Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

Version: PhotoKit Color 2.1.1 (2008)
Plugs into: Photoshop CS, CS2, and CS3 (will not work in Photoshop Elements)
OS: Windows XP with SP2 and Vista; Mac OS X
RAM: 256MB
Supported file formats: As host
Price level: Approx. $100
Address: PixelGenius, 624 West Willow Street, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
www.pixelgenius.com
Viveza
Vendor: Nik Software
Purpose: Selectively correct and enhance either color or light, or both
Chapter 30 ■ Color Tools 351
Description
A pro-level tool, Viveza uses the vendor’s proprietary U Point technology to provide a
convenient interface for making corrections to color and light on selected parts of the
image. With this method, the user places U Point powered Color Control Points directly
onto areas of color, such as sky, skin, or grass, and then makes rapid adjustments to
brightness, contrast, or color.
The great advantage of using the U Point system is that 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.
Comments
Among interface tools, U Point is a particularly brilliant invention, and it is good to see
the vendor packaging it in a new program. It has been available previously in Nik Color
Efex Pro, which is used by Nikon to extend the functionality of its RAW converter and
image editor Nikon Capture NX. In Viveza, U Point brings great speed and precision
to the task of enhancing images. Wedding and portrait photographers who have tried
it find it easy and intuitive to use.
Version: Viveza 1.0 (2008)
Plugs into: Windows Photoshop 7 to CS3; Photoshop Elements 2–6, and compatible applications;
Mac Photoshop CS2, CS3; Photoshop Elements 1–4, and compatible applications
OS: Windows 2000 Professional, XP Home Edition, XP Professional, and Vista; Mac OS X 10.4
and later
RAM: 256MB
Supported file formats: As host