So if you already have an established workflow with say, Nik and Topaz filters, you can use them directly through Aurora.The last thing that I just absolutely love about both Aurora and Luminar, is that each filter has a simple, obvious on/off toggle button. I can easily see what the changes will do to the image without having to turn off an entire layer.While this isn’t necessarily unique, it’s definitely one of the things I use the most.Installing Aurora HDR 2019 as a plugin is simpleWhat your workflow will look like will depend on whether you intend to use Aurora as standalone software or as a plugin.If you’re not already used to Photoshop and Lightroom (or you stopped using them when they changed over to subscriptions), Aurora HDR will probably work fine as a standalone.It allows you to crop, transform, manually correct for lens distortions, and use any other Photoshop plugins in tandem with it.It also has a curves adjustment panel, HSL, split toning, and vignette, as well as excellent noise control.If you’re used to Adobe products, however, you’ll probably appreciate it more as a plugin.Manually adjusting for lens corrections is challenging for most people, there’s no healing brush, and I don’t always want to have to manually paint my selections in (an issue I have with Luminar as well).Also, if you’re already using Lightroom’s catalogue system, then it will make more sense to stay with that. Aurora HDR 2019 | Features and FiltersJust like with Lightroom, you can use the histogram in Aurora HDR to reveal areas of clipped highlights and shadows.As far as the different filters and features are concerned, don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the interface – they’re quite powerful and in some cases, very unique.Many use artificial intelligence (e.g.

Smart Tone, HDR Clarity, and HDR Smart Structure) and some are downright novel (e.g. Dodge and Burn, Adjustable Gradient, and LUT mapping). Skylum’s sister program, Luminar, also has these.On this most recent version of Aurora HDR 2019, the sliders are incredibly sensitive.Since I’m looking for a natural-looking image, I rarely need to make any adjustments far beyond 10-20, especially when working with filters like HDR Clarity, Smart Structure, and so on.For me they’re like salt: little really improves the image too much and it can become, well, inedible.The adjustable gradient filter in Aurora HDR is especially useful for working on landscapes.

Luminar neo 1.0.1