I changed the color of the sky by using mainly two controls. I played around with many variations and also liked a number of them that used fewer Control Points. The Smart Filter is non-destructive.įor the image that I have been using to demonstrate this fantastic plug-in, I used a lot of Control Points because I wanted a number of subtle effects. I recommend this because you can, then, change the settings of your image as often as you please. The Advanced method provides superior results when lightening shadows or working with images with a high level of noise or grain."Īs do all of the Nik plug-ins that I have tested, Viveza also can be used as a Smart filter. This method is recommended for the majority of images. The Normal method provides the best balance of speed and detail protection. This method is recommended for web graphics and illustrations. The Basic method is the fastest and most direct method to apply the color control points from the current step to your image. VivezaĬontains one Method pull-down menu where you can choose from Each method utilizesĭifferent algorithms optimized for different types of images. "The Rendering Method pull-down menu determines how all of theĬolor Control Points are applied to the image. The User Guide on page 19 explains them as follows: In the above screenshot that identifies items on the right panel, notice that you can choose from different rendering modes. To try this, turn this on and move the Control Points as well as change the circumference of the area circle. The whiter the area, the greater the effect of the Control Point. You can turn these selections on or off by clicking on the box labeled above "Show or Hide Selections." The best way to see how the Control Points are affecting your image is to put a check mark to the right of the Control Point on the right panel. How much of a change can depend on the part of the image and the particular control. If you move it even slightly, there can be a difference. The Surface area takes into account the images's color and tonality. The one for Viveza has the following controls. If you use a number of the Nik plug-ins, you are familiar with how they vary even though the they use the U Point® Technology. I'm going to go over some of these controls in detail. Viveza is extremely easy to use and, yet, you can get both dramatic or subtle effects with it.įirst, let's look at the interface and the right hand panel that controls it.Ī closer look at the right panel will show some of the details and options.
This makes learning them a lot easier although the curve will depend on the program and not, necessarily, in what order you learn them. Nik plug-ins share a uniformity of interface and controls.
By analyzing the color, tonality, detail, and location, the Color Control Point automatically determines where and how to apply certain effects, based on your needs." "The U Point technology powered Color Control Points let you identify and isolate objects within a photograph by placing a Color Control Point directly on the object or area to be affected. By adding the light to the ground and having it correspond to the sky above, I added a center of interest. Before I used Viveza, this was a throw-away image. To add a new sky is, also, almost impossible because of all the bare tree branches.
If you look at the first image, it is dull and drab and the sky is practically useless. So, what does Viveza do? Viveza is a fast, easy to use and accurate plug-in for changing the light and color of an image. The positioning of some U Point® Technology Control Points changed this image. First we'll look at a before example and, then, an after one. I'm starting this review in a totally different way.