You might own the best camera accessories. However, this does not mean that all images you shoot will be picture perfect. While experience does count, even professional photographers face immense problems while on a photoshoot project.
Even though the quality of the images shot by them might be quite better than those clicked by you, these pros depend, quite a lot, on image editing programs to remove every flaw from their pictures before taking out a print and submitting it to the magazine editors for publishing.
Related: What App Changes Pictures into Paintings?
In case you did not know, you, too, can convert your not-so-good pictures into a work of art with the help of photo editing software.
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Franzis vs Topaz
Today, we shall be evaluating two popular photo editing programs to find out which is better. Let me clear, at the onset of this Franzis vs Topaz comparison, that both these programs are extremely good, and if there is a winner, it will be by an extremely slight margin.
To ensure parity, I shall be editing the same set of images shot on a specific camera on both these applications to determine which is better. As I compare Franzis and Topaz, I had made sure to ensure that the images contained visual distortion or “noise” and had shot them in dim light to increase the distortion.
Franzis Denoise
Those who have used photo editing programs know well that the process of removing noise from pictures also decreases its sharpness. Also, colors can become lackluster and details tend to disappear.
This is where high-end photograph editing software such as Franzis Denoise Projects Professional display their power and help to remove noise from the images quickly and professionally while keeping a good level of color, detail, and sharpness throughout the photos.
Denoise, the high-quality program, can remove seven types of noise. Once you get used to it, you can try removing the noise from the images manually. Those who do not have any idea about the program can rely on its automatic algorithms. Either way, the result is stunning.
Is Franzis Better Than Topaz?
Although the latest version of Franzis contains a couple of tweaks, including a noise-stacking feature, useful for astrophotographers, those who have used the older version will become familiar with the alterations quickly.
The program, thanks to its easy to navigate interface, does not intimidate new users.
For RAW processing, the latest version of Franzis photo software supports eight additional color spaces, an FX category in the RAW mode, along with some new filters.
The magnifying tool under the “preview tool” of the latest version allows the user to compare and enlarge details as well.
You can use the “history” option to see your edit paths.
Users now have the opportunity to change the font sizes in titles and menus, which is a blessing for those who struggle to see small size fonts.
Astrography fans and those who love night photography will love the new tools found in the noise-stacking mode.
The artificial intelligence algorithm of the program automatically selects a suitable noise reduction level, ideal for the specific image you are editing. I ran several noisy images through this program, and each time it chose the appropriate preset for removing noise from them.
Franzis Software Review — How to Use The Program
The working area opens up automatically the moment you load an image into the program, and the algorithm begins running too.
Unlike other similar software, this is, perhaps, the only program that provides you with details regarding the amount of noise your picture has once the algorithms are completed.
I found improvements in speed in the new version of this software. It launches faster than the older version used to. Try switching between preset options to find out the increase in speed.
As the newer version has an improved and better grain engine, it provides additional visible details in the images.
Those who want the application to do the job automatically will be pleased to know that there are additional presets. The developers have included the Astro and night shot presets for correcting pictures taken at night as well as astrophotography.
Those who want to use their photographs for the web and for displaying on mobile will love the optimization/ denoising presets.
Franzis Compared to Topaz
With Franzis, you can also blend multiple images of the identical object/scene taken under similar lighting conditions into an image having a lower noise level with the help of the “noise stacking” mode.
The developers have revamped the “selective drawing tool“, making it simpler to edit select portions of a picture without the need for opening any other photo editing program.
Convert Any Part of A Video or Picture into Cartoons
A new algorithm distinguishes between borders, corners, different light levels, and lines, making it easier to apply a mask. Once done, the user can make use of the mask to reduce or intensify color, add shade, brighten up images, reduce/strengthen details, or reduce/increase contrast levels.
You can also save the masks within an image, and use them in a different image editing program.
The developers have added more filters in the RAW module, including a new “FX” category. You can apply sepia tones, film grain, haze/fog effects, as well as gradients.
Upon opening up the editing options just a bit more in the RAW module, you will find new filters such as chromatic light diffraction, trapezoid connection, and dynamic brightness.
Click on the “expert” tab to do post-processing effects, which you can apply before clicking on the “save” option. You will further find a set of brand new effects under the “expert” tab that you can employ to apply masks automatically.
For example, clicking on the “shadow” option allows you to apply a mask to the shadow areas of the picture. If you apply any effects after this point, they will be applied only to this specific image area. You can make quicker and easier adjustments to an image's particular area with these new options.
Additionally, you can remove them effortlessly once you are finished with them. The latest version has an expanded correction range from ISO 10 to ISO 5,000,000.
All of these combined pushes Franzis slightly ahead of Topaz. The software comes included with plugins for Adobe Classic, Lightroom, and Photoshop.
Franzis Photo Software Review Continued
Franzis always allowed you to remove sensor errors and scratches in Denoise.
The good news is that the latest version boasts of a better method for selecting the areas of the image from which it wants to sample. The new version also contains additional image cropping format models along with the additional save options.
You can download a free trial version of this image editing software and try it out. If you like it as I did, you can purchase it at a good price. If you are already using an old version of this software, you can upgrade.
Change The Mood of Any Picture with ‘Emotion Projects Professional'
I hope this Franzis review has helped you. I strongly suggest that you also check Franzis emotion projects professional, with which you can change the mood of a picture.
Is Topaz Better Than Franzis?
Although I have highlighted the excellent features of Franzis, some of you may still want to know if Topaz is better than Franzis or vice versa. Therefore, I am also reviewing the Topaz studio, another awesome photo editing software from the stables of Topaz Labs.
It will help you determine whether you should go for Franzis or Topaz.
If you have been editing photographs for several years, you might be aware that Topaz was available completely free. The scenario has changed quite a lot, and today you have to shell out some amount of money to purchase the latest version of this amazing photo editing program.
The software is available on the website of the vendor. Those who had purchased the Pro Adjustments earlier are eligible for a free update.
It boasts of several tools, which I shall discuss one after the other.
You can use the software independently or as a Photoshop plugin.
On launching this tool, I was dismayed by the fact that it did not contain basic tools such as healing and cropping. Topaz stated that they would include these features in an update.
Excellent Set of 25 Plugins in Topaz software
I decided to use the plugin as I already had Photoshop installed on my computer.
I loved the streamlined interface with two options on the right-hand side of the screen.
Clicking on the filters option provides you with a wide range of options, such as AI Clear that can recover details, increase clarity, remove noise, and enhance sharpness.
Although you can depend on the artificial intelligence of the software to make appropriate changes, you also have the option of adjusting individual parameters and save your preferences as a new filter.
I simply fell in love with this feature. Unlike other photo editing applications, this one allows you to be creative, meaning you can do much more than the mundane touch-ups of sharpening, boosting shadow detail, and reducing highlights.
You have two methods of editing, one with “filters” and one with “looks.” The latter are presets that you will find in many photo editor tools.
I love filters, and Topaz has been generous enough to include more than 25 of them that let you control things such as lighting, texture, color, and much more. Some of my favorite filters include a micro-contrast, AI-powered noise sharpening/removal tool called AI Clear, precision detail, and B&W. There are several other fascinating tools.
Topaz Sharpen AI
Almost all photo retouching software boast of sharpening tools. However, Topaz goes a step further by adding artificial intelligence to it.
On the one hand, the standard sharpening tools available on other similar programs just increase the edge contrast of the image (Although this gives an appearance of sharpness, it also adds halos and artifacts). On the other hand, the artificial intelligence-powered sharpening tool of Topaz enhances natural details, already existing in the picture, making your images look more three-dimensional.
If you do not like the result, you can always make manual adjustments. You can either download a trial version for free or purchase the image enhancement bundle for a token fee.
Topaz AI Video Enhancement
Photo retouching tools apart, Topaz also offers a program that you can use to upscale your 720 x 480 SD video into an eye-grabbing video up to 8K resolution. The effects are mind-boggling and are sure to focus the attention of the viewers on your video. Topaz offers a free trial copy of this software.
The program works on Windows as well as on mac. This software can be purchased, today, at a discounted price.
Topaz Gigapixel
If you have ever tried blowing up a poorly shot small image into a bigger sized one, you will end up with a pixelated image. Depend on the artificial intelligence of Topaz Gigapixel to increase your image's size by up to 600% without loss of details and still retain image quality.
I am sure that you will be so impressed that you will purchase this artificial intelligence-driven image size increaser tool.
Topaz Denoise
I have already mentioned the noise reduction capability of Franzis in this review. Topaz Denoise also performs the same function equally well. Like the video enhancement tool of Topaz, this tool too increases the size of your image by 600% without any visible pixelation as well as preserving image quality.
You can download a trial version for free to evaluate its capabilities.
Franzis versus Topaz
While both the offering from Topaz and Franzis are equally good, my vote goes in favor of the latter, as the former does not have basic tools such as healing and cropping. Also, the discounted price of the latter also played a huge role in my decision.
