Nik Collection 9 Introduces AI Masks, Depth Mask, and Analog Filters

DxO released Nik Collection 9, an update to its eight-plug-in editing suite for photographers, adding tools targeting specific editing friction points. The update introduces AI Object Masks that replace manual brushing, allowing users to select subjects by pointing or drawing a box, with mask copy-paste shortcuts and customizable overlay colors. An AI Depth Mask analyzes spatial layout to select based on distance, with natural feathering. New filters include Halation (recreating film glow around highlights), Color Grading (three tonal zones on one wheel with balance shortcuts), Chromatic Shift (simulating offset printing misalignment), and Glass Effect (over 50 textured glass distortions). Blending modes are now integrated into the filter stack in Color Efex and Analog Efex, offering 18 modes per filter. All AI processing runs locally on the user's hardware, with no cloud upload required, ensuring privacy for NDA-bound work. The suite is available with a 15% discount using code PetaPixel. Photos by Michael Bonocore, taken in Cuba in 2016.