DxO Nik Collection 2
The Nik Collection is back, and it’s formed an impressive alliance with PhotoLab Essential. But
can this impressive image processing suite become your go-to photo editing app?
Info//
DxO
https://nikcollection.dxo.com
£125, $149
Compatibility:
Compatibility: macOS 10.12 or
later, Intel Core i5 or higher, 4
GB of RAM
O
dd one this, originally developed by Nik
Software as seven individual plug-ins,
the suite was bought by Google, and
sold as a single package, before being bought
by DxO, which added them to its own PhotoLab
Essential app. And that brings us to this release,
DxO Nik Collection 2, which works both within the
supplied PhotoLab app and as a plug-in for Adobe
Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Elements.
By bundling the plug-ins with DxO PhotoLab
Verdict// Essential 2.3, you no longer need to run the tools
PROS AND CONS:
+ Great interface
+ In-depth photo editing
+ Comprehensive tools
- Can no longer buy
individual components
LAST WORD
Impressive suite of image
processing tools. It takes
practice to get the most
out of them, but it’s time
well spent.
RATING: 4/5
as plug-ins through an image editor such as Adobe
Lightroom or Photoshop. Although this takes its
toll on the price, as you can’t buy the plug-ins
individually, it makes for an impressive and capable
application package. PhotoLab Essential brings
some great tools to the party and, with the addition
of the seven Nik Software packages, they can bring
your photos to life in ways you never thought
possible. Add in the 42 new presets DxO has added
to the original 156, and you have an awesome
photo editor on your hands. IO
Do you want a professional-quality desktop publishing app for your Mac, but baulk at the price?
Affinity Publisher is very affordable, and it’s impressively powerful too.
Info//
Serif (Europe) Ltd
http://www.affinity.serif.com
£48.99, $49.99, 53,99 €
Compatibility: macOS El
Capitan 10.11.5 or newer,
Mac from 2010 or later
W
ith its Affinity range of graphics software, Serif’s on-going attempt to
eat Adobe’s lunch continues with Publisher, a desktop-publishing
application that’s perfect for those that neither want, nor need,
Adobe’s InDesign. Refreshingly eschewing the subscription model, Affinity
Publisher is available for a very reasonable price considering its high-end,
pro-level quality.
One of its best features allows you, if you also have Affinity Photo or Designer
installed, to use their features for editing pictures within Publisher; it’s called
StudioLink. Just click the image you want to edit and the tools and menus from
Photos or Designer appear, although you can still see the page layout.
Publisher handles text very well, both in regular text boxes and in
artistically produced headers. Font management is excellent, and you can
define paragraph styles to maintain consistency across your documents.
Image handling is outstanding too, with support for masks, transparencies,
outlines, text wrap, and more.
Although it’s a brand new app, Affinity Publisher already impresses with
its power, versatility, and user-friendliness. Within a few years, we wouldn’t
be surprised to see it being used to design professional publications. IO
Verdict//
PROS AND CONS:
- Powerful and versatile
- StudioLink is awesome
- Very competitively priced
- One or two limitations
LAST WORD
An outstanding app, that offers
a real alternative to more
expensive, pro-level software.
For graphic designers and
wannabe hobbyists, it’s a
definite recommendation.
RATING: 5/5
AppleUserMAGAZINE
