

Then install Nik Collection 2 by DxO - It should uninstall/replace the old files (or you can use the uninstaller inside the DMG file to remove the old Google Nik Collection installation first if you prefer) and manually replace the HDR Efex Pro 2.app file installed by DxO with the one you copied to the temporary folder. the whole HDR Efex Pro 2 folder located inside the Google folder (which contains the plugin files used by Photoshop and other hosts like Affinity Photo): this Google folder is created/located inside the folder you specified/created manually during the Google Nik Collection installation in the Compatible Host Applications screen/section when you clicked the plus sign (see this video tutorial at 00:27s for reference). the HDR Efex Pro 2.app file from the Nik Collection folder inside the Applications folder (this is the standalone version of the HDR Efex plugin) I haven't tried what you are suggesting so I'm not sure this would work but in theory if you install Google Nik Collection first you have to copy/take out two things to a temporary folder:

DO Not use “Brush” as although it appears to work as it would before Big Sur, there is no way of turning off the brush due to there being no Selective tool.The HDR Efex Pro from the original Google Nik Collection does work in Affinity Photo (with a few limitations). You can access the other plugins from the filter menu edit as neccesary and return to whichever software you are using. The only thing that doesn’t work is the Nik Selective tool in photoshop. I have just done this for a friend and it works for her. This is where you need to do a bit of work, locate the plugins on your drive and copy them to the plugins folders of whatever version of Photoshop and Lightroom you are using. If double click on each one in turn you can install them on Big Sur. Next select “Resources”, and you will see all of the individual install packages. A finder window will open, chose “Contents”. Open the installer, and when it is at the first screen, where you have the two options of either install or uninstall, right click on Nik Collection.app and select “Show Package Contents”. There is a workaround that takes a bit of work.
