lightroom 4. I get on ok with it and the final results are to my liking. Unlike back in the film days (1970's and 80's) I don't publish anything. I've never even posted anything - not sure I'd know how to. All of my shots are for myself and my family. I downloaded the Nik freebie on both my PC (Windows 8) and my laptop (Windows 10) and all seemed to go well. During the download Lightroom was identified as the Host. The problem I've got now is how do I access it? Where is it? I clicked on plug-ins but as far as I can make out it's not there. Am I looking in the wrong place? Or has it downloaded to the wrong place? I'd be grateful if anyone can direct me to any tutorials, YouTube videos or anything else that would help. I was far more at home in a darkroom than I am with a computer

03-29-2016, 11:58 PM - 1 Like	#2
Davidparis Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 290	Hello, I don't use the plug-ins with LR anymore as I'm perfectly content with LR6 and what it can do. However, as I recall, you can access the Nik modules by launching LR, selecting your photo to work with and then on LR menu, you select Photo>Edit In> and then you will see a list of the Nik modules to use for further modification. Finally, after editing with NIK, you'd save your work and your edited photo will be sent back into the LR Develop module. Perhaps, give that a try? Brgds. Last edited by Davidparis; 03-29-2016 at 11:58 PM. Reason: I can't type.

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03-30-2016, 12:53 AM - 1 Like	#3
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	David is perfectly correct. photo>edit in> various plugins

03-30-2016, 02:49 AM - 1 Like	#4
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Nik doesn't work on RAW files, but on a TIFF file that lightroom will create. My work flow is to do some general edits (bump shadows, burn highlights, clone out anything weird) and then you right click on the photo and under "edit in" you will see the various nik programs (Color Efex, Analog, etc). Pick one and then it will create a TIFF copy, export the file and when you are done in the Nik program you click Save and it will send it back to Lightroom. The one exception is HDR Efex, where you pick your files you want to create an HDR from, right click on them and under "Export" you will find HDR Efex Pro.

03-30-2016, 03:05 AM - 1 Like	#5
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Originally posted by Rondec Nik doesn't work on RAW files, but on a TIFF file that lightroom will create. My work flow is to do some general edits (bump shadows, burn highlights, clone out anything weird) and then you right click on the photo and under "edit in" you will see the various nik programs (Color Efex, Analog, etc). Pick one and then it will create a TIFF copy, export the file and when you are done in the Nik program you click Save and it will send it back to Lightroom. The one exception is HDR Efex, where you pick your files you want to create an HDR from, right click on them and under "Export" you will find HDR Efex Pro. Yep, that's what I do.

03-30-2016, 04:36 AM	#6
JimD Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 187 Original Poster	Thanks very much guys. I'll give it a try when I get home tonight.

03-30-2016, 04:55 AM	#7
vrphoto Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 150	Originally posted by JimD I'd be grateful if anyone can direct me to any tutorials, YouTube videos or anything else that would help. here's a link to manuals and youtube videos (scroll down a bit and you'll find them) Nik Collection Manuals

03-30-2016, 06:35 AM	#8
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Originally posted by Rondec Nik doesn't work on RAW files Not so, I load DNG files in PS CS6 or (SC3) go to "Filter" > "Nick Collection" and when the work is done "save as"TIF or JPG. Works every time. So Nik does works with Raw files.

03-30-2016, 06:51 AM	#9
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by Schraubstock Not so, I load DNG files in PS CS6 or (SC3) go to "Filter" > "Nick Collection" and when the work is done "save as"TIF or JPG. Works every time. So Nik does works with Raw files. I don't use it with photoshop, so not familiar with that. With Lightroom, it does not work with RAW files.

03-30-2016, 11:03 AM	#10
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Works that way in PSE13 also. So, that's another negative to stay clear of LR, for me.

03-30-2016, 01:36 PM	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Schraubstock Not so, I load DNG files in PS CS6 or (SC3) go to "Filter" > "Nick Collection" and when the work is done "save as"TIF or JPG. Works every time. So Nik does works with Raw files. But your PS is doing the RAW conversion first, Schraubstock.

03-30-2016, 02:02 PM	#12
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	In PSE, when I use a plugin, I then have to merge down the layer attached, then I can save it as .jpeg. Otherwise it wants to save as a copy and I have to chose to save as jpeg otherwise it tries to save as .psd.

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03-30-2016, 08:14 PM	#13
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by photolady95 In PSE, when I use a plugin, I then have to merge down the layer attached, then I can save it as .jpeg. Otherwise it wants to save as a copy and I have to chose to save as jpeg otherwise it tries to save as .psd. PSE doesn't support 16 bit processing though.. that is the negative of it. Which is why I tend to do most of my work in LR through the Nik plugins, THEN go into PSE if I need to do any healing or other options (since it will convert the image to 8-bit at that point).

03-30-2016, 10:43 PM	#14
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Originally posted by clackers But your PS is doing the RAW conversion first Yes of course

03-30-2016, 11:08 PM	#15
JimD Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Newport, South Wales Posts: 187 Original Poster	All working as you described. Thanks again.