How to use Topaz Labs as a plugin to Adobe Lightroom Classic
What can be used as a plugin:
Topaz Studio 2, Adjust AI, DeNoise AI, Mask AI, and Sharpen AI can all be used as a plugin to Lightroom. Please note, Gigapixel AI and JPEG to RAW AI are currently standalone only.
By default, the Topaz Labs software should go into Lightroom when it's installed on your computer. If this does not happen, go to this Help Center article for assistance: Adobe Lightroom: Using Your Topaz Labs Plug-ins
How images are saved, Standalone Vs. Plugin Mode:
Images are saved differently depending on how the applications are being used. The Topaz Labs applications will function a little bit differently when used as a plugin.
In standalone mode, the Save button will ask you how you want to save the image because the software needs to know where to send the image on your computer. When you click on Save, there will be a popup showing different options to choose from.
When the Topaz Labs product is used as a plugin, the image will go back to Lightroom in the file format you pick at the time of invoking the software into Lightroom.
How to Invoke the plugin:
Once you have the software downloaded and installed, you can open up Lightroom >> click on Photos in the menu bar >> click on Edit In >> pick the Topaz Labs software.
Below is a step by step with a series of screenshots using Topaz DeNoise AI as an example.
Step one:
Import the images you want to edit into Lightroom:
Step two:
Click on the image or images you want to edit. Then invoke the DeNoise AI plugin. Go to Photos >> Edit in >> [Pick Topaz Labs product]:
Step three:
Pick how you want to edit the image in the Topaz Labs product. Lightroom gives you three options to pick from, TIFF, PSD, or JPEG. This will be how the image is saved when the image goes back into Lightroom after you are done editing it in the Topaz Labs product. Please note, you cannot pick a different file format other than what is shown to you when you invoke the plugin:
Step four:
Edit the image in the Topaz Labs product:
Step five:
When done editing, click on the SAVE button. (Please note, for Topaz Studio 2 you will be clicking on the Accept option in the upper left of applications or File>> Accept) The Topaz Labs product will process the image, close and send the edited image back into Lightroom. The image will go back to Lightroom the same file format that was picked in step three when it was invoked the plugin:
Step six:
In this example, a copy was made and that image shows up next to the original image in Lightroom. The new file has the image title with the Suffix -edit (DSC_7876-Edit.jpg):
