It looks like Fractalius is back ... this time, from Topaz

[Tom Mann]

Topaz's version:
http://www.topazlabs.com/glow?utm_s...-86831373&mc_cid=f5973086e2&mc_eid=720cc36e75

The original:
http://www.redfieldplugins.com/filterFractalius.htm

At least from the examples shown, I don't think Topaz's version of this effect seems to be as good as the original -- too much glow, not enough definition. OTOH, this could be adjustable. We'll see.

Tom M

 

[ALB68]

Guess this would be good for folks running Macs . Redfield only runs on Windows I believe.

 

[IamSam]

Is the first link working for everyone else?

 

[IamSam]

Now its working!

Oh great................nothing like reviving an overused and outdated effect. Sorry, not a fan.

 

[ALB68]

Now its working!

Oh great................nothing like reviving an overused and outdated effect. Sorry, not a fan.

Me either really but I have the old one. There was a thread here the other day where a poster had a Mac and was wanting a similar filter. This would do the job for him

 

[Tom Mann]

IamSam -

Believe it or not, Fractalius is one plugin I don't own, LOL. I never bought a copy, and the reason is exactly what you said.

I keep thinking (maybe, even secretly hoping, LOL) that there must be some use for it, but even being well aware of it, there has not been one single time that I ever thought I could use this effect, either for my event / PR work at school or my documenting / advertising work for the county fire and medical service, or even my personal photography. It's just such an "in your face" effect. I'm sure there are photographers / graphic designers that have used it to good effect, but, like you guys, it just isn't me. Maybe it's for the folks who reproduce images on black velvet and sell them out of the back of their SUV's along the side of the road.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm going to stop looking at it ... kinda like pretty girls, LOL.
ALB68 - You're right. I think the OP in that thread was looking for a Mac version. I'll try to dig it up and post a message just in case he's still monitoring it.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Tom Mann]

Hey, I just downloaded a 30 day free trial version. If nothing else, it has a ton of adjustments, and it's fun!

In fact, I think I'm going to run all my annotated screen shots through it to add some class to my responses to forum questions. They'll look like Illuminated manuscripts in some alien language, but I'll just blame it on the forum uploading software.

"Whaddya mean, it's hard to read? I can read it just fine."



T

 

[Paul]

Now your making sense Tom

 

[TimothyKim]

Tom: I've been using Topaz Glow on my Mac and it works great for specific graphical projects. It is very well designed, flexible and user friendly. I got a deal on it for $49.00. By the way, I don't do trucker elvis velvet art. Topaz Glow is an excellent graphical tool and I thank you for the tip. TimothyKim

 

[Hoogle]

I actually prefer the topaz version I started of with the trial a while back but in its early days it was so buggy I had to remove it but the latest version seems to be ok, I have noticed the sensetivity of adjustments are not as fine tweakable as they were.

Yes the hard core fractalius effect is ott but just some subtle effects really can make some images pop without knowing it is fractalius. And I think Topaz are focusing more on that just look at their example images.

 

[chrisdesign]

Nice effects for playing around . A fun tool.

 

[Tom Mann]

Tom: I've been using Topaz Glow on my Mac and it works great for specific graphical projects. It is very well designed, flexible and user friendly. I got a deal on it for $49.00. By the way, I don't do trucker elvis velvet art. Topaz Glow is an excellent graphical tool and I thank you for the tip. TimothyKim

Perhaps I was a bit too harsh when joking around about it. After playing around with the trial version, I purchased it and am having fun as I am getting more experience with it, but haven't yet used it for any real projects in the way that you and Chris mentioned. Maybe I'll sneak some of it into some of the fire service work I do. Those guys should love it.

Cheers,

Tom M

PS - Timothy, Chris, if you have any examples of how you have used without it being overwhelming, I would love to see some of your work.

 

[chrisdesign]

Tom, I didn't buy Topaz Glow.
What I mentioned in my post are only my personal thoughts about this software. I have not seen a subtle application in digital images up to now, mostly it's like a stamp pressed brutally over the whole image.

 

[Tom Mann]

Ahh ... Sorry, Chris. I was reading and typing too fast: It was Hoogle, not you that commented on using it in a subtle way.

T

 

[TimothyKim]

Tom: Currently, I am working on a Logo for my non-profit. A key element of the logo is a white Lotus blossom which I will use Topaz Glow. When finished, I'll be happy to send you a before and after. Should I use this same Reply button when it's done or a different email address? Thx, TimothyKim

 

[Tom Mann]

Excellent! If you are comfortable posting it publicly (...watermarked, if you want), I'll bet all our regulars would love to see it and possibly it will prompt a nice further discussion of how to use the plugin tastefully. If you dont feel comfortable posting your work publicly, send me a PM and I'll reply with my email address and it won't see the light of day.

Cheers,

Tom M

 

[MikeMc]

I too got it on sale....Tremendous amount of adjust ability. What I like to do is masking and using totally different settings make a major contrast between for and back grounds.....I've been doing some football shots with a bud, I can't post the images here ...yet

 

[TimothyKim]

Tom & PSGurus: Here is an example of what Topaz Glow can do. I used a Lotus Blossom using preloaded Glow settings for my logo which added the surrealistic effect I was looking for: to my final composite Lotus: to final Logo This pic won't upload bigger, oh well

 

[Tom Mann]

That's really quite nice! Thank you for posting such a good example, Tim.

Best regards,

Tom