Skylum’s Luminar Neo offers user-friendly generative AI features for hobbyist photographers, introducing GenErase and GenSwap. The software simplifies complex tasks and maintains a focus on ease of use. With plans to release a new generative AI tool each month until the end of 2023, Luminar Neo aims to enhance photo editing capabilities. It employs a combination of Stable Diffusion and its own Upscale AI model for improved image quality. While processing happens in the cloud, Skylum prioritizes customer privacy by not storing input or output images. Pricing options cater to various user preferences.
Luminar Neo is bringing the power of generative AI tools to the world of hobbyist photographers, offering an accessible alternative to Adobe’s offerings aimed at professionals and designers. Developed by Skylum (formerly Macphun), Luminar Neo is a desktop photo editing software available for both Mac and Windows users. This software is introducing a suite of generative AI features designed to make image editing easier for a broader audience of photographers.
These generative AI tools in Luminar Neo, including GenErase and GenSwap, resemble some aspects of Google Photos’ Magic Editor and Magic Eraser, as well as Adobe’s Generative Fill tool. However, Luminar Neo sets itself apart by offering two distinct tools instead of one and not requiring the use of a text prompt field. Users can simply select an area in their image to remove and click the “Erase” button. Unlike Adobe’s Generative Fill, Luminar Neo does not present result options to choose from, but users can click “Erase” again for a different outcome.
Skylum, formerly known as Macphun, has a history rooted in iOS applications, initially gaining recognition for apps like Vintage Video Maker. Over the years, the company expanded its focus to photography-related apps for Mac, such as FX Photo Studio Pro, Snapheal, Intensify, Tonality, Noiseless, and Aurora HDR. The culmination of their efforts resulted in the launch of photo-editing software called Luminar in 2016. In 2018, they rebranded as Skylum and shifted their primary focus to the Luminar project.
Luminar was created to provide desktop users with photo editing capabilities that make complex tasks simple. While Luminar Neo primarily caters to hobbyist photographers, it also has a user base that includes some professionals. Some commercial photographers use Luminar Neo as a plug-in for Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance their workflow.
In response to the growing trend of generative AI models for image editing, Skylum decided to integrate these capabilities into their product to further streamline the photo editing process. They plan to release one generative AI tool each month throughout the end of 2023, starting with GenErase on October 26. Following that, GenSwap (for replacing elements) and GenExpand (for expanding the canvas) will be rolled out on November 16 and December 14, respectively.
These generative AI models in Luminar Neo are based on Stable Diffusion, but Skylum also incorporates its own Upscale AI model and others in a single pipeline. This approach allows the software to generate higher-resolution and higher-quality images, offering up to 1536×1536 in image resolution, surpassing Photoshop’s current resolution of 1024×1024.
The actual processing of these generative AI features takes place in the cloud, necessitating an internet connection to work. However, Skylum takes data privacy seriously and does not store either the input or output images to ensure customer privacy.
What sets Luminar Neo apart from similar tools is its emphasis on ease of use. The software boasts around 40 complex AI models as part of its architecture, making it a powerful yet user-friendly tool. Skylum has placed significant focus on the user interface, ensuring it is intuitive and inviting, especially for beginners.
Luminar Neo offers various pricing tiers for new and existing users. After October 28, pricing options include $14.95 per month, $119 per year, or $179 for a two-year subscription. A lifetime pass is also available for $299, which includes a “Creative Journey Pass” with time limits on access to the new generative AI features through August 16, 2024. Beyond that date, users will need to purchase a new Creative Journey Pass or switch to a subscription.
For current users, upgrades are available at a slightly reduced cost, with a one-year plan starting at $79 for the first year and $99 per year thereafter, also effective after October 28. Discounts are available for early adopters and those who make their purchase before the specified date.
Skylum’s journey has been impressive as they have managed to remain profitable without external funding. They now employ a team of over 120 professionals dedicated to improving and expanding their software offerings, with Luminar Neo being the latest addition to their portfolio.
