Viveza
Viveza provides a convenient interface for making corrections to color and light on selected parts of the image, using the vendor's proprietary U Point technology. With this method, the user places U Point powered Color Control Points directly on to areas of color, such as sky, skin or grass, then makes rapid adjustments to brightness, contrast or color.
With the U Point system you no longer need to make complicated selections or use layer masks to separate the area to be adjusted. You can identify one point or several points -- and the enhancements are automatically blended throughout the image to give smooth and accurate results. Features in Viveza 2 include Copy & Paste for quick duplication of control points; 64-bit compatibility in Windows systems; and built-in interactive help.
Comment
Highly regarded by skilled photographers, Nik Software's tools have found their way into big studios via the RAW converter and image editor Nikon Capture NX. Among interface tools, U Point is a particularly brilliant invention and to have it packaged in programs besides Capture NX and Nik Color Efex Pro is very welcome.
In Viveza, U Point brings speed and precision to the task of enhancing images. Wedding and portrait photographers who have tried it find it easy and intuitive to use.
Amazon (see right) sells it for less than half its list price!
Tech info
- Plugs into: (Windows) Photoshop 7 onwards; Elements 2-8, and compatible applications; (Mac) Photoshop CS2 onwards; Elements 4-8, and compatible applications; Apple's Aperture
- OS: Windows 2000 Professional onwards; Mac OS X 10.5 and later
- Price level: Approx. $300
Nik Software
Famous for its U Point image area selection technology, Nik Software is headquartered in San Diego, California with branch offices in Germany. Established in 1995, it is a privately held company.
From the same vendor:
- Color Efex Pro
- Silver Efex Pro
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