Today DxO released a new Nik Collection version 7 (free trial available):

"New Nik Collection 7 plugin suite for Photoshop and Lightroom is the biggest upgrade ever The 7 plugins receive major improvements to its exclusive U Point masking technology, updates to Nik Color Efex, speed boosts, workflow improvements, and much more"

Here is the full list of new features:

• Brand new Local Adjustments tools and functionality:
  – U Point Elliptical Control Points: Control Points can now be stretched or squeezed into elliptical shapes for powerful selective editing — perfect for applying effects or corrections to oval areas without affecting the rest of your image.
  – U Point Control Polygons: Create custom shapes with straight lines to fit the exact contours of any object in your photo, from intricate landscapes to complex architectural details — a significant upgrade for those who demand the utmost control over their edits.
  – Luminosity Masks: Automatically select areas of your image based on brightness, allowing for seamless adjustments to highlights, mid-tones, and shadows, allowing you to apply corrections to these specific areas.
  – Flexible color reference for U Point Control Points and Control Polygons: This increases flexibility, extending the functionality that is already available with Control Lines.
  – U Point Control Polygon feathering: Adjust the strength of the effect on the edges and style of adjustments made using U Point.
• Effortless organization of Filters and Presets: With the new workspace management system, organizing and categorizing Filters and Presets has never been easier. Create personalized categories that match your editing process, and switch between them with a single click, ensuring that your favorite adjustments are always at your fingertips.
• Nik Collection launches 30% faster: Dive into creative process without delay and make the most of your editing sessions.
• ‘Switch to’ button lets you jump seamlessly between plugins: Transition effortlessly between plugins without ever leaving your creative zone. This feature is designed to remove interruptions to your workflow, enhancing efficiency, and offering a smoother editing experience.
• Quick Export from Nik Collection: Export results in TIFF or JPEG format directly without leaving the plugin. This feature unlocks the potential to create and compare multiple versions of corrections for a single image when refining details, experimenting with color, or exploring different creative visions — or simply to share quickly online.
• Global Search for Filters and Presets: This practical tool simplifies access to Filters, Filter Looks, and Presets. Type the name of the Filter or Preset in the search field and a list appears instantly for quick access.
• Flexible HSL, ClearView and Grain features in Nik Color Efex: Apply HSL, ClearView and Grain Filters as local adjustments. This functionality allows the fine-tuning of specific parts of the images, providing unparalleled precision and creative freedom.
  – Multiple instances: Apply several instances of each Filter for varied effects, allowing for complex and layered enhancements.
  – Blend and mix: Seamlessly mix these Filters with other Nik Color Efex Filters for a truly customized editing experience. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to achieve the perfect balance in every photo.
• Access Nik Viveza corrections as Filters within Nik Color Efex:
  – Globally or as local adjustments: Take full control over the changes offered by Nik Viveza.
  – Multiple instances: Apply several instances of each Filter to different workflows for varied effects, allowing for a complex and layered enhancements. Internal
  – Blend and mix: As with all Nik Color Efex Filters, you can stack them in any order you wish, giving you greater flexibility.
• Enhanced HSL feature in Nik Color Efex, allowing you to correct colors across specific ranges:
  – Select colors using a Color Picker.
  – Adjust colors manually using a flexible tool.
  – The Global channel now has a Vibrancy slider for even greater control.
• Set the default Look of a Filter in Nik Color Efex: Change the default Look of a Filter that is selected automatically when the Filter is first applied. In addition, mark your preferred Filter Looks as Favorites for easy access.

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