Neat Image plug-in for Photoshop (Mac) :: how to use

Neat Image (Mac)

To make images look better.

Neat Image

Neat Image plug-in
for Photoshop
for Mac OSX

Quick start guide

This quick start guide is for Neat Image v7 plug-in for Photoshop (Mac).

If you use another version of Neat Image, please check its documentation.

I. Open an image in Photoshop

In Photoshop, open the image to be processed (it should be either an RGB or grayscale image).

II. Start Neat Image plug-in

Start the Neat Image plug-in using the Filter > Neat Image > Reduce Noise... menu item in Photoshop.

This will open Neat Image plug-in window.

III. Build noise profile using Auto Profile

1. Click the Auto Profile button to build a new noise profile for the input image:

Auto Profile will try to automatically find and analyze a flat featureless image area that contains only noise and no important details:

2. Visually inspect the selected image area - it should contain NO VISIBLE DETAILS, only noise; otherwise the noise profile and subsequent noise reduction may be inaccurate.

If the selected area does contain any details, move the selection to a featureless area or simply draw a new selection in such an area (the selection should be more than 32x32 pixels large). Then click the Auto Profile button again.

3. The noise profile is now ready and the input image can be processed.

IV. Switch to Noise Filter Settings

Click the Noise Filter Settings tab:

V. Check Preview

Neat Image will automatically select an area or the whole visible part of the image and prepare a preview:

Hint: click in the preview area in Neat Image plug-in (or move mouse over the image above) to compare before and after versions

VI. Adjust Filter Settings to achieve desired level of noise reduction and sharpening

1. The default filter settings should produce good results, yet it may be useful to change some settings and check the preview:

a. Try to vary Noise Reduction Amounts: Luminance
This controls how much of the detected noise is removed in the luminance component of the image. Too high values can lead to unnatural (oversmooth, plastic-like) results. Too low values may be not enough to sufficiently reduce objectionable noise. You have to balance the noise reduction amount to get the result that looks best to YOUR eyes.
b. Try to change other parameters as well.

c. You can find more details about noise filter settings in the Filtration process details section of the User Guide.

2. When you are happy with the preview results proceed to the next step below.

VII. Apply filter to image

Click the Apply button in the bottom of the plug-in window to start processing:

VIII. Final result

After the processing is completed, the filtered image is back in Photoshop:

Hint: Move mouse over the image above to compare before and after versions.

The above steps explain the basic Neat Image plug-in workflow. There is a lot more information about building noise profiles, adjusting filter settings, using the calibration target, etc.

Please use the following materials to learn more about using Neat Image:

More information on device noise profiling with examples of good and bad areas for noise profiling
Recommended: the Filtration process details section of the user guide
Questions and Answers
Tips and Tricks
Neat Image community forum - a lot of useful information and practical experince of Neat Image user can be found there
Technical support by e-mail

Changed on: April 8, 2013