Luminar Neo (by Skylum)

Luminar Neo, the technological successor to the Macphun Creative Kit, represents the 2026 benchmark for AI-driven food photography. Its architecture transitions from traditional layer-based editing to a modular, AI-centric engine that utilizes neural networks for semantic segmentation. For food photographers, the platform provides specialized neural filters that can distinguish between organic textures (ingredients) and non-organic surfaces (plates and cutlery). The 2026 iteration features advanced Generative AI capabilities including GenErase and GenSwap, allowing creators to digitally 're-plate' or replace backgrounds with high-fidelity textures. The engine's core advantage lies in its 3D depth-mapping technology, Relight AI, which allows for post-capture lighting adjustments that respect the physical geometry of the dish, a critical requirement for high-end culinary marketing and menu design. Positioned as a non-destructive RAW editor, it integrates seamlessly into professional workflows as both a standalone application and a high-performance plugin for Adobe and Apple ecosystems, prioritizing speed and automated consistency across high-volume batches.