Topaz Simplify Updated

[Donb10]

For those of you who are interested in this type of photoshop plugins, Topaz labs has updated their simplify plugin. It's a lot more stable than the previous version and if you purchased the previous version, the upgrade is free.

[Angelo]

This software is fantastic, and they are in Dallas...

[venchka]

I suppose my thread from yesterday links to the upgraded version?

[Angelo]

Hi Wayne, and thanks for pointing this software out.
I've been looking for software like this for awhile.
I purchased the complete bundle and now I'm learning how
to use it.

[venchka]

Glad I could help.

[Sonny]

Those are beautiful, Don. Would you mind sharing your settings?

[Donb10]

Sure, no problem.

Under the Simplify Tab:

Simplify .30 to .33
Detail Strength .16 to .20
Detail Boost 1
Detail .02
Remove weak .016


Under the Adjust tab:

Brightness .01
Contrast 1.08
Saturation 1.31
Saturation boost 1.15

After it opens in photoshop I add a texture from photoshop call "art paper #35. I use a scaling of 150% and a relief of 7.

To make the second one, I convert the first one to black & white and then used a color filter adjustment layer set to sepia.

[Angelo]

For those that are on Aperture or Light Room,
the plug-ins work directly in them so you
don't have to use PS

[Donb10]

The above posted setting worked well for that photo taken with a Canon 30D. I find thatt a setting from .24 to .33 works well with the simplify adjustment and from .10 to .20 works for the detail strength. The Detail boost and Detail setting I usually leave at their default setting.

Under Adjust, I set the brightness up to .01, the contrast to 1.07 to 1.08 and the Saturation to 1.25 to 1.31. The Saturation boost I usually push from 1.15 to 1.20.

All of the settings depend on the photo.

Photos # 134833 and 135025 show the adjustment for this photo. Photo #135811 shows it opened in photoshop. I add a blank layer and then used the merge visable command. Photo # 135940 shows the texture added to the new laayer, and # 140158 shows the finished product still giving you the option of adjusting the texture with the opacity slider.

[georgep6506]

I need some help with this one. Where did you find the Art Paper #35 texture. I have looked on line and I can't find it. I have CS4 and it isn't part of the choices. Any help you could give would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Donb10]

Sorry for the slow responce regarding the art paper #35. I just got back into town from a 4 day trip to Las Vegas. I'll try and help you tomorrow if that is OK.

[Donb10]

George:

I finished faster than I thought.

After you finish running the Topaz plug-in, make a copy of your layer so you can make adjustments to it without messing up anything else.

Go to Filter > Texture > Texturizer. This filter will open with one of photoshop's default textures. On my exhibit, you'll see that the box has Art paper #35 in it. To change the photoshop default, click on the little down arrow with the four little lines next to the box. It should open a box that says "load Textures". Go to Explore > C: > Program Files > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop CS4 > Presets > Textures. Click on textures and you should find a lists of photoshop textures. Click on the texture you want and it will load it. If you don't find them, let me know and we will find a way to get them to you.