Kubota Image Tools vs Topaz vs LucasArts

I'm a big fan of Photoshop plugins that save me a lot of time and work. I use the Imagenomic plugins a lot for studio portraiture post-processing. On the recommendation from a book on portraiture, I decided to purchase one of the Kubota Image Tools creative tool sets. I like it but only use a few of the actions, and I've had my eye on one of the other creative tool sets but then started to wonder if I might get more bang for the buck elsewhere.

I like doing creative post-processing with studio portraits and landscape photos. I like the HDR-like effects achieved by some of the plugins, like those from LucasArts. The Topaz plugins really give you a lot of bang for the buck. Their plugin bundle is the same price as just one of the Kubota Image tool packages. The LucasArts bundles are more...like at least twice as much, but they offer a lot of creative options.

I keep bouncing from one to the other and am having trouble deciding on a direction...or maybe people use combinations. I've found threads in here on each of these but none that compare them or recommend one over another for any particular reason. Hence the reason for this post! For people who have done such comparisons or have used more than one of these firsthand, I'd like to hear about impressions or recommendations. Thanks!

LucasArts makes movies; perhaps you're referring to LucisArt

PixelMagic wrote in post #9964158
LucasArts makes movies; perhaps you're referring to LucisArt

Yes, sorry about the typo...The LucisArt3 ED/SE and LucisArt Pro packages in particular, is what I'm asking about.

I'm not familiar with Kubota, but I have LucisArt3 as well as Topaz adjust, but I find myself more and more frequently just using the Tonal Contrast preset in Nik Color Efex to get a more controlled look. Plus it's SUPER versatile, and I think it's great bang for your buck personally. Topaz adjust is pretty much last on my list, as it can do some interesting things, but generally takes too much fiddling with the sliders and blending layers to get something good, and the presets are worthless. It's not as versatile as it first seems. Nor is LucisArt though. Aside from the sculpture tool, there isn't much there that is particularly useful. But I'll take a picture and give you an example of each with the same picture if you like:

Original with no editing aside from raw adjustments and some skin smoothing:

Really appreciate the feedback and comparison information! I found Topaz to be interesting because of the price of the plugin bundle, with a variety of tools. However, most people, like you, say the one they use the most is the Adjust tool, and if it's difficult to use with any success, then I'm not sure it would be worth it. LucisArt seemed like something you might use for more dramatic changes and not for subtle ones. It's the most expensive option, and it doesn't sound like many people (here) use it. Anyway, thanks again for the input.