If you have heard about the new Luminar AI and are wondering if it’s for you or not, keep reading! In the video below, I will cover all of the frequently asked questions and answer many individual concerns from Luminar users just like you.
There has been a lot of confusion, misinformation, and misconceptions about the newest software iteration from Skylum, Luminar AI. So I felt a live webinar with a round of Q&A was the best approach to answer all your questions, concerns, and issues.
So watch the video below, and hopefully, it will help you make an educated choice so you can determine the best plan of action for you.
I literally answered over 80 questions that were both pre-submitted by email and asked live during the webinar. So I’d be really surprised if the questions you have about Luminar AI were not covered.
Luminar AI – FAQs and Q&A watch the video now
Go ahead and watch the webinar now. Then scroll down the page and I will provide links for you to pre-order Luminar AI if you decide it is for you.
Disclaimer: By using my links, I do get a small commission on the sale. It costs you nothing extra, but it helps me to be able to continue to provide valuable tutorials and education here on the DPM site at no charge.
Ready to make a decision? If so and you’ve decided to pre-order Luminar AI here are the links for you to do just that.
Order Luminar AI
NOTE: There is a 30-day money-back guarantee. Once the software is in your hands, you have 30 days to return it and get a refund if you are not happy.
- If you already own a copy of any version of Luminar or Aurora HDR, CLICK HERE to pre-order and get the loyalty discount. You will pay $59 USD ($84 CAD).
- If you are new to Luminar and want to buy it for the first time, CLICK HERE to pre-order as a NEW customer. You will pay $69 USD ($99 CAD).
NOTE: Only one license is now included, but you can opt for adding another seat for $10 USD ($15 CAD) when you get to the order page. Yes, you have one on a laptop, one desktop, or even one Mac and one PC!
Before After Iris AI Before After Iris AI
What is Luminar AI?
If you just need a bit more info before you decide, here are the main points. Skim the following and if your questions aren’t answered, go back up and watch the entire video.
- This is a brand new product.
- Rebuilt from the ground up with an AI technology base and engine.
- It’s a new approach to editing that is simple, easy, and fast.
- You get full control – choose fast AI tools or full editing adjustments.
- It’s a perfect combination – artificial intelligence and your expertise.
- It can act as a stand-alone program or plugin for Lightroom, Photoshop, or Mac Photos.
- It is full of new innovations like Sky AI, Face AI, Body AI, Iris AI, Atmosphere AI, and more.
- It is the first full AI-powered image editing software in the world!!
A few things to note
- Layers functionality will be rolling into a new tool, which is as of yet, sight unseen.
- You can NOT migrate your Luminar 3/4 catalog over to Luminar AI.
- You CAN transfer all of your saved and purchased Looks over to Luminar AI!
- You will also get to try out and make your own Templates! (see the video for more info on that topic)
What Luminar AI is NOT!
- It is NOT an update to Luminar 4
- It is NOT Luminar 5
- It is NOT a Photolemur update
- It is NOT full automation of all photo editing. You still get full control when you want it.
Who is Luminar AI for?
- If you want amazing photos quickly, without extra complexity or wasted time – Luminar AI is for you.
- If you want to solve problems – Luminar AI is for you.
- If you care more about the results created, than the process used – Luminar AI is for you.
- If you are new to photography or photo editing – Luminar AI is for you.
- If you want to edit less and shoot more – Luminar AI is for you.
- If you do not need advanced or complex editing tools – Luminar AI is for you.
- It is also for visual communicators and professionals such as:
- Hobbyist and amateur photographers
- Bloggers and Instagrammers
- Business owners
- Crafters and product makers
- Teachers and students
Who it is NOT for!
- If you want a stand-alone replacement for Lightroom – Luminar AI is likely NOT for you.
- BUT you can use it as a powerful time-saving plugin WITH Lightroom!
- If you are waiting for the original roadmap to be fulfilled – Luminar AI is likely not for you.
- BUT I will have some alternative options for you shortly!
UPDATE: Since writing this article, Skylum is now releasing the latest in their flagship line of photo editing software with Luminar Neo.
AI Photo Editing: Read my review of Luminar Neo, the next generation photo editing using AI. It’s an industry game changer. If you’ve already got it, enrolling in my Luminar Neo course should be able to get you up and editing in days instead of weeks. Check it out.
Tech Specs for Luminar AI
Here are the recommended MINIMUM computer specifications to be able to run Luminar AI. Having more RAM and a faster processor is always better!
Mac Specs
- CPU Intel® Core™ i5 or better
- Memory 8 GB RAM or more (16+ GB recommended)
- MacOS 10.13.6 or higher (IMPORTANT: MacOS 10.12 is not supported)
- Hard disk 10 GB free space; SSD for best performance
- Display 1280×768 size or better
Windows Specs
- CPU Intel® Core™ i5 or better, AMD Ryzen™ 5 or better
- Open GL 3.3 or later compatible Graphics Cards
- Memory 8 GB RAM or more (16+ GB recommended)
- Operating System Windows 10 (only 64-bit OS). IMPORTANT: Windows 7 and 8.1 are not supported.
- Hard disk 10 GB free space; SSD is best
- Display 1280×768 size or better
Plugin Support
Luminar AI will continue to run as a plugin for the following programs.
NOTE: You can still use it as a stand-alone or plugin or both.
- Lightroom Classic (Version 6 or newer)
- Photoshop (CS5 and newer)
- Photos for MacOS
Luminar AI no longer supports the following:
- Apple Aperture
- Photoshop Elements (PSE)
Is Luminar now a monthly subscription?
No, you still pay for Luminar AI and own it outright. You do not have to pay monthly to have or use the software.
So what is Luminar X then?
This is often where the confusion lies about the monthly subscription. Yes Luminar X is a month fee (paid annually) but it is for a membership NOT for the software itself.
NO, this does NOT mean Luminar AI is now a monthly subscription!
Luminar X is a special package that includes creative assets like Looks, Sky images, and Textures. You also get four exclusive Luminar tutorials annually.
This is a membership program designed to give you access to creativity boosting extras. It is totally optional!
What is the plan Skylum?
A lot of people are asking if Skylum has lost their minds, and why are they doing this. They have some very good plans and reasons. As I stated in the webinar, I can’t say I agree 100% with their plan but I do understand it.
This is what they want to do:
- To help you create stunning photos in LESS time
- To reinvent the photo editing process
- To focus on the results, NOT the tools or the process to get there.
- To focus on the important things most requested by current Luminar users:
- Performance
- Speed
- Simplicity and ease of use
My thoughts on Luminar AI
First and foremost – I’m am excited to try it out!
In the past, I’ve been hesitant and resistant to AI technology and Skylum proved me wrong big time! They blew me away with the AI tools in Luminar 4 and I trust this will be even better.
So I’m stoked!
PROS
- Value for your buck – this is still one of the least expensive photo editing options on the market, and I think one of the best, especially for beginners.
- Great results – saves you time.
- FUN and easy to use.
- Guided editing options for beginners (this is what the new Templates are all about).
- FULL options for more advanced editors (you can still mask the tools and filters as you do now with Luminar 4).
- The plugin capability offers you the best of both worlds! Use it as I do as a plugin for Lightroom and you win!
CONS
- Lack of metadata and a full DAM system with keywords, IPTC metadata, etc.
- Missing a few advanced features that pros need (batch rename, virtual copies, ability to compare images side-by-side, etc.)
- Change of direction from the original roadmap.
- Luminar 4 library is not transferable or cannot be migrated to Luminar AI.
My recommendations
This is what I suggest.
If you have Luminar 4 now and love it, go ahead and pre-order Luminar AI now! Plan for the migration now and you’ll be ready to move when the time comes. You will have 15 months approximately of support still for Luminar 4.
- If you already own a copy of any version of Luminar or Aurora HDR, CLICK HERE to pre-order and get the loyalty discount. You will pay $59 USD ($84 CAD).
- If you are new to Luminar and want to buy it for the first time, CLICK HERE to pre-order as a NEW customer. You will pay $69 USD ($99 CAD).
BE OPEN to trying something new. New isn’t necessarily bad, it’s just different!
If you need Lightroom-type capabilities, bite the bullet and pay Adobe, and keep using Luminar as a plugin. Or you could wait until Luminar AI has shipped, do a free trial with it then decide (just know that the price will likey be higher then).
You could consider one of the other programs I will be reviewing in the coming weeks. My plan is to find you another software alternative if you want more features but don’t want to pay for LR. I will review and cover:
- Topaz Studio 2
- On1 Photo Raw 2020
- Exposure X5
- Possibly DxO Photolab 3, if I can get my hands more than a trial version
Summary
So here’s the bottom line.
Luminar is still one of the best and least expensive photo editors available.
So whether you like the new direction or not, it’s done and you have to make a choice.
#1 – Jump ship and find something else. There is no point crying over spilled milk – let’s move on and find you a new solution if it doesn’t work for you anymore (watch for my reviews in the coming weeks).
#2 – Anticipate that the new tools in Luminar AI will be even better and will blow you away as has happened to me in the past. If you already love Luminar 4 – this is a no-brainer in my opinion.
#3 – wait until it’s shipped to reserve judgment, but miss out on the early-bird pricing.
#4 – Check out Luminar Neo to see if maybe an image editor is what would suit your needs.
Ultimately, you need to make the choice that’s right for you, so choose wisely. I hope I’ve provided enough information here for you to make an educated decision.
Cheers,
