Gigapixel AI V4.5 update
Review update: Topaz Gigapixel AI
Batch processing added to V4.5
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Topaz Gigapixel AI resizes images in an entirely different way to enlarging techniques in common use in the past. This allows even quite small original files to have a chance as moderate and large size prints.
An update (free for existing users) improves batch processing and allows you to retain older versions of the software.
See also the V5 update (June 2020)
There’s a 30 day fully functional demo available at Topaz Labs
Use our discount code ‘Northlight’ for an additional discount on some promotions.
Gigapixel AI batch processing update
Topaz Gigapixel AI is one of my go-to bits of software when it comes to making large and very large prints.
The upscaling/resizing is currently unique in that it adds elements of what are best called ‘plausible detail’ when magnifying an image.
The software has been updated, but if you’re looking for examples of what it can do, see my recent article about making an A2 print from a cropped 11MP image taken in 2004. That article has links to several other detailed explorations of upsizing and sharpening.
Change notes (from Topaz)
Major features
- Update whole user interface to match DeNoise / Sharpen batch workflow
- Add ability to specify different processing settings per item in the batch
Improvements
- New installer framework (can keep old one installed)
- Add ability to auto-append enlargement mode to filename
- Redesigned Preferences panel
- Redesigned Save As and Batch Processing panel
Using Gigapixel AI
Like many software packages, there is often useful info on that splash screen we all rush past.
With any update I always make sure to have at least one look and see if there are any new features or changes that will be of relevance to my working.
As before, you can just drop images onto the Gigapixel AI window, or open images from a normal file dialog.
The settings for individual files in a batch can now be customised.
Overall batch options are still set for the images. The option to include scaling mode in the output filename is helpful when experimenting with several images.
Settings choices
I rarely have many people in my commercial work, but as a member of RIBA, I’m often asked if I wouldn’t mind ‘just’ taking a few photos at local architectural events. These are for web and social use, so tend not to be of stunning technical quality.
Here’s a typical shot, using the EF8-15 fisheye.
Two details show the difference between the initial manual settings and just letting the auto mode decide.
You may need to enlarge to see the differences [click on images]
The auto setting has given a slightly cleaner look, from what was a quite noisy image.
Oh, and is that some of my architectural photography on display at the rear? ;-)
When I’m working on very large prints, I tend to use the results of Gigapixel AI as a layer in Photoshop – see one of my previous articles about making large prints from low megapixel images for more.
Faces and resizing
The software has an option to pay more attention to faces in images
As, I’ve mentioned, I don’t often have crowds in my images, and where they are present, they are not the sorts of images likely to be looked at closely.
However, look at this detail at 4x magnification.
It’s pretty good for such a large upscaling (and remember you’re looking at part of the image at 100%
Add in the ‘Face enhancement’ and the results mostly show a slight improvement.
Well almost…
These are full size crops from the resulting images. The software has misinterpreted the bit of background between the faces as an eye ;-)
I’ve included this example not as a criticism, but a reminder that you should check your resulting images to see what might have appeared. I had to search several images carefully to find this example.
More info
Software – I’ve quite a few Topaz articles/reviews which go into more detail about using their software.
Gigapixel AI – lots more examples
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