Boost your editing superpowers with Luminar Flex 1.1 plugin update
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We’re excited to announce the release of Luminar Flex version 1.1.0. We’ve been hard at work on Flex and we’ve got a significant update to share with you. This feature packed updated improves the experience for every Luminar Flex plugin user.
This update is a free update for all Flex users. You’ll find several new improvements for both Mac and Windows. The next generation of Accent AI makes enhancing your images easier than ever before. Plus some performance and usability enhancements will make your editing workflow even faster.
Accent AI 2.0. Reimagined.
The improved Accent AI filter lets you get natural-looking results in less time. New “human-aware” technology recognizes people in your photos and applies adjustments selectively for more realistic images.
With Accent AI 2.0, you can make dozens of adjustments (done quickly) with just one slider. Fix tone, detail, exposure, depth, color, and more thanks to behind-the-scenes AI. In less than a second, your photos can look their absolute best. Make Accent AI 2.0 your go-to filter. (Tip: It can even replace the Develop step for most photographers!) For beautiful photos, rely on Accent AI 2.0 as your starting point.
Filters Catalog for easier access.
With this new update, whenever you open your Luminar Flex plugin, the Filters Catalog will be open by default. It’s perfect to find your favorite filters, fast.
Browse. Browse filters by categories to discover new options for fixing issues, essential utilities or creative outcomes.
Search. Simply enter a keyword or tag to search the catalog for the perfect enhancement or repair.
Favorites. Mark your favorites with the star icon and then easily sort these to the top.
Learn. Click the info button to see built-in help for each filter.
Frequently Used. The Recent category automatically learns from you to show your most frequently used filters.
If you want to close the filter catalog to make more room, just click the X button at the top of the catalog. You can also toggle the visibility of the catalog with the Add Filter… button.
Easier management of Luminar Looks.
Looks are one of the best things about Luminar Flex. They offer great one-click recipes that are easy to browse visually with the Looks panel.
Add a new Looks pack. Just choose File > Add Luminar Looks collection to install a Looks pack that you’ve downloaded from the Marketplace.
Access your custom Looks. You can choose File > Show Luminar Looks Folder to browse any Looks you’ve saved. This makes them easy to backup, move, or share.
Be sure to download even more Look packs from the Luminar Marketplace.
Custom workspaces.
Now you have the option of using your own workspaces in the plugin or extension. Simply go to File > Show Workspaces Folder… and add your custom workspaces to this folder. Make Luminar Flex even more comfortable.
Custom. You can save your own workspaces by clicking on the Workspaces menu and choosing Save As New Workspace…
New. You can download some new workspaces to inspire you from the Luminar Marketplace.
Performance updates.
We love our users and try to fulfill your requests in the best way possible. We’re constantly working to improve the overall performance of Luminar Flex with every update. Enjoy the best version of Luminar Flex ever.
FIXED. Filename doesn't appear after exporting image from Lightroom to Luminar Flex
FIXED. Application crashes on applying clone & stamp in Luminar Flex as Plugin.
FIXED. Doesn't work auto activation from inside purchase.
FIXED. Application crashes on opening document one by one.
How to update.
Updating your Luminar software is easy. Be sure to also rerun the plugin installer if using Luminar as a plugin for Photoshop or Lightroom Classic.
Mac – Please, launch Luminar Flex from your applications folder, then in the Top Menu Bar choose Luminar Flex > Check for updates.
Windows – Please, launch Luminar Flex from your Start menu, then in the Top Menu Bar choose Help > Check for updates.
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@Colin
Why do you think I am asking for the comparison to Luminar 3 releases? Long wait for very little. The filters catalog being open or close when we start the app should be in Preferences and never hard coded by design engineers. But guess what....still no Preferences.
I really don't understand Skylum product design decisions. But I guess that is not a requirement. ;)
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Colin - I think that the addition of Accent 2.0 is a big plus. That filter is the only reason that I have been using Luminar 3.1 as a plug-in rather than Flex. Following the conversation around Luminar 3.1, I doubt that I will ever even attempt to us it as a DAM. I am very happy with Lightroom Classic for that.
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I am 100% Lr as well Jack. The question was what is the difference between L3 and Flex editing wise. The answer is "nothing material". My concern is the longevity of Flex. Skylum are quite quick at abandoning software and imho Flex only came along because of the pathetic launch that was L3. Once L3 is back on the rails will they keep them both? I guess Skylum have lost my trust - trust is definitely hard won and easily lost.
In the meantime, I agree Flex makes an absolutely brilliant plugin and Accent 2.0 is very good...and I hate all this artificial intelligence stuff usually. -
A few things. The presets for flex owners were sent out via email on Friday. If you didn’t see it check junk folder. If not contact support.
Filters catalog is open by default due to overwhelming questions about finding filters. Press tab or command l to hide. Shortcut coming to windows in future update. Tab key should work.
Flex and Luminar split to make a better experience. Plugin user has different needs than a desktop user. This allows the user interface and features to develop independently based on feedback. For example while a car and a motorcycle both drive on a road and have wheels, they are fundamentally different. Making compromises for each leads to a bad experience.
Right now flex and luminar are a 100% match for filters. Flex has different workspaces and looks. You cannot course move and copy these as needed between the two.
I will do my best to answer any questions. But think of it this way. Flex is a plugin. Luminar is an app.
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And Michael. There were also numerous bug and performance fixes made. By letting the plugin be used for a month in the wild. (Not just beta testers) we were able to fix many small or annoying things that plagued certain users.
We wanted very hard to make sure this was a solid release so this meant extra testing and taking time. I hope the 317 bonus looks we sent were also a welcome addition.
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Hi Jack! Please reach our customer support so we could help you with that: https://skylum.com/support
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Richard, I think Flex is a brilliant product as is. That is that it can be used as a plugin or via another app using Open With. If it could work seamlessly with other DAMs and continue to save edits it would be first class in my view. Must admit I much prefer sidecar files to project files but can work with the latter if I must. It should also have its plugin capability extended to the likes of Capture One.
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Colin. A few things.
1. Thanks
2. Sidecar files only work within a host app (never for a plugin). If you are using Flex with another app, its adjustments have to be applied when you export. With that said... the use of Smart Objects in Photoshop (or the open in PS as smart object command in Lr) means that the filter is nondestructive and you can resume editing later.
3. You can already use it with Capture One as an external editor.
Try ThisAdding Flex to Capture One
- Launch Capture One
- Choose Capture One > Preferences on a Mac or Edit > Preferences on a PC.
- Click the Plugins tab.
- Type Flex into the search box
- Check the box next to Luminar Flex.
- Close the Preferences window.
Using Flex with Capture One
- Select a Folder of image in your Library.
- Select an image in your library.
- Choose Image > Open with > Luminar Flex. The raw file is handed off to Luminar Flex.
- Make any adjustments you want.
- Choose File > Export and choose a 16-bit TIFF.
- Give the file a new name
- Name and save the file in the desired location (choose the original folder or a subfolder is often best).
- Close the open image and Luminar. You don’t need to save as you’ve already exported an image.
- Switch back to Capture One.
- When you select the folder, you’ll see the new image in Capture One. If needed, right click on the folder and choose Synchronize.
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It does not really work well with Cap One though Richard as it does not remember the folder from whence the image originated. As you say one has to choose the folder to save back to (why it is termed export escapes me). When Flex runs with Lr it sends the image back to the original location automatically. Also there have been many responses on here from Skylum staff saying Flex can only be used as a plugin in certain apps - Lr, Photos, Ps etc. Using Open With is surely using Flex in stand-alone mode and I understand that is being withdrawn as are Project Files?
Sidecar files are just something created by the app so could be saved anywhere really. That said I do take your point so with no Project Files the only way to retain edits is via Ps Smart Objects? This being the case the functionality of Flex is inconsistent.
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