Photomatix Plug-Ins for Photoshop
Photoshop users who work with versions CS2 to CS5 have a bonus advantage if wanting to work with Photomatix Pro, the popular HDR imaging software.
Photomatix has a Photoshop Tone Mapping Plug-in that enables the user to bypass the hassle of running the two programs concurrently, or ping-ponging back and forth between the two.
The reason that PS CS2 is the oldest version that can support this is that Photomatix requires 32-bit images, and the compatibility reaches back no further than CS2.
The basic workflow for using this plug-in would start with an application that can produce an initial 32-bit (HDR) image, ideally Photomatix.
Only then can the user go to Photoshop to make use of the plug-in.
The Tone-Mapping Plug-In is strictly for tone-mapping.
Many users who use the plug-in in Photoshop use it simply to enable the "Merge to HDR" function, and then use the plug-in to tone map the resulting image.
The process can be separated, of course, between the creation and saving of the HDR image in Photomatix, then the subsequent tone mapping in Photoshop.
Many claim the satisfaction of using Photomatix Pro alone.
The software functions supremely well as a standalone HDR imaging program, doing all that the tone-mapping plug-in does and much more.
For those who find they love the program and have the means to explore fully all that this program can do, there is the option to purchase the Pro Plus Bundle.
Included are Photomatix Pro, the Tone-Mapping Plug-In and the Aperture Plug-In (strictly for Mac users at present).
The full array of all of these functions at the ready provides for incredible flexibility and control within the workflow.
An important item to make sure to mention here is that if you haven't yet tried Photomatix and are intrigued, all of the products can be downloaded on a trial basis.
These don't expire.
The trial versions will leave a watermark on all saved images, however.
The watermark can be removed out of these same saved images if a license key is purchased for Photomatix Pro.
Once you recognize the worth of the program it is easy to understand why the watermark has to be included.
Photomatix Light is available, but much like Photoshop Elements is compared to Photoshop, it is truly a light version of the program.
I don't suggest the Light version purchase as a cheap trial, but more of an informed choice if one truly knows that it will suffice for their basic HDR needs.
Photomatix Pro is an amazing product, well worth the praises sung about it in the HDR communities, and so worth the price.
If you are wanting to learn more about HDR and what Photomatix has to offer, I would suggest checking out the company's website at http://www.
hdrsoft.
com.
Photomatix has a Photoshop Tone Mapping Plug-in that enables the user to bypass the hassle of running the two programs concurrently, or ping-ponging back and forth between the two.
The reason that PS CS2 is the oldest version that can support this is that Photomatix requires 32-bit images, and the compatibility reaches back no further than CS2.
The basic workflow for using this plug-in would start with an application that can produce an initial 32-bit (HDR) image, ideally Photomatix.
Only then can the user go to Photoshop to make use of the plug-in.
The Tone-Mapping Plug-In is strictly for tone-mapping.
Many users who use the plug-in in Photoshop use it simply to enable the "Merge to HDR" function, and then use the plug-in to tone map the resulting image.
The process can be separated, of course, between the creation and saving of the HDR image in Photomatix, then the subsequent tone mapping in Photoshop.
Many claim the satisfaction of using Photomatix Pro alone.
The software functions supremely well as a standalone HDR imaging program, doing all that the tone-mapping plug-in does and much more.
For those who find they love the program and have the means to explore fully all that this program can do, there is the option to purchase the Pro Plus Bundle.
Included are Photomatix Pro, the Tone-Mapping Plug-In and the Aperture Plug-In (strictly for Mac users at present).
The full array of all of these functions at the ready provides for incredible flexibility and control within the workflow.
An important item to make sure to mention here is that if you haven't yet tried Photomatix and are intrigued, all of the products can be downloaded on a trial basis.
These don't expire.
The trial versions will leave a watermark on all saved images, however.
The watermark can be removed out of these same saved images if a license key is purchased for Photomatix Pro.
Once you recognize the worth of the program it is easy to understand why the watermark has to be included.
Photomatix Light is available, but much like Photoshop Elements is compared to Photoshop, it is truly a light version of the program.
I don't suggest the Light version purchase as a cheap trial, but more of an informed choice if one truly knows that it will suffice for their basic HDR needs.
Photomatix Pro is an amazing product, well worth the praises sung about it in the HDR communities, and so worth the price.
If you are wanting to learn more about HDR and what Photomatix has to offer, I would suggest checking out the company's website at http://www.
hdrsoft.
com.
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