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As someone who uses Blender for (GPU accelerated) node-based image manipulation (along with all the other things it brings to the table, like video editing etc.

As someone who uses Blender for (GPU accelerated) node-based image manipulation (along with all the other things it brings to the table, like video editing etc.), what are the benefits of dedicated node-based image editors like this one? Serious question, not a rant. I am genuinely curious.

VladimirGolovin 5y ago
Not having to redo the entire chain of image operations from scratch if you mess up one step. The ability to reuse the chain of operations on a different image. The ability to tune / tweak the settings of each step without having to repeat the entire chain manually from the start. The ability to edit the chain of operations if you don't like the result, without having to re-execute the chain manually. And, lastly, node-based systems can be incredibly fun, if done right.
- dTal 5y ago
  I believe they were asking what was the point of a standalone system, as opposed to just using Blender which has a node-based image editor built in.
  - VladimirGolovin 5y ago
    I knew Blender had a video editor, but I didn't know that Blender had a node-based image editor. Just did a quick Google search -- are you referring to Compositor?
    - numlock86 5y ago
      Blender has a "generic" node-editor in a sense that you can use it for not just image manipulation but also for things like shaders or even manipulating geometry, although (of course) each have mostly their specific set of operations (nodes).
atoav 5y ago
One datapoint: Color manipulation or color grading in film is mostly done using Blackmagic Davinci Resolve (runs under Linux, can also edit, mix sound etc, worth checking out). Davinci is a nose based software as well (for the color part). The advantage is of course that you can easily copy graphs, parts of graphs or nodes from one picture to another. In a professional setting that means you can create one calibration node for your camera, one node to adjust differences between different pictures, one to use a certain look etc. You can combine masks from multiple nodes, do parallel color correction etc.
- liotier 5y ago
  Are nodes conceptually distinct from effect layers or is the difference only in the way they are presented ? One of the examples show a merge operation though, which involves a sequence and therefore would not be possible with just a stack of layers.
  - VladimirGolovin 5y ago
    Unlike the effect layers, nodes can have multiple inputs. Also, in more advanced node systems, nodes can have types other than "Image", e.g. number, boolean, etc., and node inputs can accept those types.
  - atoav 5y ago
    Well one example would be a node that outputs HSV as seperate (greyscale) outputs, you could then operate parallel on all these strands and merge them together in a combine node that has 3 seperate inputs for HSV and gives you the full color again. Practically nodes make it easier to deal with more complex operations than layers (e.g. operations wherebyou have multiple source images and/or multiple target images, like e.g. in compositing, CGI etc)
lastdong 5y ago
I guess this tool can evolve to more specific image and photography functions, like touchup brushes to remove imperfections and image filters a la lightroom. Having a dedicated tool also means the UI can be better tuned to the photography workflow. Blender is brilliant and I love it but different tools can fill different needs, imo
rperez333 5y ago
In theory, nothing, just specialization. This software is an open-source answer to the standard in the visual effects industry, Nuke https://www.foundry.com/products/nuke-family/nuke https://www.foundry.com/products/nuke-family/nuke. In the media industry, 2D and 3D roles employ very different skill sets, so while Blender could evolve to offer a robust package for compositors, this likely won't be their primary focus.
phkahler 5y ago
As someone who uses neither, my hope would be that a specialized tool has a smaller learning curve and possibly more capabilities in its niche.

VladimirGolovin 5y ago

Not having to redo the entire chain of image operations from scratch if you mess up one step. The ability to reuse the chain of operations on a different image. The ability to tune / tweak the settings of each step without having to repeat the entire chain manually from the start. The ability to edit the chain of operations if you don't like the result, without having to re-execute the chain manually. And, lastly, node-based systems can be incredibly fun, if done right.

dTal 5y ago
I believe they were asking what was the point of a standalone system, as opposed to just using Blender which has a node-based image editor built in.
- VladimirGolovin 5y ago
  I knew Blender had a video editor, but I didn't know that Blender had a node-based image editor. Just did a quick Google search -- are you referring to Compositor?
  - numlock86 5y ago
    Blender has a "generic" node-editor in a sense that you can use it for not just image manipulation but also for things like shaders or even manipulating geometry, although (of course) each have mostly their specific set of operations (nodes).

atoav 5y ago

One datapoint: Color manipulation or color grading in film is mostly done using Blackmagic Davinci Resolve (runs under Linux, can also edit, mix sound etc, worth checking out). Davinci is a nose based software as well (for the color part). The advantage is of course that you can easily copy graphs, parts of graphs or nodes from one picture to another. In a professional setting that means you can create one calibration node for your camera, one node to adjust differences between different pictures, one to use a certain look etc. You can combine masks from multiple nodes, do parallel color correction etc.

liotier 5y ago
Are nodes conceptually distinct from effect layers or is the difference only in the way they are presented ? One of the examples show a merge operation though, which involves a sequence and therefore would not be possible with just a stack of layers.
- VladimirGolovin 5y ago
  Unlike the effect layers, nodes can have multiple inputs. Also, in more advanced node systems, nodes can have types other than "Image", e.g. number, boolean, etc., and node inputs can accept those types.
- atoav 5y ago
  Well one example would be a node that outputs HSV as seperate (greyscale) outputs, you could then operate parallel on all these strands and merge them together in a combine node that has 3 seperate inputs for HSV and gives you the full color again. Practically nodes make it easier to deal with more complex operations than layers (e.g. operations wherebyou have multiple source images and/or multiple target images, like e.g. in compositing, CGI etc)

lastdong 5y ago

I guess this tool can evolve to more specific image and photography functions, like touchup brushes to remove imperfections and image filters a la lightroom. Having a dedicated tool also means the UI can be better tuned to the photography workflow. Blender is brilliant and I love it but different tools can fill different needs, imo

rperez333 5y ago

In theory, nothing, just specialization. This software is an open-source answer to the standard in the visual effects industry, Nuke https://www.foundry.com/products/nuke-family/nuke https://www.foundry.com/products/nuke-family/nuke. In the media industry, 2D and 3D roles employ very different skill sets, so while Blender could evolve to offer a robust package for compositors, this likely won't be their primary focus.

phkahler 5y ago

As someone who uses neither, my hope would be that a specialized tool has a smaller learning curve and possibly more capabilities in its niche.