Neat Image is a digital filter designed to reduce visible noise and grain in digital photographic images. It is a tool for owners of digital cameras, flatbed and slide scanners; and is for use by both professional photographers, and digital image processing enthusiasts. Neat Image not only reduces the high ISO noise associated with image sensors in digital cameras and scanners, it can also reduce the film grain visible in scanned slides and negatives, JPEG artifacts of overcompressed images, and color banding, and at the same time makes images sharper. Neat Image is indispensable in low-light, wedding, sport, and action photography.
I prefer to use Super Denoising app https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1016781856 which effectively remove noise and improve image quality without disrupting crisp outlines .
Cons
Can't download the plug-in. A virus was detected (Mac OS X)
Summary
APPLICATION MANAGER INFECTED WITH OSX.MALCOL
D Lynn
Pros
Can't install plug-in. CNN download application manager contains a virus per my Symantec anti-virus software (Mac OS X)
Cons
VIRUSES IN THE CNN DOWNLOAD MANAGER
Summary
Go directly to the NeatImage website and install from there.
One of the best plugins for Photoshop
M_Greg
Pros
One of the best plugins for Photoshop
Cons
Nothing against it
Summary
One of the best plugins for Photoshop. Its the best noise reduce plugin for CS
With one word: Excellent!
june8
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Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Every single function this tool was very well considered and developed.
Can't find better noise/grain reduction for...
Welles Goodrich
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Cons
Summary
...profiled hardware<br />This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Where Neat Image absolutely shines is in a workflow with known consistent hardware imports. You create profiles for the specific camera or scanner and the resulting noise/grain reduction seems nearly miraculous. The results of auto-profiling specific images are slightly less stunning and some images don't have a large enough area of little detail necessary for the software to analyze. But still it is much better than the new PS noise filter.
The one function which I didn't care for was the automatic sharpening included when applying Neat Image. The automated sharpen provided too much haloing for my taste. So I turned it off altogether and use Optipix 3's Detail Sharpener after Neat Image. What a combination!
Essential tool for Professionals and serious...
randykepple1
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Cons
Summary
...amatuers<br />This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />The Neat Image plug-in for Mac has been greatly improved since it's introduction. The preview window within Photoshop is large and the auto-profiling feature is fantastic. You can build your own noise profiles, based on the camera that you use or use an auto feature to scan your image.
Customer service is good, the respone is great. This is an essential part of a serious digital workflow for professional and amateur photographers. Applying this filter as a first step before doing any color corrections or BW conversions will make a tremendous difference in your results.
I'd like to see a more automated version of this software, that could be used in a batch process, but other than that, it works perfectly. It's even been optimized for dual processor users.
BEST
Pedro_Estarque
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />best algorithm available.
I too miss the PC version's features.
NeatImage is THE standard by which noise reduction...
nsfbr
Pros
Cons
Summary
...is measured<br />This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I've used NeatImage for several years, and started using the Mac Plug-In as soon as it became available. Nothing is easier to use. And nothing works as well. Period.
Unfortunately, the Mac version is less advanced than the PC version as far as capability goes. I personally miss the ability to select sections of the image to use for noise profiling and the detailed level of control of the PC version. (I've only used the stand alone version of the PC version, so I don't know if the plug-in version on the dark side keeps those capabilities. I expect it does.) Regardless, this is worth the money if you are serious about photography.
Before I got my Nikon D70 I used it on every image I scanned in from 35mm film on my film scanner. Now, I used it when I shoot at ISO 800 and up.
Minus one star for the lack of PC available features.