Topaz Labs and Darktable?

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GreenHome

I am an occasional photographer, so when my computer crashed and Adobe informed me that I would not be able to reinstall Lightroom 6 on my new computer, it didn't make much sense to me to spend $120 a year for software I used so seldom. Occasionally I do like to dive into the deep end and so I miss my old Lightroom. Especially after a friend showed me what Topaz Labs Sharpen AI could do to her wildlife photos! I understand that Topaz is standalone and can also be used as a plugin with Lightroom. Would I be able to use Sharpen AI along with Darktable? Would I process the RAW file in Darktable, and then ... export? ... a jpg? ... to Sharpen AI? How would that, if it could, work?

MrSteveVee

You would perform this as two separate operations. Develop to your liking in DT, export as a Jpeg either to a new or the current folder. Perform Edits on the Jpeg using your preferred software. When you look at the Jpeg in DT it will of course be the edited version. There is no "other editor" in DT so you need to find and edit the Jpeg using the other software

GreenHome

MrSteveVee Thank you, Steve! Have you used any of Topaz Labs products (like Denoise AI or Sharpen AI) on images you edited on Darktable? How does Topaz compare to the noise reduction and sharpening modules available in Darktable?

MrSteveVee

Sorry no, not a software product I have tried

clanpix

I find the denoise options in darktable are very good and don't use Topaz too often.. I sometimes use Topaz first and then darktable and vice versa.However I never use it on a jpeg but use the DNG or TIFF options as I get better results. But it will depend on the subject and ISO etc .What works best for 1 doesn't always work for another. A lot will depend on the purpose of the final photo - social media or competition prize winner