I use Photomatix first importing the .nef files, so it doesn’t ask for a curve. Then once I do the adjustments there, I import it to Photoshop where I take care of the noise and sharpening and put the final touches on. If you use .jpg files, it will ask you to adjust the curve or if it’s being done in Photoshop. I’m not a huge fan of Photoshop’s HDR function, I can get simular results, but I have to use the tone mapping too much and it takes longer.