Topaz Labs LLC TP-GLO-C-001-GN User manual

Topaz Glow

User Manual

I. Installation

A. How to Install

B. Plugin Compatibility 3

C. Host-Specic Installation 3

1. Photoshop, PSE, PSCC 3

2. Lightroom 4

3. PaintShop Pro 4

4. PhotoPlus 5

D. Uninstalling 5
E. License Key 6

II. Introduction

A. About Topaz Glow 7

B. Main Features 8
C. User Interface. 9

III. Work Area

A. Presets & Collections 10
B. Selective Parameters 12

1. Primary Glow 13

2. Secondary Glow 15

3. Color 15

4. Finishing Touches 16

5. Menu 17

6. Blending Modes 17

7. Saving 18

V. Additional Resources

A. FAQ’s

3

B. Connect
C. Company Info 29

26
28

2

IV. Tutorials

A. Create a Neon Look 19
B. Create a Graphic Eect 21
C. Emphasizing Fur and Feathers 23
D. The Subtle Side of Glow 25

By David Chestereld

User Manual

Installation

Topaz Glow

Topaz Glow works as both a standalone editor and
plugin. This means a compatible host editor is not
required to use Topaz Glow, although you may access it
as a plugin in a few compatible host editors.

System Requirements

Mac OS X 10.8 or higher
Windows 7/8 x64 + Open GL 2.1

*Does not support Windows 32bit

Download Instructions

• To download Glow please visit topazlabs.com/

downloads.

• Locate Topaz Glow and click on the appropriate
Mac or Windows button beneath that product to
start your download.

• The download should start automatically, however
if prompted, select ‘Save’.

• The downloaded installer will then be located in

your Downloads folder or desktop as an .exe le
(Windows) or a .dmg le (Mac).

Compatibility

Glow can be accessed as a plugin in:

• Photoshop CS4+

• Photoshop Creative Cloud

• Photoshop Elements 6+

• Corel Paintshop Pro X

• Serif PhotoPlus X5+

• Lightroom as an external editor

• NOT compatible with photoFXlab or Fusion Express

Accessing Glow in Ps, PsCC, and Pse

To use Glow as a plugin in Ps, Pse and PsCC you must

rst run it as a standalone editor (Mac only). Glow will

then be available to use in Photoshop via the Filter
menu. For Windows, the plugin should automatically
appear in the Filter list.

3

Mac dmg Windows exe

The program will then install as a standalone editor to:

Mac: Applications folder
Win: C:\Program Files\Topaz Labs\Topaz Glow

Should Glow not appear in the Filter menu, you may
need to exit out of Photoshop and then re-open it.

I can’t nd Glow in the Photoshop Filter menu

Important: Your image will need to be 8-bit or 16-bit
and in RGB mode. Go to Image-> Mode to change this.

User Manual

Installation

Accessing Glow in Lightroom

Topaz Glow can be accessed as an external editor in Light­room by going to Photo-> Edit In-> Topaz Glow.

Topaz Glow

Important: For optimal use of Glow, go to Lightroom-> Pref­erences-> External Editing.

Make sure that ‘TIFF’ is selected under File Format. In addi­tion, select 16 bits/component for bit depth and the color
space ProPhoto RGB for optimal editing.

Accessing Glow in Corel PaintShop Pro X

To congure Glow as a plugin in PaintShop Pro:

1. Go to File-> Preferences-> File Locations...

2. Scroll to select ‘Plugins’ from the File types list and click
‘Add’

4

3. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Topaz Labs\Topaz Glow. Se­lect the Topaz Glow folder and click OK.

User Manual

Installation

4. Click OK again to return back to your main screen.

5. Go to Eects-> Plugins-> Topaz Labs-> Topaz Glow and

select it to start the program.

Accessing Glow in Serif PhotoPlus

To use Glow as a plugin in Serif Photo Plus:

Topaz Glow

1. Go to File-> Preferences

2. Select Plug-ins from the list and then click Browse.

3. Navigate to: C:\Program Files\Topaz Labs

4. Select the Topaz Labs folder and press OK.

5. Press OK again to return back to your main screen.

6. Exit out of Serif and then re-open it.

7. To access Glow open an image and go to

Eects-> Plugin Filters-> Topaz Labs-> Topaz Glow

5

To uninstall Topaz Glow please follow these instructions:

Mac

1. Quit Photoshop (or other editing program).

2. Navigate to the Applications folder: Macintosh HD ->
Library -> Applications-> Topaz Glow.

3. Locate the Topaz Glow folder and move it to the trash.
You will need to enter your system password to OK this
change.

Windows

1. Quit Photoshop (or other editing program).

2. Click on the Start Menu and select Control Panel -> Pro-

grams -> Programs and Features (or Uninstall a Program).

3. Select Topaz Glow and click uninstall.

User Manual

Entering Your License Key

Upon opening Topaz Glow you should be prompted to
enter your 30 digit license key. You can also enter your
license key from the top Help menu.

Topaz Glow

Installation

Simply copy and paste your 30 digit license key into the
provided space to activate the program. Or, if running
a trial, click ‘Continue Trial’.

Should you receive an activation failure, please make

sure that you have copied (ctrl/cmd + C) and pasted
(ctrl/cmd + V) the key. Also be sure that you did not

copy any extra blank spaces.

Please know that there is no dierence between the

trial and purchased version of Glow. Glow does not
require a trial key, it is a clock based trial.

For additional license key assistance, please see our
knowledge base:

My license key is not being accepted

•

•

Common License Key Questions

By Mike Hardisty

By Joe Reardon

6

User Manual

About Topaz Glow

Electrify Your Photos with Brilliant Effects

Topaz Glow is an editor designed to transform your

photos from dull to dazzling. Containing more than fty
unconventional and quirky lters, with Glow you can alter

Topaz Glow

your images using neon, graphic, liquid and other electrify-

ing designs and brilliant artistic eects.

The technology in Topaz Glow expands upon what can be

found in any other editor. With Glow an array of dierent

looks can be achieved - neon looks, for instance, darken
the background and make the subject in focus appear to
be illuminated with glowing and vivid colors.

The graphic looks within Glow can help to give a sketch-

like or attened eect. When used lightly, these eects

are perfect for removing unwanted details or adding
something special to the image that otherwise wasn’t
there before.

Introduction

7

If working with intricate details, presets within the Fur and
Feathers collection are perfect for helping to distinguish
and emphasize small details.

And then there’s the eects in the Fantasy collection such

as Mysterious II and Bliss. When applied with a soft light

blending mode or reduced opacity, these lters can give

your image a hip, contemporary feel about them.

As always, ultimate artistic control is gained by creating
your own look, which can be achieved by working with the

selective parameter sliders for custom eects. With Glow,

otherworldly looks that you’ve never seen before will
soon be in your vision and creative control!

By Per Grunditz

User Manual

Main Features

Here are some notable features in Topaz Glow:

Introduction

Topaz Glow

1. Over 70 Customizable Eects. Choose from an array

of eccentric lters within these six collections: Neon,

Graphic, Fur & Feathers, Afterglow, Fantasy and Liquid
Designs.

2. Blending Modes. Glow contains ve dierent blend-
ing modes to help you achieve the look you’re after.

3. HSL Technology in 8 Colors. Easily adjust the hue,
saturation and lightness of the overall image or by indi-

vidually selecting one of 8 dierent colors.

4. Works as Standalone, Plugin and External Editor.

Topaz Glow does not require a host editor and can
work free standing. It is also possible to use it as a plu­gin in Photoshop and external editor in Lightroom.

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5. Finishing Touches. Finalize your image by adding
sharpening, smudge or a vignette.

6. User Interface Design. With Glow we have contin-

ued to develop a cleaner, more modern and ecient
interface to improve usability, workow and overall

aesthetics.

User Manual

User Interface

Work Area

There are two main areas to Glow: presets and custom sliders. Upon enter­ing the program you will see a list of presets by default. This is a good start-

ing point for nding the look you want.

Topaz Glow

Access the custom

sliders here (or press
ctrl/cmd + P)

Browse through several

dierent collections from

the top pull down menu.

9

Tip: to save a custom ef­fect, click on the icon
within the parameters.

Use the shortcut key ctrl/cmd + P to switch back and forth between the selective parameters and presets. You can also decide if
you want the presets or selective parameters to open each time you enter the program. In the top left corner go to Topaz Glow->
Preferences to make these changes.