New version of Simplify?

[Diane Miller]

Hi gang,

I'm mostly just tossing out this image as a hook for a question. I don't use the Topaz products nearly as much as Nik/Google, largely because I just can't relate to the adjustment sliders. But one I do like is Simplify. I have Simplify 3 and think I saw a while back that there was a new version with a free upgrade, but I never followed up on it.

I just went to their site and can't find any information about what version any of the programs are, nor an e-mail link for a quick question. That alone makes me loose interest in their products.

So I thought I'd ask here -- if anyone knows, it would likely be you guys!

Oh -- the image... Shot in Turkey Run SP in Indiana about a month ago. Just did a basic simplify right on the BG layer. Normally I would at least do it on a duplicate of the BG for some flexibility in masking. Wish I could have aimed a little more to the right to include the end of the complex branches exiting the frame on the right, but there was a utility pole there, just excluded here. I'm conflicted about the large tree toward the left. I think I could crop it out and have a better image. At least I should get rid of the two pieces of another tree right on the left edge. Thoughts welcome!

[Mitch Carucci]

Version 4.1 seems to be the latest. If you go to their website, the bottom of the page has a link for downloads. That will get you right there. (Most times you can load the new version without getting rid of the old. Sometimes I prefer the older, simpler versions...).

Lovely image. Soft gentle lighting.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hi, Diane, I really like Simplify for trees and this is the reason why. I'm not sure if I have the latest version or not since I don't use Topaz much anymore. I love the angle of the shot and the soft, diffuse light

[Nancy Bell]

I believe you can check inside your old Simplify version for updates and then update that way. I agree that 4.1 is the latest. You captured those elusive lovely shafts of lighting in the woods beautifully! I especially like that a patch of light reaches the far right lower corner. Composition concerns: I would remove that bit of intruding trunk on the left. Although that next trunk on the left is so heavy-looking, I think it is balanced by the group of tree trunks on the right. I think if you crop that heavy trunk away you lose some of the drama and flow that you get as the eye moves from that heavy trunk into the image and to those trunks on the right.

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Diane,

Greetings. I upgraded to a new machine recently and in moving Topaz to the new machine discovered the upgrade. Topaz was very helpful in providing the licenses I had bought in the past which work forever on upgrades. The "new" Simplify has all kinds of cool new stuff. I think you can just download the most recent version and put in your license.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Diane Miller]

Thanks guys! I downloaded it as a trial but it seems to have picked up the license from the v3 that was installed. I had a quick look and my impression was Ho Hum. I obviously missed something Michael knows about. Any clues?

Good to know about the upgrade from the menu, too.

[Dennis Bishop]

Although I use Simplify in every image and ReMask in quite a few, I'm not as dedicated to the Topaz products as some people. I do respect them for no-cost upgrades and have always taken advantage of that. While I do have the latest version, I think I might've put together the saved Simplify presets I use when I had the previous version and transferred them over to the new one.

I think you did a great job with Simplify on this image. The colors, tonal range and all those interesting lines are fabulous. My first reaction was to flip it horizontally, but I like it better this way. I tried it with and without a crop to get rid of the tree on the left. After a whole bunch of <Ctrl><z>s, I don't know that I'd do it.

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Diane,

Oh, I didn't comment on the image (my bad). A great application of Simplify. I like the light filtering through the trees (a scene that I see frequently) and how Simplify toned down the detail just enough to lighten up on the busy-ness of the detail. Thanks for posting.

As for the new version... while my normal use of Simplify involves a fair amount of slider adjustments I like the expanded set of presets which I use as a starting point, especially the line and ink ones. The Topaz upgrades in my experience have front end changes (like the new presets) and backend changes (oh it doesn't have those artifacts any more) that you don't notice right away. I appreciate their overall sales philosophy... I just upgraded to the full suite yesterday on a Cyber Monday deal which took into account the products I've bought in the past (some years ago). Very happy customer here.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Lovely colours and light. Really like the feel of the warm sunshine coming through. I would take the trunk out on the left too.