Luminar Neo: How Paint Masks Work

[@lawoman4602]

I love your videos, Jim! Your explanations are clear and concise. I appreciate it very much!

[@JimNix]

thanks so much for watching!

[@MWTH73]

Thank you Jim an alternative to Dodge and burn

[@JimNix]

thanks for watching!

[@rogerjakko]

Nice one Jim .... explained simply and effectively. Basically everything a person needs to know.

[@JimNix]

thanks so much Roger 🙏🏻

[@cynical1952]

Thanks Jim - I appreciate your time in making these excellent videos. It's always good to learn.

[@JimNix]

thank you for watching Steve!

[@TC_Conner]

Good tutorial Jim. Thanks! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@JimNix]

thanks much TC!

[@jean-francoisdamon4847]

one more time an interesting lesson for me ,thank's a lot Jim.

[@JimNix]

thank you for watching Jean-Francois!

[@marjanrichard2080]

First thank you for all your good work. Question can you First paint a mask and than do the adjustment? Will it apply to the mask or to the part that wasn’t masked?? Thanks in advance for an answer.

[@JimNix]

Thanks for watching and you have to move the sliders at least a little bit to activate the masking. So you could make a minor move, mask it in, then adjust sliders to taste. It applies to wherever you paint it in. Thanks.

[@sheilabuckley9328]

thanks Jim

[@JimNix]

Thank you!

[@fjperras]

Brush mask is probably the most basic mask ever but the video is very relevant since what is the point of learning complex mask tool if one doesn't understand the basics. Even there, I wish Skylum also add one more knob to the brush mask, the one that other tools call "flow" where we can pass multiple time in same spot to further emphasis the effect. But like you said, can't wait to see other masking tools in Neo. Thanks for sharing.

[@JimNix]

thanks much Frederic and yep flow is helpful for sure, good suggestion!

[@phlotographer]

@@JimNix can you adjust the strength to a lower value and then repeat going over an area for more intensity? I thought that Flow changed the speed at which the mask is applied but I could be confused.

[@wanderingpoet9999]

Very helpful

[@JimNix]

Thanks, and glad to hear that.

[@MostlyDrones]

Hi Jim when I move a slider in develop (Mac computer), I don't get the paint brush option, only the before/after eye and the regret arrow?

[@JimNix]

Hi there, if it's a raw file you cannot mask that. You can only mask Develop on a non-raw or on the second use of it with a raw file. Thanks and HTH.

[@PETERV-y5g]

Hi, Jim: Not sure I understand the advantage of brushing in a mask at 50% strength. Isn't it the same as brushing it in at 100% strength and then just moving the slider adjustment (e.g., exposure) less? Thanks!

[@donsmith4044]

Mystical Llanddwyn island - I'm still trying to get back there.

[@JimNix]

haha yeah it's amazing there, I want to return as well!

[@mr.jamescarter6755]

I love your videos and I've been looking for your video on what is your current computer set up with Neo. I really need help to make sure I get the right MacBook Pro. If you or someone else could reply what is the best set up within Mac Universe. Please and THANK YOU!

[@JimNix]

Hi James and thanks for watching. I have not done a video about what computer I use, but it's a 2019 Macbook Pro, Intel based 2.4GHz 8 core i9 chip, 64GB ram, 8GM AMD Radeon video card, and 4TB drive. But if I was buying today, I would get an M1 Mac for sure. But I recommend doing some Google searches for what you think would best fit your needs. Thanks.

[@mr.jamescarter6755]

WOW! Thanks for talking the time to respond!!! This really helped me out, as I use Luminar 4 for my professional edits for my clients. I now can't wait to upgrade. Thank you Thank you!

[@JimNix]

@@mr.jamescarter6755 you're welcome and thanks for watching

[@richardbirger2245]

thanks for the videos, but when I open Edit Tools on Neo 1.0.1 I don't have the ability/tools to Mask as you are showing in your Video??

[@JimNix]

Hi Richard and thanks for watching. Make sure to move the slider first, and that is when the masking icon shows up. Hope that helps and thanks.

[@marclabro]

hi Jim, i don't understand very well. is the mask acting only on develop panel or also on accent ai, temperature,... ? i still don't understand why we don't have same tools than lightroom (or luminar ai) with local tools on which we have 8 sliders min to tune the selected part...

[@JimNix]

Hi Marc and yes you have to mask each tool individually. My hope is we get adjustment layers in the future so we can do a lot of things at once. Thanks.

[@ctzerbe1]

Jim, I can't seem to figure out how to copy a mask to use it on another filter in NEO. I did this in AI all the time. Thanks

[@JimNix]

Hi Craig and that is not in Neo right now. But stay tuned as there are some updates coming soonish so you will get more controls. thanks

[@lookforbeauty1964]

Skylum mailed me saying that they will extend the 30 day money guarantee until version 1.1.0. I will wait until this major update to be released before I decide wether I request a refund or not. So far, Luminar Neo is not what I expected it to be. Thanks Jim

[@JimNix]

thanks Jose and sorry you are disappointed although I do understand - I am glad they extended the refund period - now with the conflict in Ukraine I am not sure when we will get v1.1 but I know it's important to them

[@GavinBollard]

Thanks for this. It's a great starter for people trying to get their head around masking. It took me a while to find the masking because it doesn't activate until you use a control but I'm liking this implementation more and more. I'm not sure how you interpreted the Mountain in a Circle icon to be a spray can type thing but it's more likely that you're right and I'm wrong on that. In general, I'm finding Neo stable and generally much snappier than Luminar AI. The only thing I've noticed is that I feel a slowdown in other applications when I've done a bit in Neo. So... not slow in Neo but it affects other things in Windows. Apart from that I'm enjoying the whole experience.

[@JimNix]

Hi Gavin and thanks and right, it doesn't turn on until you move a slider, good point. Haha I "think" it's a spray paint can but maybe it's a mountain in a circle LOL. Maybe it's both! Glad you are finding it stable. It has been really stable for me and although it is missing some features, I know it will get more and more robust. Thanks for watching!

[@phlotographer]

Gavin -- by chance with W10 have you found a way to edit an image that you don't have in the Library? I am not a fan of the NEO library and want to edit an image via single image but found that what one would expect to work, -- drag/drop a file to the edit window, simply does not on my W10 machine. However, it could be me or the machine and if you have a method to take an image from Explorer into the Edit window, please advise a to the method you have used. Let me know one way or the other is possible. TIA

[@GavinBollard]

@@phlotographer In Windows, click on the Luminar Neo banner (there's a whole hidden menu structure under there). Click on File, then Edit Single Image (Ctrl+O) and pick your image.

[@JimNix]

@@phlotographer so single image edit does not work in Windows?

[@vincepalmer9518]

As much as I looked forward to using Luminar Neo I wish they would have waited to release a better version. I find Luminar AI the go-to editor at this time.

[@JimNix]

HI Vince and yep I get that, it is missing some key things. I know they will get added but it left us wanting at launch. Thanks.

[@johnlee1103]

Good lesson! What's next lesson ?

[@JimNix]

Thanks much John and next up I will covering the Essentials tool. Coming soon!

[@budweizer82]

what version of luminar neo are you using? i don't see the paint option in my luminar neo

[@JimNix]

I have the current version which is 1.0.5, should be there. Maybe check with support?

[@marioplus321]

Thx for the video. btw while cropping or doing some other editing, green spots appear in the photo. When the edit is done , they disappear. What's going on? Thx for help !

[@JimNix]

Hi there, thanks for watching, and I have no idea about the green spots. I haven't noticed that in my photos, but will look for it next time. And sorry, not sure what to suggest as a fix.

[@marioplus321]

@@JimNix they appear in bright areas( but not everywhere). If you have any suggestions, let me know. There is no sight of them after a photo is edited or when you leave edit section. Thx.

[@JimNix]

@@marioplus321 ok thanks I will look for that

[@tonytfuntek3262]

I really appreciate your lessons here but I'm finding Neo extremely buggy. Even simple cropping is hit or miss. I keep going back to Luminar 4 still....I hope they fix these issues.

[@JimNix]

Hi Tony and sorry to hear it's been buggy for you. I have found it to be solid and stable so far. I am not sure what to suggest though. I would normally suggest emailing their support team, which you can do, but many of them were in Kyiv so not sure how much of a delay they are experiencing with the situation there. Thanks.

[@tonytfuntek3262]

@@JimNix Thank you but it's not all bad. The power line erase feature works great and I do like the refinements on all the adjustments. Layers are not as intuitive as Luminar 4 and is it me or is the clone tool missing ?

[@JimNix]

@@tonytfuntek3262 yes clone is missing but will be added in the first update

[@virgkw]

@@tonytfuntek3262 i agree with you on layers, some stuff seems backwards. I like painting the mask first then making the changes

[@daniellefreakley1866]

I just bought the latest version a few days ago and there is no paintmask in "Develop" as there is in yours. It's incredibly frustrating to try to follow this tutorial when many of the key features are not released yet :(

[@JimNix]

Hmmmm. If you are using a raw file, you cannot use masking on Develop Raw. You should be able to get to masking on Develop on the second go around though, or if using a jpg. Develop Raw is different that way. Hope that helps.

[@kenalexander8714]

Useful aide memoire on brush masking in NEO Jim. Better masking options to come. Wondering how NEO going forward will be affected by their sad situation in Ukraine.

[@JimNix]

thanks Ken and yes more goodness coming, but likely delayed due to the Ukraine situation - as I learn more I will be sharing of course

[@GeertWijnands]

I don't have the paint mask option..

[@brucebrown4480]

By any chance, did you make any type of adjustment first? If I understand how NEO (and AI, 4, and 3) work, an adjustment must be done first, then the mask option will show up. If you haven't tried moving any of the sliders in the tool, do that with one of them. It doesn't have to be a big adjustment either, just a 1 or 2 on the slider. The mask option should then show up.

[@GeertWijnands]

@@brucebrown4480 Hi Bruce. You are absolutely right! Thank you!

[@JimNix]

@@brucebrown4480 thanks for beating me to this one! 🙏🏻

[@JimNix]

@@GeertWijnands glad that got sorted 👍🏻

[@thefacelessone74]

Is brush masking the only way of masking in neo?? Theres no smart masks ? They need to combine Boris OPtics + Luminar Neo ... that would be a true editor

[@JimNix]

Right now, yes it is only brush masks. We will get radial, gradient and luminosity masks later. And also Mask AI, which automatically mask objects for you. But those are all coming later, not sure when exactly. Thanks.

[@thefacelessone74]

@@JimNix Apparently their HQ is in Khiev, Ukraine. So makes sense regarding any post release updates. I'm sure you knew that though

[@JimNix]

@@thefacelessone74 yes I am aware of that, and spoke about it in a recent video too. They are doing ok so far. 🙏🏻

[@mdturnerinoz]

Jim, being that Luminar NEO is from Kyiv, Ukraine, I suggest you not spend a lot more time on it as its improvements will be quite a while in coming (and it needs them DESPERATELY)! Besides, it is so far a pathetic follow-up to L4 and LAI. How about spending your time on Exposure X7?

[@JimNix]

Hi Martin, thanks for the note. Yes, it may be a while until we get an update, but I still get a lot of questions about Neo and also in making these videos I am hoping to provide assistance to the Skylum team by helping people that may otherwise contact their support team and have to wait. It's a small part I can play, but I am playing it in hopes that it helps. I have X6 and like it, but never upgraded to X7. I may take a look at it though, just not sure when as I have other projects coming up that have my attention right now. Thanks much.

[@Bescene1]

Is it just me or are others underwhelmed by Neo? I am sticking with AI.

[@JimNix]

Hi there and yes I get that. It does not have all the features it needs yet. I do find it quicker and more stable than Luminar AI, and I know it will get more robust as they add in the other stuff we are all waiting for. But for sure AI is still a great product and if that suits you then I am glad you are happy with it.