Topaz AI Products

[NorthernFocus]

I've used Topaz products for years. IMO in the past few years with the "AI" products they've gone backwards. The main issue I've had with them is that they produce a lot of artifacts particularly in the BG. What I'm finding with the "AI" features in the new version of Gigapixel is that it does a great job enhancing fur/feathers but has the same problem with BG as older Topaz products. Wondering if others have similar experience?

Here are a few examples. All of the following began with the same DNG file after running through "deep prime" in DxO PL8.

1) The original of this shot was slightly soft due to camera shake. This version was processed with Sharpen AI v2.2.4 in "stabilize" mode, sharpen = 60, denoise = 0. The camera shake was corrected well and without the need for masking the BG was not affected.

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2) I don't have a direct comparison to an updated version of Sharpen AI because I reverted to v2.2.4 per above. But I find that the new version of Gigapixel produces similar artifacts to what I was seeing in the latest version of Sharpen AI(i.e. before it was rolled into Photo AI). Following was processed in "recover" mode with Gigapixel AI with detail set to 75. Note the noisy BG and evident banding. And the sharpening isn't even close to results above.

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3) Full resolution view of the artifacts produced by Gigapixel.

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[Charles Loy]

Gosh, not good.
I become disillusioned by the Topaz too (all products), long ago. Have you tried the photoshop 2024 'enhanced' denoise? Best I've used.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Gosh, not good.
I become disillusioned by the Topaz too (all products), long ago. Have you tried the photoshop 2024 'enhanced' denoise? Best I've used.

I've tried it in LR if that's what you're referring to. I still prefer DxO. It's a bit faster and can also use DxO optical corrections.

 

[Andrew Lamberson]

I was a big fan of Topaz but recent ”upgrades” have had significant issues for me. On the other hand, I have been using the ”new” versions of LR’s DeNoise and I have been very pleased with it. I am careful to do “just enough” but no more! The more I see the phrase “AI” the more dubious I am of the results. They often go to far.

 

[Charles Loy]

I've tried it in LR if that's what you're referring to. I still prefer DxO. It's a bit faster and can also use DxO optical corrections.

I did mean Photoshop 2024, I have never used Lightroom. It has a super denoise action, high iso is not much of a concern

 

[NorthernFocus]

I was a big fan of Topaz but recent ”upgrades” have had significant issues for me. On the other hand, I have been using the ”new” versions of LR’s DeNoise and I have been very pleased with it. I am careful to do “just enough” but no more! The more I see the phrase “AI” the more dubious I am of the results. They often go to far.

I'm also dubious now when I see the term "AI" being used. Watching the evolution of Topaz software has been frustrating. There's still nothing that I'm aware of that matches the performance of Sharpen AI v2.2.4 when it comes to correcting for camera shake. Further "improvements" haven't been as good. I'm glad I downloaded and saved a copy of the full install.

I did mean Photoshop 2024, I have never used Lightroom. It has a super denoise action, high iso is not much of a concern

I'll have to try out the PS version. I'm always up for testing another potential tool.