Luminar Neo UPDATE 1.10 - Improvements but is Upscale AI Better?

Anthony Turnham
2 Jun 202313:45

TLDRThe video discusses the latest update for Luminar Neo, version 1.10, focusing on the improvements made to the upscale AI extension. The host shares his excitement about the potential to enhance old, low-resolution photos. He walks through the process of updating Luminar Neo and highlights new features, including a more user-friendly interface with collapsible extension modules, easier access to creative assets through the 'Extras' tab, and new tool information icons for guidance. The video also covers updates to the Mask AI and Sky AI tools and mentions support for new Sony cameras. A significant part of the video compares the performance of the upscale AI in versions 1.09 and 1.10, noting that while the new version shows improvement, particularly in handling JPEG compression and pixelation, it still has room for enhancement, especially concerning the face enhancer feature. The host concludes by suggesting an alternative software for upscaling old photos and promises a future video detailing how to achieve better results.

Takeaways

  • 📸 **Luminar Neo Update 1.10**: A new update has been released for Luminar Neo, bringing improvements and new features.
  • 🔍 **Upscale AI Enhancement**: The update includes a revamped algorithm for the Upscale AI extension, aiming to improve the quality of low-resolution images.
  • 📱 **User Interface Improvement**: The UI has been updated with the ability to collapse extension modules for better organization and ease of use.
  • 🎨 **Creative Assets Access**: Users can now easily add creative assets through the Extras tab, which provides access to presets, new skies, LUTs, and overlays.
  • 📚 **Tool Information**: An info icon has been added to tools for quick access to descriptions and usage guides, enhancing user understanding.
  • 📷 **Camera Support**: The update adds support for new Sony cameras, the ZV-E1 and the FX30.
  • 🎭 **Masking and Sky AI**: Improvements have been made to the Mask AI for better speed and accuracy, and enhancements to the Sky AI tool.
  • 🔍 **Upscale AI Test**: The script includes a comparison between the old and new Upscale AI algorithms, showing noticeable improvements in image quality.
  • 🚫 **Face Enhancer Caution**: The Face Enhancer feature is still under development and can cause unwanted alterations to faces in photos.
  • 🌟 **Competitive Software Tease**: The video hints at other software capable of even better upscaling results, with a promise of a future video detailing that process.
  • 📈 **Overall Improvement**: Despite some shortcomings, the update to Luminar Neo is seen as a positive step forward in terms of speed, stability, and user experience.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the Luminar Neo update version 1.10?

    -The main focus of the Luminar Neo update version 1.10 is the revamp of the upscale AI algorithm, which is designed to improve the quality of low-resolution images.

  • What is the user interface improvement introduced in Luminar Neo 1.10?

    -The user interface improvement in Luminar Neo 1.10 includes the ability to collapse and expand extension modules for better organization and easier access as new extensions are released.

  • How can users update to the latest version of Luminar Neo?

    -Users can update to the latest version of Luminar Neo by going to the Luminar Neo menu, navigating to 'Help', and then clicking on 'Check for updates'. After the update is downloaded, they just need to click 'Install updates' and accept the terms.

  • What new features are available in the 'Extras' tab of Luminar Neo?

    -The 'Extras' tab in Luminar Neo provides easy access to add creative assets, including new extensions, presets, new Skies, look up tables, and overlays. It also provides access to the X membership for Luminar.

  • What additional information is provided for users in the editing section of Luminar Neo 1.10?

    -In the editing section of Luminar Neo 1.10, an info icon has been added next to each tool. Clicking on this icon provides users with more information about the tool and how to use it, offering guidance and in-depth information if needed.

  • Which new Sony cameras are supported in the Luminar Neo 1.10 update?

    -The Luminar Neo 1.10 update adds support for the Sony zve E1 and the Sony fx30 cameras.

  • How has the Mask AI been improved in Luminar Neo 1.10?

    -The Mask AI in Luminar Neo 1.10 has seen improvements in both speed and accuracy, enhancing the user's ability to make precise selections in their images.

  • What is the general consensus on the improvements made to the Upscale AI in Luminar Neo 1.10?

    -While the Upscale AI in Luminar Neo 1.10 shows improvement over the previous version, it still has room for enhancement, particularly with the face enhancer feature which can introduce unwanted alterations to faces.

  • What is the recommended approach for users with a large collection of low-resolution, compressed photos?

    -The speaker suggests that users with a large collection of low-resolution, compressed photos may want to explore alternative software for better upscaling results, which will be linked in the video description.

  • What is the teaser about in the video?

    -The teaser in the video hints at the potential of a rival piece of software that can achieve more impressive upscaling results, with a future video promised to cover this in more detail.

  • How does the video demonstrate the effectiveness of the new Upscale AI in Luminar Neo 1.10?

    -The video demonstrates the effectiveness by comparing before and after images processed with both the old (1.09) and new (1.10) versions of Luminar Neo, highlighting the improvements in image quality.

  • What is the final verdict on Luminar Neo 1.10's update?

    -The final verdict is that the Luminar Neo 1.10 update is generally good in terms of speed and stability, and while the Upscale AI has improved, it still lags behind some competitors and requires careful use of the face enhancer feature.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Luminar Neo Update 1.10 Overview

The video introduces an update for the Luminar Neo software, version 1.10, which includes improvements to the upscale AI extension. The host shares his excitement about the potential of this update to enhance old, low-resolution photos, using his Nikon d70 as an example of the limitations of older cameras. The video promises to explore the new features and improvements, including a revamped algorithm for the upscale AI process, user interface enhancements, and the addition of new extensions and creative assets through the 'Extras' tab. It also mentions support for new Sony cameras and improvements to the Mask AI and Sky AI tools.

05:01

🔍 Comparing Luminar Neo's Upscale AI Versions

The host compares the performance of Luminar Neo's upscale AI between version 1.09 and the updated 1.10. He demonstrates the limitations of the older version, which showed minimal improvement over the original low-resolution images. The new version, however, is shown to produce better quality results, particularly in reducing JPEG compression artifacts. The host also cautions against using the 'face enhancer' feature, as it can lead to unnatural and unwanted alterations in facial features. He teases the audience with a glimpse of what is possible with rival software for even better results and promises a future video detailing that process.

10:02

🐾 Upscaling Animals and Faces with Luminar Neo 1.10

The video continues with a demonstration of how Luminar Neo 1.10 handles the upscaling of animal and human faces in old photographs. The host shows a significant improvement in the upscaling process for an animal picture, where the new version 1.10 outperforms the previous one. However, when it comes to upscaling a photo of his wife, the host expresses dissatisfaction with the results, noting that the face enhancer feature distorts the image. He concludes that while the update offers improvements in speed and stability, the upscale AI feature still has room for enhancement. He suggests an alternative software for better upscaling results and promises a follow-up video on how to achieve improved upscale images.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo is a photo editing software that has been updated to version 1.10. The software is designed to enhance the quality of photographs, particularly those taken with older cameras that have lower resolution sensors. In the context of the video, the update is significant because it includes improvements to the Upscale AI extension, which is the main focus of the review.

💡Upscale AI

Upscale AI is an extension within Luminar Neo that is designed to increase the size of low-resolution images and improve their quality. In the video, the presenter is particularly interested in the improvements made to this feature in the latest update, as it has the potential to greatly enhance old photographs that do not meet modern standards.

💡User Interface Improvement

A user interface improvement refers to enhancements made to the way the software's interface operates to make it more user-friendly. In the context of the video, the presenter mentions the ability to collapse extension modules as a new feature, which helps manage the growing number of extensions without the need for excessive scrolling.

💡Creative Assets

Creative assets are additional elements such as presets, new skies, look-up tables, and overlays that users can add to their photos to expand their creative possibilities. The video discusses how Luminar Neo now provides easier access to these assets through an 'Extras' tab, which is a welcome addition for users looking to enhance their photo editing experience.

💡Masking in Mask AI

Masking in Mask AI refers to the process of selecting specific areas of an image for editing while leaving the rest untouched. The video mentions that the developers have worked on improving both the speed and accuracy of the masking process, which is crucial for precision editing and achieving professional results.

💡Sky AI

Sky AI is a feature within Luminar Neo that allows users to easily replace or enhance the sky in their photos. The video highlights that there have been enhancements to this tool, which is demonstrated when the presenter shows how a new sky is added to a low-resolution photo with improved accuracy.

💡JPEG Compression

JPEG compression is a method of reducing the size of image files by selectively removing some of the image data. However, this can lead to a loss of quality, as seen in the older photos discussed in the video. The presenter is evaluating whether the Upscale AI can effectively deal with the pixelation and compression artifacts introduced by JPEG compression.

💡Face Enhancer AI

The Face Enhancer AI is a feature within Luminar Neo's Upscale AI that is intended to improve the clarity and detail of faces in photos. The video demonstrates that while the feature can produce some positive results, it can also lead to unwanted alterations in facial features, such as changing the geometry of the face or hair, which the presenter finds unsatisfactory.

💡Sony Cameras

The video mentions that Luminar Neo has added support for new Sony camera models, specifically the ZV-E1 and the FX30. This indicates that the software is being updated to be compatible with the latest photography equipment, ensuring that users with these cameras can also take advantage of Luminar Neo's features.

💡X Membership

X Membership refers to a subscription service offered by Luminar, which gives users access to additional features, tools, and assets. The video notes that users can now more easily access the marketplace and X Membership from within Luminar Neo, which is a convenience for users looking to expand their editing capabilities.

💡Algorithm Improvement

An algorithm improvement refers to enhancements made to the underlying processes that drive the software's features. In the case of Luminar Neo, the presenter is particularly interested in the improvements made to the Upscale AI algorithm, which is intended to provide better results when upscaling low-resolution images. The video provides a comparison of the before and after results to demonstrate these improvements.

Highlights

Luminar Neo has released an update to version 1.10 with improvements to the upscale AI extension.

The update aims to enhance the quality of low-resolution images, making them comparable to today's standards.

The previous version of Luminar Neo's upscale AI was criticized for its unsatisfactory results.

The new algorithm in version 1.10 promises a revamped upscale AI process.

A user interface improvement allows for collapsing and expanding extension modules for better organization.

The Extras tab provides easy access to add creative assets and extensions.

Support for new Sony cameras, the zve E1 and the Sony fx30, has been added.

Improvements to the masking in Mask AI and enhancements to the Sky AI are part of the update.

The update has made the editing experience faster and smoother.

Upscale AI's performance is tested on a selection of 20-year-old photos.

The simplicity of using the upscale technology is highlighted, with a drag-and-drop feature.

The face enhancer feature is shown to sometimes produce unexpected and undesirable results.

A teaser is given for a future video discussing a rival software's superior face enhancement capabilities.

The upscale AI shows significant improvement in handling landscape photos, reducing JPEG compression artifacts.

Animals in photos are also improved by the new upscale AI, though still soft.

The face enhancer AI is effective in some cases, but can introduce odd changes to facial features and hair.

The overall update for Luminar Neo is considered good, with improvements in speed and stability.

Despite improvements, the upscale AI still has a long way to go compared to other software.

A recommendation is made to check out a different software for upscaling low-res photos.