[UPDATED 12-2-2011 - added changes to item 3, added article links]
I recently started this post and was held up a bit by the release date of some new products, but today I’m happy to provide a look at three new plugins that I think you’ll most likely want to have in your workflow. Developers onOne Software and Nik Software have been busy lately! The new onOne Photo Suite 6 has been released, with some really nice UI enhancements and brand new plugins, and Nik has released Color Efex Pro 4 Complete, also with some great UI tweaks and many new looks to apply. So here are the three I think you should try out and take a look at first.
1. Color Efex Pro 4 Complete – This is a great upgrade for existing users of Color Efex Pro. The user interface has been completely rebuilt and upgraded to be consistent with newer Nik plugins like HDR Efex Pro and Silver Efex Pro 2, so once you start using it, things will be very familiar. They have also improved the way presets and preset previews are handled, making it easier to see all variations on a preset.
Another nice benefit to this upgrade, is they’ve brought the U-Point workflow up to speed with newer plugins as well making it much easier to use. But probably the most compelling reason to use this plugin is the wide array of professional stylings or “looks” you can apply, ranging from Infrared Black and White (Ironically), to the ability to create HDR-like effects using combinations of presets, and even old-fashioned looks like sepia and cyanotype.
[Addition: If you'd like to learn more about this plugin, check out my latest Nik Software article / turorial from Peachpit.com]
