Photoshop
To access the plug-ins in Photoshop, please follow these steps:
Navigate to Filters > Nik Collection
Select the plug-in to be applied to the image
To open HDR Efex Pro 2, follow these steps:
Navigate to File > Automate
Select Merge to HDR Efex Pro 2
Click Select to open a file browser to select the desired images to be merged into an HDR image and click OK
Photoshop also offers a separate window for easy access to the plug-ins. This is called the Selective Tool, and it automatically opens when Photoshop opens. If you would like to change this setting so that it does not automatically open, click on the Settings button in the lower left corner of the window. If you close the Selective Tool and then wish to reopen it, navigate to File > Automate > Nik Collection Selective Tool.
Lightroom
To access the plug-ins in Lightroom, please follow these steps:
Select the image or images to be enhanced
Navigate to Photo > Edit In
Select the plug-in to be applied to the image(s)
To open HDR Efex Pro 2, follow these steps:
Select the image series to be enhanced
Navigate to File > Export with Preset
Select HDR Efex Pro 2
Aperture
To access the plug-ins in Aperture, follow these steps:
Select the image or images to be enhanced
Navigate to Photos > Edit with Plug-In
Select the plug-in to be applied to the image(s)
Photoshop Elements
To access the plug-ins in Photoshop Elements, please follow these steps:
Navigate to Filter > Nik Collection
Select the plug-in to be applied to the image
Photoshop Elements also offers a separate window for easy access to the plug-ins. This is called the Selective Tool, and it automatically opens when Photoshop Elements opens. If you would like to change this setting so that it does not automatically open, click on the Settings button in the lower left corner of the window. If you close the Selective Tool and then wish to reopen it, navigate to File > Automation Tools > Nik Collection Selective Tool.
Please note, HDR Efex Pro 2 is not compatible with Photoshop Elements. Photoshop Elements cannot support 32-bit images, which is a requirement for HDR imaging.
Hi, I downloaded Nik for Mac, loaded it, but Color Efex Pro crashes on my new IMac with High Sierra. I use it â that, is I want to use it â with Photoshop. Is it Sierra thatâs the problem or the download?
I canât download it againâŠno link to be found. Iâve used the whole Nik collection for years, after buying it, and love it. As a pro photographer, I need it.
Thank you for the Lightroom tip. I thought that I was going mad. Every time I tried to find Silver Efex pro2 I was looking via Plug in manager. I could only find HDR Efex. As soon as I saw here that I should be using Photo>Edit in I found all the Nik plug ins including Silver Efex Pro2. I tried it out on an image that I had converted in Lightroom to Black and White. The result was magical. Thanks again.
I have previously used the old Nik Collection as standalone. I am excited for the New collection and support. Question? I donât have or use photoshop, I use Affinity Photo. Can I use the DxO Nik collection as standalone? Can it be accessed from Affinity and will that be an option for me in the future? Some how, some way I would love to use Nik without giving up Affinity. Thanks
Hi John - - Yes, nothing has changed in this respect;
To use any of the Nik Collection tools as standalone apps you simply need to navigate to:
C:\Program Files\DxO\Nik Collection\ {Tool Name}
eg. C:\Program Files\DxO\Nik Collection\ Color Efex Pro 4 (64-Bit)
⊠and then double-click on the executable file (eg. Color Efex Pro 4.exe )
You could also drag a shortcut (referring to the executable file) to your desktop ⊠and then youâll be able to drag&drop an image to the shortcut.
Iâve always wonder why shortcuts to the stand-alone applications have never had Start menu shortcuts created by the installer?
It wouldnât be too difficult.
Thank you for your post on the Nik collection, and DXO for their efforts in reviving the Nik collection.
If I understand you correctly, purchasing and installing the DXO Nik Collection would allow me to (continue to) use Nik plug-ins from within Apple Aperture.
I happen to use Googleâs Nik collection (stand alone and Aperture plug-ins in Aperture 3.6) under MacOS Sierra 10.12.6. Apps in /Applications/Nik Collection and plug-ins in /Library/Application Support/Aperture/Plug-Ins/Google/âŠ
Will the DXO stand alone and plug-in versions of the Nik collection just overwrite the Google versions of the apps and plug-ins. And everything will just work, without loss of functionality?
Itâs important that you make a plugin folder. F.e. mine is in Documents-Affinity-Plugins. So when you"re installing Nik use the + button and choose the Plugin folder youâve made Then when youâre back in Affinity choose that folder.
Succes
Plaatje
thatâs what Iâve done, mine is in Pictures/PhotothĂšques/Nik_DxO.
The video showing any folder, on the desktop in the video, I guess it should be ok, and Affinity find correctly the Filters and start them, but some are hanged, and also freeze Affinity that I have to force to quit.
To double check, Iâve deinstall Nik, then reinstall in another folder for Affinity plugins, redo Affinity Nik plugins installation, and itâs the same problem.
Affinity version is 1.6.7.
As there is request for Affinity Photo compatibility, I guess this means itâs not yet completely done, so explain why some plugins does not work well in all situations.
Iâve change the Nik version to the free version and my Affinity is also 1.6.7. No problems. So maybe the compatibility is not perfect. maybe we should write to Affinity also. I will add this on their forum.
Serif is aware of the compatibility problems. There is a thread running here:
Taken from the Afinity thread:
"Most DxO Nik Collection plugins donât run on the Mac (Analog Efex Pro 2, Colour Efex Pro 4 , Silver Efex Pro 2, HDR Efex Pro 2ï»ż). They get stuck at some point. Itâs better keep using the (free) Google version for now.
All DxO Nik Collection plugins run on Affinity Photo for Windows, however there may be a few pontual issues due to plugins implementation/support differences between Affinity Photo and Photoshop. I still have to check each one individually so itâs better to install the trial and see if they do everything you are expecting."