Topaz B&W Effects 2 complimentary upgrade
Posted on 20. Feb, 2013 by Eric Yang in Topaz News
We’ve just released Topaz B&W Effects 2, a major upgrade that’s free to all existing customers of B&W Effects.
Upgrading your software
- Download the latest version from our downloads page.
- Go through the installation process. If you need any more help with this, take a look at our setup page.
- If you have Topaz photoFXlab, you’ll also need to uninstall it, then re-download and re-install the latest version to have it recognize B&W Effects 2.
License keys and activation
You shouldn’t be asked for your license key again if you’re upgrading, but if you do your B&W Effects 1 license key will still work. If you’ve lost it you can look it up here.
Uninstalling previous versions
You don’t need to uninstall B&W Effects 1, but you can if you like. Use the Control Panel to uninstall on Windows. To uninstall on Mac, delete the B&W Effects 1 folder in Macintosh HD -> Library -> Application Support -> Topaz Labs.
Thanks and enjoy the upgrade!
Andrew Beazley
02. Mar, 2013
Just installed BW Fx v2 Like it a lot no problems with installation shows up and works fine in Fx lab and via LR. its fun time.
Stefan Bojanowski
27. Feb, 2013
great upgrade.. a fantastic tool….But won’t let me save. Returns to Aperture 3 as original image
As for WS 21/2/13
steveb
27. Feb, 2013
Just updated to B/W 2 – followed the instructions, everything working well – win7 based system.
@Ann – rather than rely on the windows installer I have a 3rd party product – http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html – just drag and drop the icon or look it up in the list.
Greg Buck
26. Feb, 2013
Have uploaded Black and White 2 and all works well except when I want to apply a vignette to images that don’t have an vignette within the plug in.
If I convert to a straight classic B&W image then add a vignette, it will not save with the vignette.
Anyone suggest what this may be.
Topaz is a top software program.
Thanks
Don
25. Feb, 2013
Installed Topaz B&W Effects upgrade as instructed now I can’t see any Topaz Plugins in LR4! WTF? Fusion is installed but I can’t set it as a custom editor
This is really irritating. The plugins are visible in PS CS6.
This BS!
Joseph
24. Feb, 2013
B&WEfffects v.2 won’t load. When v.2 installed I still ended up with bweffects v.1, is there something else that I need to do?
Regards,
Joseph
Alex
23. Feb, 2013
I too receive a message from Avast Antivirus saying that it has blocked a malicious code on your website when I attempt to upgrade.
Carole
23. Feb, 2013
I have just tried to down load the B&W upgrade, but my computer security package stated that “Malware had been attached to this software and it should not be downloaded”. Has anyone else that this message/problem?
Mike Chipchase
23. Feb, 2013
My install put a 32Bit version on only even though my Win 7 is 64 Bit??
Charlie Jackson
23. Feb, 2013
Trying to upgrade from BW1. This is getting me down. I just cannot get BW 2 to work. It will not upgrade BW 1. Is there an answer to this problem???
Gary Templar
22. Feb, 2013
Using MAC 1.7.5. You need to remove PhotoFX Lab 1.2.3 before installing 1.2.4 otherwise it fails to open. Just like the direction say… Next time I’ll read them more carefully. BTW I really like the larger preset image of BW FX.
Gwen
22. Feb, 2013
In B&W2 – can’t get the color option to work under local adjustments. Color palette won’t allow me to choose a color. Didn’t work under the old version either.
Jose Javier Romero
22. Feb, 2013
Thanks for such wonderful present I am sure I will enjoy it….please work in a Topaz product for presentations frames, textures, etc… if it comes from you it will be a hit…. Ja vier a true topaz adict
Ann
22. Feb, 2013
Hi,
Downloaded and installed B&W2 – works fine in PS CS6 on Windows 7.
But when I came to uninstall photofxlab (which I don’t use often either standalone or plugin) I had problems. I discovered the 32 bit shortcut on the desktop doesn’t work, the 64 bit does – v 1.2.1 and the plugin in cs6 64 bit works too.
But I can’t get it to uininstall. Windows uninstall only seems to list v 1.1.1 but says it isn’t installed and should it be removed from the list. The uninstall option in the program list from the start menu (64 bit). can’t find uninstall.exe.
There is an uninstall.exe in the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Topaz Labs\Applications\64Bit but so are many plugins too – my thought is that it will uninstall everything.
Can you help?
Hector Caroselli
22. Feb, 2013
OK, I am an idiot. Everything works fine when I follow the directions. Yesterday I was installing the new version of Photo FX Lab “without” first uninstalling the old version. Today when I removed the old version, the new version installed and executes without issue.
I am so embarrassed!
Thanks.
Louis Rivera
22. Feb, 2013
This morning all working fine. You Guys are great. Love all your products.
James
22. Feb, 2013
I got this link from Topaz, it’s an update to the latest FXlab download, it fixes the crashing problem
http://www.topazlabs.com/src/topazphotofxlab_032113.dmg
LesC
22. Feb, 2013
After first disaster with PhotoFXlab, I reverted to v.1.2.3, using the suggested workaround (adding BW2 through the Filter menu). This morning I found an email with a link to a new FX 1.2.4, so uninstalled 1.2.3 (both the plugin, and the program) and installed 1.2.4. Everything looks good now, though I will have to do some more testing (e.g., standalone program works fine, but need to test plugins in LR4, Aperture as well as PS CS6). But for the moment, everything seems fine.
kamalesh
22. Feb, 2013
When I downloaded new BW, deleted earlier version, & reinstalled FX and discarded previous one, FX would not open from Lightroom despite being selected Preferences as plugin. However, when I directed the Preferences to FX in hard disc, shut LR down & reopened it, all is fine. I have new MacPro. Hope this helps someone out there.
Daryl Edelstein
21. Feb, 2013
everything downloaded and installed just fine .. BUT when i go to edit in iPhoto – yes, i checked to be sure Fx was the external editor in Preferences – it doesn’t open .. what happened? what did you do? what do i do? why are these complimentary upgrades always such an unpleasant experience?
Susan Harris
21. Feb, 2013
I downloaded the B&W2 Effects which works fine but now the fx Lab won’t open. I keep getting a message box saying it had to close unexpectedly and to reopen but when I do I keep getting the same box.
David
21. Feb, 2013
Has there been any response from Topaz about this issue? PhotoFX 1.2.4 crashed for me as well. Had to go back to 1.2.3. It’s been over 24 hours. You think there would be some acknowledgement of the problem from Topaz.
Gordon Lewin
21. Feb, 2013
Add me to the list of problem solvers. The software is great, your company is unmatched in customer relations and generosity, but your upgrade path with FXlab sucks. It’s going to take hours to repair the damage that the FXlab 1.2.4 has caused to my Windows 7 pro machine. The install wiped out all of my plugins without a trace, including BW2 which I had just installed (and it worked). I have to redownload everything as well. Guys, please spend some time repairing this process. Without that, I will probably not upgrade again in the future.
George Roden
21. Feb, 2013
PhotoPlus X6 and Windows 8. Seemed to install ok, but won’t work. BW1 worked just fine. Now I wish I hadn’t tried to upgrade. Hope a fix is coming soon.
Helmut
21. Feb, 2013
I appreciate the upgrade of BW1.1 to 2. on my Fujitsu P910
(i5 7450, 16GB, Win 7 64b).
Installation, first BW2 then FX1.2.4. worked perfectly.
Keep up this good job. Your plug-ins are fabulous.
Bravo Topaz Labs!
Could elaborate, but have to play with my new toy now…
VisionLight
21. Feb, 2013
Successfully installed both new products (FX Lab & BW2) on two WIN7 machines.
1. Uninstalled TopazSoftwareManager, which automatically uninstalled FX Lab as well as automatically uninstalled Simplify4. (note: Simplify was part of the TopazSoftwareManager control app).
2. Had to re-install Simplify4 and add back my saved scripts.
3. Installed new version of FXLab and it worked fine both within Photoshop CS6 and as a stand-alone program. Only thing missing was BW1 plugin in both cases.
4. Uninstalled BW1.
5. Installed BW2.
BW2 now works both in Photoshop CS6 and In FX Lab. Ran some images through the plug-ins with no problems.
The whole process was a little convoluted, but got done in the end. I guess without TopazSoftwareManager to deal with anymore that individual upgrades will be simpler in the future (though will there be interim bug fixes like TSM provided?)
Anyway, thanks Topaz for providing great sofware and free upgrades. For that, we can work through the little annoyances.
Petur Stefansson
21. Feb, 2013
Hi I have installed the upgrade of B&W Effects 2 and I have not had any problems whats so ever. I use Mac OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2.
I just love this product.
Rai Ni
21. Feb, 2013
Didn’t have any problems on Win XP. Installed B&W2, unistalled previos version of photoFXlab and installed latest. Everything seems to be fine, didn’t try on any photo, though.
Win Winsborrow
21. Feb, 2013
All Mac Users 10.6 & above, if you are using photoFXLab, a new download link has been issued for upgrade to v.1.2.4. I just uninstalled FXlab 1.2.3 and ran install for new version, and guess what – IT WORKS! Check out the link for the corrected .dmg file: http://www.topazlabs.com/src/topazphotofxlab_032113.dmg
Thanks to Topaz Support, they came through again as usual. Great software, use it all the time.
Jim Walker
21. Feb, 2013
Just updated BW2 &FX. I updated FX First! THEN updated BW2. So far no problems! I can access BW2 from Photoshop or Updated FX. I have not run this setup through it’s paces yet.
Ruud
21. Feb, 2013
No problems in downloading and upgrading. Documentation was enough and straightforward, It runs smooth up till now. Good work, as expected.
Jackie
21. Feb, 2013
I downloaded B&W ver 2 with no problems but when I try and use the “local adjustment” color type, the photo in the far upper right shows the original in B&W, not the color which is the original one.
Jeannie
21. Feb, 2013
I am coming late to the install of B&W 2, and Photofx labs. I am on a mac 10.8.2, and after reading all the problems, I am afraid to upgrade Photofx labs. I did see where one person simply installed it on top of the existing one and it worked. B&W effects 2 is installed and works perfectly. I presume you are working on the problem that mac users are having, and I hope you solve it soon, as I really use photofx lab for everything
Hector Caroselli
21. Feb, 2013
Good news and bad news. I deleted the dmg files and rebooted my computer. Downloaded and installed B&W Effects 2 without incident. Photo FX Lab blew up during the install and then issued a message saying it was OK. Tried to launch Photo FX Lab and it blows up immediately. B&W Effects 2 seems OK when I access it via Photoshop CS6.
Progress!
Hector Caroselli
21. Feb, 2013
Sorry to post this but please add my name to the list of people having problems with B&W Effects 2. I download the dmg file and start the installer and it freezes. I have to do a Force Quit, multiple attempts. Tried downloading the dmg a second time; no luck. same result. I haven’t tried PhotoFX Lab yet.
Mac OSX 10.7.5
Thanks guys. Your products and service are awesome.
Juergen Kiefner
21. Feb, 2013
I ´m sorry – but I have join the crash affected users
photoFXlab crashes while installed.
Dave.tinsley
21. Feb, 2013
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! I really really appreciate the free upgrades. I own every product you guys make. But come on, this IS a convoluted upgrade process. Why make everyone upgrade TWO programs when you have a new release? Why can’r PhotoFXlab be written so it DOESN’T have tp be upgraded every time? Apart from that you guys are super.
Charlie Jackson
21. Feb, 2013
Using Photoshop CS2 – Have tried to updrade tot B&W Effects 2 but it wont work. Just get B&W Effects 1 coming up – whats going on?
bruce barrett
21. Feb, 2013
Add one more to the list with issues with the new FX lab/Mac
10.6.8
Win Winsborrow
21. Feb, 2013
Same problem on my MAC OS X 106.8, photoFXlab new version 1.2.4 crashes right after install complete.
Uninstalled v1.2.3 as was recommended. Tried install 2x, every time same result-CRASH! Happens on my Mac OS X 10.6.8, need some quick action from Topaz to resolve this issue. photofxlab v1.2.3 had to be reinstalled and is working OK.
Candace Willingham
21. Feb, 2013
The problem is obviously with the fX Lab. B&W2 works perfectly in PS, but fX crashes every time I try to open it. I followed instructions to the letter on Mac 10.7.5. I have re-installed the previous version of fX and will wait for the corrected update to use the new version. I am confident that the issue will be repaired quickly- Topaz has wonderful customer response.
John Rhodes
21. Feb, 2013
I have just installed the complementary upgrade B&W Effects 2 into PhotoPlus X6.
I cannot access it through Effects/Plugins as it is not listed.
Topaz Adjust 5, B&W 1 and Simplify are OK.
Can you help me?
Lisa Gordon
21. Feb, 2013
Same problem with crashing as everyone else here.
Mac 10.6.8
C’mon guys, you really need to get this installation/upgrade thing together.
Wil Sinda
21. Feb, 2013
The new BW FX loaded without incident and works great. It is going to take a little time for me to get as familiar with this version as the last, which I absolutely loved, but even my first experiments last night were very impressive.
I love it.