Google Nik Tools are now FREE Downloads
Google announced today that the Nik Collection of photo enhancement tools would henceforth be free downloads.
Nik Software tools, primarily designed as Photoshop plugins, have achieved a stellar reputation over the years. Most of my B&W photography friends use Nik Silver Efex Pro and consider this tool an essential part of their tool kit. 
It has been part of my tool box for several years. Nik Software was acquired by Google in 2012.
The collection consists of seven individual plugins that work in Photoshop, PaintShop Pro, and other editing software. The tools can also be used as stand-alone applications.
A photo can be loaded into a Nik tool by simply dragging it from Photo Gallery to the desktop shortcut icon for the specific tool as illustrated here.
All these tools, Silver Efex Pro, Viveza, Color Efex Pro, Analog Efex Pro, Dfine, Sharpener Pro, HDR Efex Pro, offer rich sets of option for fine tuning photographs. These are professional level tools, yet they are easy to learn and use.
Here are links to the Google announcement and the Nik Collection site (download from there).
© 2016 Ludwig Keck
This 'n That 
Awesome! Thanks for that, Ludwig! My husband likes to play in Photoshop on occasion, I’m sure he’ll really like this! 🙂
I can’t claim Nik as my secret weapon any longer! However I’m going to spread the word and show my photography loving friends all about Nik. Facebook here I come.
Hmm. I imagine these won’t work with my ancient version of PaintShopPro, bought just before Corel purchased it from Jasc. Perhaps it’s time I looked into a new version.
You can operate the Nik tools as stand-alone programs. There are some cautions to observe. I don’t have Photoshop or PaintShop Pro on my laptop, but I can use the Nik tools just fine.
Oh cool! I missed that part. Thanks Ludwig.
I purchased these tools before they were acquired by Google. The person who peaked my interest in them was Chris Cochems. I find the tools useful.