Luminar AI Review: Requirements, Price, Users Reviews, and 6 Things You Should Know!
Luminar AI was launched! And now you can get Luminar AI on its official page: https://skylum.com
Skylum’s AI powered image editor Luminar AI is finally here. Luminar AI has a bunch of AI-based technology on the front end that helps you choose templates (think presets), which is great for beginners, or to inspire some ideas for processing. It’s still an option for those of us who want to get started with image editing, and there are a bunch of new sliders to play around with.
It should be noted, Luminar AI is a different product than Luminar 4. It’s not an upgrade, it’s not a version bump. And that has implications. Here are 6 things I think you need to know about Luminar AI.
6 Things You Need to Know About Luminar AI
1. When installing Luminar AI, keep Luminar 4 installed.
Why do this? So that your Luminar 4 Looks will migrate to Luminar AI. During installation, Luminar 4 Looks are automatically imported into Luminar AI. However, they are hidden in the Templates area. Please look for them in the “Legacy Templates” in the “My Collection” area.
This is a one-time import and is only done when Luminar AI is installed. Looks added to Luminar 4 *after* installing Luminar AI will not be synced. Also, there is no option or facility to move older looks into Luminar AI after installation.
2. Templates Speed up your workflow Templates are very useful for starting your workflow and leverage AI.
Templates in Luminar AI can jumpstart your processing. The more a template utilizes AI tools, the smarter and more versatile it becomes. Most templates will take advantage of AI tools and apply some level of color correction or color grading. Choose a template that will get your photo mostly to the point and finish it off with your own signature look in the editing module.
3. The layers have disappeared.
There is no longer layer support in Luminar AI, either for Adjustment Layers or Image Layers. Local masks provide an alternative for local adjustments and texture blending.
4. Many tools have moved and some have disappeared.
Luminar AI shuffles a lot of editing tools. Compared to Luminar 4, Luminar AI moved many tools. Most of the tools you learned about in Luminar 4 are also available in Luminar AI, just renamed or placed in a different tool group. A few tools have disappeared.
5. Plug-ins (Aurora, NIK tools, Topaz filters ……) are no longer available in Luminar AI.
The official info is “One of the changes in LuminarAI is the switch from layers to a Local Adjustments tool and smart segmentation of our AI-powered tools. This is why there will be no third-party plugin support in LuminarAI. If you need to merge bracketed photos, we suggest using Aurora HDR in its standalone mode.”
6. Luminar AI is not your DAM asset manager.
Luminar AI is not the place for long-term management of large photo collections. Luminar AI has slightly fewer asset management features than Luminar 4. The star and color labels are gone. You have folders and picks — and that’s it. So is the integration with other tools like Nik and Topaz, so Luminar AI is not a hub for managing your photos. I don’t expect to see IPTC metadata management in Luminar. There is no tool to migrate the Luminar 4 catalog to Luminar AI.
Luminar AI Requirements
macOS
Mac Model — MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini, early 2010 or newer
Processor — CPU Intel® Core™ i5 or better
OS version — macOS 10.13.6 or higher.
RAM — Memory 8 GB RAM or more (16+ GB RAM is recommended)
Disk space — Hard disk 10 GB free space; SSD for best performance
Display — 1280x768 size or better
Windows
Hardware — Windows-based hardware PC with mouse or similar input device
Processor — CPU Intel® Core™ i5 or better, AMD Ryzen™ 5 or better
OS version — 10 (only 64-bit OS).
RAM — Memory 8 GB RAM or more (16+ GB RAM is recommended)
Disk space — Hard disk 10 GB free space; SSD for best performance
Display — 1280x768 size or better
Graphics — Open GL 3.3 or later compatible graphics card
Luminar AI Price
New users:
•1 seat for $79
•2 seats for $99
Luminar AI Plus Bundle: Luminar AI 1 seat + Luminar X Membership $138
Luminar AI Max bundle: Luminar AI 1 seat + Aurora HDR + Power of Nature skies pack + Burst of Drama skies pack $202
Paid Luminar & Aurora owners get a $15 Loyalty Discount on Luminar AI.
You can use promo code “MACLIBS” to save extra $10 off, past the promo code and apply when check out you’ll get the discount.
(30 Days Money Back Guarantee! If you’re not happy with the product, get a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.)
User Reviews: What users think about Luminar AI
Positive:
1. I am really liking Luminar AI, as an LRc first and PS next photographer, Luminar AI is designed perfectly for my workflow. I like that they cut out the DAM features and are focusing on the one and the only purpose I use-photo processing. Thank you for the series of videos to help with the transition. LR+PS Smart Objects+ Luminar AI = a fast, powerful, and professional workflow. Plus limitless possibilities.
2. I have been using the software since the 11th and I have had NO problems with it so far. The only negative comment would be that the templates don’t cover enough areas in photography, like real estate or general photos. While I waited for the update to download and install yesterday, which took hours, I needed to edit a photo of a Xmas tree taken at night, so I used Aurora and it did a fantastic job. However, I then used AI on the original file to see how it would perform but I couldn’t replicate the photo, so I went and used the Aurora edited file. I know that this software is new and it will have teething problems and require further updates. I love the perspective tool, it is brilliant and will save me a lot of time editing.
3. All good after that and have a blast using it and playing around. Turning average looking photo’s into amazing shots. Loving it….
Negative
- I’m very disappointed with Luminar Ai. It’s not much different than Luminar 4. Some of the advanced options like in Sun Rays the drop down options don’t drop down and give you anything. Whether as a stand-alone or as a plugin in Photoshop. Yet Luminar 4’s same options work great! Templates aren’t everything, just kinda disappointed in how it works, the GUI is horrible, I still can’t find a way to add layers, as that doesn’t show up either. Ugh …. I really wanted to Love this, by all the hype produced, really underwellmed.
2. Installed fine. No immediate or obvious problems doing random trial editing half a dozen or so raw images. Then I tried to do a “proper” edit — crop, straighten, erase obvious problems then begin to develop and style the image. I failed within a minute.
Bonus: I found a special offer, this offer is only for photographer Jim Nix, you can get a special discount through this special link: https://skylum.evyy.net/omEG9
you can get:
Luminar AI + Aurora HDR for $99!!
get Aurora HDR for $30!
Luminar AI only $69
Stay tuned and make your photos perfect in mins with Luminar AI now.
