Topaz DeNoise AI images not displaying

[PJ]

Not sure if this is a Topaz problem or an issue with PM (6.0. build 5029). When using Topaz DeNoise AI 2.2.11 as a standalone and processing either a NEF or DNG image, the preview/thumbnail doesn't show up in PM if the saved output choices selected are DNG or JPG (PNG and JPEG will show the thumbnail image correctly in PM).

My preference is to use a DNG image from DeNoise AI, be able to view it in PM and then be able to open it in Photoshop/Camera Raw for processing.

Any idea why the image does not display; it is simply grayed out in the PM window (see attachment).

This is on a Mac running Sierra 10.12.6.

[Kirk Baker]

Not sure if this is a Topaz problem or an issue with PM (6.0. build 5029). When using Topaz DeNoise AI 2.2.11 as a standalone and processing either a NEF or DNG image, the preview/thumbnail doesn't show up in PM if the saved output choices selected are DNG or JPG (PNG and JPEG will show the thumbnail image correctly in PM).

My preference is to use a DNG image from DeNoise AI, be able to view it in PM and then be able to open it in Photoshop/Camera Raw for processing.

Any idea why the image does not display; it is simply grayed out in the PM window (see attachment).

This is on a Mac running Sierra 10.12.6.

I expect that those DNG files do not contain JPEG previews in them.  Photo Mechanic uses the embedded JPEG previews found in most DNGs to show you what the DNG looks like.  Check the preferences in the Topaz app and see if it has a setting that will cause it to provide previews/thumbnails in the DNGs it produces.

HTH,

-Kirk

[PJ]

Thanks Kirk.

Here's the reply I got from Topaz (which indicates a small jpeg should be in the file):

"We don't test or support anything in particular with PhotoMechanic, so I'm not 100% sure what might be happening, but in other places were a JPG preview is needed, our files will show one. The dimensions are also included in the exif data. Usually 270 x 180 or so. It varies. As far as controls, there are no particular settings within the program itself to control this behavior I'm afraid."


They asked if I had another program I could test it on and unfortunately I don't. I may just have to settle for using a jpeg rather than a dng.

pj

[Kirk Baker]

Thanks Kirk.

Here's the reply I got from Topaz (which indicates a small jpeg should be in the file):

"We don't test or support anything in particular with PhotoMechanic, so I'm not 100% sure what might be happening, but in other places were a JPG preview is needed, our files will show one. The dimensions are also included in the exif data. Usually 270 x 180 or so. It varies. As far as controls, there are no particular settings within the program itself to control this behavior I'm afraid."


They asked if I had another program I could test it on and unfortunately I don't. I may just have to settle for using a jpeg rather than a dng.

That would be a tiny preview anyway and wouldn't be suitable for anything but a low resolution thumbnail.

You can run DNGs through Adobe's DNG Converter and it will produce new DNGs with up to a full resolution preview.  But that's an added step that I'm sure you'd like to avoid.

-Kirk

[mklass]

Topaz Ai apps, while very good, also mess up the EXIF data such that information is lost to PM. Topaz really needs to make their apps create files that are more "industry standard". This is either something they have not thought about, or it is not a high priority.

[rcohn]

I just started using Topaz and see this problem for DNGs has not been fixed (I assume only Topaz can do this?). I assume there is no solution on PM's side? This old thread came up first in search results so I'm assuming there are no more recent threads with updates?

[ahoward]

I just started using Topaz and see this problem for DNGs has not been fixed (I assume only Topaz can do this?). I assume there is no solution on PM's side? This old thread came up first in search results so I'm assuming there are no more recent threads with updates?

Topaz would need to embed a larger JPEG when their software creates the file. If they don't want to do that, then a larger JPEG needs to be rendered out somehow in order for Photo Mechanic to have something to show you that is larger than the 270x180 thumbnail that they said that their DNG's contain. You could turn on "Enable RAW rendering" in Photo Mechanic's preferences, but that is all or nothing for all RAW files and it hinder's Photo Mechanic's performance significantly, or you could do what Kirk suggested which is use Adobe DNG converter to create a new DNG that does have a larger preview. Or, you could just save out a full-sized JPEG from the Topaz software with the same name as the DNG, and Photo Mechanic will pair that up with the DNG and show you that when you open a contact sheet with those files on it.

Really though, the best solution is for the software that is creating the DNG to embed a larger JPEG, and we, unfortunately, have no control over that.

[rcohn]

Thanks for the reply ahoward, I did go to Topaz's support page and added my voice there. Seems people have been asking why they don't do this for some time.