Since acquiring the popular Nik Collection of photo editing plugins from Google back in 2017, DxO has released several minor updates. DxO, one of the most innovative companies in the photography and image-editing industry, has announced now, nearly three years later, the release of the Nik Collection 3, a major upgrade to the famous plugin suite for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and DxO PhotoLab.

It features a newly designed Nik Selective Tool, the suite’s plugin launcher for Adobe Photoshop, and new quick edit tools. Nik Collection 3 By DxO also offers a new non-destructive workflow, a unique feature that is perfect for Adobe Lightroom Classic users, as well as an eighth geometric correction plugin, Perspective Efex. Finally, the Message Center lets Nik Collection users stay informed about new upcoming features and access new online resources.

The local editing tools in Nik Collection by DxO are particularly popular with users due to Nik’s famous U-Point editing technology, which was a primary reason for DxO purchasing Nik from Google in late 2017.

The Nik Selective Tool is a dedicated palette that gives users direct access to the suite’s various plugins from Adobe Photoshop. The new Nik Selective Tool has been completely redesigned. This latest version revolutionizes how Nik Collection By DxO is used by simplifying the suite and providing faster access to each editing feature. The new version of the Nik Selective Tool features a new design that makes it easier to identify each plugin and clearly display your favorite presets. To optimize the workspace in Adobe Photoshop, the palette can be automatically collapsed with one click. The tool is also fully compatible with HiDPI screens and can be used in dual monitor mode for an even more productive experience.

At the same time, the Nik Selective Tool has been expanded to include lightning-fast retouching options. Its new “Last Edit” feature recreates the last preset applied in a single click so users can quickly edit their images in the plugins of their choice. This feature is especially useful for editing batches of images or when users want to create a preset after editing a photo. Its brand-new “Quick Edit” option even lets users edit their images by applying the last action used without having to launch the plugin interface—all in a single click. Lastly, Silver Efex Pro and HDR Efex Pro now offer direct access to favorite presets, in addition to Color Efex Pro.

“The new Nik Selective Tool is a great way to make my post-processing workflow even more effective,” says Soli Kanani, professional photographer and DxO ambassador. “Just like a real-life assistant, it’s by my side around the clock, which lets me quickly open all the plugins I need at every step in the editing process, all without losing sight of what I’m doing.”

To better meet the needs of Adobe Lightroom Classic users, the Nik Collection 3 By DxO now offers a new workflow that lets photographers freely edit their files within the same plugin. This technology is based on the use of the TIFF MULTIPAGE file format, which combines the input image, the saved Nik Collection 3 By DxO editing parameters and the output file all in the same file. The Nik Collection 3 By DxO is the first suite of creative photo plugins to introduce a non-destructive workflow to Adobe Lightroom Classic, resulting in unparalleled versatility.

“The non-destructive workflow in Nik Collection 3 By DxO adds an incredible amount of flexibility and fluidity to the editing process,” says Jean-Marc Alexia, VP Product Strategy and Marketing at DxO. “It can be used with all host software programs that include a third-party export menu. It’s a huge improvement.”

Perspective Efex is the new Nik Collection 3 By DxO plugin dedicated to geometric corrections. Drawing from DxO’s unique expertise, it combines a number of exclusive tools to remove defects and add effects to photos. Perspective Efex automatically corrects unsightly leading lines, no matter how complex, which is a very useful feature in urban photography. It is also the only plugin to offer a feature that automatically corrects shape distortion, providing an easy way to reestablish the natural shapes of subjects located on the edges of wide-angle photos. It is the perfect tool for group wedding photos and family photos! Thanks to the use of DxO’s powerful optical modules, Perspective Efex can even automatically correct fish-eye distortion. Lastly, its automatic horizon correction tool instantly levels out skewed horizon lines in architectural and landscape photos.

Perspective Efex can also be used creatively at the end of the editing process to simulate a shallow depth-of-field effect, i.e. miniature effect. Previously, such a result could only be obtained through costly and complex tilt-shift lenses. The plugin offers two blur gradients. Users can adjust placement and intensity and choose whether they would like the effect to be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Users can also change their aperture settings when simulating a bokeh effect.

The Message Center in Nik Collection 3 By DxO can be accessed through the new Nik Selective Tool. This feature helps Adobe Photoshop users stay up to date on the latest news about the plugin suite and access a number of online resources, including webinars, tutorials and customer support services.

Nik Collection 3 by DxO is sold as a lifetime license. For a limited time, users can purchase Nik Collection 3 for $100 USD. Existing Nik Collection by DxO owners can purchase Nik Collection 3 at a reduced price. A free trial is also available, which you can download here. Nik Collection is compatible with DxO PhotoLab, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom Classic.

More info on DxO’s website.