Now that Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 has been released, we would like to assure current and future Nik Software customers that we are committed to providing support for our plug-ins in Photoshop Lightroom 3. Although we did not receive an advance copy of Photoshop Lightroom 3, we have tested our software with public beta releases and did not find any compatibility issues with the public beta. Now that the final release version is available, we will review compatibility once again to ensure full support. We will notify all of our registered customers in the case that some compatibility issue is identified.

All Nik Software products have been tested with Photoshop CS5 and no compatibility issues have been found. While there has not been an update specific for Photoshop CS5, please confirm you are using the most current versions of the products from our product updates page by clicking here.

Currently, Viveza 2 for Windows is the only available 64-bit compatible application.

Nik Software is pleased to announce our commitment to developing native Windows and Macintosh 64-bit versions of our current plug-ins. We will make them available free of charge to registered customers who use Photoshop, Lightroom, or Apple Aperture 3. We are actively working to add 64-bit compatibility to the Macintosh version of Viveza 2 product and expect to be finished mid-year. Once the update for Viveza 2 is released, we will deliver cross-platform 64-bit versions of our remaining products as they become available. Registered customers will be notified of the availability of 64-bit versions by email, including instructions on how to access the updated versions.

To register your products if you have not already done so, please click here.

For information on how to access the 32-bit versions of our products until 64-bit compatibility is available, please click here.

All Nik Software plug-ins (Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 3.0, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro 3.0) are fully compatible with Aperture 3 while in 32-bit mode. For more information about future 64-bit support click here.

In order to access the Nik Software products in 32-bit, please follow these steps:

For Windows 64-bit Users (XP, Vista, 7):

On the Windows Operating system, both the 32-bit and 64-bit version of Photoshop will be installed. To access the 32-bit version of Photoshop, navigate to the Start Menu, select Programs, and then select the appropriate Adobe Photoshop program icon (be sure not to select the program icon indicating 64-bit). The 32-bit version of Photoshop will launch, and the Nik Software products should be available.

For Macintosh Users (10.5 and 10.6) using Photoshop CS5:

Photoshop CS5 will by default run in 64-bit on Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) and Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard). To use the 32-bit versions of the Nik Software products until the 64-bit versions are released, Photoshop CS5 will need to set to run in 32-bit mode. To set Photoshop to run in 32-bit mode, please follow these steps:

1. First, locate the Photoshop CS5 application file (typically found at Macintosh HD | Applications | Photoshop CS5).
2. Next, Click once on the application icon to select it and use the keyboard shortcut Command + I to get the Get Info dialog window.
3. In the Get Info dialog, under the General section, check the "Run in 32-bit Mode" checkbox and close the Get Info dialog.
4. Close Photoshop if it was open and then launch Photoshop to access the plug-ins, which will work as they did in previous versions of Photoshop.

Aperture 3will by default run in 64-bit on Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard). To use the 32-bit versions of the Nik Software products until the 64-bit versions are released, Aperture 3will need to set to run in 32-bit mode. To set Aperture 3 to run in 32-bit mode, please follow these steps:

1. First, locate the Aperture application file (typically found at Macintosh HD | Applications).
2. Next, Click once on the application icon to select it and use the keyboard shortcut Command + I to get the Get Info dialog window.
3. In the Get Info dialog, under the General section, check the "Run in 32-bit Mode" checkbox and close the Get Info dialog.
4. Close Aperture 3 if it was open and then launch Aperture 3 in 32-bit mode.

When running in Mac OS 10.5, the application will launch as a 32-bit application and the plug-ins will operate as normal. When running Aperture 3 in Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard), the application will launch as a 64-bit. To use a plug-in with Aperture 3 running on Mac OS 10.6, select an image and click Photo >Edit with Plug-in and choose any one of the Nik Software plug-ins listed as show.

A dialog box will appear, "To use the [Nik Software] plug-in, Aperture must quit and re-open in 32-bit mode". To use the plug-in, click on "Reopen".

Aperture will re-launch in 32-bit mode and you will then be able to access all of the Nik Software plug-ins you have installed. To always launch Aperture 3 in 32-bit mode, please click here.

Nik Software products are fully compatible with Windows 7® (32-bit and 64-bit). Previously some customers reported an issue with some of the previous software plug-ins where some of the menu drop-down boxes do not work properly within the Nik Software product interfaces. This has since been corrected with free software updates.

To ensure full compatibility with Windows 7, ensure you have updated to the following software versions numbers or higher: Dfine 2.106, Viveza 2.002, Viveza 1.005, Color Efex Pro 3.108, Silver Efex Pro 1.006, and Sharpener Pro 3.004 for Photoshop® and Lightroom®. The free updates can be downloaded directly from our website by clicking here, or by logging into your registration page here.

To find out what version you currently have installed, open a Nik Software product interface such as Dfine 2.0, in Photoshop® or Lightroom®. Click on the orange Nik logo located in the upper left corner.

A dialog will appear indicating the version number. In this example the version Dfine 2.102 indicates an update would be required for full Windows 7 compatibility.

We encourage you to download the current version of your Nik Software product by going to www.niksoftware.com and clicking on the Register Product - Log-in tab and following the steps to access the product updates. However, if you wish to create a backup CD of your original Nik Software product, please complete the following steps:

For Mac Users:

1. Open a finder window and locate your recently downloaded Nik Software product(s). Typically this is found on the desktop, or in the downloads folder located at: Macintosh HD | Users| | Downloads.

2. Select each file that you would like to back up. To select multiple files, hold down the Apple/Command key and click each file.

3. Right click (or control + click) the selected files and click "Burn # Items to Disc…".

4. Insert a blank CD into the drive.

5. A dialog will appear asking if you are sure you want to burn the contents to the disc. Type in the name for the disc, leave the "burn speed" at the default rate which appears, and click "Burn".

6. The disc will burn and when finished, a CD icon will appear on the desktop. You are then able to eject the CD for later use. You are now finished. Be sure to label the disc for future reference.

For Windows Vista/7 Users:

1. Open the Windows Explorer window by clicking on Start > Computer and locate your recently downloaded Nik Software product(s). Typically this can be found on the desktop, or in the downloads folder located at: c:\users\\downloads.

2. Select each download you would like to back up. To select multiple files, hold the Ctrl key down and click on each file.

3. Click on "Burn" at the top of the Windows Explorer window and the selected files will be added to the burning queue.

4. Locate and click on your CD/DVD drive (e.g. DVD RW Drive (D:)) and select the option, "Burn to disc" at the top of the window.

5. When the Burn to Disc dialog appears, type in a name for the disc, leave the "Recording speed" at the default rate which will depend on the speed of the drive, and click "Next".

6. The disc will burn and when finished, the CD/DVD tray will open with the newly completed backup disc. You are finished. Be sure to label the disc for future reference.

For Windows XP Users:

1. Open the Windows Explorer window by clicking on Start > My Computer and locate your recently downloaded Nik Software product(s). Typically this can be found on the desktop, or in the "My Documents" folder located at: c:\documents and settings\ \my documents.

2. Select each download you would like to back up. To select multiple files hold the Ctrl key down and click each file.

3. Right click on the selected files and choose "Send To >CD/DVD RW Drive".

4. Locate and click on your CD/DVD drive (e.g. CD RW Drive (D:)). Right click on the CD/DVD drive and choose, "Write these files to CD/DVD".

5. When the CD Writing Wizard dialog appears, type in a name for the disc, check the box for "Close the wizard after the files have been written", and click "Next".

6. Insert a blank CD when prompted. After doing so, the disc will begin to be written to (burned). When finished, the CD/DVD tray will open with the newly completed backup disc. You are finished. Be sure to label the disc for future reference.

All of our current plug-ins (Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 3.0, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro 3.0) are fully compatible with Mac (OS 10.6) Snow Leopard. If you haven't already done so, please download the latest version of the plug-ins from the website by either logging into your account here or going directly to the software updates page here.

Currently we have identified two key issues with Mac (OS 10.6) Snow Leopard that we are addressing. The first issue involves duplicate fonts that can sometimes cause one or more host applications to quit unexpectedly. We have a resolution for this issue which involves removing duplicate Arial fonts. Click here to learn more about this resolution.

The second issue involves Color Efex Pro 3.0 within Photoshop only. The right side of the Color Efex Pro 3.0 interface can sometimes be cut off on some monitors. This does not affect Lightroom or Aperture users. We are seeking a full resolution for this issue. To find out more about working with this issue, click here.

We hope to become fully compatible with Mac (OS 10.6) Snow Leopard once we are able to provide a solution for this second issue. For this reason we are unable to indicate full compatibility with Mac (OS 10.6) Snow Leopard at this time. All registered users will be contacted once a resolution is identified. If you have not already done so, click here to register your software.

Snow Leopard is very sensitive with regards to duplicate copies of fonts. All of the Nik Software plug-ins utilize Arial fonts. Removing all duplicate copies of the Arial fonts should correct the issue as described.

To correct this issue, click here to download and view a PDF document, which will walk you through the process of resolving any possible duplicate Arial font issues.

This issue has been resolved with the update of Color Efex Pro 3.108. Please click here to download the updated version of Color Efex Pro 3.0.

To access your registered products, check for updates and/or obtain your product key, please follow the instructions listed below:

1. Go to www.niksoftware.com and Click on the Register-A-Product Login Tab.

2. Enter in your email address and password. If you forgot your password or one has not been assigned to you, click on Forgot Password. An email will be sent to you explaining how your password can be reset or setup for the first time.

3. Your Nik Software User Account page will be displayed listing your registered products and product keys.

4. Click on the product you would like to update following the instructions provided.

Please note that all electronic downloads are automatically added to the registration system. If you purchased an electronic download click on Forgot Password. An email will be sent to you explaining how your password can be setup for the first time.

To download the update, please follow the instructions as described below:

1. Login to your account and find the product you wish to update from and click on it. In this case, Color Efex Pro 3.0.

2. Choose your image editing application, operating system, and language, and click download. If asked to save or run the file, choose save and then choose a location.

3. You will know you have the correct update by looking at the file name and taking note of the revision name, in this case, CEP-3.0-Complete-rev3.1.exe. The rev3.1 indicates this is an update to 3.1.

When you upgrade to Adobe Photoshop CS4, Nik Software filters are not automatically copied over from the older version of Adobe Photoshop. To move current Nik Software plug-ins (Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 3.0, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro 3.0) over to Adobe Photoshop CS4, do the following:

Please note: If you are using older Nik Software products such as Dfine, Color Efex Pro 2.0, and Sharpener Pro 2.0 in Photoshop CS4, click here , or if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, click here.

1. Navigate to the following location (*XX indicates the old Adobe Photoshop version number - e.g. CS3):

Macintosh: Macintosh HD | Applications | Adobe Photoshop XX | Plug-Ins
Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop XX\Plug-Ins

2. Drag and drop the entire Nik Software folder located in the Plug-Ins folder in Adobe Photoshop, as indicated in Step 1, to the desktop.

3. Navigate to the following location:

Macintosh: Macintosh HD | Applications | Adobe Photoshop CS4 | Plug-Ins
Windows: C:\Programs Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4\Plug-Ins

4. Drag and drop the Nik Software folder that was moved to the desktop into the Plug-Ins folder in the new version of Adobe Photoshop as indicated in step 3.

5. Restart Adobe Photoshop CS4. When Adobe Photoshop launches, the Nik Software filters should now be available via the filters drop-down menu or in the Nik Selective Tool.

If you would like to reinstall the software, please ensure that the correct destination directory (as indicated above in step 3) is selected during the installation.

Yes, all current Nik Software products (Dfine 2.0, Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 3.0, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro 3.0) are fully compatible with Photoshop Elements version 2 through 8 on Windows XP and Vista (32-bit and 64-bit), and version 4 through 6 on Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger) and 10.5.x (Leopard) using either a PowerPC or Intel-based system.

Yes. Nik Software products are developed to integrate seamlessly into many popular image editing applications that support the Adobe® plug-in architecture. Numerous software programs accept Adobe® plug-in compatible filters.

If you believe that your image editing application accepts or should accept Adobe® plug-in compatible filters, please check the documentation for your image editing application or contact the developer of that software. A software application must be 100% Adobe® plug-in compatible in order to support the Nik Software products.

Detailed Information about system requirements you will find on each product page.

In order to install the software into Paint Shop Pro (PSP) X2, run the installer indicating the following typical install location: C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2\

After running the installation PSP X2 needs to be setup to find the newly installed software plug-ins. To assist you in this process please fellow the steps below:

1. Restart PSP X2

2. Click on File >Preferences >File Locations...

Click image to enlarge.

3. A dialog box appears:

a. On the left hand side click on plug-ins.

b. Ensure the box next to "Enable plug-ins..." is checked.

c. Click on the Add button.

d. Navigate and select the Nik Software folder located at:
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2\

e. Click OK, then OK again to go back into Corel Paint Shop Pro X2.

4. Exit out of PSP X2 and then reopen it. Open an image, then click on Effects >Plugins and you should see a Nik Software entry followed by the Plug-Ins you installed such as Color Efex Pro 3.0. Please note that the Nik Selective Tool (Paint, Erase, Fill, Clear) is not compatible with this product and only works with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Elements.

The product key can be found in the email confirmation letter that was sent at the time of an electronic download purchase, or on the back of the CD sleeve that was included in the product box.

If you purchased an electronic download or you registered your boxed product you can log into your account to obtain your product key. Click here for login instructions.

The free trial versions are designed to enable you to use the full functionality of our software without any limitations for a certain period of time, typically 15-days on most products. After the trial period, the product expires giving you an option to purchase it and then activate the product by entering in a product key. Once activated the product then becomes a full version with no further time limitations.

No the trial software is designed to be unlocked by activation with a purchased product key. This product key will be emailed to you at the time of purchase for electronic downloads or can be found on the back of the CD sleeve in the product box. The trial software is typically the most up-to-date version of the software and therefore it is highly recommended to simply activate the trial instead of uninstalling and reinstalling from the CD.

When an order is placed online for an electronic download an email is sent out right away, typically within 5 minutes of the purchase. If you have not received an email, check any SPAM filter(s) that you may have for an email from service@niksoftware.com and ensure you are able to receive emails from this address.

The other possibility is that the email address that was provided was entered incorrectly. If this is the case or you are unable to find an email with your download link and product key, please contact customer service at 1-888-284-4085 or +1-619-725-3150 outside the U.S. so that we may correct the issue for you.

Nik Software offers trial versions of all our software, available for download from our web site. This makes it easy and risk-free to try our products before purchasing. However, if you are dissatisfied for any reason after purchasing one of our download-only or boxed products either from us or from our website, you may receive a full refund of the purchase price credited back to the same credit card used for the original purchase within 30 days. You will need to contact Nik Software for a "Return Merchandise Authorization" (RMA) number before returning the product and follow the instructions on our "Return a Product" web page.

Nik Software strives to provide the highest quality products and service, and we stand behind what we do. We hope that you’ll contact Customer Service with any questions or problems you encounter before returning the product.

Yes, we do have an academic program and offer software discounted to educators and students accredited educational institutions. Contact our Customer Service Department at at 1-888-284-4085 (within the US) or +1-619-725-3150 (outside the US) Monday–Friday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.

To activate the trial version of a Nik Software product to a full version, follow the steps below.

1. Open an image in Photoshop and access the expired Nik Software product via the Nik Selective Tool or via the Photoshop menu bar: Filter >Nik Software >Color Efex Pro 3.0, Dfine 2.0 Sharpener Pro 3.0, Silver Efex Pro, or Viveza 2.
2. A dialog box will appear indicating that your trial of the Nik Software product has xx number of days remaining or has expired. At the bottom of the dialog, type in your First Name, Last name, and Product key* in the dark gray fields.
3. After all three fields are filled in, the "Activate" button will light up with white text. If this does not happen, it may be possible that the product key is not correct or the first and last name fields where not filled in.

Once your Nik Software product is activated you will not see the "Expired" dialog again and will have full use of the product.

*Tip: For the best results and greater accuracy, copy the product key from your purchase email for electronic downloads, or from the registration webpage and paste this directly into the product key field. The keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste in Windows is Ctrl+C to copy, and Ctrl+V to paste. On the Macintosh it is Command/Apple+C to copy and Command/Apple+V to paste. Ensure there are no inadvertent spaces in the paste at the beginning or end of the product key string and no dashes are used. If you do not have your product key click here.

Products updates may be obtained by loggin into your registration account www.niksoftware.com/register. For more information on this process click here.

The 15-day trial may be converted a full version of the software by activating it with a product key. To find out how to activate the trial into a full version click here.

Sometimes it may not be possible to obtain the product key for upgrading. If this is the case please call our customer service department so we can assist you with your upgrade purchase. Click here for contact information.

The recommended workflow for Nik Software products is as follows:

1. If desired, apply Raw Presharpener using Sharpener Pro 3.0.
2. Apply noise reduction using Dfine 2.0.
3. Control color and light using Viveza 2.
4. Apply filter enhancements using Color Efex Pro 3.0.
5. Convert to black and white using Silver Efex Pro.
6. Apply output sharpening using Sharpener Pro 3.0.

To find out the latest product updates and version information click here.

To reach customer support in North America, South America, Oceania, and Asia, click here.

To reach customer support in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, click here.