Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, Gigapixeal AI - WHICH SHOULD YOU USE?

[@AnthonyMorganti]

Some of the functionality overlaps between Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Gigapixeal AI. In this tutorial, I explain the differences -- when one app is better than another and I explain the order of operations -- which of the apps you should use first, next, and last. If you're interested in Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, or Gigapixeal AI by Topaz Labs, click the link below and scroll down to the applicable section. Bundles are also available toward the bottom: bit.ly/3cDqa5J To purchase, click on the link above then use my discount code to save and additional 15% off the price and on everything at the Topaz Labs: AMDISC15 *Note that my 15% discount code may not work on sale product. Anthony Morganti’s MUST HAVE applications: At least one Non-Destructive RAW Editor: Lightroom - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW Capture One - captureone.38d4qb.net/y1Djy Luminar - bit.ly/2JUJxKw (Save with the Promo Code AM16) On1 Photo RAW - bit.ly/2zJmA9I (Save 20% with Promo Code: AM17) Exposure X6 - bit.ly/2U8UxrK (Save 10% with Promo Code: AnthonyMorganti) PhotoLab 4: tidd.ly/2HhiN9X (Save 15% off with Promo Code: Anthony15 - Valid until 2/2/2021 - May not work when product is on sale) At least one FULL Editing App: Photoshop - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW Affinity Photo - affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/ My MUST HAVE Plugins: Topaz Denoise AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J Topaz Gigapixel AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J Topaz Sharpen AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J *Save 15% on all Topaz Labs apps - use the Promo Code: AMDISC15 Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 - tidd.ly/3dc4gYm Save 15% off the Nik Collection with Promo Code: Anthony15 - Valid until 2/2/2021 My MUST HAVE Mac Utility: CleanMyMac X - Info: bit.ly/3jtVpU3 To save 10% on your purchase of CleanMyMac X: 1. Visit the CleanMyMac X store: bit.ly/3bEMuMx 2. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and click on "Enter it now" under "Already have a coupon code?" 3. Paste the promo code TONY10 and hit "Verify" 4. The prices will be reduced and you’ll be able to select the license and proceed with the payment ** Note that all of the promo codes listed above may not work on sale product. *** I am an affiliate for all of the companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement: onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/ Please follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/anthonymorganti/ View my recommended gear list: www.amazon.com/shop/anthonymorganti As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases I use this software to record my screen and make parts of my screen enlarge and zoom out so you can see it: Screenflow: telestream.pxf.io/DMrW2 Unsure of how to price your photography? Check the 2019 Guide to Pricing Your Photography: amzn.to/2S1CiU7 I am an affiliate for all of the companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement here: onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/ Thank you!

[@khairul9881]

Hi Anthony, if you could kindly advise, if I want to upscale photos scans of construction history from an old book publication from the 90's, and the image is a bit noisy which combination of Topaz AI should I use? The source image is a photo scan instead of RAW file. I need to put the images in a multimedia interactive and for display on wide screen 4K TV. The original owner gave use permission but couldn't find the source film photo anymore.

[@shanerust]

Do not buy any of these and instead just use the older versions from legacy that are free and much better.

[@Mat-hr1dg]

@@shanerust How exactly are they better.

[@genewhitney5993]

You really scratched an itch for me, Anthony. I've had this exact question ever since I got the three programs. Thank you very much.

[@mich8261]

You know how some people say Facebook is snooping on their conversations because they see targeted ads? Well I think Anthony is snooping on my thoughts because just this weekend I was looking for this very tutorial, and here it is!

[@peterzechmeister9621]

I really liked your presentation, just purchased the triple pack, on sale until June 3, with discount code came to $136 !!! Amazing !

[@amaichu]

Man, you are awesome! It’s on sale $150 for all and I used your discount code and it worked on top of the sale price. I have subscribed to your channel too. How many videos we find on KZbin which is so crispy and spot on. Kudos!

[@aspotterabroad4145]

Just bought Gigapixel & Sharpen AI yesterday. One was on sale for $20 off and i used your code for an additional discount. Thanks Anthony. Great video !

[@duncanlawler6426]

I just paid £132.77 for all three / $159.99, to try these products. I have 30 days to see if I like it. Thank you for the tutorial.

[@meredithpottery]

So timely, Anthony. Thank you so much! Denise first if needed, then sharpen.

[@brucehanover890]

Great tutorial, thanks. Been on the fence for a while, mostly interested in DeNoise, but bought the suite of all three just now with your healthy discount code. Thanks!

[@mightychow]

As always, thank you, Anthony. I got the bundle that includes all three and I wasn’t sure of the best process.

[@johnclarke1319]

If you already have lightroom you can probably do better for yourself. if not they will be good, but drop the settings below max to keep some realism to your results

[@kellybilu9619]

Thank you! I watch all your tutorials. I have learned to use Lightroom and all the Topaz products from you, also excellent voice btw. Keep them coming! Used your discount code twice today.

[@bujin5455]

That was a great overview and explanation of how those apps work!

[@ZappaBlues]

I have been processing some older images lately shot on Nikon D70s and D80 cameras indoors. Denoise AI has been great to get ride of noise in the dark and shadow areas of the images.

[@librarycollection3795]

Yes, it's really awesome.

[@deirdremcquade9690]

Hoping to do the same, @ZappaBlues!

[@JonBushell]

Wouldn’t it be easier if they had the three functions in one package? Instead of sending back and fourth with overlapping functions.

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

Dunno, but this workflow isn’t that hard to figure out yourself with some common sense

[@JonBushell]

@@ChristiaanRoest79 I realise that but it’s like Lightroom having a separate develop program, a separate library program etc.

[@librarycollection3795]

It's possible from a technical point of view, but many people will be deterred by the high cost. Most people purchase products based on functionality AND affordability. People like me who use ALL 3 would certainly like that idea, for sure.

[@JonBushell]

@@librarycollection3795 well if it was me I would make one program with the 3 modules and you still pay the same amount for which module you want and that unlocks that functionality.

[@pesthlm]

They also benefit financially from having different products.

[@BobG-eh5fc]

Thanks, great overview. For really bad motion blur images, I've seen people cycle the image thru sharpen AI twice. Results were surprising.

[@HartponderJr]

Thank you. Your workflow videos are invaluable! I know you are busy, I would appreciate a video on Studio 2 and what your take on it is...

[@Ilene1020]

Thanks Anthony! I have all three, although not the latest versions, and your workflow makes perfect sense & does clear up my confusion.

[@thepanel2935]

I was shooting in very late afternoon light in New York City with no tripod and I had to pump up the ISO. There's grain in the images, and I didn't have the shutter speed _or_ the f/stop I really wanted for handheld shooting. (I always use a tripod whenever possible, even in bright sunlight.) Apart from that, they are good images that could easily sell, if only they could be rescued. I think I will check out this Topaz Labs stuff.

[@erik1836]

Thank you Anthony for this informative and clearly orchestrated video. You answered a number of questions I had re these three applications. I have Gigapixel AI and find it amazing and have downloaded the trial versions of the other two. Your video helps me understand when and where each might be helpful.

[@Hanneth]

I find that Sharpen AI is my most used application of the 3, but I'm also often taking pictures in uncontrolled personal situations and taking pictures from friends. I rarely use Denoise AI. Gigapixel AI I use for older low resolution pictures and sometimes to enhance faces on images, but not resize. A few times I will use Sharpen and Gigapixel, then blend the results in an image editor.

[@sb1493]

Always learn something new and useful by watching Mr. Morganti's videos. Great and informative tutorial.

[@tomkolour3947]

Excellent tutorial, I've been struggling for a while but this has cleared the way, thank you

[@robertmeyerson1618]

Thanks Anthony. You really defined the differences very well.

[@Clemi47]

Thank you Anthony, thorough presentation on Topaz. I just realize I should have purchased the three to start with.

[@K7RRW]

Thanks Anthony for another clear, concise and well orgranized video regarding software I use largely because of your excellent recommendations. As a beginner to postprocessing and basically housebound by my disabilities, you have helped me greatly improve my pix during this terrible virus time. Your positivity inspires us! All the best, Robert Wright MD

[@DanOhPhotography]

So far I have DeNoise, Sharpen, and Mask, and trial copy of Gigapixel and Adjust. I can see the use of Gigapixel in addition to what I have but Adjust seems like just nicely packaged "presets". I use DeNoise 100% of time ... the main tool to get sharpness and there is always noise to get rid of

[@pavre69]

Hi Anhony, in the historical group I do often scan old pictures (begin 1920 till 1990) lots of them are blurry, and small, even when scan them in 600 dpi, would those plugins good for doing enhance those pictures?

[@dirkoberjasper7207]

Great information - thank you so much, Anthony!

[@MVRemastered]

Just want to buy definitely go for Gigapixel. You got sharpening en upscaling...

[@basilbcf]

I just bought these three as a bundle (they had a Great Black Friday deal) and this video is exactly what I needed. - When to you which program and in what order. Thanks.

[@thomasdelopez1809]

Nice overview for new users.

[@topilot]

Great video on when and if plus the order to use all three Topaz apps. I do have one comment on the Denoise ai and the fact that you do the Denoise process before cropping. I did a little experiment with this app when I first starting using it. I did it both ways of the same image and compared the results. I saw very little difference even when zooming in tight. Therefore, I am cropping first now and it just takes less time, especially when I am seeing no real difference in the quality of the image.

[@ytuberization]

Best noise reduction and sharpening is in DXO Photolab. The Denoise AI produces flatter images and most suffer from artifacts after using Gigapixel AI or Sharpen AI. Use for print upscale QImage or RAWTherapee...

[@07wrxtr1]

Funny you mention this! I found running it through denoise one more time after gigapixel will remove the chroma issues.

[@PicturePerfectJK]

how do I increase size of the preview square box?

[@helenaashby6323]

Is there an iPad stand alone app or does it have to be used on a computer with Lightroom?

[@rockfordplace6227]

I have Topaz Studio that has AI Clear. I use AI that function for noise reduction. I wonder how it compares to Denoise. I don’t think you can get Topaz studio anymore.

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Thanks for the explainations. An example comparing the denoising result between Denoise AI and the integrated Noise suppression option inside the 2 others softwares would be useful.

[@Bartetmedia]

Cropping the image first does not affect the image in any way, it's actually better to crop the image first then send it to Denoise Ai. If you crop the image first Denoise Ai will process the image faster.

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Maybe the more pixels Denoise AI gets the better the AI can calculate the denoising. More pixels = more data.

[@xflyingtiger]

Can I run Gigapixel, Denoise and Sharpen on my laptop and my iMac? I run Lightroom on both currently (no extra charger).

[@masterwizard2881]

Great Job again, TY. Denoise rocks, but the other apps also have their place. I have been running a lot of old shots (for me old shots were shot with my A700) through denoise, the results of low light shots (in a circus tent at night) with the A700 were terrible. Good thing I never tossed the images and could rework them.

[@jonbeth44]

thanks, which version are you using?

[@NiranjanNanda]

Thanks a lot for this. I think it makes more sense to buy only DeNoise AI; next compelling is GigaPixel AI.

[@NASSRALFARAJ]

I don't know why they don't mix them together into one application?

[@krysler5905]

Would become too expensive.

[@striderwhiston9897]

Huh, is Gigapixel's main purpose to make images larger for printing? I've always used it for sharpening and enhancing detail within my images.

[@kartikraman5156]

I made payment of USD 169.99 for Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI and Gigapixel AI on 10.04.2022, but none of these are reflecting in my account with Topaz and neither I have received any link to download them.

[@boatman222345]

Great video clearing up a lot of the confusion surrounding these apps. One thing I am still not entirely clear about is would it ever be appropriate to use LR sharpening or detail tools after using any of these 3 apps? Logic would seem to indicate that all the LR sharpen and detail tools should be set and left at zero since Topaz is a much more specialized and sophisticated app but logic, these days, doesn't always work.

[@bt10ant]

I agree with your question. Do we do ANY sharpening in LR if we have these products above? If so, when to use it? For those of us who don't do a great deal of processing every day, these steps can be hard to remember and confusing, especially when multiple programs are involved. Thanks, Anthony!

[@BemCorrido]

IMHO all three should be merged together in one software: Topaz Image Enhance AI, so you could enlarge, sharpen and remove noise as needed, because it is all related. I use a lot Topaz Sharpen to get more definiton from my entry level glass.

[@galabandachonda]

You are killing their business model.... how else would they make the $$$!!!

[@johnwilliams5692]

I am in the trial mode of both Denoise AI, and Sharpen AI . Right now I am getting ready as beginner nightscape ,stars and planets with light painting. I am leaning towards for Sharpen AI, because I have star trail problems and focus problem. I take a series of photos and one setting and the next time I find it did not work. I do not stack ,but I am starting to do panorama photos. Would like a little help with panorama Sharpen AI help for what stagre, when to do sharpening. I have subscribed to your chanel,I am able to mostly understand what you are saying as a beginner, John

[@hotsalad90]

so Luminar is the best choice as all in one?

[@Mike-pm2fc]

I normally start processing my raw images with Photoshop raw. Does Topaz Denoise work as a plugin with PS raw, or when do I use it in my work flow?

[@pawelschubert6269]

Hi Anthony. Thanks for this video. Can Denoise do batch processing. If you have a batch of photos you shot at high ISO (eg: night sport games) - can you just batch process a bunch of them or so you have to do it one at a time? Thanks

[@iraabramson3825]

Thank you for the post. Makes me wonder if the programs are the same under different names in some cases.

[@twentyfifthjt7888]

What file formats does the Topaz apps take & output? I mean sure I could denoise -> gigapixel -> then capture one this thing... but I'm assuming it won't be a RAW file by the time it gets to capture one. So I would want to make most of my exposure & color adjustments in Capture One.. but thag would go against the Denoise first advice.

[@rlgrant00]

Great video and very informative. Can I use denoise ai with lightroom mobile app?

[@itstimetogo49]

When using Gigapixel Ai on low MP files (older 12mp, etc), I've noticed a white border showing up around any objects with hard edges....leaves, rock walls, etc. Not too noticeable unless I zoom in 200%-300%, but it's there. In addition, when I convert from color to black & white, then send the image to Topaz AI, the image comes back after the AI processing very artificial looking. Hard to describe here, but easy to spot. Have you experienced this?

[@striderwhiston9897]

is this in preview or when looking at the actual image? I've found I see blockiness in preview but not in the exported image.

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

I use them all. Great products

[@andrewgaffney4881]

I think Lightroom does a good enough job with noise reduction, then I use Sharpen to reduce blur. It seems redundant to have Lightroom, Denoise AI, and Sharpen AI to decrease noise and sharpen your images.

[@joaquimqueiroz6698]

Thank's for the video, good explanation.

[@TufferImages]

Thanks @Anthony Morganti. I have all 3 in the pack. Question though, if I know I need to use both DeNoise and Sharpen AI, should I reduce the sharpening in DeNoise to zero and let Sharpen AI deal with it?

[@sounderdavis5446]

He didn't answer your question directly but talks about it in the video. It's an "It depends" situation--depends for example on the image and the source of the softness. His general strategy as discussed in the video: if you shot the image with a high ISO for your camera sensor, often in the ISO 800+ or ISO 1600+ or ISO 3200+ range, depending on the camera, and see noise zooming in that you want to reduce, use DeNoise AI first, especially before cropping or downsizing (pixel-wise) the image, and sharpen in DeNoise Ai at the same time to recover detail lost to doing noise reduction. If there was other softness in the image especially from subject motion, camera shake, or missed focus that you want to reduce, that's when he would then proceed to use Sharpen AI as well. (Though he didn't directly say, I believe he would still apply a little Sharpening in DeNoise AI, if he used DeNoise AI, to recover detail lost when doing noise reduction, and then use Sharpen AI as needed.)

[@Hybred]

I watched the entire video but don't have the full information I need. So what order should I do it in if I need to use ALL 3? I know gigapixel AI comes after denoise, but that's all you said in terms of order. Is it Denoise, Sharpen, Gigapixel? Sharpen, Denoise, Gigapixel? Denoise, Gigapixel, Sharpen? Or something else?

[@redguy2076]

The best practice has always been to leave sharpening last. The edges enhanced during sharpening are best when done at the final image size. Doing so also helps mitigate artifacts. It doesn't matter if you're reducing or enlarging. The correct order should always be denoise, resize, sharpen if you need to do all three to an image. That means skipping certain functions of each of the programs.

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

This already was logical for me but thanks again for the great video. Very clear.

[@sazid90]

can this topaz apps not recognize .dng files? in my case it becomes pink!

[@patventurino7743]

Thank you for the information. I have a question. I have all three pieces of software running on Windows 10. I use the as standalone pieces of software. How do I get the view of all four windows at one time?

[@TheGamingChad.]

its a newer version of the software

[@cephotoclub]

perfect, thanks for the info

[@soumen08]

If you are into birds in flight, sharpen AI is pretty much exactly what you need :)

[@tradehut2782]

For general use Denise is giving me better results than sharpen. I feel like sharpen is only for rescuing extremely poor images..for professional/commercials use it can quickly go overboard..

[@grassmanBoca]

how do send it from lightroom to sharpen ai

[@sounderdavis5446]

It's not hard. Install Sharpen AI. It will notice you have LR and offer to install a LR plug-in for the Topaz app, and you agree to that. With an image selected from your LR catalog, right-click it (or use the top menu bar) and select Edit > Edit in > Topaz Sharpen AI. If you're using a Raw or .DNG file, in the box that opens, select "Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments" and file format TIFF (or PSD). LR will keep a virtual copy. Do your thing in Sharpen AI. When you Save it there, it will return the file in the format you sent (you can't return the image file in your camera's Raw or .DNG format as LR can use) to LR in substitution of the virtual copy, and you can do additional LR editing on that copy if you want. LR keeps a pre-export-to-plug-in copy of your image as well. One downside Anthony doesn't generally mention: these TIFF files plug-ins use and return to LR are quite large compared to Raw or JPGs, so you'll these apps sparingly that way or plan to upsize your storage! All this is how most third-party plug-in apps work with Lightroom.

[@SaketArt]

thank you so much

[@ferretapocalypse]

I use Denoise only and I really like it

[@billferreira7263]

Very useful, thanks.

[@blackcobolt1520]

Thank you Anthony for this useful overview. However you did not squarely address the question of order of use with DN and S. For example, if you have a picture that would benefit from NR and sharpening, which order do you implement and if you use DN and Sharpen, do you set the respective S slider to 0 in DN and the NR slider to 0 in Sharpen? I presume that if GP is needed, that would be the last step. Finally, do you use the applications in standalone mode or as LR plugins? A video showing their use within the LR workflow would be great. Thanks.

[@RandomStuffofMine]

In the video he says to use DeNoise “as early as possible”. That feels like an answer to the question of which to use first.

[@SuperJudithh]

Your videos are easy to view x

[@marievanderwijk9845]

Thank you ever so much❤️

[@M_E_T_R_O__9]

Seem common sense to me that by design they should make it that when you purchase the additional apps, they should just show up in the main Gigapixel app...

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

I have & use Denoise AI, but here's what I don't understand about Sharpen AI: If I have a shot of a bird on a perch, and the perch is in focus but the bird's eye is OOF, how does the software know to target the bird's eye and nothing else. I would certainly not want a global application. It seems to me that they ought to offer the option of a "brush" application, like in NIK.

[@Hanneth]

Sharpen AI you can mask the area you want to sharpen. I think it is called filter in the program. You can do the same things in Denoise AI. I personally find it is easier to just sharpen the whole image, then blend it using before and after layers in my image editor.

[@OIdiesCentral]

What a cute little bird.

[@johnclarke1319]

$200 for Topaz! out of reach of most of us pensioners, please do a show on affordable ( none-subscription software) As always yor material is first rate.

[@AZTEC_ARTS2023]

Why is my retouched / edited DULL and Darker than my original ... ?

[@OlavAlexanderMjelde]

Used your discount code for a 3 pack

[@TheGamingChad.]

gigapixel is the most important, what's the point of sharpening a low resolution image anyway? Denoise AI is the second most important, it does a great job at removing heavily noised pictures, sharpen AI is only good when you don't know what else to buy...

[@DeathlySecurity]

It's 149.99 for all 3 Now until june 4th for your information

[@nolejd50]

I think that Sharpen AI is the only one which you really don't need at all. Denoise and Gigapixel on the other hand have their place.

[@CINEMAPALACE]

...and you are not talking about JPEG to RAW AI !

[@low-key3938]

You GODDAMN RIGHT !!!!!! Thanks.

[@MrsTavington]

The software may be fantastic but I feel like it's a cheap move that all their AIs aren't just ONE program... it's too expensive for just only one functionality.

[@DrSamsHealth]

Am I the only one who doesn't see any difference between these 4 images?

[@uhligsu]

I do not find your video too helpful. I was expecting some experiments which order gets the best results. In addition, while Denise AI is good, the new DXO denoise is better.

[@johnclarke1319]

I tried de-noise and sharpen AIs . basically they just used similar tools to my 7 year old lightroom and frankly just exaggerated the standard adjustments available even 7 years ago. the result was frankly amateur, certainly NOT intelligent, just an exaggerated algorithm. Frankly If the picture ain't good enough the AI can't magic reality. It's pretty much all bull.

[@paulduvernet4012]

d'noise