It’s been a while since our last patch for Gigapixel AI, and this update brings important improvements to align with our latest company changes. While this release represents a significant shift for all our users, we’re excited about the future and what’s ahead. We’re committed to carrying Gigapixel’s legacy forward with our new Studio release.
Gigapixel AI will continue to receive occasional minor patch updates, but new AI models and major features will be introduced in the Studio versions of our desktop apps.
Thank you!
Esther H.
Associate Product Manager
*Please use the 8.4.4 links as it will address some workflow cleanup and a few small fixes. * Details on what is included is provided in the Changelog.
I have the same question for you that I had for Lingyu re: PAI & Photo…
What are the implications for installing this GAI release?
The wording about a path for users to update to Topaz Gigapixel within Studio from perpetual GAI is what I’d like to clarify. Is this update part of the perpetual GAI license? Or, is it a parallel, but separate, foundation (installed in a different path & directory) for Studio Topaz Gigapixel?
The sense of potential co-mingling (allusion to in app updating) of perpetual & subscription in the Changelog description for this release (above) is something I’d like to understand better.
I’d hate for there to be something like what Nik does with a pop up msg every launch (in the perpetual) pitching an update to subscription…
Well now I’m worried.. significant how…? Think I’ll hold off on that update button until there’s more clarication what is changing IN. .the app we bought.
Just updated to 8.4.3 (Win 11). I was using a workflow where I copied an image to clipboard and then could control-V direct into GP. That seems to have been removed. Was that intentional ?
OkKkkk… understandable; but… uhm… I’m not affiliated with Topaz, piq.
That said, many non-juggernaut software companies don’t care if you leave; not because they’re invincible, but because they’ve already extracted more value from some users than they ever could have under a one-time perpetual model. They got paid more than they expected; and some companies pats themselves on the back when you pay 2x, 3x plus; knowing full-well the user(s) may never have paid more than once under regular perpetual license. e.g. Windows’ infrastructure, ect.
Now, they’re moving on. That’s not paranoia; that’s how some structures works. Some folks just have to understand; it’s not about loyalty; it’s about risk management & profit extraction.
Many companies don’t count on you staying; they count on you paying for a while. Marketing is cheaper than support; it’s often more cost-effective to acquire new users than to keep legacy ones happy.
Remember, churn is baked into the policy; if ~40% of users leave each year, they just aim to replace them; but they can still make money by treating users as revenue cycles, not relationships. More on acquisition, because the goal is to cycle as many people as possible through that 2 - 3 year “profit window”; because investors and markets value predictable revenue; especially if there’s an invisible Up For Sale sign in the window…
Apologies, @vincentable42. Didn’t mean my note in any way to seem directed at you, though it was a reply to what you shared.
Nothing you said is wrong and it is reflective of the general character of AI firms and major tech companies today, but being someone who’s done digital arts and used the internet since the mid 90s, I’m totally against this mistreatment of users by these companies that these executives feel they can blithely get away with. I may be just one guy but I consider having principles important, I like supporting businesses that show good character and care for their customers, and I will vote with my wallet when an outfit demonstrates their top priority to be making the most money they can rather than delivering a high quality, lasting product to their users. From my perspective they’re walking away from providing 6 months of remaining feature improvements and updates for the license I paid good money for.
The short rundown for context: I had never received any email mentioning the Studio subscription product before and it wasn’t missed in my Junk folder. The patch alerts in the apps, how I discovered Studio’s existence, were intentionally unclear about the bigger picture. And lastly, here they’re avoiding engaging with their users about basic, key information about this change. Instead you had to offer some clarity.
This abrupt subscription change has destroyed the trust I had in Topaz and thus I’m never giving them another cent. I hope - merely hope - enough users similarly decide to turn their back on them as denying greedy people money appears the only way to send a clear message, one that might lead to change for the better. I don’t hope Topaz goes out of business, I simply hope and ask they change their ways. May not happen, I know, but my money will be better spent somewhere else.
I just installed 8.4.3 and paid for an additional year of updates after the update crashed the first time and now notice that you are switching models in 4 more days. Did I waste my $68??? Not pleased at all! Where are your responses to this thread??
You will have access to the New Topaz Gigapixel in the Topaz Studio. This new version will include:
NEW STANDARD MAX UPSCALING MODEL
NEW WONDER UPSCALING MODEL
UNLIMITED CLOUD IMAGE & LOCAL RENDERING
Think of it this way. You have Topaz Gigapixel installed locally at the moment. This is the legacy version that is yours to keep and will still get minor Updates as have been said. You will also have Access to the Topaz Studio Gigapixel, with all the new features. This is how I’m reading it.
I guess we will see shortly. I use Gigapixel frequently and yes I will still use the legacy version but had I known it was the last full update I’d have never paid $68.00 for minor updates for a year.
I think what you’re saying resonates with a lot of users right now. Many of us renewed our Gigapixel licenses only to find out we’d just be getting minor updates for a year. At the same time, we’re told we’ll have access to all the new features in Topaz Studio, but only as long as we keep an active subscription. If you don’t renew, you lose those features and are essentially rolled back to a year-old version of the software.
For me, the new model actually works fine, since I’ve been using Topaz products for about five years and always planned to renew anyway. The renewal price is also lower for existing users than what new customers will pay after the 16th, which helps soften the blow.
Really, this is just the Adobe model: you subscribe to Studio and get access to the full suite of apps for as long as you stay subscribed.
Probably as many as the former „legacy“ apps got when the same was announced (i.e. NONE), maybe they’re doing some version number play releasing the same app with simply one buttons color changed or something like that to stay clear of legal actions.
But don’t expect any real update (and this was even clearly told by TL themselves).
Although you definitely paid for that…
I’m fully aware the updates will just be “keep the lights on” maintenance, but as I mentioned, since I already renew annually, I’ll just move over to Studio. Over the last five years I’ve seen enough value added from Topaz to know I’ll keep renewing. That said, I do understand where others are coming from, and I can see their point of view as well.
For me, I already subscribe to Adobe each month because there’s enough innovation and a wide range of apps to justify the cost. Topaz will need to deliver in the same way if they want to keep their subscription base long term
The new studio that replaces Gigapixel will be on subscription ? Thanks but no thanks.
So I’ll stay with Gigapixel (legacy) and that’s it.
Thanks for all what you did, Giga is a great program.
Yeah, I’ve run into this too which is a backwards step!! Now I have to save an active project then open it, rather than just being able to copy/paste it into Gigapixel.
Lord knows I was already requesting to be able to then Ctrl+C to get the upscaled image back to the clipboard to be able to work on it with another app - but no - still have to export/save it THEN open it with another app to continue.
You need to get back to what worked in 8.2.2 with the Redefine BETA (Version Gen 2 BETA) with Creativity Slider 1-6, and Face Recovery/Strength 1-99, and Mode: Realistic/Creative. Everything since has been throttled and limiting (and mostly useless). https://imgsli.com/NDE1MTU2
