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Old hand colored

Cinna-stretch

Playing with Dots

Elvis

[glennab]

Hi Dave

I just checked out the latest NAPP on-line newsletter which took me to the web site of Akvis, a company that develops software for photographers and restorers.  Most are plug-ins for Photoshop or any other program that accepts plug-ins.  The page about the company states: "We can give a free version of AKVIS plug-in to NGOs involved in conservation and restoration of photographic archives having cultural value. When sending us a request, please, enclose a link to your web-site. "

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to find out if they'd at least offer a discount for OPR members.  NAPP members can get a discount but have to pay through a method with which I'm not familiar.

The retouching software looks quite powerful, and it probably would be helpful for anyone interested in trying it.  There are examples, demos and tutorials on their site.  I think it's worth checking out.  I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate for someone from admin to approach them about possible discounts or for a volunteer to contact them.

http://akvis.com/en/company/index.php

If you or anyone else in the organization wants to check it out, the web address is above.  I'd certainly be interested in anyone else's opinion of the products they offer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Glenna

[kjohnson]

Looks interesting "Rejuvenate Old Photographs With Ease"

Is this the watcha-ya-call-it tool we've been lookin' for?  I'll give 'em a query too. Thanks for the link.
 

[glennab]

Hi Kurt

The generic name for the whatcha-ya-call-it software we need is a "poofer."  I don't think the company in question has made it to the "poofer" stage, but from the demos and tutorials, it looks as if it would take some of the pain out of the restorations.  They offer free trial downloads, so I'm going to take advantage of that and see just how close to pooferhood they are.

My husband coined the poofer word in relation to his model cars.  He had a shop when he was younger and built real race cars and street rods.  So his hobby now is creating the most wonderful custom model cars to either match a real car he fabricated or one he'd like to have.  He claims if we had a "poofer" we could make them into real cars, so we could drive something wonderful to work every day.

Since you're into architecture, you'll appreciate the fact that he built a custom, to-scale and to-spec shop, with regulation studding (even though you can't see it, because he's paneled both inside and outside).  He fabricated tools, work tables, tool boxes, an air pump -- the whole thing from scraps.  It has stalls, and he keeps each car in its own stall as he works on it. It's unique and genius!

Anyway, to make a short story long, that's the origin of the "poofer."  Which led to the computer FWW (fix whatever's wrong) key, then to the GMO (get mud out)  and the other "pooferish" keys, plug-ins or techniques we need for our work!

Needless to say, we have VERY ACTIVE imaginations!

G'night!

GG

[OPRAng]

I'll check into it and let everyone know what I learn.

Angela

[Ausimax]

Hi Glenna,

Some of the plug-ins look quite useful, they could take some of the tedium out of the minor defects, I doubt that it would do much on the real bad stuff, in one of the tutorials it refers to a badly damaged photo that is almost beyond restoration - would be in the Easy class at OPR.

I have downloaded the trial of "Retoucher" to give it a try, they may be well worth the money, but would cost a motza to get the lot.

Thanks for the link, now we just have to wait for Angela to do a bit of arm twisting.

Max

[kjohnson]

That have quite a few plug-ins, looks like they have everything but a "Poofer" I emailed 'em and included a  link to my ps classes & school so who knows what I'll get, or not.

[glennab]

Jeez, Keith -- I just realized that you're not Kurt.  You guys don't even look alike!  Sorry about that!  (Yadda, yadda yadda, old age, yadda)

At any rate, I'll be interested in what you and Ang find out.

Max, I noted that not all the destruction was eliminated -- and I don't believe the company claimed it would, but imagine just being able to get rid of the scratches and spots and then being able to concentrate on the extremely tough areas.  I think Retouch and Stamp are most likely to be the tools we'd use, but there were several other intriguing plug-ins that might appeal to our photographers for work other than restoration.  I thought it definitely worth a try.

Have a wonderful weekend, guys and gals!

Glenna

[VBrestorer]

Angie:

It might be helpful to you if you reviewed my post of September 6, 2006, "Free Plug-In"; one of the replies was from your husband, Dave.

Quoted here is my original post:

Dave:
While surfing for topics regarding photo restoration, I ran into the AKVIS website.  They produce a "Retoucher" plug-in that can do some retouching automatically.  It works with PhotoShop versions 5 and later, PhotoShop Elements versions 1 and later, Corel Photo-Paint versions 11 and later, and Corel (JASC) Paintshop Pro versions 6 and later, as well as other popular photo manipulation programs.
At this site (see http://akvis.com/en/free-license.php) they say they will provide free licenses for "non-governmental organizations involved in conservation and restoration of photographic archives having cultural value."
If anyone has experience with the AKVIS Retoucher plug-in (I do not) and thinks it does a good job, then perhaps OPR could contact AKVIS to see if it qualifies for getting this plug-in for its volunteers.

Regards,

Larry

[glennab]

Larry, you were way ahead of all of us!  Can't believe I missed your post.  Have you tried the software?

Yesterday I was able to download and use Stamp and Noise Buster (I think that's what it's called), but Restorer kept kicking me out of Photoshop.  I never know whether it's a compatibility problem  (I have a Mac Pro, and for some reason not even all Mac software works with its new technology), the software, or operator error.  I'm going to check their tech support and find out if there's a fix.  If it works as advertised, it would save all of us so much time and aggravation.

I'll be interested if anyone else has  tried these plug-ins.  Akvis offer a 10-day trial period, and the software downloads and installs very easily.

GG

[VBrestorer]

Glenna:

I have not downloaded the trial software to try it.  Kenny downloaded it back in September and felt it was soso, but said he would be glad to have it if it were free.  I'm with him -- if it's free and it helps me just once, I'm ahead of the game.

However, Dave weighed in back then and said he would check things out -- I haven't seen anything on the subject since until your recent post.  If Dave actually did have time to check out the details and things just didn't pan out, I thought it would save Angie from retracing his steps if she just conferred with him first.

Larry

[glennab]

Hi Larry --

Makes sense to me!  I'll be watching to see what's decided on price and usefulness, especially of Restorer.

GG

[OPRAng]

Dave and I have combined efforts on the plug in. I haven't heard anything yet, but will keep you all posted. It usually takes a little time for my emails to make it through all the proper channels when I am "begging" for donations.

Cross your fingers!

Angela

[glennab]

Ang -- I'll cross my eyes if it'll help!  I think the plug-ins could be a huge asset.  Thanks for all your effort.

Glenna