All Tutorials

Your One-Stop Destination for Learning and Growth

Nik Software Collection Now Outdated According to Google

Google has marked the Nik Software Collection as outdated in its Chrome Web Store. For those unfamiliar, Nik Software was a renowned developer of photo editing plugins for Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Unfortunately, the company shut down in 2018, leaving users without access to crucial updates and bug fixes.

The Decline of Nik Software

Nik Software's tools were highly regarded within the photography community for their ability to enhance and manipulate images with ease. Some popular plugins included:

  • Dfine: Noise Reduction
  • Sharpener Pro: Sharpening
  • Color Efex Pro: Color Filter Effects
  • Analog Efex Pro: Film Emulation
  • HDR Efex Pro: High Dynamic Range Imaging
  • Silver Efex Pro: Black & White Conversion
  • Viveza: Selective Color Adjustments

Despite their popularity, the company's financial difficulties led to its acquisition by Google in 2012. However, following the acquisition, Google stopped selling and updating the software.

The Impact on Users

Google's recent labeling of Nik Software as outdated means that the plugins will no longer receive any further updates or bug fixes. This could potentially lead to compatibility issues with newer operating systems and image editors. In addition, users may experience performance degradation over time.

What Are the Options for Users?

Although there's no easy solution, some alternatives exist:

  1. Adobe Camera Raw: Included in Photoshop and Lightroom, this native tool offers many of the same editing capabilities as Nik Software plugins.
  2. OnOne Software: A collection of photo editing tools similar to Nik Software, including Perfect Portrait, Perfect Resize, and Perfect Effects.
  3. Topaz Labs: Offering a suite of plugins designed for landscape, portrait, and studio photography, Topaz Labs may serve as a viable alternative for some users.
  4. Third-party Developers: Some third-party developers have taken it upon themselves to create unofficial updates to the Nik Software plugins. However, this comes with its own set of risks and is not officially supported by Google or Nik Software.
  5. Reach out to the community: Join online forums, such as Photography Talk or DPReview, where users may be able to help each other find alternative solutions or workarounds for specific plugins.

It's important to note that no single alternative will perfectly replicate the functionality of Nik Software. Each option has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it might be worth trying a few before making a decision.

Conclusion

Google's labeling of Nik Software as outdated represents the end of an era for many photographers who relied on these plugins to enhance their work. While this is unfortunate news, there are alternatives available that may help ease the transition. Stay informed about developments within the photography community and consider exploring the options listed above to ensure continued growth in your creative endeavors.

Published April, 2016