Installing Color Efex Pro 3.0 and the Selective Tool
Before you install Color Efex Pro 3.0, please close all applications including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Apple Aperture, or other image editing applications that will serve as host for Color Efex Pro 3.0. Please do not open any other applications during the installation process. To begin installation: Double-click on the installation file provided either on your ColorEfexPro3.0 CD or downloaded from the Nik Software web site. A window appears displaying the Color Efex Pro 3.0 Setup Wizard. For Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements, this location is the Plug-Ins folder located under the applications main folder. For example: Adobe Photoshop The installer walks you through the procedure. Windows C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop\Plug-Ins Macintosh Macintosh HD : Applications : Adobe Photoshop : Plug-Ins

Color Efex Pro 3.0 Setup

Double-click the Installer
Adobe Photoshop Elements Windows C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop Elements\ Plug-Ins Macintosh Macintosh HD : Applications : Adobe Photoshop Elements : Plug-Ins Click Browse to open the Browse for Folder window, then navigate to the appropriate folder. Note: For guidance on the location of Plug-Ins in applications other than Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements, please refer to your applications user manual. After selecting the appropriate folder location, click Install. When the installation is complete, the final page of the installer appears. If you want Color Efex Pro 3.0 to be automatically added to Lightrooms list of External Editors, leave the Add as External Editor for Lightroom box checked. The Add as External Editor for Lightroom option will only appear if Lightroom is detected during installation. Instructions are provided within this chapter to manually add Color Efex Pro 3.0 as an external editor for Lightroom. (Please see Adding Color Efex Pro 3.0 to Lightroom as an External Editor.) If you want the Selective Tool to open each time Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements launches, leave the Open the Nik Selective Tool automatically box checked. The Selective Tool lets you apply Color Efex Pro 3.0 effects by automating the layer systems in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements. (Please see Chapter 6: Selective Tool.)
Uncheck this box to prevent the Selective Tool from opening each time Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements launches. You can change this option within the Selective Tool settings interface. (Please see Chapter 8: Selective Tool Settings.) Note: The Selective Tool is available only with AdobePhotoshop & Adobe Photoshop Elements serving as host for ColorEfexPro3.0. Click Finish to complete the installation process.

Adding Color Efex Pro 3.0 to Lightroom as an External Editor
If Lightroom is found during the installation of Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Lightroom, Color Efex Pro 3.0 can automatically be added as an external editor. Color Efex Pro 3.0 can also be manually added as an external editor providing easy access to edit your photos in Color
Accessing Color Efex Pro 3.0 in Lightroom
Once Color Efex Pro 3.0 is added to Lightroom as an external editor, Color Efex Pro 3.0 is accessed from the Photo menu. To begin using Color Efex Pro 3.0 in Lightroom: 1. Highlight the image(s) that you wish to enhance with ColorEfexPro3.0. 2. Click the Photo menu. 3. Roll over the Edit In sub-menu. A popup menu appears. 4. Select Color Efex Pro 3.0 from the popup. 5. After selecting Color Efex Pro 3.0, select whether to Edit Original, Edit a Copy, or Edit Copy with Lightroom Adjustments. Note: If Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments is selected, the Copy File Options must be determined as well. Select the File Format, Color Space, Bit Depth, Resolution and Compression for the new file to be edited in Color Efex Pro 3.0*. *Color Efex Pro 3.0 is only compatible with TIFF and JPEG files (8 or 16-bit with no compression or LZW compression). 6. Click Edit and the Color Efex Pro 3.0 interface appears, displaying the image(s) specified in Step 1 above. The Color Efex Pro 3.0 interface appears, displaying the image(s) specified in step 1 above.

Vincent Versace

Chapter 4

Workflow

Workflow and Tips for Enhancing Images

Chapter 4 : Workflow

The order of steps involved in enhancing an image varies, depending on the image. In general, there are only a few guidelines to consider: - Apply noise reduction, such as with Nik Software Dfine 2.0, as early as possible in the process. - Apply RAW Presharpening, if desired, with Nik Software Sharpener Pro 3.0s RAW Presharpener filter. - Apply light and color enhancements with Nik Software Viveza (global, then local), and end with enhancements using NikSoftware Color Efex Pro 3.0 or NikSoftware SilverEfexPro. - Apply output and creative sharpening with Nik Software Sharpener Pro 3.0s Output Sharpener filter.

2008 Luci Dumas

Workflow Diagram
Apply Noise Reduction with Dfine 2.0
Apply RAW Presharpening with Sharpener Pro 3.0
Control Color and Light with Viveza
Apply Enhancements with Color Efex Pro 3.0
Convert to black and white with Silver Efex Pro
Apply Output Sharpening with Sharpener Pro 3.0
Color Efex Pro 3.0 Workflow
Start with characteristics that affect the entire image, such as color casts, contrast and tones. Next, modify elements that affect only localized areas, such as blemishes and small distracting objects. Finally, apply effects that add a style or mood to the image. In other words, move from the general to the specific. For best results in Color Efex Pro 3.0, perform the tasks below in the given order: 1. elect the filter to apply to the image from the Filter List S provided in the interface. 2. djust the filter controls. A 3. rotect shadows and highlights, if necessary. P 4. se U Point-powered Control Points, if desired. U 5. eview the image in the Loupe. R 6. pply the filter. A
Adobe Photoshop Interface Photograph 2008 Victor Ha
Using Color Efex Pro 3.0 as a Smart Filter

(AdobePhotoshop Only)

When working within Adobe Photoshop CS3 and CS4, Color Efex Pro 3.0 can be applied as a Smart Filter. Smart Filters enable you to adjust the filters settings even after the filter interface has been closed. If saving the file as a PSD or layered TIFF, you can adjust the filter settings after the image and Photoshop have been closed, enabling a non-destructive workflow. When working as a Smart Filter, the Brush button is disabled, and the filter will be applied to the active layer (even if the After Clicking OK setting is set to the Separate Layer option). To use Color Efex Pro 3.0 as a Smart Filter: 1. elect the layer in the Layers Palette to apply S Color Efex Pro 3.0 to. 2. lick the Filter menu. C 3. elect Convert for Smart Filters. S 4. elect the Filter menu again. S 5. ollover the Nik Software submenu. A pop-up menu appears. R 6. elect Color Efex Pro 3.0. S Note: Color Efex Pro 3.0 can only work as a Smart Filter feature with Adobe Photoshop CS3 and CS4 as the host. Note: Perform any rotations or transforms to the image prior to applying Color Efex Pro 3.0 as a Smart Filter. Applying a rotation or transformation after applying Color Efex Pro 3.0 as a Smart Filter can result in a different filter effect.

Filters in Color Efex Pro 3.0 affect images in two ways: globally and selectively. To help you find the results of selective filters, Color Efex Pro 3.0 includes two Preview Modes: Effect Overlay and Effect Mask.

Side-by-side Preview

Two separate previews appear. The portion on the left or on top shows the image prior to applying the filter; the portion on the right or at bottom shows the image after the filter has been applied. The previews are linked for zooming and panning. This lets you see the before- and after-images as a whole, or at the fine-detail level. Click the Rotate Preview button to alternate between vertical and horizontal layout.

Original Image

In this default mode, the image appears in color.

Effect Overlay

The original image appears with an overlay showing where the filters effect is applied, according to the Control Points added to the image. You can adjust the filter controls or Control Points while in the Effect Overlay mode. A red overlay indicates those areas enhanced by the filter; no visible overlay (i.e., the original colors of the image) indicates unaffected areas.

Preview

Preview lets you toggle on and off a preview of the filter effects applied to the active image.
lick the Preview checkbox to alternate between displaying C and hiding the effects. 20

Effect Mask

This mode displays the mask created automatically by the filter and the Control Points added to the image. You can adjust the filter controls or Control Points while in the Effect Mask mode. White indicates those areas enhanced by the filter, black indicates unaffected areas, and gray indicates moderately affected areas.
Zoom to Fit to see the entire image within the Image Preview and automatically adjust the zoom factor as you change the size of the interface. 100% to show the actual pixel details. 300% to zoom even further into the image and view fine pixel detail. ZOOM SHORTCUTS Press the Z key to switch to this tool. Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Macintosh) + Spacebar to temporarily switch to this tool Ctrl (Windows) / Command (Macintosh) + + to zoom in one level

Each Control Point in Color Efex Pro 3.0 can control the extent to which the selected object is affected by a filter. This lets you add Control Points and then decide whether and how strongly to apply the filter to each object. Each Control Point has two sliders: The top slider, Size, controls the size or reach of the Control Point. Click and drag this control rightward to enlarge the Control Points reach, or leftward to reduce its reach, as indicated by an expanding or contracting circle. The bottom slider, Opacity, controls the extent to which the effect is added to the image. At 100%, the filters full effect is applied to the selected object; at 0%, the selected object retains its original colors and details. The following controls apply to all filters:
If the first Control Point added is a 100% Control Point, the Apply to entire image slider will automatically move to 0% to ensure that the filter effect is applied only at that Control Point. You can then adjust the slider manually.

Delete

To remove a Control Point, click the Select tool, then click on the Control Point to be removed. Then either click the Delete button or press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Apply to entire image

This slider lets you specify how much of the current effect to apply across the entire image. Click the 0% or 100% shortcut buttons to move the slider immediately to 0% or 100%, or click and drag the slider to the desired value. Any Control Points added to the image override the effect of this slider for the object they select. For example, if you specify a filter effect on an entire landscape photograph, set Apply to entire image to 100%, and then later add a Control Point to the sky at 0% opacity, the filter will have no effect on the sky.

Add 0% Control Point

Click this button to add a Control Point preset to no filter effect (i.e., 0% opacity). The mouse pointer changes, indicating that you can place a Control Point on the image. After placing the Control Point on the image, you can adjust the Opacity slider.

Control Point Details

This area shows you the details for each of the Control Points currently added to the image. Click on a Control Point listed in this section to select it in the image, and click on the percentage displayed to type in a new value manually. 24

Add 100% Control Point

Click this button to add a Control Point preset to the full effect of the filter (i.e., 100% opacity). The mouse pointer changes, indicating that you can place a Control Point on the image. After placing the Control Point on the image, you may adjust the filters effect with the Opacity slider.

Brush (Adobe Photoshop Only)
Click Brush to apply the filters effect to a separate layer and then selectively paint the effect in, using the Selective Tool to automatically create and modify a layer mask. (Please see Chapter 6: Selective Tool.)

Cancel

Click Cancel to prevent any effect from being applied to the image, close the current Color Efex Pro 3.0 session, and return to your image editing application. CANCEL SHORTCUT Press the Esc key to cancel.

Navigator Mode

When you switch the Zoom to Fit state to 100% or 300%, the Navigator Loupe switches to the Navigator mode and a red rectangle indicates the area of the image currently displayed in the Image Preview. Click on the area of the image in the Navigator that you would like to display in the Image Preview.
OK (Adobe Photoshop) / Save (Lightroom and Aperture)
Click OK/Save to apply the specified filter to the image(s), close the current Color Efex Pro 3.0 session, and return to your image editing application. Color Efex Pro 3.0 also gives you the option of applying the filter to a separate layer or to the current layer in AdobePhotoshop or Photoshop Elements. (Please see Chapter 7: Filter Interface Settings.) OK/Save SHORTCUT Press Enter (Windows) / Return (Macintosh) key to apply the filter.

Filter controls

Use the filter controls to apply or discard filter effects. The Brush and OK buttons process and apply the specified filters effect to the active image. The Cancel button discards any settings specified in the current session, and closes Color Efex Pro 3.0 without changing the image.
Multiple Image Controls (Lightroom and Aperture)
When using Color Efex Pro 3.0 with multiple images, three new image controls are available. The new image controls available are Previous, Next, and Save All.

Previous

The Previous button will go to the image previously enhanced within the current Color Efex Pro 3.0 session.
The Next button will proceed to the next selected image in the current Color Efex Pro 3.0 session.

Save All

Click Save All to apply Color Efex Pro 3.0 to the open images and close the current Color Efex Pro 3.0 session. SAVE ALL SHORTCUT: Press the Enter (Windows) / Return (Macintosh) key to apply Color Efex Pro 3.0 to the selected images in the current Color Efex Pro 3.0 session.

Victor Ha

Chapter 6

Selective Tool

Apply filter to:

Advanced users can specify how the Selective Tool applies filters in Color Efex Pro 3.0.

Rick Ferro

Chapter 9

Filter Descriptions

Effects and Controls for Each Filter
Chapter 9: Filter Descriptions
Use the provided pull-down menu to select the B/W Conversion method. The following B/W Conversion methods and controls are available:

B/W Conversion

Creates a traditional conversion from color to black and white. Filter Color Adjusts the color of the simulated filter and controls the relationship of colors in the image. This lightens objects of that color in the image and darkens objects of the complementary color. Filter Strength Slides to the left for less contrast between colors, to the right for more contrast between colors. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image. Contrast Controls the overall contrast of the image.
Understanding Complementary Colors
Some filters in Color Efex Pro 3.0 involve complementary colors, which are color opposites that reside directly across from each other on a color wheel. A colors complement can be created by mixing the other two primary colors together. For example, reds complementary color is cyan, which can be created by mixing green and blue together.
B/W Conversion (3 Effects)
Complete Edition Select Edition
B/W Conversion: Tonal Enhancer
Provides special contrast methods to increase details in the image. Filter Color Adjusts the color of the simulated filter and controls the relationship of colors in the image. This lightens objects of that color in the image and darkens objects of the complementary color. Filter Strength Slides to the left for less contrast between colors, to the right for more contrast between colors. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image. Method From the pull-down menu, select a contrast type.
B/W Conversion combines methods and filters from Color Efex Pro 2.0 B/W Conversion, B/W Conversion Dynamic Contrast, and B/W Conversion Tonal Enhancer in a single filter. Use this filter to transform a color image into a black and white version, with control over the shadows, highlights, and relationships among the original colors. Each method simulates the placement of a traditional black and white color filter in front of the lens.
B/W Conversion: Dynamic Contrast
Creates exaggerated contrast and stylistic black and white images. Filter Color Adjusts the color of the simulated filter and controls the relationship of colors in the image. This lightens objects of that color in the image and darkens objects of the complementary color. Filter Strength Slides to the left for less contrast between colors, to the right for more contrast between colors. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image. Contrast Enhancer Controls the additional contrast introduced to the image for a stylistic effect.

Complete Edition Select Edition Standard Edition
Introduces traditional photographic effects to stylize an image and soften unwanted detail. This filter simulates traditional, soft focus filters and diffusion techniques. From the pull-down menu, select the type of blur to add to the image. Each blur type offers the following controls: Diffused Detail Controls the amount of random detail added to the soft focus effect. This can help maintain the appearance of detail and prevent banding. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image.
Adds either a cool or warm cast to the image while applying a saturation effect. Brilliance Increases or decreases saturation of the colors in the image. Warmth Controls the temperature of the colors in the image. Move the slider to the left to cool the colors (adding blues), or to the right to warm the colors (adding reds).

Color Stylizer

Overlays a color on top of the image and lets you control the saturation of the original images color. Color Adds a color to the image. To select a color for this control you may either use the eyedropper within the active image or click on the color patch using the color picker in your image editing application. Contrast Controls the overall contrast of the image. Saturation Controls the amount of color to include from the original image. Slides to the left to create a monochrome image, to the right to maintain the full level of color from the original image.
Color Lets you select a color to add to the image. To select a color for this control you may either use the eyedropper within the active image or click on the color patch using the color picker in your image editing application. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.

Contrast Color Range

Provides control over the contrast between selected colors within an image. Use this filter to isolate or blend objects with other objects, according to their color. Color Selects the color range to which to apply contrast. This lightens objects of that color in the image and darkens objects of the complementary color. Color Contrast Controls the contrast between the color selected and other colors in the image. Slides to the left for less contrast between colors, to the right for more contrast between colors. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image. Contrast Controls the overall contrast of the image.

Colorize (6 Effects)

Inks the image with a color and provides different color and contrast relationships to stylize the image. From the pull-down menu, select the relationship between the original colors in the image and the color being added. Each option provides the following controls:

Contrast Only

balanced film with tungsten lights, while the Tungsten to Daylight emulate using tungsten balanced film in daylight. Strength Controls the degree of cross balance effect. Increases the contrast of an image without affecting the color characteristics of the image. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image without affecting the color and saturation. Contrast Controls the overall contrast of the image without affecting the color and saturation.
Cross Processing (19 Effects)

Complete Edition

Simulates the effect of processing color film with the wrong chemistry; that is, processing negative film with slide chemistry (C41 to E6 cross-processing) or slide film with negative chemistry (E6 to C41 cross-processing). From the provided pull-down menu, select the Cross Processing method. Select C41 to E6, E6 to C41, or variations on either style. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.
Saturation Controls the overall vibrancy of colors by increasing or decreasing saturation throughout the image.

Darken/Lighten Center

Cross Balance (6 Effects)
New in Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete Edition
Simulates the look of shooting either tungsten-balanced film in daylight or daylight-balanced film under tungsten lights. Use this filter to create the cool blue or warm orange effect often used in stylizing images. From the provided pull-down menu, select the Cross Balance method. The Daylight to Tungsten options emulate using daylight
Draws the eye toward or away from the center of the image. A lighter center and darker edges draw the eye to the center of the image, and a darker center and lighter edges draw the eye to the edges. From the pull-down menu, specify round or oval shape for the Darken/Lighten effect. Both shapes provide the following controls: Center Luminosity Controls the brightness at the center of the image.
Border Luminosity Controls the brightness at the edges of the image. Center Size Controls the relationship between the center and the edges. Place Center Positions the center of the image. This is useful if the subject is not in the center of the frame. Click this button and then place the center where desired.
Color Set From the pull-down menu, select a pre-defined color combination. Saturation Controls the amount of color in the shapes created by the filter. Brightness Controls the lightness of the shapes created by the filter. Size Controls the relationship between the shapes and the original details of the image.
Detail Stylizer (18 Effects)

Stairs

Breaks an image into its component shapes and brightens its original colors to create an abstract, stylized image of stair objects. Contrast Controls the contrast among the objects. Effect Size Controls the distance between objects. Saturation Controls the amount of color introduced to the objects.

Film Effects (33 Effects)

Saturation

Controls the films saturation response to different wavelengths of light. Red through Violet sliders control how saturated an object of that color appears. Slide to the left to make objects of that color less saturated, to the right to make them more saturated.
Offers the look and feel of over 30 different film types, realistically simulating color sensitivity, contrast, and grain for each film. Film Type From the pulldown menu, select any of the pre-defined film types. Film Details Displays the settings for the currently selected film type and lets you create a custom film type. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image. Contrast Controls the overall contrast of the image. Clicking on the show/hide triangle for Film Details displays the following controls :

Tone Curve

Controls contrast and tonal response in the film. Channels From the pull-down menu, select a channel to modify, then click to add anchor points to the curve to specify the brightness, contrast, and relationship of tonal values in the image.
Adds grain to the image and lets you specify the size of the grain and its placement throughout the image. Grain Size From the pull-down menu, select one of five grain sizes, from ultra-fine to extra-coarse. Highlight Grain Controls the degree of grain added to the highlights of the image. Midtone Grain Controls the degree of grain added to the midtones of the image. Shadow Grain Controls the degree of grain added to the shadows of the image.

Sensitivity

Controls the films lightness response to different wavelengths of light. Red through Violet sliders control how bright or dark an object of that color appears. Slide to the left to make objects of that color darker, to the right to make them brighter.
Grain Saturation Controls the saturation of the grain added to the image. Moving this slider to the left emulates monochromatic grain, while moving this slider to the right emulates color grain.

Flux (5 Effects)

Film Grain
Introduces subtle effects in or creates an abstraction of image details. From the pull-down menu, select one of the effects of the Flux filter. The effects range from subtle detail shifts to strong color and contrast effects. Each option provides the following controls: Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter. Size Controls the degree of the effect, and the relationship among colors and details throughout the image.

Adds realistic film grain to any image, with control over the size and placement throughout the image. From the pull-down menu, select one of five grain sizes, from UltraFine to Extra-Coarse. Each grain size provides the following controls: Highlight Grain Controls the amount of grain added to the highlights of the image. Midtone Grain Controls the amount of grain added to the midtones of the image. Shadow Grain Controls the amount of grain added to the shadows of the image. Grain Saturation Controls the saturation of the grain added to the image. Moving this slider to the left emulates monochromatic grain, while moving this slider to the right emulates color grain.
Simulates traditional fog effect: A pronounced, soft focus giving the appearance of fog. From the pull-down menu, select one of the methods of the Fog filter. Each method provides you with the following control: Intensity Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.

Foliage

Graduated Filters (16 Effects)
Identifies foliage and greenery in an image and enhances or stylizes those objects. From the pull-down menu, select one of the effects of the Foliage filter. Each option provides the following control: Enhance Foliage Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.
Blends a color into a portion of an image, with a gradual transition to the original image. From the pull-down menu, select a pre-defined color combination, each with four variations. Each color combination provides the following controls: Opacity Controls the overall strength of the filter.

Glamour Glow

Gives portrait photographers a powerful way to stylize images with dreamy, soft effects. Glow Controls the degree of the filters softening technique. Brightness Controls tonality throughout the image.
Blend Controls the size of the blend between the two colors in the filter. Vertical Shift Controls the placement of the filters horizon. Rotation Controls the angle of the filters horizon.
Glow Temperature Controls the temperature of the effect added to the image. Moving this slider to the left creates a cool blue effect, while moving this slider to the right creates a warm red-orange effect.

Graduated Fog

Simulates traditional fog effect (very strong soft focus giving the appearance of fog) in one half of the image. From the pull-down menu, select one of the styles of the Fog effect. Each style provides the following controls: 46
Opacity Controls the overall strength of the filter. Blend Controls the size of the blend between the fog effect and the original image details. Vertical Shift Controls the placement of the filters horizon. Rotation Controls the angle of the filters horizon.

Graduated User Defined

Blends a user-defined color into a portion of an image, with a gradual transition to the original image. Color Specifies the color of the graduated effect to be applied to the image. To select a color for this control you may either use the eyedropper within the active image or click on the color patch using the color picker in your image editing application. Opacity Controls the overall strength of the filter.

Ink (11 Effects)

Midnight (5 Effects)
Simulates the stylistic effect of special photographic papers and toners. From the pull-down menu, select a pre-defined color combination. Each color combination provides the following control: Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.
Creates the illusion of a photograph taken at night with a dark, moody feeling. Use the Midnight filter to create a cinematic effect, softening details throughout the image with an intelligent soft-focus technique. Use the provided pull-down menu to select from one of the predefined color combinations. The following controls are available for each color combination: Blur Controls the amount of soft focus added for a stylistic effect. Contrast Controls the overall contrast of the image.
Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image. Color Controls the relationship between the amount of color added by the filter and the amount of color to include from the original image.

Old Photo (12 Effects)

Transforms an image to resemble an old photograph, with styles to simulate various black-and-white and color processes. From the pull-down menu, select a pre-defined old-fashioned photographic process. Each option provides the following controls: Grain Controls the amount of grain added to the image. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image.
Monday Morning (5 Effects)
Introduces a diffused, cool, and somewhat sleepy mood to an image. Use this filter to control contrast and saturation, add grain, and apply a soft focus effect. From the pull-down menu, select a predefined color combination. Each color combination provides the following controls: Grain Controls the amount of grain added to the image. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image. Smear Controls the degree of the filters softening technique. Color Controls the relationship between the amount of color added by the filter and the amount of color to include from the original image.

Paper Toner (8 Effects)

Simulates the different types of toners typically used on black and white prints in darkrooms. Use this filter to automatically convert an image into a black and white version before adding the toner effect; however, for best results and more control, use the B/W Conversion filter first. From the pull-down menu, select a pre-defined type of toner. Each option provides the following control: Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.

Pastel (3 Effects)

Use this filter to transform an otherwise plain or ordinary image to a more stylized and desirable one. Use the provided pull-down menu to select from one of the Photo Stylizer filters. The following filters and controls are available:

Lightens and softens an image for a smooth, stylistic effect, resulting in a subdued, desaturated image. From the pull-down menu, select a pre-defined pastel. Each option provides the following controls: Diffusion Controls the amount of detail in the image. Slides to the left for stronger original image details, to the right for smoother image details. Saturation Controls the overall vibrancy of colors by increasing or decreasing saturation throughout the image. Contrast Controls the overall contrast of the image.

Varitone

Style From the pull-down menu, select one of the effects of the Varitone filter. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.

Cool Ice

Style From the pull-down menu, select one of the effects of the Cool Ice filter. Brightness Controls the overall lightness of the image.

Cool Silver

Style From the pull-down menu, select one of the effects of the Cool Silver filter. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.

Copper

Warmth Controls the degree of warmth (orange-red) to add to the image. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.
Photo Stylizer (18 Effects)

Russet

Style From the pull-down menu, select one of the effects of the Russet filter. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.
Photo Stylizer combines filters found in Color Efex Pro 2.0 Varitone, Cool Ice, Cool Silver, Copper and Russet in a single filter.

Polarization

Simulates the color contrasts of a conventional polarization filter. Use this filter to enhance blue skies and other similar colors, while increasing the contrast throughout the rest of the image. Rotate Simulates the effect of rotating a polarization filter in front of a lens and controls color contrasts. Strength Controls the degree to which you want to apply the filter.
Outer Color Adds elements of the original image back into the border area. The higher the value of this slider, the more of the color of the original image that is added to areas created by use of the Border slider. Saturation Controls the amount of the original images colors that are retained. Smear Controls the degree of the filters softening technique. Tear Off Simulates the effect of portions of the image tearing off during the transfer process. Move this slider to 0 to prevent any details from being removed from the image.

Polaroid Transfer

Pro Contrast
Simulates the effect of using Polaroid color peel-apart films and transferring the nascent image to paper before it has fully developed. The result is a lowcontrast, low-saturation version of the image, with subtle shifts to the colors throughout the image, reminiscent of this popular photographic technique. Border Adds a textured border around the image. When the slider is set to 0, the full image is displayed. Texture Controls the addition of paper texture to the image, emulating the use of textured paper.

Quick Start Guide
Whats New in Color Efex Pro 3.0
Color Efex Pro 3.0 is the most advanced set of photographic filters for Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Lightroom, Apple Aperture and Capture NX 2. It installs as a plug-in to Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Lightroom, AppleAperture, and Capture NX 2. Featuring U Point-powered selection control points, nine new powerful filters, a new resizable interface in Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Lightroom, and Apple Aperture, Smart Filter compatibility for Adobe Photoshop, multi-image editing for Lightroom and Aperture, and tight integration with the non-destructive workflow of Capture NX 2, Color Efex Pro 3.0 is the most powerful set of digital photographic filters. For information about Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2, please see pages 6 and 7.
Installation for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture

Windows

1. lose all open applications. C 2. nsert the Color Efex Pro 3.0 CD. I 3. pecify whether to install Color Efex Pro 3.0 into Photoshop or Lightroom. S 4. hen the auto-run installer appears, click Next to begin installation. W 5. fter reading the Read Me and accepting the License Agreement, the A installer attempts to install into the appropriate location. When installing into Photoshop or Photoshop Elements check the installation path to ensure that the installer located the appropriate folder. The appropriate location for Adobe Photoshop CS4 is: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4\Plug-Ins* 6. pecify whether the Nik Selective Tool launches automatically when you S start Photoshop. Please see the Color Efex Pro 3.0 User Guide for more information. 7. hen the installation is complete, click the Finish button W to close the installer. *f you are using an image editing application other than Photoshop, please I refer to your applications user manual.

Macintosh

1. lose all open applications. C 2. nsert the Color Efex Pro 3.0 CD. I 3. pen the CD and double-click the Color Efex Pro 3.0 Setup file. O 4. pecify whether to install Color Efex Pro 3.0 into Photoshop, S Lightroom or Aperture. When the Color Efex Pro 3.0 installer appears, click Next to begin installation. 5. fter reading the Read Me and accepting the License Agreement, A the installer attempts to install into the appropriate location. When installing into Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, check the installation path to ensure the installer located the appropriate folder. The appropriate location for Adobe Photoshop CS4 is: Macintosh HD : Applications : Adobe Photoshop CS4 : Plug-Ins* 6. hen installing into Photoshop, specify whether the Nik Selective W Tool launches automatically when you start Photoshop. Please see the Color Efex Pro 3.0 User Guide for more information. 7. hen the installation is complete, click the Finish button to close W the installer.
Accessing Color Efex Pro 3.0 in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements
1. Launch your image editing application. 2. Open an image. 3. Click the Filters menu and roll over Nik Software. A popup menu appears. Click Color Efex Pro 3.0 in the popup to launch the application. Tip: To access the Nik Selective Tool, navigate to the File > Automate or File > Automation Tools menu and select Nik Selective Tool.
Accessing Color Efex Pro 3.0 in Aperture
1. Launch Aperture. 2. Highlight the image(s) you wish to enhance with Color Efex Pro 3.0. 3. lick the Images menu and roll over Edit With. Click C ColorEfexPro3.0 in the popup to launch the application. 2
Accessing Color Efex Pro 3.0 in Lightroom
1. Launch Lightroom. 2. Highlight the image(s) you wish to enhance with Color Efex Pro 3.0. 3. lick the Photo menu, and roll over Edit In. Click Color Efex Pro 3.0 C to launch the application.
For more information about the installation and access of Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2, please see page 6.

Preview Modes

Select, Zoom, and Pan Tools

Filter Display Modes

Filter Controls

Filter Category Tabs

Quick Save Slots

Navigator Loupe

Resize Corner
User Interface in Adobe Photoshop Photograph 2008 Victor Ha
Color Efex Pro 3.0 offers two Filter Display Modes: Image Only and Image & Filter List. Click on the Image & Filter List button to display the Filter List, which provides access to the filters available within Color Efex Pro 3.0. Additionally, Filter Category Tabs are available, providing recommendations for certain filters specific to a photographic style.

Image Only

Click this button to show only the Image Preview with the current filter controls.

Image & Filter List

Click this button to open a new palette displaying the names of available filters next to the Image Preview area.
The filters in Color Efex Pro 3.0 are organized by category for easy experimentation, with each category corresponding to a tab in the Filter List. Filter Category Tabs organize dozens of filters and variations into a manageable workspace. The Favorites tab is user-definable, containing only filters you add. All other tabs are pre-defined. Six tabs will be displayed, with the All and Favorites tabs always present. The remaining four tabs can be selected from within the Filter Settings. The available tabs are: All Tab - All available filters, in alphabetical order. Stylizing Tab - Filters that create a photographic style or an abstract transformation. Traditional Tab - Filters that enhance an image like a conventional photographic filter or that mimic a conventional photographic process. Landscape, Portrait, Wedding, Nature, and Artistic Tabs - Filters that benefit each of these types of photography. Favorites Tab - Filters you add using the Filter List or the Selective Tool. You can add up to a maximum of 16 filters to the Favorites tab. 4

Filter List Controls

Click on a tab to explore new filters. Click on the name of a filter to update the image in the Image Preview and the filter control sliders and settings. Click the star next to a filters name to add the filter to your Favorites tab for easy access.

Control Points

U Point Technology
U Point technology lets you use control points to isolate objects and areas in an image and selectively apply filter effects to them. For more information, visit www.upoint.com Each control point has two sliders: The top slider, Size, adjusts the Control Points size or reach. The bottom slider, Opacity, controls the amount of filtering applied to the area specified by the Size parameter. At 100%, the filters full effect is applied; at 0%, the object or area retains its original colors and details. The following controls apply to all filters:

Add 0% Control Point

Click this button to add control point preset to no filter effect. The mouse pointer changes, prompting you to place a control point on the image. After placing the control point on the image, you can adjust the Opacity slider.

Add 100% Control Point

Control Point Controls
Click this button to add a control point preset to the filters full effect. The mouse pointer changes, prompting you to place a control point on the image. After placing the control point, you can adjust the filters effect with the Opacity slider. If the first control point added is a 100% control point, the Apply to entire image slider automatically goes to 0%, ensuring that the filter is applied only to the control point. You can then adjust the slider manually.

Apply to entire image

This slider lets you specify how much of the current effect to apply across the entire image. Subsequently added control points override this sliders effect for the object they select. For example, if you apply a filter effect to an entire image, set Apply to entire image to 100%, and then add a control point to the sky at 0% opacity, the latter setting supersedes the former. 5
Installation for Capture NX 2
Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2
Nik Software Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2 is the most advanced set of filters for digital photography. Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters are designed to make photographic enhancements not only easier, but better. Now the powerful filters of Color Efex Pro 3.0 are available for Capture NX 2.
1. lose all open applications. C 2. nsert the Color Efex Pro 3.0 CD. I 3. hen the auto-run installer appears, click Next to begin W installing Color Efex Pro 3.0. 4. ext, read the Read Me and accept the License Agreement. N 5. hen the installer is complete, click the Finish button to close W the installer.
1. lose all open applications. C 2. nsert the Color Efex Pro 3.0 CD. I 3. pen the CD and double-click the Color Efex Pro 3.0 Setup file. O When the Color Efex pro 3.0 installer appears, click Next to begin installation. 4. ext, read the Read Me and accept the License Agreement. N 5. hen the installer is complete, click the Close button to close W the installer.
Accessing Color Efex Pro 3.0 inside Capture NX 2
1. Launch Capture NX 2. 2. Open the image that you would like to enhance. 3. Navigate to the Filter menu. 4. Roll over either the Color Efex Pro 3.0: Stylizing or Color Efex Pro 3.0: Traditional sub-menus 5. Select the filter you wish to apply to your image from this list.
Unique Features in Capture NX 2
Selectively Applying Color Efex Pro 3.0 Filters

All of the Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters can be applied selectively using the various selection tools found within Capture NX 2. A brief overview of the Selection Control Points, the Selection Brush, and the Selection Gradients can be found below. Selection Control Point Selection control points utilize U Point technology to selectively apply the filter effect of the current step. You can use a selection control point to selectively apply any of the Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters. Selection Brush Tools The selection brush enables you to selectively paint-in or paint-out the filter effect in the current step. You can use the selection brush to achieve an artistic application of the filters. Selection Gradient Tools The selection gradient tools enable you to gradually blend between applying and removing the filter effect in the current step. There are two selection gradient tools to choose from, the Linear Gradient tool and the Radial Gradient tool. Linear Gradient Tool The linear gradient tool adds the current filter effect to theimage with a gradual transition from applying to hiding the effect in a straight line. Radial Gradient Tool The radial gradient tool adds the current filter effect to the image in a circular pattern with a gradual transition from applying to hiding the effect radiating from a central point.
Color Efex Pro 3.0 NEF Update Tool

2008 David Saffir

The Color Efex Pro 3.0 NEF Update Tool will convert any NEF files with Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 filters applied into the corresponding Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters with equivalent filter settings. For more information about updating NEF files with Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 filters to Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters with the NEF Update Tool, please see the Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2 User Guide. 7

Workflow Suggestions

Apply RAW presharpening, if desired, with Sharpener Pro 3.0s RAW Presharpener filter. Apply light and color enhancements with Viveza (global, then local), and end with stylizing enhancements using Color Efex Pro 3.0 or Silver Efex Pro.
The order of steps involved in enhancing an image varies, depending on the image. In general, there are only a few guidelines to consider:
Apply noise reduction, such as with Dfine 2.0, as early as possible in the process.
Apply output and creative sharpening with Sharpener Pro 3.0s Output Sharpener filter.
Start with characteristics that affect the entire image, such as color casts, contrast, and tones. Next, modify elements that affect only localized areas, such as blemishes and small distracting objects. Finally, apply effects that add a style or mood to the image. In other words, move from the general to the specific. For best results, perform the tasks below in the given order: 1. Select the filter to apply to the image from the Filter List. 2. Adjust the filter controls. 3. Protect Shadows & Highlights, if necessary. 4. Use U Point-powered Control Points, if desired. 5. Review the image in the Loupe. 6. Apply the filter.

User Interface in Adobe Photoshop

2007 Roger Daines

Contact
To contact Nik Software, please visit www.niksoftware.com/contact Nik Software, Inc. 2007-2008 Protected by one or more US Pats. 6,728,421; 6,865,300; 7,031,547; and other patents pending. Nik, U Point and Dfine are registered trademarks of Nik Software, Inc. Silver Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Viveza, and Sharpener Pro are trademarks of Nik Software, Inc. All other trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners.