Topaz?

Not sure if this is the right place for this. I have PS12 (CS5) though I am finding it very hard to get to grips with. I see people getting some very good results with the various Topaz programs, and I wonder whether people here recommend it, as an alternative or addition to PS12? The demo video clips on-line do seem to show it's easy to use, but then they would.

Are you talking about Topaz Labs?

http://www.topazlabs.c​om/

I have a the suite of topaz tools and like them. I have gotten some good results. However, they are not a substitute for Photoshop or for learning photoshop. They are designed to be add-ons anyways, not used as a stand alone. I find that PS does have a learning curve so I would suggest picking up some books or watching tutorial videos, and just stick with it until you learn.

The Topaz add-ons to PS are very easy to use and a lot of fun.

peterbj7 wrote in post #11503468
Not sure if this is the right place for this. I have PS12 (CS5) though I am finding it very hard to get to grips with. I see people getting some very good results with the various Topaz programs, and I wonder whether people here recommend it, as an alternative or addition to PS12? The demo video clips on-line do seem to show it's easy to use, but then they would.

The Topaz plug-ins are great.
But you need some basic photoshop skills to make it work.
Duplicate your original layer before doing the plug-in
Topaz is great but seems to overdo things if you are not careful.
I always lower the opacity to 65% or something on the Topaz adjusted layer. Then it seems more natural.
And also use mask to remove unwanted effects.
Mask is very easy to use. There are several tutorials on the web for it. Just do a quick search and you will get multiple hits.

You know, I keep hoping I'll wake up one morning and suddenly Photoshop will drop into place in my mind, as if it's always been there.

peterbj7 wrote in post #11507878
You know, I keep hoping I'll wake up one morning and suddenly Photoshop will drop into place in my mind, as if it's always been there.

Hahahahaha it is called practice my friend! Also google search is your best friend in learning how layers and masks work, just google 'CS5 Layers and Masks' you will be amazed on what you find.

As for the Topaz Lab plugins, they rock and are very easy to use. but you will still need to know how to use PS. you loose nothing by experimenting with in photoshop man don't be afraid just jump on into it.

I know!!

There are many, many free tutorials on the net that will help you learn PS. Do a search and you'll find them. The best part is that most of them, especially those geared toward beginners, are free!

And if the free tutorials don't work spend $25 on a one month subscription to www.lynda.com.

Thanks all, I'll give it a go!

Downloaded one of their programs...never could get it to work. Several e-mails to them with no answer. Good luck if you purchase Topaz products and need customer service...ain't gonna happen!

Bob Sherwood wrote in post #11528004
Downloaded one of their programs...never could get it to work. Several e-mails to them with no answer. Good luck if you purchase Topaz products and need customer service...ain't gonna happen!

Totally the opposite of my experience, not that I'm doubting you.

I've tried Topaz. In fact I have a trial version of their de-noise installed now. Don't like it and it doesn't seem to do much but I'm sure it's me. Same with their free package of stuff I got a while ago. I tried it and didn't see anything that I couldn't do in Photoshop. At least nothing I couldn't do that I wanted to do.

I've seen some great results from Topaz plug ins but I've never accomplished anything I could use.

In fact the only purchased item I have have that I use regularly is Totally Rad Actions.

It's been 72 hours since I e-mailed them and still no response. This is NOT customer service.

Bob Sherwood wrote in post #11534970
It's been 72 hours since I e-mailed them and still no response. This is NOT customer service.

Be thankful your call is not re-routed to India. I have gone days before a single email response was given back from any company, have you tried calling? What issues are you guys having, I never had any issues using there plugins. You might also think about posting on here, people are very knowledgeable and can very useful as well.

Edit: Sorry Bob read the thread above, what version photoshop are you running? also what OS?