NIK Filters

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You know that filters are a lot of fun and the NIK filters included with your Bamboo or Intuos really are quite unique.

The Bamboo includes Color Efex Pro WE3 (with three filters) on a CD sitting right there waiting for you in the box.

The Intuos includes Color Efex Pro WE6 (with six filters) which you need to download from the Wacom site when you register your Intuos4 tablet.

What makes these filters so unique is U Point Technology using completely adjustable Control Points that allows for precise control of the filter affects without having to make complex masks and selections.

With U Point Technology and the Color Efex Pro filters included with your tablet it's a simple matter to you place a Control Point on an image, adjust the size and then adjust the opacity.

In addition to modifying the Nik filters with Control Points, the effects can also be painted in or removed with your Bamboo or Intuos tablet.

Color Efex Pro WE3
Bamboo

There are three Nik filters included with the Bamboo Pen and Touch, Bamboo Craft and Bamboo Fun Pen and Touch ...

Brilliance/Warmth
Contrast Only
Color Stylizer

Brilliance/Warmth

Adds either a cool or warm cast to the image while applying a saturation effect.


Original Image	Brilliance Warmth Filter

It's easy to see the warmth added to the image with the Brilliance/Warmth filter.

To prevent the sky from being warmed as well a Control Point was added at the top of the tower and sized to cover the sky.

Contrast Only

Increases the contrast of an image without affecting the color characteristics of the image.


Original Image	Contrast Only Filter

With this image the filter was adjusted and a Control Point added so that only the stone in the middle of the ring is colored.

You can also paint in or erase and adjustment. With the next image the same adjustments were applied, the Brush option was selected and then the filter was erased. This is where the versatiliity of your tablet comes into play.

Color Stylizer

Overlays a color on top of the image and lets you control the saturation of the original image’s color.


Original	Color Stylizer

The Control Point was placed in the middle of her face so the skin tones would be normal and everything else is stylized.

Here's the Palette for this filter ...

Color Efex Pro WE6
Intuos4

Intuos owners get three additional filters ...

Foliage
Pastel
Solarization

Foliage

Identifies foliage and greenery in an image and enhances or stylizes those objects.


Original Image	Nike Foliage Filter

That one certainly lightens up the green in the foliage, doesn't it?

Pastel

Lightens and softens an image for a smooth, stylistic effect, resulting in a subdued, desaturated image.


Original	Pastel Filter

Solarization

Simulates the Sabatier (more often referred to as a Solarization) darkroom process. Use this filter to create a stylistic effect in which some tones and colors are reversed.

My personal favorite! There are so many different Solarization Pre-Sets in this one - here's the original ...

and just take a look at some of them ...

Color Versions

Black and White Versions

These solarizations are awesome and way much better than anything I ever did in my darkroom!

If you didn't install the Nik filters that came with your Bamboo or Intuos then it's time to dig them out, install them and have some fun.