No NIK drop down menu?

[flycaster99]

The original NIK collection was added to PSE 18. When first opening an image in PSE 18, there would be a NIK drop down in the right side panel. However, if the NIK drop down menu is to be retained, I can not delete, nor minimize, that first image. Let's say that I've opened PSE with an image, and then keeping that image and adding othe images to process; if I were now to delte or minimize that original image, the NIK drop down menu disappears. However, NIK is still available via the Filters button. I sthis the way it is supposed to be? Thanks.

[Jeff Arola]

What version of windows are you using?

Is the panel labeled Selective Tool?

Can you post a screenshot of what your seeing?

[flycaster99]

Latest version of Windows 11. Yes, Selective Tool. As for posting a screen shot of what I am seeing, I'm not sure what you are looking for? There can be many screenshots, so I'd appreciate just what your interested in seeing.

[Jeff Arola]

 Here with pse 2023 running on Windows 10 the Selective Tool stays on screen for all the open images.

I've disabled the Selective Tool by clicking on the Settings in the Selective Tool panel and setting When Photoshop Launches to do not automatically open the Selective Tool.

You can always go to File>Automation Tools>Nik Collection Selective Tool to reopen it.

If in photoshop shop elements 2018 you go to Help>About Plug-In and click on one of the Nik plugins like Color Efex Pro,

what version does it say?

[flycaster99]

Hey, Jeff, I did what you suggested and tested it out...it works, the panel remains. Thanks. You did it and I now wonder why I didn't pose this question before. So, now, I have to select the NIK panel when I open PSE, but it sure beats having to go to Filters for NIK all the time after the panel disappears. BTW, my version of Color Eflex Pro is: 4.3.24 x64 (v1.2.11)

[flycaster99]

Unfortunately, things are back to the original issue. Although I double checked the panel setting so that it doesn't open when opening PSE, the only way that the NIK panel will show fully is when the first image that is used to open PSE (and NIK chosen from File,) is if the first image remains in the editing panel??? If that image is minimized or deleted from PSE, NIK goes south.

[Jeff Arola]

How are you opening the images into photoshop elements?

[flycaster99]

The disappearing NIK panel issue apparent has now be solved, but the solution was obtained with a rather messy file structure and I think that PSE is still somewhat buggy. My normal workflow is to first open RAW images in Photolab7, then export into PSE 2020 (as tifs) where I'll use NIK. There are also times when I go directly to PSE ACR from Faststone, as ACR opens automatically when it first sees a RAW. Also, I'll open PSE, and chose to open RAWs via PSE's File. The following scenario using 2 RAWs should illustrate what's going on. And, it will be the same for any number of RAWs, but using two makes the point.

Whether entering the two images into PSE proper initially or from PL7, and then having the two open in PSE's window (and showing in the filmstrip,) the NIK panel will open (yeah.) However, the following happens to the NIK panel regardless of how the images got into PSE: The NIK panel will disappear when one of the images in the PSE window is minimized. There is no indication which image's minimization will cause this disappearence. Same thing applies even when there are more than one image in PSE's window. Selecting File>Automatic Tools>NIK does not bring back NIK; however, opening that image via the filmstrip does bring back NIK. So, all is working fine under this scenario, and although NIK may disappear under these circumstances, it is easily brought back.  Also, of note, is that when I open PSE and use its File to open RAWs, there is no disappearence of the NIK panel at any time. I don't know if this is the way things should be, but at least I now have a reliably functioning NIK. 

Now, here's my messy file structure for the NIK plug-in that has solved the disappearing issue. It contains two free NIK downloads, one done the other day and one that's been used for many years. I'm not good at understanding this stuff and was wondering if you could sort it out. If not, I'm willing to leave things well enough alone. Thanks for your attention and suggestions.

[Jeff Arola]

You have multiple Nik Collection plugins in pse 18 Plug-Ins folder, which could well be contributing to the issue.

Only one of each is needed like in the screenshot below.

[flycaster99]

OK, this is what I thought...either one. But, I believe that this one, was the one that problem were arising in. Nonetheless, I will now try a little experiment: Disable one of the folders and see what happens; and, then, disable the other one, and see what happens. A rather simple approach, just hope I don't screw things up. Will let you know what happens by tomorrow.

[flycaster99 · Accepted solution]

Well, I don't think I need to go into all the hairy details, but I spent over 2 hours disabling/enabling the two NIK plugins. And then testing each of the enabled NIKs by 1) Calling images from PSE, exporting from Photolab, exporting from Faststone and then 2) Testing each instance with NIK, there were many randon errors with Define 2 and RAW preprocessing...sometimes they worked, other times not, with each one having the same error alert indicating a disk error. I knew that there probably was some kind of corruption going on, but as things mostly worked and I wasn't sure how to go about starting over. I didn't do anything. But, then I thought what the hell, in one of the plugins there was an .exe to delete NIK...so, I took a chance an executed it. Lo and behold, all signs of the installed NIKs were deleted. I then re-installed a new free NIK (v 1.2.11), tested as before (1 and 2,) and now is all working as it should and the plugin folder looks just like yours. Thanks loads for your support.

[Jeff Arola]

Glad you got it working.

[flycaster99]

Unfortunately, I'm back, but with relatively minor issues that I think are probably (?) related to the fact that the NIK plugin is old and buggy. Nonetheless, let me outline where NIK is working and where it is not working.

1. Going from FastRawViewer>PSE, NIK opens and works, FastRawViewer>PSE, NIK opens and works

2. Going from Photolab7>PSE, NIK opens and works

3. Going from Faststone>PSE, NIK opens and works

4. Going from PSE's File>Open/Open RAW, No NIK panel, panel not opened from File>Automated Tools

5. Just opening PSE, opens NIK

6. PSE's Filter>NIK always works under all circumstances

7. Even though PSE opens with NIK when several images are in the filmstrip, minimumizing one of the images will hide the panel (never know which image,) but restoring that image to the window, will bring the panel back. When panel not showing, File>Automated>NIK will not open

If possible, I'd like to know if these issues are seen by others? Thanks.

EDIT: Talk about bugs, this is crazy. Issues 4 and 7 are now working, also.