DxO Nik Collection 9: AI Masks and New Effect Filters

The Nik Collection effects suite receives effects for color shifting, glass look, and halos, as well as tools for AI-generated depth masks and color grading.

The Color Efex program from the Nik Collection 9 receives three new effect filters. This shifts colors to achieve a pop art look.

(Image: DxO)

at 3:00 pm CEST

3 min. read

By

André Kramer

DxO is expanding the Nik Collection 9 photo effects software with new masking tools and a whole range of new effects for color shifting in the style of Andy Warhol, distortion like looking through glass blocks, and halos like in analog films. It also includes a color grading tool and layer blend modes.

Videos by heise

Three new effect filters for Color Efex

Color Efex, the central tool of the Nik Collection, has received three new effect filters in version 9. The “Chromatic Aberration” filter shown above shifts individual color channels against each other. This creates color shifts reminiscent of analog printing processes. Photos appear more graphic, ranging from subtle color fringes to a striking pop art look. The effect achieved is reminiscent of artwork by Andy Warhol.

The glass effect filter simulates distortions as known from textured or uneven glass. Image areas appear broken, shifted, or wavy, as if looking through glass blocks. Depending on the setting, subtle surface textures or strong optical distortions that can completely alter the subject can be created.

The glass filter creates distortions like looking through uneven glass.

(Image: DxO)

The “Halo” tool mimics typical glow effects of classic film recordings. Bright areas softly radiate into darker zones, creating a gentle, often slightly colored sheen. The effect lends images a cinematic, warm atmosphere, as seen in Sin City or Blade Runner.

The halo tool simulates soft glow effects of classic films and gives images a warm, cinematic mood.

(Image: DxO)

AI-generated masks and depth masks

AI-powered masks are intended to allow subjects in an image to be selected with pixel accuracy. Users click on an object or roughly mark an area. According to DxO, the software independently recognizes the relevant image parts.

AI-powered masks automatically select subjects with pixel accuracy.

(Image: DxO)

The Nik Collection can also create depth maps, i.e., an assessment of which image areas are closer or further away. Based on this, foreground and background can be masked and edited separately.

The software optionally creates depth maps to mask and edit foreground and background separately.

(Image: DxO)

Color grading tool for color correction

With a new color grading tool in Color Efex, shadows, midtones, and highlights can be specifically adjusted via a color wheel. These can be changed individually or linked together, enabling flexible yet clear color correction. After selecting a brightness range, hue, saturation, and luminance are adjusted using sliders.

A new color grading tool specifically adjusts colors in shadows, midtones, and highlights via a color wheel.

(Image: DxO)

Blend modes and mouseover preview

Nik Color Efex and Analog Efex now support 18 blend modes each. In image editing programs like Photoshop, they are used to blend image layers. In the Nik programs, multiple effects can be combined using blend modes.

Nik Color Efex and Analog Efex offer 18 blend modes, allowing multiple effects to be combined similarly to layers in image editing programs.

(Image: DxO)

DxO has also accelerated the workflow with a mouseover preview. Instead of having to click on filters, it is now sufficient to hover over them with the mouse pointer to see a preview of the effect on the image.

Availability and price

The Nik Collection 9 is available for purchase immediately for Windows and macOS as a perpetual license. It runs standalone as well as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Affinity, and DxO PhotoLab. A full version costs 169.99 euros. An upgrade from versions 7 and 8 costs 89.99 Euros.