Before delving into Luminar 4 vs Luminar AI review to know which of the two is worth it in 2021, it is pertinent to know that photo editing is a crucial and popular aspect of the modern digital world. It is not only for professional photographers but also for other individuals.

Luminar AI is offered in a couple variations as of this writing. There is a 1 Seat and a 2 Seat version. What is meant by Seat? In short, each seat is each single installation of Luminar AI by device. So if you want to have Luminar AI on two computers you need to purchase the 2 Seat license. Luminar AI 1 Seat – Cost is $79 before discount. Luminar AI is a completely different program, built from the ground up. Skylum made this very clear from the beginning. It is relying very heavily on the Artificial Intelligence functions, mostly.

Some of the most significant reasons for effective image editing for businesses include shadow creation, image masking and manipulation, restoration of old images, creation of ghost mannequin, color rectification, photo retouching, and removal of unattractive background.

But how can a business enjoy all the above and more for its growth and expansion without effective photo editing software in place?

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An Overview of Luminar

Luminar is one of the most reliable options that anyone looking for exemplary image editing applications can consider. It is one of the most reputable global photo editing software applications developed by Skylum, formerly referred to as Macphun, and available for Windows and macOS.

It is a Windows and Mac application that works independently and can also serve as a plugin for Adobe and other Apple products.

It integrates with Adobe Lightroom Classic, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Photos for macOS, Adobe Photoshop, and the gold award winner in 2020 at the Digital Camera Grand Prix for being highly creative and innovative in the photo editing industry. Luminar 4 won this award along with 2 other of its exceptional products: Photolemur and Aurora HDR 2019.

It has also been recognized as the Best Photo Software Product in the 2019/2020 EISA awards.

In addition to filters that are significant in editing images, this app also comes with great effects combined with layers and masks to enhance the raw files' quality of images.

The latest version of this software is Luminar 4, launched and released on Nov 18th, 2019. It comes packaged with multiple AI tools that offer automated sky replacement, among many other exciting features.

Luminar 4 Review

It is one of the most unique photo editing software versions in the market that is continually evolving to give the users the best editing results and experience. Luminar 4 is exceptionally effective in the modern digital world and provides enhancements in various forms, which includes augmented reality effects.

Depending on where you stand, you can find these features either cheating or amazing based on the side you take. Additionally, Luminar 4 also has a full range of basic photo selection tools, including cropping layers, retouching, and curves that make it one of the most influential and effective photo editing applications even without the AI fireworks that come with it.

What Is Luminar 4?

For starters, this is an all-in-one effects and photo editing program that comes with an inbuilt Library tool that one can use to browse, search, and organize photos. Since all these tools are non-destructive, users can always go back and undo any changes they apply to the images or try out an entirely different effect or look any time they feel.

It comes with Image Lightroom with amazing expanded editing and effects tools just with less sophisticated cataloging.

Unfortunately, Luminar 4 lacks both mobile app support and Adobe's cloud sync. Its specialty is AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools that can enhance the image to identify objects and subject types and mask and edit them selectively.

Even though the AI Sky Enhancer is a perfect example, the technology has grown over time since its release in the market. AI Sky Replacement in the latest versions accompanies the AI Portrait Enhancer panel and AI Augmented Sky tools.

Many other applications allow you to carry out routine photo editing adjustments, but one of the major reasons you should consider Luminar 4 is its real drive towards enhanced, augmented, and reimagined reality. If the latter is your dream as a photo editor, then this software version is for you. It also comes with some tools to enhance the images and make them ‘real'.

How Does Luminar 4 Work?

There are two options of using Luminar 4, which are either using it as a standalone program or as a plugin for Lightroom and Photoshop. If you choose the former, you get an integrated Library screen useful for browsing the photos and an Edit screen to adjust and enhance the images. If you use Luminar 4 as only a plugin, all you get are the editing tools, and once you finish editing the photos, they are returned to the host software.

While the former Skylum versions, such as Luminar 3, came with plugin versions as a separate product, Luminar 4 comes with the plugin included as part of the software.

While the main Library window seems basic to most users, it is also highly effective and allows one to import the folders they want to include, and they appear in the sidebar to the right. It also allows you to create Albums and use Shortcuts, including ‘Recently Edited' and ‘Favorites', and anything useful in finding pictures. You can also add Ratings, Color Labels, and Flags and filter your images to ensure the best outcome.

With Luminar 4.3 Skylum, a basic search tool allows users to find images using dates, names, folders, and file extensions, which means more convenience and a better photo editing experience.

The tools and filters in the Edit window are divided into four workspaces, namely Essentials, Pro, Portrait, and Creative. Unlike the earlier versions of Luminar, where these workspaces were endlessly customizable, this version here makes the filters more consolidated, and they are now in specific workspaces.

In addition to the effects, Luminar 4 has a whole catalog accessible via a button found on the top toolbar. They apply combinations of filters and settings with a single click with which users can create and save their own and download from the Luminar website.

Who Is It For?

If you are wondering whether Luminar 4 is right for you or not, then you are not alone. This Luminar Skylum version is most useful and suitable for traditional photo editors looking for a competent set of tools at an affordable, fair price.

However, it is primarily aimed at experimenters and image-makers, and photographers excited by the medium and its full potential but relatively new to the industry. It seeks to offer spectacular imagery without a significant time or technical know-how needed in the past.

Luminar 4 Cost

It was released into the market on Nov 18th, 2019, at $89 for new users and $69 as an upgrade for existing Luminar users.

Is Luminar 4 A Subscription?

It is a one-off purchase, which contrasts with the monthly subscription payments such as the Adobe Creative Cloud and is out to replace both Luminar Flex and Luminar 3. The buying cost includes both performance updates and ongoing features, as well as support and bug fixes.

Luminar AI Review

Luminar AI is revolutionary and among the latest image editing software that uses artificial intelligence in complex editing tasks in a time-efficient manner.

It is a Windows and Mac application that functions independently and also as a Plugin for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Photos for Mac OS. People who are used to Adobe workflow can benefit, immensely, from it.

It is designed for all creative levels, from beginner photographers to seasoned pros, even though they, mostly, use it as plugins to other image editing software.

It is a combination of both simplicity of use and incredible performance that makes the editing experience amazing and exemplary.

Being an entirely new and non-conventional approach to the image editing world, Luminar AI is out to ensure a simplified approach to image manipulation while retaining full manual control for the power users. It, therefore, focuses more on the results than the process.

Additionally, it is also out to make the editing process both fun and easy while at the same time also allowing the users to hone their creative skills under the guidance of Templates and other handy features.

With this version, Skylum has attempted to eliminate all the tedious and complex photo editing procedures without compromising the user's creativity, which explains why it still allows you to control the outcome still.

Luminar AI Release Date

It was released into the market on Dec 15th, 2020, after several trials and tutorials to ascertain its performance and to train the potential users on its usage.

If you are planning on purchasing it, you may not find a Luminar AI trial, but you will find some Luminar AI tutorials and you can watch the templates, landscape tools in action, and how portraits are enhanced to the ‘WOW' level, to help you get started.

The Reason Behind Luminar AI Release

The question will always be asked, “Why Luminar AI when we still have Luminar 4?”.

Well, the reason for doing this is because the Skylum Team has put in more than a decade of effort into Luminar AI to eliminate all complexities associated with traditional photo editing, but still help you to churn out great images in the shortest possible time with artificial intelligence.

Luminar AI Price

As said above, Luminar AI can be used as both a plugin for Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. It can also be used as an extension for Apple Photos and is available to purchase from Skylum for a single lifetime purchase of $99 with a license for 2 computers.

Is Luminar AI Worth It?

With the amazing results that the version offers, Luminar AI is worth the money and if it is suitable for you, then go for it. This is one of the perfectly effective everyday image enhancement tools available in the market.

Pros of Luminar AI

Several benefits come with using Luminar AI, which includes:

* Greater value for money.

* The simplicity of use eliminates the need for extensive training.

* It has made complex edits simpler.

* It comes with amazing AI tools that produce amazing results.

* It is ideal for both beginners and advanced users (Template-based and manual masking).

* AI tools conform to each photo for the quickest edits.

* It is a great plugin for Mac/Adobe photos.

* It is faster (compared to Luminar 4) and fun to use.

Cons

Some of the features that comprise the editing experience with Luminar AI are as discussed below:

* You may need to get used to it to easily locate advanced features with this version.

* Offers limited DAM and export options.

* Cannot transfer Luminar 3 and 4 catalogs directly.

Unique Features of Luminar AI

Several aspects make Luminar AI a groundbreaking Skylum software, some of which are discussed below:

* Simplified workspaces mean a more efficient workflow.

* Templates that ensure a guided AI-powered editing experience.

* It is a powerful plugin for existing Photoshop, Lightroom, and macOS photo users.

* It comes with time-saving AI-powered editing tools.

* Manual masking tools take full control and selectively remove or add AI edits.

* It comes with AI tools that conform to individual pictures for simplified batch editing.

* It is generally fast (Luminar AI vs. Luminar comparison.)

Luminar AI Vs. Luminar 4 (What Are the Differences?)

While they may seem similar in multiple aspects, there are several differences that any photo editor can see when studying Luminar 4 or Luminar AI.

While Luminar 4 impressed everyone with the little handful of AI tools, for instance, Luminar AI is a unique and different application entirely powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Hence, it is not, necessarily, an upgrade from Luminar 4.

This means that photographers of all levels can easily take advantage of all the AI tools available in Luminar AI for landscape photography and general imaging and portrait retouching, among many other tasks, including general image enhancement.

Differences between Luminar4 and Luminar AI in a Nutshell (What Is New?)

* Sky Enhancer and Accent – This is about 30% faster in Luminar AI compared to Luminar 4.

* Luminar AI recognizes over 7,000 more objects for suggestions and better editing.

* Newer color tools like LUTs-powered ‘New Mood' and ‘Color Harmony'.

* Better ‘Clone & Stamp' and ‘Eraser' tool with no-layer and non-destructive effects.

* Brush in color with a new non-destructive tool for more intelligent and sharper skin and portrait adjustments.

* Greater 3D depth through reconstruction, better object placements, and atmosphere adjustments.

Luminar Ai Vs Luminar 4

Who Is Good for Luminar AI?

This Skylum Luminar version is ideal for a range of users such as:

* Someone in need of amazing quick photos without any extra complexity in a limited time

* If you are so keen on results rather than the process involved

* If you want to solve problems

* If you are new to photography

* If you want to shoot more and edit less

* If you are eliminating advanced or complex editing tools

* If you are a visual professional or communicator such as bloggers, business owners, teachers, learners, product makers, crafters, Instagrammers, hobbyists, and amateur photographers.

Does Luminar AI Replace Luminar 4?

Since each of these Skylum Luminar versions is different and unique, it is hard to say if Luminar AI is a replacement for Luminar 4 or not, especially because the former is still new in the market. Nevertheless, Luminar AI is not an upgrade to Luminar4. Both programs can be used together on the same computer without any overwriting or conflict between them.

Other Things You Should Know

* You can use both Luminar 4 and Luminar AI together on the same computer, but independently of each other. Don't worry, neither will overwrite the other.

* No third-party plugin support.

* You can use Aurora HDR to merge bracketed photos.

* Images exported from Aurora HDR are, automatically, scanned and uploaded to Luminar AI from the catalog.

* Custom and purchased Luminar 4 looks will, automatically, be migrated to Luminar AI (with the exception of older tools from Luminar 3 and previous versions).

* As a plugin, Luminar AI easily fits into the workflow of your host.

* Luminar AI can work with RAW files and supports many new cameras.

* You can use your own sky photos with Luminar AI, but make sure they are in PNG, JPEG or TIFF formats.

* Your Luminar 4 Sky photos will also be compatible with Luminar AI.

Is Luminar AI better Than Luminar 4?

It is undeniable, based on the previous Luminar versions, that each of the latest versions gets increasingly better than the previous ones, making Luminar AI better than Luminar 4. With such a trend in place over the years, we should look out for more powerful, user-friendly, and intuitive software when talking about Luminar AI.

Additionally, it is also very affordable and right at the photo editing tech world's cutting edge. Before purchasing any of these versions, you should take the time to determine the suitability of each one of them for your editing needs.

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Quick Steps:

Windows 10:

Open Windows Explorer and navigate to: C: > Program Files > Skylum > Luminar AI > Profiles > Sky Textures >

Mac:

Ensure Luminar 4 or Luminar AI is not currently running.

Open Finder

Double click on 'Applications' folder

Ctrl+Click on 'Luminar 4' Application icon (or Luminar AI)

Select 'Show Package Contents' from drop down menu

Double click on 'contents' folder

Double click on 'frameworks' folder

Double click on 'MPLuminar4Resources.framework' folder (or MPLuminarAIResources)

Double Click on 'Resources' folder

Luminar Ai Download

Double click on 'SkyTextures' Folder

Copy your new sky images into this folder

Start Luminar 4 or Luminar AI and your new Skies will now show within the Sky Replacement presets in addition to built-in skies.

30 High-Quality Images for Sky Replacements in Photoshop or Luminar AI. Check the description below for information about how to use these skies to do sky replacements.