No, no, I did not… Thanks for the info, it’s very appreciated!
However, if they include both a sub/perpetual, then that would still be much better than what topaz is offering…
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Topaz Studio Transition and Feature Coverage FAQ
Transition, Licensing, and Access
Q: What happens to my existing licenses (including lifetime licenses) following the transition to Topaz Studio?
Q: What steps must be taken to access the new Topaz Studio and its web apps?
A: Users with active licenses to two Topaz products will have unlimited use of web apps. Maintaining a license to just one product will grant limited web app access. Instructions and requirements for activating web access should be clarified by Topaz Labs as part of the transition materials.
Q: Are TVAI, TPAI, and TG getting new features, or are they essentially at a standstill?
A: These products are reported to be at a standstill with respect to new features, except for a planned MacOS update coinciding with the release of MacOS 26 on Sept 16.
Technical Feature Mapping: Local vs. Web Processing
Q: Which features in Topaz Studio that were in TVAI, TPAI, TG are: web-only, local-only-in Topaz Studio, or hybrid in the new Topaz Studio architecture combining both the local CPU/GPU and the remote Topaz cloud compute?
Q: Will all TPAI and TG features transition fully to web apps, or will some remain local (and no reference to TPAI or TG, this is solely with in the context of what Topaz Studio does or does not do)?
Q: Will video processed locally? And will all new functionality move to web-only? Or will there be new functionality that while no longer updating TVAI, will update the local installed copy of Topaz Studio?
Hardware, GPU, CPU Load Balancing
Q: Does it matter if I have a powerful GPU? Is there a preference for PC vs Mac hardware performance?
A: Topaz Labs asserts continued support for Mac, but not all AI models will arrive on Mac at the same time due to technical constraints. For existing local models, hardware such as GPUs may impact performance. For new web-based features, local hardware may become less relevant if most processing shifts to cloud infrastructure. [Q: But how much of video processing except for the 3 existing video web apps, and Mosaic, will be immediately available? Will these be inside Topaz Studio, as they are today in TVAI. Should we expect them to migrate to the web? Or, they will migrate to the web only if there are substantial improvements to the features or performance/
Q: Is computing load ever shared between the local Topaz Studio software and the web? Can CPU/GPU load ratio vary by local GPU power, or by the invoked model?
Functionality and Access Control
Q: Which web video apps are available with unlimited use, and what are the requirements for access?
A: At present, users with licenses to two Topaz products receive unlimited use of web apps. Those with one active license receive limited access. A precise list of available web video apps and usage restrictions should be provided by Topaz Labs. [Q: There are currently 10 web apps. 7 are still image. 3 are video. The still web apps get as I understand it unlimited use. But the video web apps require Credits. Those will two licenses will receive 300 credits toward the use of video apps. Does that mean that the existing 3 web apps will continue to require Credits, just as the new video web apps?]
Q: Will hybrid features involve both local and cloud-based processing, and if so, which ones?
Updates, Feature Parity, and Platform Limitations
Q: Will feature parity be maintained between Mac and PC releases?
[Followup: One would imagine when there is a web app to perform a function there will be complete parity between the Mac and the PC. And presumably there could also be with a Linux installation. And if Topaz Studio ran on an ARM, something requested by some user, this would be somewhat easier the more web apps take over for local processing. Which raises the issue, is someone have any kind of machine that ran a browser, ARM or Chromebook, or iPad, of Android tablet, and the app was 100% web based can they now, or will they soon be able to run Topaz web apps. Or is having Topaz Studio an integrate part of the operation of the web apps? Is that for user, account and licensing authentication? OR is it for shared CPU/GPU workload? Or, for both reasons?
Q: What is the expected timeline for major updates, particularly for MacOS?
A: A planned update for MacOS is scheduled with the release of MacOS 26 on September 15. Timelines for future updates should be tracked through official channels.
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Q: Will models that are cloud based currently like “Bloom” at a point in the future be able to be run locally when GPUs have increased in sufficient capabilities.
Could you clarify the term “access to some pro features”. Sounds as if there is a standard or consumer version and also a full feature version for “power users”. Does this mean if you want the " Full Monte" version it could be expensive. Example Photo AI 4 Personal currently $199. vs the Pro version at $799. By suggesting auto renewal will give you some pro features indicates a possible two tier pricing?
Maybe lateral thinking can resolve this issue.
It seems could be fixed this by charging $0.01 for a trial.
Or, if that is too low an amount for PayPal then $1.00.
And, you might not make this apply to everyone, but have a PayPal-enabled trial URL just for folks that don’t have a credit card.
There may be a work around…
So will I get the upgrade to studio version if I have an active update subscription for Gigapixel AI and Video AI? Please say yes…
Yes you will.
You have 2 licensed Topaz products on Sept 16.
As I have been a beta tester on the latest versions, my question is will the new Studio Release versions have the SAME Starlite Mini quality as the current released stand alone version? Because you guys have made changes that affected the quality of the exports in all the latest beta releases. My question is pretty simple, wile the studio release coming up in a few days maintain THE SAME output quality for Starlite Mini as it is currently doing on the current release? Yes or No??? Because if the quality is going backwards as was the case with a lot of the beta tests in recent weeks, I am NOT INTERESTED in losing out on any quality from Starlite Mini as it currently is running in the regular latest release (non-beta).
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As I understand it…
If you own 2 or more desktop apps with auto-renew enabled, you’ll get Topaz Studio at your current price for life.
Pretty straight forward.
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Although it doesn’t look like the rhythm of the current allocation of video credits will change at the moment, the following question remains: Is it possible with this upgrade to accumulate the kreadits, i.e. to collect them over several months, so that you don’t have to cut long video projects infinitely in order to serve 300 credits with pinpoint accuracy and small enough?
Hi Andy.
The credits will not refresh each month so, no they won’t accumulate over time
Hope this helps
I agree, I’d like to see a product matrix of the new Studio versions with prices. The lack of information and the “tease” of the Studio lacks the necessary information to make an informed choice. I’ve read all the Topaz Studio Transition Questions, and I’m more confused now than when I first learned of the new Studio version, or is it versions — I really don’t know. Although Topaz may think its “Founders” tier is a way to assuage their customer’s concerns, as far as I’ve seen, it’s just caused a lot of confusion, with the 2+ nomenclature. If I have Video AI, Photo AI, and Gigapixel AI, am I paying more, than let’s say someone who owns Photo AI and Gigapixel AI, but who both get the same “Studio” while paying different amounts of money?
It can also seem like a bait and switch. Your existing application’s AI models are frozen in time on 9/16, and if you want to keep getting AI models updates, get the Studio version. That looks to me that it’s the original AI applications just getting their new features and updated AI models.
Not the smoothest transition, given the confusion sowed.
Topaz Labs LLC is at an inflection point. There is rocket fuel in the tank.
The move from 7,000 square feet in Addison, TX to 27,000 in a new purpose-built office building where Topaz Labs LLC will be the sole tenant tells you something. The company has made decision to invest a sizable portion of its accumulated capital back into the business. It is poised for growth!
Topaz Labs is fully onboard with the ideas of using the cloud to make incredible app that transform images and video in way we (or at least I) can barely imagine.
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Thanks. “Use it of Lose it” on a monthly basis.
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Thank you for your reply, I’ve corrected my reply I hadn’t noticed I ment to say the 300 Credits will not refresh
I remember those days so, confusing yet such fun mind you, thank the heavens we didn’t change which side of the road we drive on.
Elizabeth Regina lives on in our hearts
Andy
I didn’t even think of cutting video and processing it 300 credits at a time I could get my 3304 credit job done in 12 months.
Oh… wow!
I didn’t realize this before; it all makes sense now. I’d been scratching my head why Eric responses to direct questions about Ai were so indirect rather than clear and forward-looking. Eric’s answers always seemed evasive, lacking substance on the topic of Ai (especially the so-called “only server-grade hardware” is needed for TL’s models statement a while ago).
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Hi.
DaVinci Resolve is still free and always will be and DaVinci Resolve Studio is still $295 and given away with many of Blackmagic’s products.
The new Subscription Model is for those who have the free version who wish to use (rent if you like) the Pro Tools from time to time without having to purchase the full DaVinci Resolve Studio in addition, because, some professional companies prefer to have the Subscription option.
Having said that you can’t and should never compare DaVinci Resolve with any other software on the market that includes software from AVID, Adobe, TOPAZ, or anything else for that matter. DaVinci is in the unique position of being a commodity heavily subsidized by Blackmagic Design which is primarily a hardware manufacturer.
The fact is DaVinci Resolve should cost many thousands of dollars and is actually known as a Loss Leader which is product sold by Blackmagic at a price below its cost or market value to attract customers and encourage them to buy other, more profitable items Cameras, Consoles, Mixing Desks or Editing Decks don’t believe me how many of us who a copy of DaVinci have the Speed Editor.
This pricing strategy aims to generate overall profits by compensating for the initial loss through increased sales of higher-margin goods, building customer loyalty, and driving overall sales.
Catch them while they’re young you got them for life
Don’t get me wrong I’m not knocking Blackmagic’s strategy after all it’s us the consumers who are benefitting we get to use professional grade software with little to no cost at all.
I’m just pointing out that Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve is unique within Software and shouldn’t be compared to anything else.
If I had my way Grant Petty would have been given a special Knight hood long ago
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The next stage of revenue growth might benefit from a business degree.
Phase 1: (2005-2017)
The plugin products were:
Adjust, BW Effects, Clarity, Clean, DeJPEG, DeNoise, Detail, Glow, InFocus, Lens Effects, Mask, ReMask, ReStyle, Simplify, Star Effects, Texture Effects.
All plugins retired by 2020.
They were very modular. Very targeted. These were Photoshop and Lightroom plugins focused on enhancing detail, removing noise, sharpening, artistic effects, and masking.
Phase 1.5 : 2017-2020
Topaz Studio ( 3 - 2025) grandparent and parent in the Studio Family Tree.
Topaz Studio & Studio 2 (2017–2020): Early “host” app consolidating plugin workflow; then Studio 2 (discontinued in 2020) integrated multiple tools but was retired to focus Topaz on “image quality” AI apps
Phase 2: (2018-2020)
Gigapixel, Sharpen AI , DeNoise AI, JPEG to RAW AI, Mask AI, Adjust AI
Phase 3: Modern AI Standalone Applications (2020–September 15, 2025)
- Topaz Video AI (TVAI), Topaz Gigapixel AI (TG) , Topaz Photo AI (TPAI):
Phase 4: Topaz Studio (September 16, 2025…and beyond)
- Topaz Studio (2025): & Legacy perpetual license
Key milestone: On September 16, 2025:
TVAI, Gigapixel AI, and Photo AI superseded by the subscription-based Topaz Studio.
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