Topaz DeNoise/EQ

Topaz Vivacity™ has another noise reduction filter, Topaz DeNoise/EQ™. This filter is based on wavelet transformation. Unlike other advanced noise reduction software that needs a “noise profile”, Topaz DeNoise/EQ™ is easy to use and produces very good results.

The major difference between Topaz DeNoise/EQ™ and Topaz Clean™ is that Topaz DeNoise/EQ™ tends to produce smoothing looking results while Topaz Clean™ tends to produce sharp but slightly faceted images. For image with a small amount of noise, the difference is minor. For image with severe noise, however, you should select the one that produces your intended results.

The picture shown here is a scanned image with a lot of noise. By applying Topaz DeNoise/EQ™, we immediately make it a much nicer portrait.

The picture in the next page shows the same image filtered by Topaz Clean™.

You can see that both filters do a pretty good job at suppressing random noise while preserving image details. However, the image filtered by Topaz DeNoise/EQ™ looks more smooth and natural. This feature makes it good for portraits. The edge is soft and smooth. In contrast, the image filtered by Topaz Clean™ looks sharp and more detailed. However, its edges are jagged and faceted, and otherwise less natural.

You may also want to use Topaz DeNoise/EQ™, instead of Topaz Clean™ when your picture has very severe noise and large areas supposed to be smooth, e.g., sky. Topaz DeNoise/EQ™ can produce much better smooth area than Topaz Clean™. On the other hand, if your picture has a lot of details, Topaz Clean™ may suit you better.