As you work in Luminar Neo, your edits are stored in a Catalog file. This Catalog tracks your images and the edits you make to them. Luminar Neo lets you create multiple Catalogs to better manage your photos. You can have Catalogs for different clients and events, a Catalog just for family photos — the sky’s the limit. Using numerous, relatively small, Catalogs can significantly speed up your workflow.

When you use Luminar Neo as a plugin for Photoshop or Lightroom Classic, all tools located in the Edit and Presets tabs will be accessible.

Also, you can use the HDR Merge, Focus Stacking, and Upscale AI tools in the Lightroom plugin. Achieve even more impressive results with any editing workflow.

Moreover, please keep in mind that if you invoke Luminar Neo from Photoshop or select the “Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments” option in Lightroom Classic, you’ll get a TIFF file in the Luminar plugin.

Therefore, if you need to work with the RAW file in Luminar, you need to upload it in standalone mode.

Alternatively, using Lightroom Classic, you can choose ‘Export Original’ after right-clicking the photo > Export > Luminar Neo > Open Source Files.

When you use Luminar Neo as an Extension to Photos on macOS, Catalog tools are not available.

We’re super excited to have you here in the Luminar Neo Knowledge Hub — your go-to space for everything you need to get the most out of Luminar Neo.

👇 Here's what you'll find inside:

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This isn’t just any guide — we’ve built in a few features to make your experience smoother and more enjoyable:

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Thanks again for being here — we’re so glad to be part of your creative journey 💛 Now, let’s get exploring!

Activating Luminar Neo is a straightforward process that requires only your Skylum account. There’s no need for a license key or activation code. Follow the steps below to get started.

After purchasing Luminar Neo, you’ll receive an email with the activation instructions with the download links from the Skylum Team at the email address you provided during the purchase.

Here's what it looks like:

Once you place the order, the installer should automatically download to your computer, unless it's blocked by your device's security settings (such as an antivirus program).

Alternatively, you can download the Luminar Neo installer by clicking here after you make the purchase:

By default, the installer will be saved to your Downloads folder.

• First, you’ll have to unzip the installation file:

• Once unzipped, double-click the Luminar Neo installer. You’ll see an installation screen:

• Click the ‘Accept’ button to proceed with the installation.

• If you use Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom Classic and wish to use Luminar Neo as a plugin, you’ll have the option to install the plugin on the next screen:

• Once the installation is complete, click the ‘Launch’ button to open Luminar Neo.

Skylum team is always doing their best to add support of newly released cameras. As this process might take some time, but your photos are waiting to be edited, the best workaround is to convert the image to a DNG file. You may be able to create DNG files in-camera. Alternatively, you can install the free DNG Converter from Adobe.

Luminar Neo fully supports DNG files, including DNG files created by cameras and those created with the DNG Converter utility from images in another raw format.

To see a complete list of supported cameras, visit Supported Cameras

The option to install Luminar Neo as a Plug-in is presented when you run the installer. You can also choose to install it as a plug-in at a later time. Please note that installing plugins is an optional step that can be omitted.

1. Quit any host applications you are installing for.

2. Make sure Luminar Neo is open.

3. Choose Luminar Neo >Install Plugins (macOs) or Luminar Neo >File > Install Plugins (Windows).

4. Mark the desired host applications in the new dialog box that appears to show you which supported host applications you have currently installed on your computer.

5. Click the Install/Uninstall button for the corresponding apps in which you’d like Luminar to run.

To cancel the subscription, you need to proceed with the following steps:

You can back up your photos by exporting them. JPEGs are relatively small files that are easy to manage. However, when exporting JPEG files, your images will lose quality due to compression. Saving your photos in the TIFF format creates archival-quality files that will be much larger than JPEGs with no loss of quality.

The Star Ratings feature in Luminar Neo allows you to easily rate and organize your photos, helping you quickly identify your best shots and sort through large collections. You can rate each photo with a score ranging from 1 star to 5 stars.

Viewing and Filtering by Star Ratings

Once you've rated your photos, you can filter and sort your library based on star ratings, making it easy to find your best images when you need them.

To filter your images by star rating:

1. Go to the All Photos.

2. Select the Rating option.

3. Choose the desired star rating to display only photos with that specific rating.

You can choose to open one or multiple images in a Luminar Neo session and make basic or creative edits to them. Any edits made to these images will automatically be stored in your Luminar Neo Catalog.

There are several ways to open images for editing in Luminar Neo:

• You can add folders, leaving your photos exactly where they are on your hard drive.

• You can import images from a memory card or external drive, moving or copying them to a new location.

Luminar Neo opens a wide range of file formats. It is compatible with most cameras and all common graphics formats. Supported file types include:

1. Go to or

2. In the top right corner, click Sign In.

3. If you already have a Skylum Account, sign in with a linked Google, Facebook, Microsoft, or Apple account, or sign in with your email and password. If you don’t have a Skylum Account, click Register and create an account by linking an existing third-party account or by providing your email address and creating a password.

While Luminar Neo is a full-featured stand-alone application, some users choose to install and run it as a plug-in for other popular photo editing software. You will be prompted to install the plug-ins for detected software when you initially install Luminar Neo. You can also at a later time.

You can use Luminar Neo as a plugin for the following applications:

Luminar Neo is a powerful addition to Adobe Photoshop. To apply Luminar Neo as a filter, follow these steps:

1. Open Adobe Photoshop.

2. Open an image you’d like to enhance.

3. Choose Filter > Skylum Software > Luminar Neo … (a dialog box will appear to indicate that Luminar is running).

Luminar Neo is designed to make photo editing intuitive and powerful, whether you're a beginner or a pro. We'll walk you through all tools and features, from importing images to applying AI-powered enhancements and making creative edits. Let’s get started!

If you want to change the device you are using for editing with Neo, you need to reset your activation counter. You can do this in your Skylum account or directly in Luminar Neo when you activate it on your new device. You can also purchase an extra seat as an option.

In-app activation counter reset

When you open Luminar Neo on your new device, log in with your Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple account or with your email and password:

If you've already used all available seats and wish to replace your seat(s) with another device(s), just select the license:

and click Sign out & Launch next to the device you want to remove:

Luminar Neo automatically creates a Catalog when you first install it. A Catalog contains all information about your files, including metadata on flags and edits you make.

Remember that edits you make in Luminar Neo are always non-destructive and are saved in your current Catalog. This means you aren’t changing the actual files but rather are capturing instructions in a database. When you’re ready to share or use your files elsewhere, you can export images with your edits applied.

You can back up your photos by exporting them in different formats:

By default, the Luminar Neo Catalog is created in your Pictures folder. Ensure you don’t include the Catalog folder when adding images to Luminar Neo. Doing so will add all of Luminar Neo’s preview images to your Catalog, resulting in

The Catalog in Luminar Neo is your central hub for organizing and managing your photos efficiently. Whether you're working with a small collection or thousands of images, the Catalog helps you stay organized with intuitive tools for sorting, searching, and rating your photos. In this guide, we'll explore how to navigate the Catalog, import and organize images, use ratings, and maximize your workflow. Let’s dive in and unlock the full potential of the Catalog in Luminar Neo!

Luminar Neo’s Catalog Tools go beyond simple photo organization—they empower you to transform and enhance your images with advanced features. From creating stunning panoramas with Panorama Stitching to enhancing details through HDR Merge and Focus Stacking, these tools are designed to elevate your editing process. You can also enlarge images without losing quality using Upscale AI and explore creative possibilities with Generative Features. In this section, we’ll dive into each of these powerful tools and show you how to make the most of them in your workflow.

A well-organized photo library helps streamline your editing workflow and makes it easy to find the images you need. Luminar Neo offers the tools to help you sort, rate, and categorize your photos efficiently. In this guide, we’ll explore how to import, tag, and structure your images using features like albums, favorites, and ratings. Let’s dive in and take control of your photo organization!

Filtering Catalog is a feature that allows users to sort and narrow down their photo collection by applying filters based on various metadata (data about the image) and image attributes. This includes:

• Filter by camera model (the specific camera used to take the photo).

• Filter by focal length (the distance between the camera lens and the image sensor, affecting zoom and field of view).

Sort Folders and Albums is an organizational feature that helps users manage their photo catalog more efficiently by allowing them to sort folders and albums using various attributes. Users can arrange their collections based on criteria such as date, name, size, or custom attributes. This feature simplifies the management of large photo collections, making it easier to find and access specific albums or folders, thus streamlining workflows for photographers and editors.

How to Sort:

The Restoration tool revives old or damaged photos with advanced AI precision — repairing scratches, restoring color, and bringing cherished memories back to life in just one click.

This AI-driven tool analyzes your photo to distinguish between what should be rebuilt and what should remain untouched. It fills in cracks, smooths textures, restores skin tones, and revives color — all while preserving the original essence of the image.

How It Works

Presets in Luminar Neo are a powerful way to enhance your photos with just one click. They offer a quick and easy starting point for editing, applying a range of styles and adjustments that can transform your images instantly. Whether you're looking for a subtle enhancement or a bold, creative look, Presets help streamline your workflow and spark inspiration. In this section, we’ll explore how to apply, customize, and create your own Presets to make the most of your photo editing experience.

Luminar Neo was built on the belief that photo editing should be fast, easy, and fun. Our Preset-based editing approach helps Luminar Neo achieve this goal. Presets combine efficiency with creativity. By using AI to understand the strengths and weaknesses of every image, Presets automatically correct common capture problems and apply enhancements that inspire new ideas.

The Presets included in Luminar Neo were created in collaboration with professional photographers and retouchers to produce high-quality results. Based on in-depth research, Presets are composed to reflect the classic design and modern, popular trends, producing fresh and engaging images with maximum impact. Once refined, customized Presets can be saved and easily synced across large batches of photos, including across sets of images from different sessions and taken in different environments.

Use Presets as a starting point or when you need inspiration.

You can enable the Filmstrip mode by clicking on the Show Filmstrip button:

Filmstrip in Edit is a feature within the Edit tab that allows users to quickly switch between images without needing to exit Catalog mode. This feature keeps the editing process seamless by enabling users to browse through their photo collection while staying in the editing workspace. It also supports quick synchronization of edits across multiple images, improving workflow efficiency and productivity by minimizing interruptions and focusing on image editing.

Discover more efficient workflow tips:

Virtual Copies allow users to create multiple versions of a single photo without duplicating the original file. This feature is particularly useful for photographers and editors who want to experiment with different editing styles, crops, and adjustments while keeping the original photo intact. Each virtual copy can have its own unique edits, giving users the flexibility to explore creative possibilities without consuming additional storage space or risking changes to the original image. This fosters creative experimentation and ensures the preservation of the unaltered photo.

How to Create a Virtual Copy:

Now that Luminar Neo is installed, it’s time to activate it.

To activate the app, you have to sign in to your Skylum account.

Enter your email address to find out if you already have an account:

Sign in with your email address (the one you used during the purchase) and the password for your Skylum account. If you created a Skylum using a linked third-party account, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, or Apple, click the relevant button.

In case you don't have an account yet, it will be created during the process:

Important Notes

Images in Adobe Lightroom Classic can easily be handed off to Luminar Neo for editing. To send a file from Lightroom Classic to Luminar Neo, follow these steps:

1. Open Adobe Lightroom Classic.

2. In Lightroom Classic, choose the image you want to work with within Luminar Neo from the Library or Develop module.

3. Send your image to Luminar Neo.

4. Right-click on the image > Export > Luminar Neo > You have an option to Open Source Files or, if you’ve made any changes in Lightroom that you’d like to transfer over to Luminar Neo, you can also choose to Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments.

5. After applying adjustments in Luminar Neo, your photo should appear in Lightroom’s Catalog > All Photographs.

The cross-device editing functionality in the Luminar Neo ecosystem bridges the gap between desktop and mobile, offering a truly connected photo editing experience across different devices.

At the heart of this feature is effortless synchronisation between Luminar Mobile and Luminar Neo on the desktop. Every imported photo, edit, or adjustment is automatically synced through your Skylum account. Start editing your photos on Luminar Mobile and continue on Luminar Neo. This means your photo library, including all the edits, travels with you: no cables or manual transfers needed.

Readjusting the Edits

After you import the photo, access your previous edits made on Luminar Mobile by switching to the "Edits" tab near the Tools panel. You can select the applied tools and readjust their settings.

If you’re running macOS 12.0 or higher, you can use Luminar Neo as an Extension to Photos.

Here’s how to activate the Luminar Neo Extension.

1. Choose System Settings (System Preferences prior to macOS 13.0).

2. Choose Extensions.

3. Choose Photos.

4. Select the Luminar Neo Extension.

Here's how to send an image from Photos to Luminar Neo:

1. Launch Photos from your Applications folder.

2. Choose an image to edit in your Photos library.

3. Click the Edit Photo button.

4. Click the Extensions button and choose Luminar Neo.

Luminar Neo constantly backs up its database as you work with it. This ensures your latest edits are stored. However, you may want to manually back up a Catalog in case your hard drive malfunctions. We suggest backing up your Catalog to an external drive or cloud storage.

Backing Up a Luminar Neo Catalog on Windows and macOS

1. With Luminar Neo open, make edits with the Catalog you want to back up.

2. Choose File > Catalog > Show in Explorer (Windows) / Show in Finder (macOS). This reveals the Catalog file nested inside a folder.

3. Go up one level in the folder structure and back up that entire folder for the complete backup.

To restore a backup, just copy it to your machine and choose File > Catalog > Open to select the Catalog Folder you backed up.

On macOS, you can also use the Backup command to store a backup Catalog:

1. Choose File > Catalog > Backup

2. Luminar Neo will open a Finder window that lets you choose where you want to save your backup file.

3. To restore a backup file, choose File > Catalog > Restore from Backup.

Adding a single image makes it easy to work with individual photos in Luminar Neo. It’s also helpful in editing images not in your Luminar Neo Catalog. Editing a single image is similar to using previous versions of Luminar as a standalone application.

When to add a single image

When you want to edit a single image or several images but do not Add or Import them to your Catalog, you can add a single image to Luminar Neo. This is great when you want to develop a few photos or when you have a photo you want to quickly process but not keep in your Catalog after you’re done editing it. When you add a single image, the file remains in its original location on your hard drive and you can access the image in a special collection in your Catalog panel called Single Image Edits.

1. You can open a single photo for editing in one of four ways:

   • Click the Add Photos button at the top of the Catalog panel

   • Choose File > Edit Single Image…

   • Press

Managing Images in the Single Image Edits Collection

Images will stay in your Single Image Edits collection until you remove them. This collection is built automatically. You can use the Showing: and By: drop-down menus in the top right corner of the Single Image Edits window to reduce the number of images shown or change the order in which they are displayed.

1. To remove an image from the Single Image Edits collection, right-click on the image.

2. Then select Remove from Single Image Edits in the menu that opens.

3. This will remove the image from your Catalog but keep the file safely in its original location. If you decide you want to keep a Single Image Edits photo in your Catalog, you can simply drag it to any of the folders in your Catalog panel. The original photo will then be moved on your hard drive to the folder you place it in within your Luminar Neo Catalog. Even though the image is now part of your regular Catalog, it will still show up under the Single Image Edits collection until you remove it from there.

Once you have selected an image, you can view the Histogram by clicking View > Show Histogram.

The histogram can be a great help while correcting colors or adjusting exposure. A histogram is a graphical representation of the tonal values of your image. This graph illustrates how the pixels in the image are distributed across brightness levels. In other words, it shows the number of tones of a particular brightness found in your photograph, ranging from black (0% brightness) to white (100% brightness). Well-balanced images will have tonal values across the entire range of the histogram.

1. To read a histogram, start at the left edge, which shows the shadow regions. The middle shows the midtones (where most adjustments to an image are made). Highlights are to theright.

2. The histogram is able to display Red, Green, Blue channels separately or, by default, show them all at once. Click on the Histogram to switch between seeing a composite Histogram and viewing details for the Red, Green, and Blue channels (which can be useful for spotting tint issues and color casts). You can also see a grayscale average for luminance.

3. Additionally, clicking the two small triangles in the upper left and upper right corners will show hot and cold pixels, respectively. These are pixels that have shifted or been exposed to become absolutely black or white.

Cold & Hot Pixels

• Cold Pixels. To enable or disable warnings about absolutely black pixels, click the triangle on the left side of the Histogram. Purely black pixels will now be displayed in bright blue in the image. Cold pixels (in bright blue) indicate areas where black has achieved maximum concentration (a zero value).

• Hot Pixels. Clicking the triangle on the upper right of the Histogram will show where your image is completely white (where the histogram is clipped on the right side). Absolutely white pixels are displayed in red.

Using Shortcuts to Find Your Photos

One of the easiest ways to find your images is with shortcuts at the top of the Catalog panel. Luminar Neo makes it easy to locate your photos based on standard and powerful criteria.

All Photos

Selecting the All Photos shortcut loads all photos in your current catalog. If you click on the small disclosure Triangle, you can browse your Library by Year, Month, or Day. Photos are automatically sorted based on their file creation or capture date.

Single Image Edits

If you have chosen to use the Edit Single Image command, the Single Image Edits shortcut will appear in the list. Selecting this will show all of the images you have temporarily added to your library to process.

Favorites

If you have Flagged any images as Favorites, the Favorites shortcut will appear. This is the quickest way to find all of your favorite images. Combining this option with a selection from the Viewing Filter allows you to filter your favorite images by additional criteria. Click the dropdown list next to the words Showing: All Photos in Gallery View to get started.

Recently Added

Recently added photos appear under the Recently Added shortcut. If you click on the small disclosure triangle you can browse these images by the specific day they were added to your library.

Recently Edited

If you want to review images that you have edited quickly, select the Recently Edited shortcut. All of your edited images will appear. If you click on the small disclosure triangle, you can refine what Luminar Neo shows you by Today, Yesterday, This Week, or This Month.

Lost Edits

If you have images Luminar Neo has lost track of, they’ll appear in the section. If there are no issues, this section is hidden.

Trash

You can review images you’ve queued for deletion in the Trash shortcut. The images can either be deleted from Luminar Neo and moved to the system trash for cleanup or returned to the Luminar Neo catalog.

Custom Shortcuts

Right-click on a folder or album to choose Add to Shortcuts for quick access. If you ever change your mind, just right-click on the shortcut and choose Remove from Shortcuts. You can also drag shortcuts in the list into a new order.

Using Search to Find Your Photos

You can find photos in Luminar Neo with the Search tool located in the top left of the Catalog panel. The Search tool lets you quickly find images by image name, folder name, date, or extension.

Adding a folder of images to your Catalog allows you to quickly access, organize, and work with photos located on your hard drive, on external drives, and even on synced cloud storage. When you add a folder, none of your photos are moved. Luminar Neo simply scans the folder and any subfolders and creates thumbnails and links to the images inside. Luminar Neo will keep your existing folder hierarchy, and folders in Luminar Neo are tied directly to folders on your hard drive.

There are two ways to add a folder to your Luminar Neo Catalog. Both methods accomplish the same goal:

1. Adding Folders from the Catalog panel via the + button near the Folder section

2. Adding Folders from the Main Menu

Adding Folders from the Catalog Panel

• Clicking the + button near the Foder section opens a browser window in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).

• In this browser window, navigate to the folder on your hard drive that you would like to add and select it.

When you select a folder, it will be added to your Folder list as a top-level folder. All subfolders within the added folder will also be added to your Catalog. The folder you have added will now appear under the Folders list in the Catalog panel. Each folder you add to your Catalog is considered a master folder. Any folders contained within a master folder are added as subfolders.

• Any folder with a small triangle to the left of its name is a master folder that contains subfolders.

• Clicking on this triangle will reveal the subfolders within the master folder.

• You can create additional subfolders to any master folder by right-clicking on the master folder and choosing the New Subfolder command.

Adding Folders from the Main Menu

You can also add a folder from the main menu by choosing File > Add Folder with Images … Once selected, the folder will be added the same way as with the first two methods.

Folders added from an External Hard Drive

You can add folders located on an external hard drive to your Catalog. The process is the same as for adding folders from an internal hard drive. However, be aware that if an external hard drive is disconnected from your system, the media contained on it will go offline. If this happens, the names of folders located on your external hard drive will be greyed out in the Catalog and a warning triangle will appear next to the folder names.

• When an offline folder is opened, thumbnails of the original photos will be available.

• You can select or reject offline images, but you won’t be able to edit them until the external hard drive is reconnected.

• Offline images will have a warning triangle in the upper left corner of the thumbnail.

• You can organize offline images into Albums, but you cannot move offline images into Folders.

When an external hard drive containing a folder in your Catalog is reconnected and mounted, the folder and all the images inside it will come back online. The folder will no longer be greyed out, and the warning triangle next to the folder’s name and on each of the images will disappear. Any selection or rejection of images done while the folder was offline will be preserved. Also, if any images had been edited before the external drive was removed, the edits will be remembered when the drive is reconnected.

If your system cannot locate a drive, you can right-click on a folder located on that drive and choose Locate Drive to select it manually.

Folders added from Synced Cloud Storage

Luminar Neo lets you add folders from cloud storage locations that are synced to your computer. In this case, synced means that a physical copy of the photo resides on either your internal or external hard drive. If only a reference copy of the photo is located in cloud storage, Luminar Neo will not be able to create a thumbnail or edit the image. Adding folders from synced cloud storage is very useful in situations where a client or family member adds images remotely to a cloud service. Once these images are synced locally to your computer, Luminar Neo will automatically add them to your Catalog.

There are times when you want to locate an original photo on your hard drive. Perhaps you want to save or archive the original on another drive or email it to someone. Often, you just want to find another image you shot simultaneously but that isn’t in your Luminar Neo Catalog. No matter your goal, Luminar Neo allows you to locate your original image files on your hard drive quickly.

Show in Finder / File Explorer

Here’s how to locate content in your Luminar Neo Catalog on your hard drive. This can be useful for operations like copying or backing up data.

Single Image

To locate a single image on your hard drive:

1. Select an image in your Catalog.

2. Right-click on the image and choose Show in Explorer (Windows) or Show in Finder (macOS).

3. Luminar Neo will open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and reveal the file on your hard drive.

If you select multiple images before choosing Show in Explorer/Show in Finder, Luminar Neo will locate the first one you selected.

Folder

To locate a folder of images on your hard drive:

1. Switch to the Catalog view.

2. Under the Folders collection in the Catalog panel, select the folder or subfolder you wish to locate.

3. Right-click on it.

4. In the pop-up menu, choose Show in Explorer (Windows) or Show in Finder

Smart Search is an AI-driven search feature designed to make finding images more intuitive and efficient. It allows users to search for images through basic attributes like filenames, dates, or file extensions and by analyzing the images' content. For example, users can search using terms related to objects (e.g., "tree," "stop sign," "car"), scenes (e.g., "beach," "cityscape"), or specific details (e.g., "two smiling boys"). This feature leverages machine learning to recognize visual elements within images, providing a faster and more accurate way to locate specific visuals from a large image catalog.

How to Use Smart Search:

• Keyboard Shortcut:

  • Windows: Press Ctrl + F to activate Smart Search.

  • macOS: Press Cmd + F to activate Smart Search.

• Search Box: Type your query directly into the search box to find images based on your criteria. You can search for:

  • Objects (e.g., "tree," "stop sign," "car")

  • Scenes (e.g., "beach," "cityscape")

  • Specific Details (e.g., "two smiling boys")

While editing, you can move images to the trash directly from within Luminar Neo. This makes it easy to organize your hard drive and reduces clutter. Remember that deleting files from folders in Luminar Neo will also delete them from your hard drive. To help you avoid permanently deleting your original photos unintentionally, Luminar Neo includes multiple warnings.

Deleting a File in Luminar Neo

To delete one image or multiple images in Luminar Neo, select one or several images in the Catalog, right-click on the image(s), and choose Move to Luminar Trash from the pop-up menu. Alternatively, you can press Cmd+Delete (macOS) or Ctrl+Delete (Windows). The selected images will be hidden in the current folder Luminar Neo and placed into the Trash shortcut.

The Trash shortcut in Luminar Neo is a staging area. When files are in the Trash shortcut, they are still on your hard drive in the same place they had been. Click on the Trash shortcut to see additional controls.

Restoring Files from the Trash

Images in the Trash shortcut are still on your hard drive and can easily be restored to their original location in your Catalog.

To restore images from the Trash:

1. Select the image(s) you want to restore.

2. Choose Image > Put Back to restore the image(s) in your Catalog, or right-click on the image (or one of the selected images) and choose Put Back.

Emptying the Trash in Luminar Neo

To permanently remove an image from the Luminar Neo Catalog:

• All references to the image in its folder are removed from Luminar Neo.

• All edits are removed (be sure to export a new file to your hard drive if you want to save these first).

• Any references to the image are removed from Albums.

There are two ways to empty the Trash in Luminar Neo:

• Right-click on a single image or on one of the multiple selected images and select Delete from the pop-up menu.

• Click the Empty Trash button at the top of the Catalog window.

This will send all images in the Trash shortcut in Luminar Neo to your operating system’s Trash (macOS) or Recycle Bin (Windows).

At this point, your files are not yet deleted from your hard drive. Luminar Neo has only moved your files to the operating system’s Trash (macOS) or Recycle Bin (Windows). You can still open your computer’s Trash/Recycle Bin and retrieve the files. To permanently delete the files, empty the Trash or Recycle Bin.

Emptying the Trash/Recycle Bin

Importing images differs from adding a folder of images to your Luminar Neo Catalog. Importing physically moves your images or lets you create a copy of your images to a new location.

Import to

You can import images from an internal hard drive, an external hard drive, and even a memory card.

1. Create a new folder or select an existing folder in the Catalog panel.

2. Right-click on the folder and choose Import Images to This Folder.

3. Click the Browse button and navigate to the images or folder of images you want to import and select them. To locate the images you want to use on a memory card, they are likely in a folder labeled DCIM (for Digital Camera Images).

Action menu

Click the Action menu to choose whether you want to Copy the images to a new location or Move them to the new folder and erase them on the source disk.

Organizing Images During Import

To make it easier to find your best photos, Luminar Neo offers several ways to organize imported images. These commands automatically build subfolders based on different image or folder properties. Just click the Organize menu in the Import dialog to choose one of these options.

• Into One Folder. This will place all the images into a single level of the folder. No subfolders will be created.

• Keep Existing Folder Structure. If there are additional folders inside the folder you are importing, subfolders will be created to reflect the original folder structure.

• Year/Month/Day. Luminar will look at the creation date of the image and create subfolders based on the year, month, and day of the month the photo was taken.

Subfolders

Mark the Include Subfolders checkbox if you want to take additional folders of images contained within a selected folder. If this is checked, Luminar will add images from all subfolders inside the selected folder. If left unchecked, only the images at the top level of the folder will be imported. The contents of the subfolders will be ignored.

Upscale a photo up to 6X and enhance image resolution naturally with AI. Crop an interesting frame from a panoramic landscape, get high-quality zoom-ins of wildlife, improve macro shots, enhance old photos, prepare your images for printing, and more. Here’s a step-by-step guide on using UpscaleAI in Luminar Neo:

1. Open Luminar Neo as a stand-alone program.

2. Click on Add Photos and then click on Add Image.

3. Select your file and click Open.

4. Click Catalog at the top of the menu.

5. Drag the image down to the Upscale AI box at the bottom where it says Drag a photo here to start.

6. Choose the amount you want to upscale your image by.

It will take a few moments to upscale. Once the task is complete, a copy of your upscaled image will be placed in the Upscale folder. To avoid confusion, the upscaled image file name will also be changed, with image_upscale added to the end of the original file name.

Custom Preset

The Skylum team or other professional photographers will occasionally release a Presets collection. When you import a Custom Luminar Preset Collection, it will create a new Collection in the Purchased section in the Preset browser.

To add a Custom Luminar Neo Preset Collection, select File > Add Luminar Neo Preset Collection… An open dialog will be displayed, allowing you to browse your computer and choose the Collection you wish to add.

Alternatively, you can add a Custom Luminar Neo Preset Collection from the Presets tab by clicking on + Add on the Purchased button on the Presets panel or at the top of the Purchased Presets section.

After adding a Preset Collection to the custom folder, you’ll find it in the Purchased area of the Presets tab in Luminar Neo.

Purchased presets from Skylum Marketplace

Every month, our Skylum team collaborates with hundreds of professional photographers and retouchers to expand our collection with new items, including Presets. Let's take a look at how you can easily install Presets from our .

Public Spaces — the feature that allows you to easily share your works with friends, family, acquaintances, clients, or a broader audience through a unique link to your page works.

You can select your photos in the Luminar Neo desktop app and export them to a personal virtual album that automatically syncs with your Skylum account. From the web browser, you can easily view these photos and tweak your selection like:

• add an album title;

• reorder the photos;

• explore each photo in a single view;

• adjust metadata display settings;

• adjust the download permissions;

• delete individual images or the whole album;

Once you're satisfied, you can publish and share your portfolio with a unique public link. It's a wonderful way to showcase your progress, gather feedback, and share your creativity with others. It can also serve as a self-presentation tool, ideal for connecting with potential clients or establishing your personal brand.

Spaces are displayed in the left directory panel, under the list of folders and albums:

To delete a space via Luminar Neo, click on it with the right mouse and select delete:

Batch Processing is a powerful way to open, edit, and save many images at once, saving time and effort. The HDR Merge Batch Processing tool is ideal for working on single images as well as many sets of bracketed exposures. Luminar will automatically group brackets based on EXIF data stored in each image, including exposure settings, aperture settings, ISO levels, lens data, and time shot.

1. Capture bracketed photos: You’ll need to capture a series of bracketed photos with your camera, typically varying by exposure value (EV) increments (e.g., -2, 0, +2). Make sure to use a tripod to avoid misalignment between shots.

2. Import your images: Open Luminar Neo and import your bracketed photos into the software. You can do this by clicking the “Add” or “+” button and selecting the images from your computer.

3. Selecting Images: You can choose up to 1000 images that you want to merge into HDR images. Just drag and drop them onto the HDR Merge tool.

4. Batch Processing: Now, look for the option called Batch processing. This allows you to work on multiple images all at once, saving you time.

5. Tweaking Settings: Click on the three dots icon for more settings. Here, you can adjust things like Auto Alignment (to make sure all your images line up perfectly), Chromatic Aberration Reduction (to remove those weird color edges), and Ghost Reduction (to fix any blurry spots caused by movement). If you choose Ghost Reduction, you'll also pick a base image as your reference and decide how strong you want the effect to be. You have the flexibility to organize images by dragging them into your desired sequence. Additionally, if an image doesn't match the defined set, you can remove it by clicking on the X icon. To delete the whole group of images, just click on the trashcan icon.

6. Merging the Images: Select “Continue” to start the HDR merging process. Luminar Neo will take all your chosen exposures and blend them into one image with beautifully balanced lights and darks.

7. The newly merged HDR image will be saved as a Tiff file in the HDR Folder. You can leave it there or move it back to its original folder.

Using the HDR Merge feature in Luminar Neo, you can create stunning images with a broad dynamic range, capturing details in both highlights and shadows that would be difficult to achieve in a single exposure.

Luminar Neo creates a default Catalog when you first launch the application. You can use this one Catalog for all your photos or easily create new Catalogs. Luminar Neo Catalogs can be located anywhere on your hard drive. By default, Luminar Neo creates a Catalog in your Pictures folder. A Catalog contains a database of your images and their locations, thumbnails of these images, and a history of all adjustments applied to your images.

Creating a Catalog

To create a new Catalog:

1. Choose File > Catalog > New. A dialog box will open, asking you to name your new Catalog and choose where you want to store it.

2. Enter a Catalog name and choose a location. Many users choose their Pictures folder, but any drive and any location will work.

3. When you save the new Catalog, your current Catalog will close, and your new Catalog will open.

You can now add images as desired.

Switching Catalogs

If you’re working with multiple Catalogs, you can quickly switch between them:

1. To open a previously created Catalog, choose File > Catalog > Open.

2. In the Finder (macOS) or File Explorer (Windows) window, navigate to the Catalog you want to work with. It will appear as a folder.

3. Select your Catalog and click Open.

4. Your current Catalog will be closed, and the selected Catalog will be opened.

The By drop-down menu lets you choose the order in which you view images in the Catalog.

The By menu lets you easily switch between different sorting options depending on your needs in the upper right corner of the Catalog. For example, you can find your photos using By Capture Time, Edit Time, Pick (Flag status), File Name, File Type, File Size, and Ascending or Descending.

• Capture Time. This option sorts your images using date and time metadata. This allows you to quickly find your most recent (or the oldest) photos in a folder or album.

• Edit Time. This option allows you to sort your photos by the last date you edited them in Luminar Neo. This is great when you reopen your Catalog after a break and want to locate the images you were last working on quickly.

• Pick. This option groups and sorts your images by how you have flagged them. If you sort by ascending, you will see Unmarked, Rejected, and Favorite images in that order. Switching to Descending reverses the order, showing Rejected images first, then Favorites, and finally Unmarked.

• File Name. This option sorts your images by file name. Files starting with a number will appear first, followed by letters from A to Z. When set to Descending order, images will be sorted from Z to A and then numerically from highest to lowest.

• File Type. This option categorizes and sorts images by file type, such as JPEG, TIFF, and raw. These groups are sorted alphabetically by the file identifier. For example, Sony raw images would appear first, as they are ARW files. Canon raw files would appear second, as they are CR2 files, followed by JPG, Nikon NEF files, Fujifilm RAF files, and TIFFs.

• File Size. You can sort your photos by the size of the files. This is useful if you have multiple versions of the same photos, perhaps low-quality thumbnails and the original JPEGs. Sorting by size lets you easily group photos and quickly delete them from your Catalog in the case of low-resolution thumbnails.

• Ascending. This option works with the other filter criteria, sorting filter results from smallest to largest, A to Z, lowest number to highest number, oldest to newest, and so on.

• Descending. This option works with the other filter criteria and reverses the sorting order, displaying results from largest to smallest, Z to A, newest to oldest, etc.

Over time, your photo catalog will grow. One of the key benefits of a Luminar Neo catalog is finding just the images you want to work with, view, or share. Flags make it easy to find your favorites.

Understanding Flags

Flags are an easy way to rate and sort images. There are three types of Flags that you can apply to an image.

Make every part of your photo crisp by stacking up to 100 photos with different depths of field. Focus Stacking will align, crop, and balance them automatically. The AI algorithm chooses the parts with the best focus across all photos and corrects lens and chromatic aberration in raw files. The result is an image in which every detail pops — in macro shots, still life compositions, or multi-layered landscapes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on using Focus Stacking in Luminar Neo:

1. Capture multiple images: First, take a series of photos with varying focus points, covering the entire depth of your scene. Use a tripod to ensure consistency and alignment between shots.

2. Import your images: Open Luminar Neo and import the images you want to stack. You can do this by clicking the “Add” or “+” button and selecting the images from your computer.

Once you’ve developed one image, it’s easy to reuse those adjustments on other photos. This process is called syncing and works by selecting the images you want to unify. Syncing is a global command that takes all the adjustments from one photo and applies them to one or more selected images.

To sync an image:

1. Open an image in Luminar Neo and edit it.

Saving a Custom Preset

As you adjust a Preset or build your recipes from scratch, you may find a particular combination. A Preset can store a lot of control in an easy, one-click effect.

After editing your image, saving your new style as a Luminar Neo Preset is easy.

1. Adjust an existing Preset or add your own tools to an image.

Editing is at the heart of Luminar Neo, offering advanced tools and AI-driven features to help you bring your creative vision to life. Whether you're making quick adjustments or diving into detailed, professional edits, Luminar Neo provides intuitive controls for enhancing color, lighting, composition, and more. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential editing tools, techniques, and tips to help you achieve stunning results with ease.

Some photographers choose to shoot raw and JPG files simultaneously in order to have the JPG files as a reference for in-camera processing or as a backup. Luminar Neo makes it easy to organize files that are captured in raw and JPG pairs.

When you import raw and JPEG pairs, you can decide which files you see to keep your Catalog uncluttered.

1. Click the View menu, choose View > Raw + JPEG Pairs and select the desired option.

2. Choose one of these based on need.

Follow these steps to edit an image using Luminar Neo.

1. Select an image from the Catalog or choose to edit a single image from Single Image Edits

2. Click Edit on the top toolbar to reveal Luminar Neo’s tools

3. A good starting point is the DevelopRAW or EnhanceAI tool. Select one of these tools and edit your image. Select other tools to complete your edit.

Layers provide maximum flexibility in the creative image editing process to separate different elements of an image. A layer can be compared to transparency in which images are applied and placed over or under an image. Luminar Neo offers the ability to use numerous raw files as image layers and can apply any tool to any layer. Tools can be added in any order, multiple times, and with unique masks. Layers are non-destructive, allowing previous steps to be modified to correct mistakes and can be saved with a preset for later use. Layers can be an integral part of your creative process.

Discover more efficient workflow tips:

Once created, layers can be reorganized in any order. The exception is the bottom first layer. This is the base layer, and it can not be moved.

Click and drag the Layer

To change a layer’s order, click and drag the layer to a new position. This is useful to see how a layer interacts with other layers.

Once you’ve added a new layer, it’s easy to transform it into a new size.

Automatically transform a Layer.

• Horizontal Flip. Choose between automatically aligning the horizon (Auto Horizon Alignment) and straightening the verticals (Auto Verticals Straighten).

Luminar Neo has tools that will help you improve your image quality. In the Edit view, on the right-side tools panel, you'll find the Image Quality section, which consists of two tools: Noiseless AI and Supersharp AI.

If Luminar Neo isn’t showing up under the My Software tab in your Skylum account, it’s usually due to one of the following reasons:

• Your Skylum account hasn’t been verified yet

• You made the purchase using a different email address

• There might be a typo in the email used at checkout

Unverified Skylum Account

To manage your Luminar Neo license in your account, you first need to verify your email address. Here's how:

• to your Skylum account, and go to the tab.

• Click on the Resend confirmation email option:

• Check your Inbox & Spam for an email titled 'Verify your email to access new possibilities!'

• Open the email and click on the Verify your email button:

• Once verified, you’ll be redirected to your account where you can manage your licenses:

Purchased with a Different Email Address

If you used an alternative email when purchasing Luminar Neo, the app might not appear in your account. But no worries, you can link the second email to your existing Skylum account:

• to your Skylum account, and go to the tab.

• Click "App isn't showing?" in the same My software section:

• Enter your alternative email address in the field & click "Link my licenses":

• A verification email will be sent to your alternative address:

• Check your inbox & Spam for an email titled 'Take a moment to verify your additional email!'

• Once you find the letter, click on the Verify your additional email button:

• After the email is verified, you'll be forwarded to your account, where your purchases under that email will appear in your Skylum account.

Missing Upgrade Tools?

If you’ve purchased the Upgrade Pass 2024/25 for your lifetime license, but don’t see the new tools in the app, it’s possible that the pass was bought under a different email address.

We recommend linking any alternative emails to your Skylum account to ensure your upgrades are correctly displayed. 👉 Follow the steps described to link additional emails.

Still Don’t See Your App?

If none of the steps above help, it’s possible there was a typo in the email address you used during checkout.

No worries, our Support Team is here to help!

Reach out to us at , and we’ll locate your order and make sure it’s added to your account.

Luminar Neo attempts to accurately track both the edits applied to an image and its location on your hard drive or network. However, it is possible for an image to go missing. This typically happens for one of the following reasons:

• Luminar Neo was closed when you moved an image to another folder

• Luminar Neo was closed when you renamed an image or folder

• You moved an image at the Finder/Explorer level to a different location that isn’t in your Luminar Neo library.

• You unplugged or removed a hard drive or memory card that was in use.

The application may not know where the source file is stored if this happens. In this case, the photos will be added to a particular album called Lost Edits.

This shortcut only appears when images are lost. You will not see it unless there are missing pictures. Luminar still has a thumbnail image and a set of instructions that can be reconnected.

How to reconnect images in the Lost Edits folder

If the Lost Edits album appears, you should repair the connection promptly.

1. Locate the Lost Edits shortcut in the Catalog panel.

2. Click on the Lost Edits shortcut to see the missing images.

3. Right-click on the desired image and choose Locate Image.

4. A new navigation window opens.

The images will reconnect and once again be accessible in your Catalog:

• If the chosen folder is already in your Catalog, all edits are transferred to the selected image(s). The images are automatically removed from the Lost Edits shortcut. If multiple images are in the same folder, their Lost Edits will also be resolved.

• If the selected folder is not in your Catalog – the new folder is added to your Luminar Catalog, and all edits are transferred to the image(s). The images are automatically removed from the Lost Edits shortcut. If multiple images are in the same folder, their Lost Edits will also be resolved.

Matching Criteria

In order for the selected photos to reconnect, Luminar checks 3 parameters for the selected images.

• Source file name

• Image dimensions in pixels

• Original creation date

If all three properties match, the image will reconnect automatically. However, it is still possible to reconnect if the file name is changed as long as the image dimensions and creation date still match. If these properties do not match, you will receive an alert that Image (image_name) is not found in the selected folder and the folder cannot be added.

Once a photo is matched, the following occurs:

• If all photos from the Lost Edits shortcut are located, the shortcut disappears from the shortcuts list.

• All attributes are transferred and are available for the selected photos.

• If there were multiple images from the same folder in Lost Edits > all these images will be located and added to the Library.

• For Raw+JPEG files, these will also be reconnected

Reconnecting Lost Folder

As you work with folders and hard drives, it’s possible that images may move from time to time. For example, if an external hard drive is unmounted or disconnected, the folders linked to that hard drive will be grayed out. When you open those folders, you’ll still see image thumbnails and be able to set flags for the images. However, you won’t be able to edit or move those images while the drive is offline.

To bring these folders back online, simply reconnect or remount the external hard drive, and Luminar Neo will re-establish its link with the folders. Once reconnected, folders will no longer be grayed out, and you can edit and organize the images within them as usual.

In case you moved/renamed the folders while Luminar Neo was inactive, please follow the steps below in order to reconnect the Luminar Neo catalog with the folder(s):

1. Go to the Catalog tab (in the top-bar menu);

2. Right-click the folder with an exclamation mark next to it;

3. Choose Locate Folder from the drop-down menu:

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4. In the window that opens, find and select the necessary folder.

What is GenExpand

GenExpand is a groundbreaking tool that empowers users to break free from traditional aspect ratios and add a new dimension to their original compositions. You can effortlessly extend the boundaries of your photos, whether you're creating panoramic landscapes or giving your favorite images more space.

As you expand the image border, GenExpand intelligently analyzes the image and anticipates how the additional space will be populated. For enhanced precision and creative authority, craft a specific prompt outlining your desired content for the new area, and GenExpand will incorporate this guidance into the expansion process. GenExpand does require internet access.

Guidelines for optimal results

To maintain quality: The canvas can be expanded by an additional 25% beyond the original image dimensions.

The prompt: Can assist you in realizing your vision or addressing undesired outcomes.

Effectiveness: It's much more effective to focus on one side rather than expanding two or more at a time.

Smaller expansion is better: It's better to generate about 10% of the pictures instead of going with 25%. this helps keep AI from having to imagine too much.

Reapply: You can expand one photo multiple times

Quality: For optimal results in the generated portion using a higher resolution photo, focus on generating more side-by-side content rather than expanding all four sides of the image.

GenExpand options

Prompt Input: Once an expansion is made, the prompt text box labeled "What do you envision here?" will appear. Enter your detailed prompt in the designated text field, using nouns or adjectives plus nouns. Specify precisely what you want to see, such as "blue sky" or "sandy beach," and refrain from using verbs like "change," "erase," "remove," "add," or "create." If no prompt is added, GenExpand will intelligently analyze the image and anticipates how the additional space will be populated.

Undo/Redo Functionality: allows you to reverse or repeat the previous action.

Zoom Feature: Adjust your view using the zoom slider or the left and right bracket keys to magnify or shrink the view of the image.

Expand button: Simply click the expand button to utilize GenExpand and add to the selected area in your image. This innovative tool goes beyond essential expanding the image, it harnessing content-aware AI techniques for a refined result. You can continue to choose the expand button to cycle through different outcomes, fine-tuning your edits until you achieve the desired result.

Cancel Button: If you opt not to implement the alterations, simply click the cancel button.

Save Button: When content with the GenExpand outcomes, click the save button to confirm the changes. This will generate a new image saved in TIF format, renamed with the GenExpand extension, and added to the Genitive Creations folder.

Check the video for more information:

In order to save time when developing your image, you’ll find an extensive collection of Presets. Professional photographers and image retouchers help create these Presets to save you time and offer inspiration.

To apply a Preset

1. Make sure an image is open in Luminar Neo.

2. Click Presets at the top of the window to switch to the Presets Browser. This opens the Presets panel.

3. Choose a Preset collection

   • Use suggested templates in the For This Photo section

   • Browse other collections organized by categories.

4. Examine the Presets available by exploring their icons.

5. When ready, click on a Preset name to apply it. To apply a different Preset to your photo, click on its name.

Additional Controls

1. Click the Heart icon next to a Preset to add it to your Favorites list for easy access.

2. In order to quickly return to the original state of a photograph, just use the Reset Adjustments command or Ctlr/Command + Z. You can find this in the ellipsis menu (…) to the right of the selected template name at the bottom right corner of the screen. The Reset Adjustments command resets all tool adjustments including Presets, but won’t affect tools such as CropAI

Preset Panel

Clicking the Presets tab on the top toolbar opens the Preset Panel.

• For This Photo. Uses content-aware technology to suggest what Presets may work best for your photo.

• Membership. Find there all the installed Presets from Membership. [only for owners]

• Favorites Collection. This collection contains Presets you have favorited by selecting the heart icon next to the preset’s name.

• Purchase Presets Collection.This collection contains Presets you have purchased.

Sorting for Presets and Collections

In Luminar Neo, you can sort your presets collections to quickly find the look you need. You can organize them by the following attributes:

• Recently Added: Display the most recently added collections at the top.

• Collection Name: Arrange collections alphabetically.

• Ascending: Sort collections from A to Z.

• Descending: Sort collections from Z to A.

Rearranging Presets within a Collection

You can easily rearrange the order of presets within a collection for My Presets and Favorites categories. Simply drag and move a preset to the desired position, whether it’s at the top, bottom, or anywhere in between. This helps you prioritize your favorite presets for quicker access.

Removing Preset Collections

If you no longer need a preset collection, you can easily remove it. Right-click on the collection you want to delete and select Delete Collection. This helps keep your workspace organized and clutter-free.

Get editing suggestions with For This Photo

The Presets panel uses content-aware technology to suggest what Presets may work best for your photo. Luminar Neo scans each image and compares its contents and their needs to a built-in collection of editing Presets. This allows Luminar Neo to suggest new styles as well as useful fixes.

To get editing suggestions

Taking advantage of the For This Photo tool is easy. Luminar Neo uses content-aware technology to determine what Presets may work best for each photo.

1. Open an image or select an existing photo in your catalog.

2. Click the Presets button at the top of the window.

3. Locate the For This Photo section near the panel’s top (scroll if needed).

4. Let Luminar Neo analyze your image. When complete, suggestions will appear. You can see suggested Presets at the top of the Presets panel in the For This Photo

What is GenErase

GenErase is an advanced Erase tool representing the next generation of image editing. It not only removes undesirable visual distractions from your images but also applies content-aware AI techniques to replace these elements intelligently. This process results in a composition that is both focused and devoid of distractions. GenErase's unique capability is to uphold the integrity of your photos by automatically filling in the erased areas with textures and elements that seamlessly match the surrounding context, all thanks to the power of AI. GenErase excels at effortlessly eliminating objects like litter, street signs, utility poles, vehicles, graffiti, crowds, and more, preserving the inherent beauty of your composition.

Preview Icon: To observe the outcomes before and after, click the preview icon, represented by an eye symbol.:

Zoom Feature: Adjust your view using the zoom slider or the left and right bracket keys to magnify or shrink the view of the image.

Select: When you need to replace an object, activate the "select" option, fine-tune the brush size, and paint over the region you wish to substitute. It's advisable to be generous with your selection, providing the tool with more intricate details to enhance accuracy.

Deselect: Once an object is selected, enable the "deselect" option, refine the brush size, and paint over the area you want to exclude from the selection.

Reset Selection: Following the application of GenErase, the object remains selected. If the desired outcome isn't achieved, you can reapply the erase tool by selecting it again. If you wish to erase a different object, reset the current selection and create a new one.

Erase button: To utilize GenErase and eliminate the selected object while also intelligently replacing unwanted visual distractions in your images, simply click the erase button. This innovative tool goes beyond essential removal, harnessing content-aware AI techniques for a refined result. You can continue to select the erase button to cycle through different outcomes, fine-tuning your edits until you achieve the desired result.

Cancel Button: If you opt not to implement the alterations, simply click the cancel button.

Save Button: When content with the GenErase outcomes, click the save button to confirm the changes. This will generate a new image saved in TIF format, renamed with the GENERASE extension, and added to the Genitive Creations folder.

Applying GenErase

Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide for replacing undesired objects in an image with GenErase.

1. Begin in the Catalog view and choose an image with objects you want to replace.

2. Adjust the brush size and select the unwanted object generously. Precision is not required. You can deselect a selection by clicking the Deselect button.

3. Click the Erase Button to initiate the object replacement. You can repeatedly select the erase button to explore different outcomes, fine-tuning your edits until you achieve the desired result.

4. To switch to a different object, select the Reset Button and pick the desired object. For optimal results, handle individual objects separately.

5. Confirm your changes by clicking the save button.

6. The new image will be saved in the Genitive Creations folder.

Check the video for more information:

What is GenSwap

GenSwap is advanced Generative AI technology that empowers photographers to alter image compositions by substituting or exchanging objects and effortlessly incorporating new AI-generated details based on user input.

GenSwap enables users to enhance their images by introducing elements like trees, animals, and more, turning ordinary photos into captivating visuals. For instance, you can replace an unappealing tree with a more attractive one, introduce a bird into the sky, or place a stone in the desert to enrich and improve your photograph.

Prompt Input: Once a selection is made, the prompt text box labeled "What do you envision here?" will appear. Enter your detailed prompt in the designated text field, using nouns or adjectives plus nouns. Specify precisely what you want to see, such as "blue sea" or "big tiger," and refrain from using verbs like "change," "erase," "remove," "add," or "create."

Undo/Redo Functionality: allows you to reverse or repeat the previous action.

Preview Icon: To observe the outcomes before and after, click the preview icon, represented by an eye symbol.

Zoom Feature: Adjust your view using the zoom slider or the left and right bracket keys to magnify or shrink the view of the image.

Select: When swapping an object, activate the "select" option, fine-tune the brush size, and paint over the region you wish to substitute. It's advisable to be generous with your selection, providing the tool with more intricate details to enhance accuracy.

Deselect: Once an object is selected, enable the "deselect" option, refine the brush size, and paint over the area you want to exclude from the selection.

Reset Selection: Following the application of GenSwap, the object remains selected. If the desired outcome isn't achieved, you can reapply the swap tool by selecting it again. If you wish to replace a different object, reset the current selection and create a new one.

Swap button: Simply click the swap button to utilize GenSwap and replace the selected object in your image. This innovative tool goes beyond essential swapping, harnessing content-aware AI techniques for a refined result. You can continue to choose the swap button to cycle through different outcomes, fine-tuning your edits until you achieve the desired result.

Cancel Button: If you opt not to implement the alterations, simply click the cancel button.

Save Button: When content with the GenSwap outcomes, click the save button to confirm the changes. This will generate a new image saved in TIF format, renamed with the GENSWAP extension, and added to the Genitive Creations folder.

Applying GenSwap

Below is a step-by-step guide for swapping objects in an image with GenSwap.

1. Begin in the Catalog view and choose an image with objects you want to swap.

2. Adjust the brush size and select the object generously. Precision is not required. You can deselect a selection by clicking the Deselect button.

3. Write a descriptive prompt in the prompt text box using nouns or adjectives plus nouns. Specify precisely what you want to see, such as "blue sea" or "big tiger," and refrain from using verbs like "change," "erase," "remove," "add," or "create."

4. Click the Swap Button to initiate the object replacement. You can repeatedly select the swap button to explore different outcomes, fine-tuning your edits until you achieve the desired result.

5. Click the preview icon to view the before and after results.

6. Confirm your changes by clicking the save button.

7. The modified image will be renamed, with "GenSwap" included in the filename, and then saved in the Genitive Creations folder.

Check the video for more information:

Layer properties can be found on the Tools panel, which consists of two tabs: Properties and Masking.

Properties

• Opacity. The Opacity slider enables you to lower or fade the amount or strength of the Layer as a whole. Lowering the opacity of a layer can help refine the blending of the image on the layers and any tools applied without altering the settings of individual tools separately.

• Blend Modes. A blend mode compares the content of two layers and enacts changes based on the content of both layers.

• Horizontal Flip. A transformation feature allows you to mirror a layer horizontally (from left to right).

• Vertical Flip. Enables you to create a mirror layer vertically. It flips the content from top to bottom.

• Image Mapping. Automated linking of different sections of an image

Masking

• Brush Mask. Using a Brush Mask is one of the easiest ways to mask an image. You can use brush strokes to add to or subtract from the mask.

• Linear Gradient Mask. The Linear Gradient Mask is useful for creating a gradual blend.

• Radial Gradient Mask. A Radial Gradient Mask offers a quick and easy way to mask an elliptical area of your photo.

• Mask AI. MaskAI detects up to nine separate elements in a photo: people, skies, buildings, vehicles, water, plants, mountains, and both natural and artificial ground for the perfect mask.

Mask actions

• Fill. This option covers your entire image with a mask. After using Fill, you can select Paint and use the Erase mode to subtract from the mask.

• Clear. This option removes your mask entirely. After clicking Clear, you can use the Paint Mask, Gradient Mask, or Radial Mask tools to add details to the image.

• Invert. This option inverts any mask you’ve created to reverse its opacity and transparency values.

Follow these steps to add, remove, or hide a layer.

Adding a Layer

To add a new layer in Luminar Neo, click the + icon in the Layers panel. This will open the Add New Layer panel with these options to add to the layer:

• My Images

• Flares

• Light Leaks

• Stardust Bokeh

• Sparklers

Removing a Layer

To remove a layer, press the keyboard shortcut Delete key or right-click on the layer and select Remove Layer. Another option is to hide the current by selecting Hide Layer instead of removing it. This is useful when you want to create different versions of an edit.

SupersharpAI refines the blur on an object’s outlines caused by movement, missed focus, or a shaky camera and logically stabilizes the photo. The neural network, at its core, analyses depth, perspective, and the environment of the photo and works out with a compression algorithm. The result is a crisp and naturally sharp photo, just as it was meant to be.

Universal correction: a general sharpening technique applied to an entire image to improve its clarity and sharpness. It aims to restore lost detail and remove any softness in the image caused by camera shake or other factors.

Motion Blur correction: a specialized technique used to sharpen blurred images by camera movement during exposure. It uses advanced algorithms to analyze the blur’s direction and intensity and then applies a correction to restore the image’s original sharpness. This technique can be particularly useful for photos taken while moving, such as while walking or driving, or for photos of fast-moving subjects, like athletes or wildlife.

Low, Middle, and High: determines the sharpening strength applied to the image.

Face EnhancerAI: enhance faces and make them appear clearer and sharper in blurry photos.

The Landscape Tools are specifically designed to enhance and optimize landscape photography. These tools offer specialized adjustments tailored to the unique requirements of landscape images, allowing users to achieve stunning results.

The Black & White tool converts a color photo to black and white. It also contains several controls to manipulate the monochrome look.

• Convert to B&W. Click this button to convert between color and black & white.

• Luminance. When the Luminance button is selected, the Red, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, and Magenta color sliders control the brightness of each respective color as it’s converted to black and white.

• Saturation. When the Saturation button is selected, each color slider introduces the respective color into the black and white image where it was present in the original color image.

The Merge Layers feature allows you to combine multiple layers into a new merged layer.

How to Merge Layers

• Select the layers you want to merge.

• Hold Shift on your keyboard.

AtmosphereAI uses content-aware and depth masking to place a fog, mist, or haze in an image’s background and/or foreground. This smart tool prevents the subject of your photograph (such as a person or tree) from being covered by the atmospheric effect and positions the effect in a way that maintains a realistic look.

• Mode. This drop-down lets you choose between four atmospheric effects: Fog, Layered Fog, Mist, and Haze. Fog and Mist can fill most of the frame (depending on the Depth slider), whereas Layered Fog and Haze are mainly applied in the lower third.

• Amount. This slider sets the intensity of the atmospheric effect and is set to 0 by default. Increase the value to apply AtmosphereAI adjustments to your image.

*If the tool is not available, you may need to use the Upgrade option

Automatically remove the background behind one or multiple subjects in your photo. The neural network in Background RemovalAI can detect the main subject and up to nine types of other elements in your photo, and you can select which ones to keep. Plus, use a refinement brush to fix any imperfections. Here’s a step-by-step guide on using Background RemovalAI in Luminar Neo:

1. Select an image: click the Edit tab

2. Layer Properties: select the Masking tab and choose Background RemovalAI

The Color tool is a valuable way to control the intensity of colors in a photo. It’s often used in conjunction with the Develop tool.

Standard Settings

• Saturation. This slider adjusts the intensity of all colors in your photo.

The EnhanceAI tool contains two helpful adjustments that harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to enhance your photos. This tool automatically analyzes your image and instantly corrects it while still offering control over the final amount of correction.

• AccentAI. Under the hood, AccentAI uses more than a dozen controls. This tool tends to yield naturally beautiful results with one simple slider. The AccentAI tool can substitute for many traditional controls, including shadows, highlights, contrast, tone, saturation, exposure, and details.

• Sky EnhancerAI. Luminar Neo detects and analyzes the sky in an image to improve the sky’s texture, tone, and colors. The Sky EnhancerAI tool can recognize the sky in most photos as well as distinguish between water and other elements. It also detects objects in the foreground (and their edges) for perfect masking. Sky EnhancerAI performs the necessary improvements to recover details and improve the texture of the sky and clouds, selectively adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, and vividness. It is designed to work with most photographs of the skies and works from the blue hour in the morning to the blue hour in the evening. However, it is not designed to work with night skies.

The Essential Tools are some of the most frequently used tools in Luminar Neo. These tools perform core adjustments that are useful for most images.

1. Select an image in your Catalog or open a single image.

2. Click the Edit Tab.

3. Choose the desired tool from the Essentials Tools section in the list.

The sliders in the Landscape tool are explicitly designed to enhance landscape photographs. However, they can also help with real estate, travel, and nature photographs.

Standard Settings

• Dehaze. This slider applies the perfect blend of contrast, clarity, and color adjustments to eliminate the effects of fog and haze often found in cityscapes, landscapes, and aerial photos. It’s especially helpful when editing photos shot through glass or with a lot of mist or fog in the scene.

The Structure AI tool allows you to adjust the detail and clarity of an image. You can use this tool to reveal a great deal of detail or get a smoother image with less detail. StructureAI is the primary tool for increasing the contrast of an image and visualizing more details. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence, StructureAI is content-aware and can adjust areas variably based on the subject. It is also human-aware, so it doesn’t overprocess people in your images. As a result, faces and skin look natural while the objects around them look detailed.

• Amount. This slider selects the strength of the StructureAI effect. Moving it to the right increases the amount of visible detail in the image. Moving it to the left removes detail and flattens the image. This tool is soft and produces natural results.

• Boost. This slider adjusts the overall display of details. Moving it to the right accentuates details. Compared to Amount, Boost emphasizes small details and is more aggressive. It offers an HDR-like look.

The Details tool helps you create dramatic photos and brings crystal-clear sharpness to your images. With the proper detail enhancement, you can make your photos look sharp, with no halos or artifacts.

Standard Settings

• Small Details. This slider sets the sharpness of fine details. At 0, the tool is not applied. Moving the slider to the right increases the clarity of small details, while moving it to the left washes out fine details.

The Dramatic tool allows for creativity. It lowers the saturation and the contrast, helping you achieve a gritty cinematic look in your photos. Its effect is similar to that achieved by the bleach bypass darkroom technique. The Dramatic tool is often used in stylized fashion shoots, urban images, and grungy athletic portraits.

Standard Settings

• Amount. The Amount slider controls the overall intensity of the adjustment.

In the captivating world of photography, few techniques are as cherished and revered as the art of creating panorama and High Dynamic Range (HDR) images. These awe-inspiring panoramas have an innate ability to transport viewers into the very heart of a scene, offering a breathtaking perspective that extends beyond the confines of a single frame. To fuel the creative passion of photographers even further, the groundbreaking release of Luminar Neo's newest Panorama Stitching, has emerged as a game-changer—giving photographers the remarkable ability to seamlessly merge the realms of panorama and HDR photography from not only still images but even video footage! Imagine the possibilities when two remarkable techniques intertwine to produce unparalleled visual masterpieces! Let me show you how it’s done.

Crafting panoramas from videos

Combining HDR with panoramas was already impressive, but now, behold the exceptional prowess of the Panorama Stitching tool that sets it apart from the rest. Crafting panoramas from videos is awe-inspiring, but the true marvel lies in the seamless merging of selected video segments, unlocking a whole new realm of creativity. This extraordinary feature deserves its own dedicated tutorial, but fear not—I won't keep you waiting. Prepare to be amazed by watching this video and witnessing the boundless possibilities that await!

How amazing was that! Creating perfect panoramas from videos can be a rewarding and visually stunning endeavor. To accomplish this, consider the following expanded suggestions:

1. Capture a Wider Perspective: When shooting the video intended for a panorama, ensure you use a wider field of view to encompass the entire scene. This means using a camera or smartphone with abroader lens or adjusting the camera settings to capture a wider angle. A wider perspective will provide more image data for stitching the panorama together later, resulting in a seamless and comprehensive view of the landscape.

2. Steady and Stationary Focus: To maintain the consistency and sharpness of the panorama, choose a stationary object within the scene and focus on it. It could be a tree, a building, or any fixed element that won't move during the video recording. By keeping your focus locked on this stable reference point, the subsequent frames of the video will align more effectively, reducing potential distortions during the stitching process.

3. Smooth and Controlled Panning: When recording the video, employ a smooth and controlled panning motion. Avoid sudden movements or jerks, as they can lead to misalignment when stitching the frames together. Use a tripod or stabilizing equipment to ensure steady footage, greatly improving the final panorama's quality.

4. Pay Attention to Overlapping Elements: While recording, be mindful of the composition and avoid overlapping important elements within the scene. Overlapping objects can make it challenging for panorama software to distinguish between them, resulting in a distorted or messy final image. Take your time to compose the shots carefully, ensuring each element has a distinct space in the frame.

5. Consistent Lighting and Exposure: To achieve a harmonious panorama, maintain consistent lighting and exposure settings throughout the video. Drastic changes in lighting conditions or exposure settings between frames can create visible seams and inconsistencies in the final result. If shooting in manual mode, lock the exposure and white balance settings to maintain uniformity.

By following these suggestions, you'll be well on your way to creating captivating panoramas from your videos, offering immersive and breathtaking views of the landscapes you capture.

Range of projection modes

Spherical

Spherical panoramas are best suited for capturing and presenting scenes with significant detail in all directions, offering viewers an immersive and all-encompassing experience. Particularly valuable in Landscape and Architecture Photography, these panoramas provide a comprehensive perspective of vast landscapes, capturing the entire scene from horizon to sky to foreground. The seamless stitching of overlapping images creates a distortion-free, lifelike representation with added depth and interest from foreground elements, allowing interactive exploration and connecting viewers with breathtaking landscapes' grandeur, beauty, and atmosphere.

Cylinder

Cylinder panoramas are best suited for capturing scenes with a horizontal emphasis or expansive width. They excel in showcasing cityscapes, urban landscapes, and wide scenic environments, providing a broad view of these settings. Cylinder panoramas are also ideal for presenting architectural structures with wide facades and interiors featuring significant horizontal features, offering an immersive and continuous view of these spaces.

Mercator

The Mercator projection applies adjustments as if the image is projected onto the exterior surface of a sphere. This approach is particularly suitable for panoramas captured while moving around a subject rather than rotating the camera. It can be likened to imagining a panorama of the Earth and then flattening it to create a Mercator map.

Plane

Plane in panoramas refers to a method of displaying the curved panoramic image on a flat surface, like a computer screen. It determines how the wide-angle view is mapped onto a 2D plane for viewing without distortion.

Fisheye

Fisheye panoramas encompass an extremely wide field of view, often exceeding 180 degrees. They produce a distinct visual effect known as barrel distortion, curving straight lines near the edges inward toward the center, resulting in an immersive and artistic representation of the scene. Fisheye panoramas are particularly popular in creative and experimental photography, adding a surreal and captivating quality to the panoramic images.

The CropAI tool automatically adjusts the photo’s composition, crop, and perspective. If needed, you can manually fine-tune any aspect of the resulting composition. The crop tool is non-destructive and can be applied, edited, or reset anytime without affecting the image. The crop tool settings are not saved with presets.

Automatically Cropping with CropAI

Use these controls to crop an image or fix perspective problems automatically.

• Composition AI. Automatically crop your photo based on an analysis of its contents.

• Perspective.

  • Horizon Alignment. Automatically levels the image horizontally. Suitable for images that aren’t level with the horizon but have a natural horizon or straight horizontal lines.

  • Optics Auto Corrections. This option is located under the tool. Its sliders are designed to remove flaws in the image caused by the lens or camera handling.

Manually Cropping with CropAI

Depending on the intended use of the final image (print, web, social media), you may require a very specific aspect ratio for your final image. Straight out of a camera, your photos won’t be in that aspect ratio. To solve this problem, use manual tools to take complete, precise control over how an image is cropped.

Use these controls to crop an image or fix perspective problems manually:

1. Drag any corners or resize handles to modify the cropping rectangle.

2. To move the image inside the crop, just click inside the image crop area and drag to re-position the image behind the cropping rectangle.

3. To rotate an image, click and drag just outside a corner to rotate. A grid overlay appears to help you with accurate cropping.

4. When happy with the cropping, switch to another tool to apply the crop.

There is also an additional helpful functionality for cropping:

• Rotate & Flip. Uses one-click tools to adjust the crop of the image quickly.

  • Rotate Left (CCW). Rotates the image 90˚ counter-clockwise.

  • Flip Horizontal. Reverse the left and right sides of the image, creating a mirror image.

  • Flip Vertical

Ratio

You can choose Aspect Ratio from the Ratio drop-down menu. The image is displayed with a grid that represents the ratio chosen in the Aspect drop-down menu. Here's the list of commonly used ratios:

• Free. Create a custom shape by dragging it to taste.

• Original. Preserves the original shape of the photo but allows you to crop more tightly to remove details from the edges

• Transposed. The original dimensions are reversed for the crop.

• 1: 1 (Square). A square-shaped image is created.

*If the tool is not available, you may need to use the Upgrade option

This tool allows you to manipulate multiple light sources in your photo. It works best with artificial light sources, such as light bulbs, street lights, decoration lights (like on Christmas trees), and so on. You can control these light sources to add a little magic touch to your pictures — shining, glowing light beams. The neural network in the core of the Magic LightAI tool analyzes the photo and looks for any points emitting light and gives you the power to make this light more intense, add beams, and glow. You could also use masking tools to work with specific lights.

• Intensity — how intensive the whole effect is

• Size — length of the beam

• Beam width – width of the beam

• Glow — applied to glow behind the beams

• Clearness — how clear the edges of the beams are

• Number of beams — number of beams

Holiday and festive photos — small decorative lights (like the ones on Christmas trees) are perfect for this tool. When applied correctly, it adds magical glowing, making the whole picture more enchanting.

Street photography (after hours) — you can create visual accents with street lamps in the night city.

Indoor photos — works with light bulbs (Edison type is the best).

Cars, bikes, and other transport — you can add rays to the car’s headlights, making the photo more dramatic.

Tutorial for Magic Light AI in case there is no natural light source in the photo

If you find yourself in a situation without a direct light source but still want to utilize Magic Light, there's a helpful workaround you can follow. Let's go through it step by step, taking the example of adding a light source to road lamps.

This method should help you achieve the desired lighting effect even when there isn't a direct light source available.

NoiselessAI in Luminar Neo is a sophisticated, AI-powered noise reduction tool designed to eliminate luminance and chroma noise from your images, resulting in cleaner and visually appealing photos. This advanced tool works with various image formats, including raw and non-raw files, and offers optimal results when applied to raw photos.

Leveraging intelligent algorithms, Noiseless AI analyzes the image’s noise level and suggests one of three noise reduction presets – low, middle, or high – for a quick and effective noise reduction solution throughout the image. Additionally, it provides manual control through sliders for Luminosity Denoise, Color Denoise, Details, and Sharpness, allowing you to fine-tune the balance between noise reduction, detail preservation, and image sharpness.

NoiselessAI in Luminar Neo empowers photographers to confidently use higher ISO settings without compromising image quality and to achieve superior results while maintaining full creative control over their images.

Luminar Neo’s NoiselessAI tool, the Luminosity Denoise, Color Denoise, Details, and Sharpness sliders work together to help you achieve noise-free images while retaining detail and sharpness:

1. Luminosity Denoise: This slider targets luminance noise, which manifests as random variations in brightness or grayscale values, creating a grainy appearance in your image. Adjusting the Luminosity Denoise slider reduces this noise, resulting in a smoother image while preserving important details and textures. Finding the right balance is crucial to avoid over-smoothing and losing detail.

2. Color Denoise: This slider removes chroma noise, which appears as random color speckles or blotches in your image. By adjusting the Color Denoise slider, you can eliminate these color artifacts effectively, producing a cleaner and more visually appealing photo. Be careful to maintain a balance that preserves natural colors without introducing color casts.

3. Details: The Details slider enables fine-tuning the balance between noise reduction and detail preservation. Increasing the Details value helps retain finer details and textures in your image while reducing noise. Be cautious not to push it too far, as overemphasizing details can reintroduce noise or create artifacts.

4. Sharpness: The Sharpness slider enhances overall image sharpness by accentuating edges and details in the photo. Adjusting this slider counteracts potential sharpness loss from noise reduction, resulting in a more detailed and crisp image. Use this slider judiciously to avoid unnatural-looking edges or halo effects.

Using the NoiselessAI tool in Luminar Neo requires finding the right balance among these sliders to achieve optimal noise reduction while preserving essential details and textures in your images.

The Vignette tool darkens or lightens the edges of your image. This is quite an old technique to emphasize the subject in photos. The effect typically leaves the center of the image unaffected while shading or lightening the edges. Luminar Neo goes further by letting you place the center point of the vignette anywhere in the image.

Standard Settings

• Choose Subject. Click this button to enable a crosshair. You can then click within the photo to center the vignette. This allows you to adjust the focus of the vignette by offsetting it and guiding the viewer’s eyes to your subject.

• Amount. This slider adjusts the darkening around the edges of the photo. Move it to the left to give more shading or to the right to brighten the edges.

• Size. This slider sets the size of the obscured area. Moving it to the left increases the darkened area. Moving it to the right decreases the darkened area.

Advanced Settings

• Mode: Post-crop / pre-crop. Choose pre-crop or post-crop options to apply a vignette automatically before or after cropping on all new edits.

• Roundness. This slider changes the shape of the shaded area.

• Feather. This slider sets the smoothness of the transition between the area of shading and the rest of the image.

• Inner Light. This slider increases the brightness in the image’s central region, which is not affected by shading. It allows you to create a contrast effect.

The Denoise Tool. Upon close inspection, you may notice unwanted and distracting noise or grain in your image. This is typically caused by shooting photos with a high ISO setting on a digital camera, but it can also be caused by underexposure or a long shutter speed. An entry-level consumer camera is more likely to exhibit noise problems than a professional camera. Fortunately, Luminar Neo offers an easy tool to reduce or remove unwanted noise.

Standard Settings

• Luminosity Denoise. This slider removes grayscale noise from an image.

• Color Denoise. This slider removes color noise from an image.

Advanced Settings

• Boost. This slider increases the aggressiveness of the Denoise tool

Add a whole new light source to your photo — the sun! You can control its position, warmth, and the amount of glow for a subtle or even dramatic change in lighting. Combine the Sunrays tool with blending modes for even more control of your lighting.

Standard Settings

• Place Sun Center. Click this button to position the sun. You can also drag the position off of the photo canvas.

• Amount. This slider controls the overall intensity of the sun’s rays.

• Overall Look. This slider changes the overall brightness of the scene.

• Sunrays Length. This slider controls the distance the sun rays travel.

• Penetration. This slider impacts how much the sun passes through an area. It can be helpful when trying to composite the sunrays into a photo naturally.

Sun Settings

• Sun Radius. This slider affects the size of the sun (the origin point of the sun’s rays).

• Sun Glow Radius. This slider changes the size of the glow around the sun.

• Sun Glow Amount. This slider changes the intensity of the sun’s glow.

Rays Settings

• Number of Sunrays. Use this slider to select the number of sun rays.

• Randomize. This slider will generate an entirely new variation based on your current settings.

Warmth

• Sun Warmth. This slider can change the sun from a bright white to a warm glow.

• Sunrays Warmth. Use this slider to adjust the color temperature of the rays.

A key benefit of working with Luminar Neo’s Catalog is organization. Finding your best and favorite photos makes your Catalog more useful. Taking the time to organize in Luminar Neo is essential.

Folders are the primary organizational tool in Luminar Neo. Folders in Luminar Neo are directly connected to folders on your hard drive. In addition to organizing folders on your hard drive within Luminar, you can also organize your images virtually using Albums. Albums let you organize your images into groups without affecting their location on your hard drive. Let’s explore both approaches.

Organizing your images within folders in Neo is a great way to keep your photo collection in order. All changes you make to folders in Luminar Neo directly affect how the folders on your hard drive are organized and vice versa. If you create subfolders or add new images to folders on your hard drive, your Luminar Neo Catalog will automatically be updated to reflect those changes.

The Erase tool helps you remove unwanted objects with a few clicks. As soon as the Erase tool is selected, the cursor becomes a brush. When brushing over areas to erase, a red overlay appears showing the selection.

• Select and Deselect. By default, the Select button is chosen. When brushing over an image with Select chosen, you select areas to erase (indicated with a red overlay). By clicking the Deselect button, you can deselect areas to erase (removing the red overlay).

• Size. This slider increases or decreases the brush size. You can also use the left and right bracket keys ([ and

The Water Enhancer AI Tool leverages artificial intelligence to enhance the natural beauty of water in photographs, allowing for customized adjustments in brightness, contrast, and color to increase clarity, vibrancy, and precision. It provides advanced composition controls, such as drawing, erasing, and restoring water areas, ensuring a seamless integration between the enhancements and the original scene. This tool is aimed at transforming aquatic photography, enabling the capture of water in its most captivating form with exceptional detail and realism.

Main tools and sliders:

• Amount Adjust this slider to control the intensity of the enhancement applied to the water. Increasing it amplifies the effect, making water features more vivid and pronounced, while decreasing it maintains a closer resemblance to the original scene.

• Blue. With this slider, you can adjust the blue tones in the water, enhancing the vibrancy and depth of oceans, seas, and pools. If you slide it toward the higher end, the water appears more profound and refreshing, while if you slide it towards the lower end, the blue tones appear more subtle and warmer.

Color Transfer is a creative tool that enables users to apply the color palette from a reference image to their own photos. By selecting a reference image, users can transfer its colors, such as the hues of the sky, foliage, or buildings, to their target image. The tool provides adjustable sliders for fine-tuning the color application, offering users control over the intensity and blending of the transferred colors. Additionally, an AI-powered Match Similar Objects' Color automatically matches colors between similar elements (e.g., sky to sky, vehicle to vehicle), ensuring precision and consistency. This feature enhances creative flexibility, allowing users to achieve specific color aesthetics or unify the tone across multiple images.

• Reference Selection: This option allows you to choose a reference image and transfer its color palette (such as the colors of the sky, foliage, or buildings) to your target image.

• Amount: Controls the overall strength of the color transfer. Increasing it applies more of the reference image’s colors to your photo; decreasing it makes the effect subtler.

Creative Tools help you express yourself with your photos. Explore options for color and style that can affect the mood of an image.

1. Select an image in your library or open a single image.

2. Scroll to the Creative section in the Edit sidebar

3. Choose the desired tool from the list.

Light Depth adds natural depth and dimensional lighting to your photos — transforming flat, evenly lit images into scenes that feel alive.

It automatically mimics the classic Dodge and Burn technique, letting you sculpt light and shadow with just a few intuitive sliders. The result is effortless, realistic volume that enhances portraits, landscapes, and product shots alike.

The tool understands distance and structure within your image using AI-powered depth mapping. It adds light where it naturally belongs, deepens shadows, lifts highlights, and restores a sense of space and atmosphere — as if you were painting with light, but without the manual work.

You can use it to:

• Give portraits more contour and warmth

• Add distance and dimension to landscapes

• Define shape and direction in product photography

Light Depth helps your images breathe and tell a more vivid story.

Main Controls

As soon as you move the Amount slider above zero, the effect activates and updates in real time. Use the on-screen handles to fine-tune the light’s position, size, and wrap — just like placing a soft spotlight exactly where you want it.