Did Topaz Labs Finally Fix Photo AI v3.1?

When it comes to photo editing, Adobe Lightroom is my go-to tool for managing, editing, and sharing my photo library. However, Lightroom has its limitations, and that's where other apps like Photo AI by Topaz Labs come into play. Recently, Topaz Labs released Photo AI v3.1, which comes with several improvements that can significantly enhance your photo editing workflow. In the following video and article, I'll walk you through some of these updates and how they can benefit you.

Why Consider Photo AI?

Photo AI fills in the gaps that Lightroom currently has. One of its standout features is its ability to upscale images and reduce noise, especially for non-RAW files. While Lightroom's Super Resolution and AI-powered denoise tools are limited to certain RAW and DNG files and only upscale by doubling the width and height, Photo AI offers broader support and can upscale up to 600%, making it a valuable addition to your editing toolkit, especially if you have to crop heavily or work with low-resolution JPEG, PNG, and TIFF files.

Getting Started with Photo AI 3.1

If you already have Photo AI, you can easily update to the latest version by clicking the "Updates Available" button on the top right. Topaz Labs offers a unique licensing model where you get updates for a year with your purchase, and you can opt for annual upgrade plans as needed.

To illustrate the new features, I'll use the following sample image and show you the improvements in version 3.1. First, drag the image onto Photo AI and zoom to fit. One of the most significant updates is the introduction of a new smart preview technology.

This feature allows the app to process the entire image at full resolution (when you zoom to fit), so when you zoom in, there's no need for reprocessing. This is a welcomed enhancement that saves time and makes the editing process smoother. It also fixes one of my biggest issues with Photo AI where I'd have to wait for the app to reprocess anytime I zoomed or panned around the image.

Enhanced Autopilot Recommendations

Photo AI's autopilot feature analyzes your photo and makes recommendations. In this version, you'll now see yellow dots indicating suggested enhancements, such as upscaling and face recovery. These recommendations can be applied individually by clicking on the desired filter or with a single click, streamlining your workflow.

Improved Text Preservation

Photo AI has also had its Preserve Text filter for a while, allowing you to improve pixelated and hard-to-decypher text. With v3.1, they've improved that text preservation filter, making enhancing legibility in upscaled images easier. This feature is especially useful for photos with text elements that must remain sharp and clear.

Face Recovery and Other Enhancements

The face recovery tool is another powerful feature of Photo AI, particularly for portrait photographers. It does an excellent job of enhancing facial details, which can make a significant difference in your final image. Additionally, the new update includes options to balance color and adjust lighting, providing more control over the overall look of your photo. However, if I were honest, I wouldn't consider relying on Photo AI for any tone and color correction. Lightroom will always be my primary application for those sorts of critical edits.

Wrapping It Up

While Lightroom remains a powerhouse in photo editing and a staple in my overall workflow, Photo AI by Topaz Labs offers features that address some of its limitations. Ultimately, Photo AI is worth considering if you need advanced upscaling, noise reduction for non-RAW files, or specialized filters like text preservation and face recovery. You can also check out my other Topaz Labs articles and videos here to learn even more about it.