Last updated on May 4, 2024
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Nik Color Efex is a vast library of creative effect filters that you can use one at a time or in limitless combination; you can also edit the effects using global correction tools and local adjustments.

IMPORTANT

This page presents Nik Color Efex’s specific features and tools. All the tools common to the other Nik Collection plug-ins are presented in the Interface and common tools page of this user guide. Here you’ll find information on the following points:

  • Preferences.
  • Interface.
  • Categories, filters and presets management.
  • Local adjustments.

Some of the Viveza tools are also available as filters in Nik Color Efex:

  • Global adjustments.
  • Selective tone.
  • White balance.

When image opens

When image opens

When you open an image in Nik Color Efex, it appears as it is in the host-app or as it is on the hard disk, if you are using standalone mode. No corrections, filters or presets are applied at this stage.

Each time you add a filter or a preset, the associated tools will be displayed in the right panel, under the Loupe and the Histogram sections. They will appear in the same order as you select them, from top to bottom, but you can reorder them at will:

This feature will help you to prioritize or reorder which filters and which relevant tools you want to use. For example, you may want to work on lightness and contrast before color, or you want to apply basic settings (Viveza filters) before going more creative with other filters.

Nik Color Efex lets you stack up to 15 filters in the right panel. You can also add the same filter as much as you need (in the limit of 15 stacks).

As soon as you try to add more than 15 stacks, a warning box will prompt you to remove some filters before.

Filter Library

Nik Color Efex offers 61 filters and presets, including ClearView, Grain, HSL and the Viveza filters with Global adjustment, Selective tone and White balance. When you select a category, only the filters in that category will be displayed in the list in the left panel. To display the full list of the presets and filters provided by Color Efex, click on the All Nik category. If you click on All Personal, all your custom presets and filters will be displayed.

There are different versions of each filter: click on the chevron on the right to see them. To apply a Filter, either click on its name or on one of the thumbnails once you’ve clicked on the chevron. The associated tools will then appear in the right panel. To add a Filter, click on the “+” button.

You can add a filter to your favorites, but not an individual thumbnail. Your favorites are shown by a gold star. To find your favorite or recently used filters, click on the buttons located above the Filters list.

When you open an image in Color Efex, the default behavior is not to apply any filter or preset. Each filter comes in several variants, which you can browse by clicking on the chevron on the right. When you apply a filter, the first in the list is the default rendering. This is indicated by a small yellow bookmark, visible when you hover the mouse over the thumbnail.

However, for each filter, you can change the default rendering. To do this, simply move the mouse over the thumbnail and click on the hollowed-out bookmark, which turns yellow.

B/W Conversion

Stephanie Studer/Unsplash

Use this filter to convert a color image into a black and white version, and control shadows, highlights, and relationships between the original colors. Three black and white conversion modes are available in the filter displayed in the right panel:

The tools available vary depending on the conversion mode selected.

Filter ColorAdjusts the color of the simulated filter and controls the relationship of colors in the image. This filter brightens subjects of the selected color in the image and darkens subjects of the complementary color.
IntensityDrag the slider to the left to decrease the contrast between colors or to the right to increase it.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ContrastAdjusts the overall contrast of the image. (B/W Conversion only)
Contrast EnhancerAlso adjusts the overall contrast, but more forcefully than the Contrast slider. (Dynamic contrast only)
MethodOffers three options with different types of contrast to bring out shadow detail or create a high-contrast image. (Tonal Enhancer only)
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Bi-Color Filters

Sweet Ice Cream Photography/Unsplash

Simulates a traditional two-color glass filter by mixing two colors and then adding the result to the image. From the drop-down menu, select a predefined color combination, each with four variations.

Color SetSelect one of the 20 predefined color combinations, grouped in 5 different color sets.
OpacityControls the overall intensity of the filter.
BlendControls the transition between the two colors.
Vertical ShiftControls the position of the filter horizon.
RotationControls the angle of the filter horizon.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Bi-Color User Defined

Laszlo Kiss/Unsplash

Simulates a traditional two-color glass filter by mixing two colors and then adding the result to the image. Both colors can be customized.

OpacityControls the overall intensity of the filter.
BlendControls the transition between the two colors.
Vertical ShiftControls the position of the filter horizon.
RotationControls the angle of the filter horizon.
Upper ColorIndicates the upper color to be applied to the image. Use the eyedropper to select a color in the image or click the color chart to open the color picker tool.
Lower ColorIndicates the lower color to be applied to the image. Use the eyedropper to select a color in the image or click the color chart to open the color picker tool.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Bleach Bypass

Desiree Fawn/Unsplash

Simulates the technique used on color films where the bleaching process has been skipped. The result is high contrast and low saturation. Both set photographers and animated filmmakers use this effect to create striking, stylized images.

LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
SaturationControls the overall color intensity by increasing or decreasing the saturation throughout the image.
Overall ContrastControls the overall contrast of the image.
Local ContrastUses a custom variation of the Structure slider, found in some other Nik Collection plug-ins, to emphasize fine detail and texture in the image.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Brilliance / Warmth

Daniel Frank/Unsplash

Lets you control the brightness of the color within the photo and give it a warm or cool tone.

SaturationIncreases or decreases the vividness of the colors in the photo.
WarmthControls the color temperature of the photo. Move the slider to the left to cool the colors (adding a blue cast) or to the right to warm them up (adding a red cast).
Perceptual SaturationAlthough it does not directly increase the saturation of colors, this slider alters the hues slightly to increase the perception of saturation of the corresponding colors. To achieve this, the complementary color component is increased in the surrounding colors, which affects the eye’s perception of colors. This process’s operating principle is similar to that of perceptual contrast, where the contrast seems to increase when the image is placed against a black background.

Classical Soft focus

Drew Coffman/Unsplash

This option simulates blur filters and traditional diffusion techniques.

MethodOffers 3 different levels for each of the Blur and Diffusion effects.
Diffused DetailAdjusts the density of random details added to the Blur effect. This option helps maintain the appearance of the details and prevents interference.
IntensityAdjusts the level of softening added to the photo.
LightnessAdjusts the overall brightness of the image.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

ClearView

The goal of DxO ClearView is to reduce atmospheric haze. ClearView can also be used to give your images greater impact.

Set to 0 by default, the Intensity slider will recover black tones which improves the perception of details, contrast and color saturation.

Color Stylizer

Duncan Shaffer/Unsplash

Use this filter to overlay a color on the photo, while retaining control of the color saturation of the original image.

ColorSelects the color to be added to the image. Use the eyedropper to select a color from the photo or click on the color chart to open the color picker tool.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
SaturationAdjusts the vividness of the original colors. Drag the slider to the left to create a monochrome image or to the right to maintain all the colors of the original.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Colorize

Jess D’Arcy/Unsplash

Inks the image with one color, and offers different color and contrast relationships to stylize the image.

MethodOffers six different modes for applying color to the image.
ColorSelects the color to be added to the image. Use the eyedropper to select a color from the photo or click on the color chart to open the color picker tool.
IntensityAdjusts the degree to which the filter is applied to the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Contrast Color Range

Pineapple Supply Co. /Unsplash

Adjusts the contrast between the selected colors in an image.

ColorSelects the color range to which to apply contrast. Select a color and the subjects in that color will be lightened, while the opposite colors will be darkened.
Color ContrastAdjusts the level of contrast to be added between the selected color and the complementary subject of that color.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Contrast Only

Slim Emcee (UG) the poet Truth_From_Africa_Photography/Unsplash

This filter provides various controls for contrast, including the “Contrast Only” method, which adjusts contrast without changing the color of the objects in the photo.

LightnessControls the overall contrast of the photo.
ContrastApplies standard contrast to images, similar to the contrast provided in your image editing application.
Contrast OnlyApplies contrast without changing colors.
Soft ContrastProvides a softer alternative to the usual contrast. Move this slider to the right to create a contrast that gives character to the image, with smooth transitions between areas.
SaturationControls the overall intensity of colors in the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Cross Balance

Jase Daniels/Unsplash

Simulates the use of a daylight film under artificial tungsten-type light, or a tungsten color film in daylight. Use this filter to warm up your photos with an orange color or cool them down with a bluish effect.

Method Select one of the 6 available options to get a daylight-to-tungsten or tungsten-to-daylight effect. Each option gives a more accentuated effect than the previous one.
Intensity Adjusts the degree to which the filter is applied to the photo.

Cross Processing

Linford Miles/Unsplash

Provides a variety of different options for C41 to E6 processing (color negative film processing in slide film chemicals) and E6 to C41 processing (slide film processing in color negative film chemicals).

MethodUse this drop-down menu to select one of the predefined processing methods.
IntensityControls the degree to which the filter is applied to your photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Dark Contrasts

Kazuend/Unsplash

Uses an exclusive technique to amplify details and textures throughout the photo, with a denser and more striking rendering.

Detail ExtractorLets you control how much detail is accentuated. Increase the value of this slider to amplify details while lightening shadows and tamping down highlights. As a result, the tone is distributed more evenly throughout the photo.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
SaturationControls the intensity of the colors in the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Darken / Lighten Center

Laura Lefurgey-Smith/Unsplash

Draws the eye towards the center of the photo or away from it. A light center and dark edges draw the eye toward the center of the image, while a dark center and light edges draw the eye toward the edges.

MethodControls the shape of the effect. You can choose between an oval or circular shape.
Center LuminosityControls the brightness at the center of the photo.
Border LuminosityControls the brightness at the edges of the photo.
Center SizeControls the size of the effect.
Place CenterClick on the “Place Center” icon and then click in the area of the photo you want to use as the center of the effect.

Detail Extractor

Kazuend/Unsplash

Uses a unique new technique to exaggerate details to create oustanding stylish photos. Use this filter to balance light and tone, and extract detail throughout the photo.

Detail ExtractorThis is the main control for this filter. Drag the slider to the right to lighten shadows and darken highlights while accentuating details throughout the photo.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
SaturationControls the overall intensity of colors in the photo.
Effect radiusControls how the Detail Extractor function brings out details. Select “Fine” to emphasize small subjects, which gives the image more texture. Or select “Large” to highlight large subjects.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Duplex

Igor Ovsyannykov/Unsplash

Creates a two-color effect and offers different options for color, blur and saturation.

ColorAdds a color to the image. To choose a color for this command, use the eyedropper to select a color from the photo or click on the color chart to open the color picker tool.
IntensityAdjusts the degree to which the filter is applied to the photo.
DiffuseControls the amount of blur added to give style to the image.
SaturationControls the intensity of the colors in the photo.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Dynamic Skin Softener

Creates soft, shiny skin without altering other objects in the image. You can also use this filter in photos that do not show a person if you want to apply the softening effect to other subjects.

Skin ColorTo select the skin color, use the eyedropper to choose a color from the photo or click on the color chart to open the color picker tool.
Color ReachLets you control the range of colors involved. Drag the slider to the left to narrow the color range or to the right to widen it. If you select 100%, the softening effect applies to all colors and objects in the photo.
Small DetailsControls the amount of softening applied to small details in the photo.
Medium DetailsControls the amount of softening applied to medium details in the photo.
Large DetailsControls the amount of softening applied to large details in the photo.

Film Efex: Faded

Sweet Ice Cream Photography/Unsplash

The Film Efex Series “Faded” filter applies a unique style to the image, giving the impression that the photo has been aged.

LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
SaturationControls the intensity of the colors in the photo.
BlurGives a diffuse effect to the image, reducing contrast and softening details.
VignettingDarkens the edges of the image in a circular shape.
Grain per pixelBased on Nik’s unique grain engine, this slider lets you add realistic grain to the photo. Moving the slider to the left reduces the number of grain elements applied per pixel, increasing the size and visibility of the grain throughout the photo. If you don’t want to apply any grain to your photo, move the slider all the way to the right.
Film StrengthControls the intensity of the unique stylization applied to the film. To maintain the original colors of the photo, set the slider to 0 %.
Film TypeSelect one of the available film types. Each is designed to give the image a different appearance.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Film Efex: Modern (Branded)

Rob Bye/Unsplash

The “Modern” filter from the Film Efex series is used to simulate the appearance of color films, negatives and slides, including grain. Using the advanced sliders in the “Film Details” section, you can even define your own film types to create never-before-seen imaginary films.

Film TypeSelect one of the available films. For each type, multiple films were printed, scanned, and analyzed to create the most authentic film emulation possible.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
SensitivityEach slider can be used to control the brightness of a specific color in the photo.
SaturationEach slider can be used to adjust the intensity of a specific color in the photo.
Tone CurveThis tool lets you adjust the contrast of the film type, and change the tone and contrast of red, green, and blue separately.
GrainThese sliders let you add realistic grain to your photo using Nik Software’s unique grain engine. Move the Grain per Pixel slider to the left to reduce the number of grainy elements applied per pixel, increasing the size and visibility of the grain throughout the photo. If you don’t want to apply any grain to your photo, move the slider all the way to the right. The “Grain Hardness” slider lets you control the intensity of the grain. When the grain is coarse, the image will appear more detailed and sharp. When the grain is finer, the image feels more natural.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Film Efex: Nostalgic

Ingo Hamm/Unsplash

The “Nostalgic” filter in the Film Efex series creates effects based on imaginary film types. Use this filter to create special and interesting interpretations of your photo, with vivid colors, and give the feeling that it was taken by a toy camera.

LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
Perceptual SaturationAlthough it does not directly increase the saturation of colors, this slider alters the hues slightly to increase the perception of saturation of the corresponding colors. To achieve this, the complementary color component is increased in the surrounding colors, which affects the eye’s perception of colors. This process’s operating principle is similar to that of perceptual contrast, where the contrast seems to increase when the image is placed against a black background.
GlowAdds a small amount of glow around bright subjects.
VignettingDarkens the edges of the image in a circular shape.
Grain per pixelBased on Nik’s unique grain engine, this slider is used to add realistic grain to the photo. Moving the slider to the left reduces the number of grain elements applied per pixel, increasing the size and visibility of the grain throughout the photo. If you don’t want to apply any grain to your photo, move the slider all the way to the right.
Film StrengthControls the intensity of the unique stylization applied to the film. To maintain the original colors of the photo, set the slider to 0 %.
Film TypeSelect one of the available film types. Each is designed to give the image a different appearance.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Film Efex: Vintage

Casey Allen/Unsplash

The Vintage filter in the Film Efex series creates photos that feel like they have been taken with the very earliest types of color film.

SaturationControls the overall intensity of colors in the photo.
WarmthControls the color temperature of the photo. Move the slider to the left to cool the colors (adding blue tones) or to the right to warm them (adding red tones).
VignettingDarkens the edges of the image in a circular shape.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
Grain per pixelBased on Nik’s unique grain engine, this slider is used to add realistic grain to the photo. Moving the slider to the left reduces the number of grain elements applied per pixel, increasing the size and visibility of the grain throughout the photo. If you don’t want to apply any grain to your photo, move the slider all the way to the right.
Film StrengthControls the intensity of the unique stylization applied to the film. To maintain the original colors of the photo, set the slider to 0 %.
Film TypeSelect one of the available film types. Each is designed to give the image a different appearance.

Film Grain

Freestocks.org/Unsplash

Adds a realistic film grain to images.

Grain per pixelBased on Nik’s unique grain engine, this slider is used to add realistic grain to the photo. Moving the slider to the left reduces the number of grain elements applied per pixel, increasing the size and visibility of the grain throughout the photo. If you don’t want to apply any grain to your photo, move the slider all the way to the right.
Grain HardnessThis slider lets you control the intensity of the grain. When the grain is coarse, the image will appear more detailed and sharp. When the grain is finer, the image feels more natural.
Film ContrastAdds a natural S-curve to the image, similar to that of film.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Fog

Nitish Meena/Unsplash

Simulates a traditional fog effect: a pronounced blur that gives this look to the image.

MethodAllows you to choose from 4 artistic blur ranges.
IntensityControls how intensely the filter will be applied.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Foliage

Phil Goodwin/Unsplash

Identifies foliage and greenery in an image, and enhances or stylizes these objects.

MethodControls the color of the foliage visible in the photo.
Enhance FoliageControls how intensely the filter will be applied.

Glamour Glow

Josh Applegate/Unsplash

Provides portrait photographers with a powerful tool to stylize images with soft and dreamlike effects.

GlowLets you control to what extent the filter’s softening technique is applied.
SaturationAdjusts the overall vividness of the colors (to the right) and gradually fades the colors (to the left).
Glow WarmthControls the temperature of the effect added to the image. Move the slider to the left to cool the image with blue tones or to the right to warm the image with red-orange tones.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Global Adjustments (Viveza)

The sliders provide all the tools for basic tonal and color corrections:

Graduated Filters

DesignCue/Unsplash

Simulates the use of a traditional glass graduated filter that fuses a color in one half of the photo.

Color SetSelect one of 16 predefined color combinations, grouped into four different color sets.
OpacityControls the overall intensity of the filter.
BlendControls the transition between the filter and the original photo.
Vertical ShiftControls the position of the filter horizon.
RotationControls the angle of the filter horizon.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Graduated Fog

Andrew Charney/Unsplash

Simulates a traditional glass filter and lets you add an accentuated softening effect to one half of the photo.

Fog MethodProvides a range of different soft focus effects.
OpacityControls the overall intensity of the filter.
BlendControls the transition between the filter and the original photo.
Vertical ShiftControls the position of the filter horizon.
RotationControls the angle of the filter horizon.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Graduated Neutral Density

Gary Bendig/Unsplash

Darkens or brightens part of an image while preserving its color. Use this filter to correct the tonality of an image that is too high in contrast.

Upper TonalityControls the brightness of the upper part of the filter.
Lower TonalityControls the brightness of the lower part of the filter.
BlendControls the size of the transition between the fog effect and the details in the original image.
Vertical ShiftControls the position of the filter horizon.
RotationControls the angle of the filter horizon.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Graduated User Defined

Bradley Swenson/Unsplash

Simulates the use of a traditional graduated glass filter and lets you select any color to merge it into one half of the photo.

ColorIndicates the color to be applied to one half of the photo. Use the eyedropper to select a color in the image or click the color chart to open the color picker tool.
OpacityControls the overall intensity of the filter.
BlendControls the size of the transition between the selected color and the details in the original image.
Vertical ShiftControls the position of the filter horizon.
RotationControls the angle of the filter horizon.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Grain

The Grain filter simulates film grain*, based on different real brands and types of color negatives and slides, analyzed by DxO Labs, to the contrary of Color Efex legacy filters like Film Efex and Film grain, which simulates a generic grain. 

The Grain filter simulates grain only, and not the color and contrast rendering of the different color films provided here. It is up to you to create a rendering that follows your taste, by using the Nik Color Efex tools.

The drop-down Grain menu, set to Original by default (no grain applied) shows the list of silver emulsion films. Hover the mouse over the list to see a preview of the effect on the image.

Once you have made your choice, you can use the sliders to adjust the intensity of the grain and its size:

HSL

The Hue/Saturation/Luminance (HSL) filter lets you selectively correct colors using: 

This tool also allows you to:

At the top of the section, colored clickable tiles indicate the color channels to select (left to right):

Working with the color channels

This section applies to the individual color channels, and not the global channel

The selected channel tile will have a white border. Should a hue, saturation, luminance or uniformity adjustment be made, a white dot appears under the tile of the corresponding channel or channels.

The sliders enable the following corrections:

When a channel is selected, the Saturation and Luminance slider bars turn that color (e.g. if the green channel is active, the bars are green). This does not apply if the global channel (multicolor tile) is active.

You can work on several channels in the same image, including the global channel. To do this, simply click on the tile you want, whether it is active or not.

Using the HSL color picker and the hue range scale

The HSL color picker allows you to do more precise hue selection by clicking in the image. You can increase the radius of the hue selection with the Radius slider, which is set to 5 pix by default (size range is 1-50 pixels).

The hue range scale is a flat view of the RGB color wheel (colors are presented with all the hues as a circle, which helps also to visualize the opposite hue, for example, yellow and blue are opposite).

When you click in the image with the HSL color picker, the range of hues will be displayed in the scale. 

The two vertical dotted white lines are the limits of the hue range, and you can refine it manually with the two handles above the scale: move them closer to each other to reduce the hue range, move them in the opposite way to extend it and, thus, to include more hues in the selection. 

The two handles below the scale allows you to adjust the transition hues: the farther you move out the two vertical lines, the smoothest the transitions.

Working with the global channel

The global channel lets you adjust the hues and the colors in the whole image. If you use the HSL color picker, the HSL panel will switch to the individual channel mode.

When active, the global channel mode displays 3 sliders:

High Key

Jamie r. mink/Unsplash

Lets you simulate the look of a photo in bright light, with uniformly light tones and low contrast. This filter is also useful for enhancing photos originally taken without highlights.

GlowControls the degree of brightness added around objects from the “Standard Highlights” effect.
Standard High KeyLets you add highlights uniformly throughout the image.
Dynamic High KeyAdds a unique highlight effect that changes according to the color and tone of the original subject. This command makes dark subjects lighter than light subjects.
SaturationControls the overall intensity of colors in the photo.
BlacksBrings out the darkest subjects in the photo and ensures that black tones (a crucial element in a high-light image) are present.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Image Borders

35mm/Unsplash

Use this filter to add a unique, natural, and random outline to your photos. This filter uses Nik’s exclusive technologies to create borders that are not only infinitely variable, but also incredibly natural.

Border typeSelect from among 14 borders or frames.
SizeControls the size of the outline added to the image. Tip: Adding an outline always removes part of the image. To prevent your image from being cropped when you add an outline, use a pixel editing application such as Photoshop to increase the size of the image canvas and apply a black outline around the image. Then use the Size slider to create the desired overlap between the image outline and the black outline.
SpreadControls the depth of the added outline. Move the slider to the right to widen the space taken up by the border elements in the image.
GrungeControls the random details added around the image. Move the slider to the right (more towards Rough) to add more random details to the border and give it more style.
Vary BorderClick here to select another border category number at random. A different border is created at random for each number, giving a wide range of results. To create exactly the same border each time, make note of the “Size”, “Spread” and “Clean/Rough” settings and the border category number. To achieve a border that is similar but still different for each image, use the same values (éSize”, “Spread”, “Clean/Rough”) but with a different border category number.

Indian Summer

Aaron Burden/Unsplash

Identifies foliage and greenery in an image, and enhances or stylizes these objects. This filter can be used to create warm colors similar to autumn landscapes.

MethodApplies one of the 4 available renderings for the color of the foliage visible in the photo.
Enhance FoliageControls how intensely the filter will be applied.

Infrared Film

Christian Joudrey/Unsplash

Simulates color and black & white infrared films. This filter simulates different methods of capturing the infrared portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, as well as the effects produced by films capable of capturing these wavelengths.

MethodSelects Color or Black & White infrared film types, each with different styles.
Lighten HighlightsControls the brightness of the light tones in the picture.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Ink

Julian Paul/Unsplash

Simulates the stylistic effect of special photographic papers and toners.

Color SetSelect one of the 11 color combinations.
IntensityControls how intensely the filter will be applied.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Levels & Curves

Ray Hennessy/Unsplash

Levels and curves are among the most commonly used tools for adjusting the brightness and tone of an image. This filter is especially useful when combined with other filters in a stack.

ChannelSelects the channel for which the tone is to be set. In addition to the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) channels usually located in the Curve dialog boxes, the Levels & Curves filter also provides a brightness channel that lets you adjust the brightness and contrast of your photo without changing the colors. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast of your photo without changing the colors.
OpacityAdjusts the degree to which the filter is added to the photo.
Tone CurveClick on the curve to add anchor points to it directly. To remove an anchor point, double-click on it.
Levels SlidersDrag the Black Point, White Point, or Midtone slider to adjust the tone levels.

You can find more information about the Levels & Curves tool in the Overall and Selective Correction Tools section.

Low Key

Scott Webb/Unsplash

Lets you simulate the look of a photo in low light, with uniform dark tones and low contrast. This filter is also useful for enhancing photos originally taken without low light.

GlowControls the degree of brightness added around objects from the “Standard Shadows” effect.
Standard Low KeyLets you add shadows uniformly throughout the image.
Dynamic Low KeyAdds a unique low-light effect that changes according to the color and tone of the original object. This control darkens light subjects more than dark subjects.
SaturationControls the overall intensity of colors in the photo.
WhitesBrings out the lightest objects in the photo and ensures that white tones (a crucial element in a low-light image) are present.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Midnight

Facundo Aranda/Unsplash

Creates the illusion of a photograph taken at night to gives the image character. Use the Midnight filter to create a cinematic effect and reduce detail throughout the image with an advanced blur technique.

Color SetUse this drop-down menu to select one of the predefined color combinations.
BlurControls the amount of blur added to give style to the image.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ColorControls the relationship between the amount of color added by the filter and the amount of color from the original photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Monday Morning

Alejandro Escamilla/Unsplash

Creates a diffused atmosphere and gives the photo a restful look. Use this filter to control contrast and saturation, add grain and apply a blur effect.

Color SetUse this drop-down menu to select one of the predefined color combinations.
GrainControls the amount of grain added to the image.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
SmearLets you control to what extent the filter’s softening technique is applied.
ColorControls the relationship between the amount of color added by the filter and the amount of color from the original photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Old Photo

Igor Ovsyannykov/Unsplash

Transforms an image so that it looks like an old photo. Different styles let you simulate various color or black & white processes.

StyleChoose a color or a black & white process. There are six styles available per process.
GrainControls the amount of grain added to the image.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Paper Toner

M. Zonderling/Unsplash

Simulates the different types of toners commonly used in black & white prints in the darkroom. Use this filter to automatically convert an image to a black & white version before adding the toner effect. For best results and accuracy, apply the B/W Conversion filter first.

Paper ToneUse the drop-down menu to select one of the 8 preset tints to be applied to the photo.
IntensityControls how intensely the filter will be applied.
TextureAdds a unique paper texture to the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Pastel

2Photo Pots/Unsplash

Brightens and softens the image by giving it a smooth and stylish effect. The result is an understated, desaturated image.

MethodUse the drop-down menu to select a predefined pastel effect.
DiffuseControls the level of smoothing applied to the photo details.
SaturationControls the overall intensity of colors in the photo.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Photo Stylizer

Jay Ruzesky/Unsplash

Use this filter to give style to any or ordinary image and make it more attractive.

Stylizer TypeFrom the drop-down menu, select one of the 5 available styles (the choice of style determines the availability of the following sliders).
StyleFrom the drop-down menu, select one of the available color sets.
IntensityControls how intensely the filter will be applied.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
WarmthControls the color temperature of the photo. Move the slider to the left to cool the colors (adding blue tones) or to the right to warm them (adding red tones).
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Polarization

Matt Collamer/Unsplash

Simulates the polarization filter (or PL) of traditional glass. Use this filter to accentuate the blue of the sky while increasing the contrast in the rest of the image.

RotationSimulates the effect of rotating the filter in front of the lens with the resulting different color contrasts.
IntensityControls how intensely the filter will be applied.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Polaroid Transfer

Joey Huang/Unsplash

Simulates the effect of Polaroid Instant Processing color film and the transfer of the rough image to paper before it is fully developed. The result is a version of the image with low saturation and contrast, with subtle shades of color throughout the image.

Edge offsetAdds a border (to which a texture is applied) around the image. When the cursor is set to 0, the entire image is displayed.
TextureLets you adjust the paper texture effect added to the image.
Outer ColorAdds elements from the original image to the border area. The higher the value of this slider, the more elements from the original image are added to the areas created using the Border slider.
SaturationControls the amount of color from the original image to be preserved.
SmearLets you control to what extent the filter’s softening technique is applied.
FloatSimulates the effect of tearing off different parts of the image during the transfer process. To prevent details from being removed from the image, set the slider to 0.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Pro Contrast

Blair Connolly/Unsplash

Provides advanced options that change the color and contrast of images by analyzing each one and making improvements based on their specifics. Use this filter if you want to increase contrast levels while maintaining detail throughout the image.

Correct Color CastAdjusts the reduction of a color cast automatically identified by the filter in the image.
Correct ContrastIncreases the contrast in the image according to the distribution of light and tone.
Dynamic ContrastAdjusts the contrast of each object in the image according to the tone distribution. This unique control automatically adjusts different areas to varying degrees.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Reflector Efex

Will Oey/Unsplash

Simulates traditional photographic reflectors that allow shadows to stand out and control the light in the image.

MethodSelect Gold, Soft Gold, or Silver. The Gold and Soft Gold options give warmth to the image shadows in varying degrees. The “Silver” option adds neutral light to the shadows.
Light IntensityControls the amount of light that the reflector adds to the image.
Light FalloffControls the intensity at which the effect should fade.
PositionControls where the transition should begin.
Source DirectionSpecifies the point at which the reflector effect begins.

Remove Color Cast

Brigitte Tohm/Unsplash

Lets you remove color dominants from the photo quickly and efficiently.

ColorIndicates the color dominant to be removed from the image. Move the slider until the selected color matches the dominant color in the image.
IntensityControls the proportion of color tone to be removed.

Selective Tones (Viveza)

These tools will help you to adjust tonal ranges (highlights, midtones, shadows, blacks):

Skylight Filter

Markus Petritz/Unsplash

Simulates warming lens filters. Use this filter to attenuate dominant blues while adding warmth sparingly to the colors in the photo.

IntensityControls the degree of warming effect to be added to the picture.

Solarization

Aleksandar Savic/Unsplash

Simulates the Sabatier darkroom process (more often called solarization). Use this filter to create a style effect in which certain tones and colors are reversed.

MethodUse this drop-down menu to select the type of solarization applied to the image using different styles designed for color or black & white effects.
SaturationIn the color methods, this slider controls the intensity of the colors in the photo. In the black & white methods, this slider controls the saturation of the image prior to black-and-white conversion, allowing you to adjust the resulting image contrast.
Elapsed TimeAdjusts the effect as darkroom photographers do when they change the amount of time the image remains in the developer before re-exposing it to achieve varying results.

Sunlight

Gabe Hobbs/Unsplash

This filter adds natural sunlight and warmth to the image. Use this filter to give the impression that your photo was taken on a warm, sunny day.

Light StrengthControls the amount of light added to shadows in the image. Move this slider to the left to increase contrast or to the right to add warm light throughout the photo.
Light TemperatureControls the temperature of the light added to the image. Move this slider to the left to increase the warmth of the light or to the right to decrease it and give the image a cooler tone.
LightnessControls the overall brightness of the image.
ContrastControls the overall contrast of the photo.
SaturationControls the intensity of the colors in the photo.

Tonal Contrast

Cayton Heath/Unsplash

This filter lets you modify the textures and details of the photo efficiently.

HighlightsControls the level of contrast applied to light tones in the photo
MidtonesControls the level of contrast applied to midtones in the photo
ShadeControls the level of contrast applied to dark tones in the photo.
SaturationControls the intensity of the colors in the photo.
Contrast TypeUse this drop-down menu to select one of the 5 contrast types available.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Vignette: Blur

Craig Whitehead/Unsplash

Attenuates the details around the center of the image, allowing the eye to be drawn into the image.

Blur shapeUse the drop-down menu to select a circular, oval or rectangular shape for vignetting.
TypeUse the drop-down menu to select the type of blur added to the image.
TransitionControls the rate at which the vignetting effect is applied to the original image.
SizeSets the area in the image to which vignetting is to be applied.
OpacityControls the overall intensity of the filter.
Place CenterPositions the center of the vignetting effect.

Vignette Filter

Vincent van Zalinge/Unsplash

Simulates the application of a vignetting effect worthy of a darkroom.

ColorLets you select the color to be used for the vignetting. Use the eyedropper to select a color from the photo or click on the color chart to open the color picker tool.
Blur shapeUse this drop-down menu to select a circular, oval, or rectangular shape (with smooth or coarse edges) for vignetting.
Adapt EdgesControls the relationship between the shape of the vignette and the image details. The higher the value of this slider, the more the vignetting shape becomes part of the image.
TransitionControls the rate at which the vignetting effect is applied to the original image.
SizeSets the area in the image to which vignetting is to be applied.
OpacityControls the overall intensity of the filter.
Set centerPositions the center of the vignetting effect.

Vignette: Lens

Alvin Mahmudov/Unsplash

Simulates the vignetting created by different types of lenses. The darkening of the edge of the frame helps to draw the viewer’s eye within the image boundaries and gives the picture more depth.

AmountControls the intensity of the vignetting. Move the slider to the left to add vignetting darkening to the image edges. Conversely, move the slider to the right to add lightening vignetting to the edges.
Blur shapeControls the overall shape of the vignetting: circular or rectangular.
SizeSets the area in the image to which vignetting is to be applied.
LightnessAdjusts the brightness of the vignetting effect.
Set centerPress the Place Center button to select the center position of the vignetting in the image.

White Balance (Viveza)

The White Balance tool allows you to restore natural, balanced colors and compensate for the presence of colored dominants. Of course, you can also take advantage of it to create special effects and renderings:

  1. In the White Balance, click the pipette to activate it.
  2. Move the mouse pointer over the image and it will turn into an eyedropper.
  3. You can adjust the diameter of the sampling area (shown by the circle at the end of the dropper) using the Radius slider. The default diameter is 5 pixels, on a scale from 1 to 50 pixels.
  4. To neutralize a dominant, click on a neutral area of the image, white or gray.
  5. To introduce a dominant, click on the desired neutral color (for example, click on a blue to warm up the image, click on a yellow, orange or red to cool it down).
  6. You can change the white balance as many times as you wish by clicking repeatedly in the image.

Change or fine-tune white balance

Whether you want to neutralize a color cast or alter the warmth of the image, you can fine-tune the white balance using the Temperature slider. Set to 0 by default, its scale ranges from -1

White Neutralizer

F/Unsplash

Removes color dominants from light-colored objects, such as a white wall or a wedding dress. Use this filter to clean up images and create bright, vivid whites without changing other colors in the photo.

ColorIndicates the color dominant to be removed from the image. Use the eyedropper to select a color from the photo or click on the color chart to open the color picker tool.
Adjust Whole ImageRemoves the color selected in the Color command from the entire image.
Neutralized WhitesRemoves only the color selected in the Color command from light objects in the image.
ShadeMoved to the right, the slider will lighten only shadows and recover details drowned in the dark areas.
HighlightsMoved to the right, the slider will darken only the brightest areas and recover blown-out details.

Global and local adjustment tools

Overview

The right panel shows the filters and presets selected in the left panel, and their associated tools, sliders and settings.

Each filter in Nik Color Efex uses a number of sliders and tools specific to the adjustments and effects it offers. They are used in the same way from one filter to another:

Filter effect mask

Another way to preview the adjustments is to toggle the Filter effect mask button, especially with an active local adjustment. The image turns into grey levels, white areas showing where the effect is 100%, black areas showing where there is no effect, and all gray levels showing the effect amount variations. It is also a good help to adjust the Opacity slider.

To the contrary of the local adjusment masks, the filter effect mask does takes into account:

In other words, the black and white mask shows only shades of gray to indicate where the effect will be stronger or weaker.

Opacity slider

When using a Nik Color Efex filter, you can fine-tune the overall intensity of the effect and the corrections it applies.

By default, the slider is set to 100, its maximum value. Set it to 50 to halve the intensity, and to 0 for no correction at all.

Opacity of filter at 100% (left) and at 50% (right).

When you apply Local adjustments, another Opacity slider lets you adjust the intensity of the locally applied corrections, independent of the overall opacity slider.

Levels & Curves tool

The Levels and Curves tool is found in the Filters list, in the Contrast category. Select it and it will be added to the Nik Color Efex Pro Filters section in the right panel.

The Curve lets you refine or completely rework the contrast in your images, by affecting the curve either globally or via the RGB channel, and by using the Level sliders:

To reset the settings:

Local adjustments

Local adjustments are available with all Nik Color Efex’s original filters and settings.

Therefore, you will be able to apply the different effects on parts of the image and adjust their opacity. The associated sliders and settings are available next to each local adjustment dot, and in the filter sections in the right panel. If you move a slider for a local adjustment, the slider in the right panel will also move and vice versa.

In addition to the common black-handled settings of size, Lm (Luminance), Chr (Chrominance) and Df (Diffusion), you have the following slider:

A detailed description of the operation of each filter and associated tools can be found in the Filter Library section.

Selectively increasing contrast using control points.

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