Non destructive editing software- currently available options?

C

casts_by_fly

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Name
Rick
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi All,

I was/am an aperture user. I am a mac user (obviously if I was an aperture user). I bought a new Macbook Pro and loaded the latest of Aperture, migrated my library, etc. It works (most of the time) but I am getting the intermittent hangups plus it isn't 'snappy' at editing like an SSD macbook pro with 8 GB RAM should be. I don't want to move to another program, but I don't think I have much choice so I'm doing my homework. Photos won't work as I need brushes. I like that Aperture has non-destructive editing. I've gone back to RAW files from 2009 that I had overcooked then and gotten some really nice images. I also like the library management. I just use an aperture library and would continue to use a managed library going forward. I don't use photoshop or any other plug-ins- base aperture is enough.

All that in mind, what other non-destructive options are there that will do the above? Lightroom obviously is one and the lead for now. I didn't hate the interface when I bought Aperture (I trialed both and chose on price) and there are a lot of users with LR so any problem is easily rectified. Any other good options?

thanks,
rick
 
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— No RAW converter will work destructively
— if you work with computers (obviously!) the machine may go bad
(rarely… but even a MAC!)
— if you work with library, the library may go bad… as with Aperture or LR
— Aperture is no longer supported by the maker.

If you have a new machine, why not go for a fresh start…
— Work in sessions… like CO9
— Use time machine
 
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backups and redundancy are not an issue. I have multiple networked hard drives for both photo and machine backups.

CO9?

thanks,
rick
 
The 3 main raw editors are Lightroom, Capture One and DXO Optics Pro. Each have their strengths and weaknesses and each are available for trial FOC: I've used all 3 and like Lightroom best of all for cataloguing, basic image development and modest tweaking with brushes, clone tools etc. DXO Optics Pro doesn't have a brush tool - not sure about Capture One. - and dust removal is weak. Both are better at getting fine detail and greater subtlety out of an image than Lightroom, but I use other software for that.
 
ancient_mariner said:
not sure about Capture One
Click to expand...
•
This danish software has all the tool you could wish in a more powerful
converter, including the heal & clone tools, multiple layers etc. and yes,
one may operate in catalogue too.
 
andy0306 said:
erif's Affinity Photo might be worth a try, looks good for the price
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Absolutely, I use it since a year.

…but this is a pixel editor with RAW compatibility
not a "real" RAW converter.

BTW, I updated to their latest version today… ;-)
 
I have also been playing with Affinity and it truly looks brilliant.....but the raw editing leaves a lot to be desired when comparing with Adobe Camera Raw (LR/PS). I had hoped this may be a way to move on from CC but probably not. At least not unless I use Nikons own free raw converter to do the front end stuff, which is not a bad idea as it does recognise the in camera picture controls (LR/PS do not). LR however is a great DAM and if I have to stick with that then CC is the obvious choice.
 
Travelling Man said:
I had hoped this may be a way to move on from CC
Click to expand...
•
I found a trio that lead me straight out of CC and it is my nirvana
at this point:
Raw converter: CO9
Pixel editor: Affinity
Imagery: Perfect Photo Suite…

and not planing to go back to CC any time soon!
 
Cannot get on with On One's stuff. Always seems buggy to me and those brushes can be so slow. If I need to use plugins then it is Topaz and Macphun (Mac only) for me. I tried CO8 and it is/was more expensive than LR and it is not as good a DAM as LR. I did not really get on with the interface either. No, I will either stay with CC (which is a good deal and a good product imo) or use CNX-D and Affinity. Trouble is CNX-D is not good DAM either :-(
 
I loved aperture but it's now gone so after looking around I have signed up for the Photoshop and Lightroom subscription £8.57/month for me seems the best option
 
I use standalone LR6, PS 13, (the last stand alone version of CS6) - my RAW to NEF conversions are done in LR

the Nik suite seems a bargain at £95 .. even for the "different" NR software and I am using it as a demo, but will buy

Capture one is good - takes time to learn if you are an Adobe user and is not as powerful, IMHO as PS, it does not have the Library ability of LR or some of the other functionality ..... if you have very many images, I have over 30,000, IMHO there is little alternative to LR

I have used Capture One and intend to get CO9 as I found the RAW conversion to be better than LR/PS .......... and the more you get into adjustments the more the UI is good..... it is good for processing your "special" shots

PS 13 has all I need so I would not want to upgrade this anyway

If Adobe stop updating the standalone LR app, (will LR 6 be the last?) ........ the problem would be support for any new camera in converting the RAW to NEF . which would be a pain to have to work around.... I have thought about .DNG's in the past because of this, (plus I have an M8)

Nothing is ideal and there is so much out there to confuse ....... that's why Adobe has the market almost sown up, but this lack of choice and direction that Adobe has started and others are now following is annoying for some, including me, as it mean this constant reference to the internet/Cloud, which annoys me as much as the monthly rates.
 
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BillN_33 said:
I use standalone LR6, PS 13, (the last stand alone version of CS6) - my RAW to NEF conversions are done in LR

the Nik suite seems a bargain at £95 .. even for the "different" NR software and I am using it as a demo, but will buy

Capture one is good - takes time to learn if you are an Adobe user and is not as powerful, IMHO as PS, it does not have the Library ability of LR or some of the other functionality ..... if you have very many images, I have over 30,000, IMHO there is little alternative to LR

I have used Capture One and intend to get CO9 as I found the RAW conversion to be better than LR/PS .......... and the more you get into adjustments the more the UI is good..... it is good for processing your "special" shots

PS 13 has all I need so I would not want to upgrade this anyway

If Adobe stop updating the standalone LR app, (will LR 6 be the last?) ........ the problem would be support for any new camera in converting the RAW to NEF . which would be a pain to have to work around.... I have thought about .DNG's in the past because of this, (plus I have an M8)

Nothing is ideal and there is so much out there to confuse ....... that's why Adobe has the market almost sown up, but this lack of choice and direction that Adobe has started and others are now following is annoying for some, including me, as it mean this constant reference to the internet/Cloud, which annoys me as much as the monthly rates.
Click to expand...

Bill,

I think you've hit my hot buttons as well. I want a standalone product because I don't necessarily need to have the latest and greatest every release. I don't buy the latest computer every other year and I like finding a stable system and sticking with it (my macbook is from 2007 so I went 8 years before upgrading to my Macbook Pro). I had $50 invested in Aperture (initial purchase, then updates were free) and it lasted me 4 or 5 years so committing to $10 a month for LR Cloud is not what I'm looking for. A standalone LR is probably my leading candidate, but I worry about Adobe dropping standalone support (even if I'm not fussed with updates too much). CO9 looks like it might be what I want, but at €279 that is a LOT of money for something that I don't use every day. At this rate I am seriously considering just using Photos on the Mac and loosing brushes and some other functionality I use.

Thanks all for the help,
rick
 
•
Bill, I read clearly that you are not clear with the specifics of each tool!
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•
Bill, I read clearly that you are not clear with the specifics of each tool!
Click to expand...

you will have to explain that, Daniel as I am not clear what you specifically mean

I know how LR works - been using it for years

I know how (parts ... the ones that I use) of PS work - been using it for years

I am new to Nik - but I like Define2 for it's view on NR

Capture One - I only used in for a few days so I don't really know the app

what am I unclear about?
 
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Photos is a poor app in my view. If you send a photo for editing in an extension it comes back as a jpeg. Would not be so bad if it were a tiff but a jpeg! And there is no option Apple makes it work that way apparently. It is absolutely no substitute for LR and is aimed at the happy iPhone snapper, which is fine but hardly goes anywhere near replacing Aperture. I do not think Adobe will kill the LR stand alone product. To be honest I reckon they are more likely to kill off Elements.

As for Nik, there has not been an update from Google for ages now as far as I know. Are they really supporting it? They have even withdrawn some of the Nik technology (control points) from their on line editing suite. No, I just do not trust Google.
 
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Agree re Photo - would almost like to delete it from my computer

I don't trust Adobe

I think that the Nik suite is £95 ...... almost worth it for define2

I have 30,000 images in LR and like their management functions - I am locked in and certainly not going to switch unless I really have to

I don't trust anyone ........ but that's another story ..... that's one of the reasons why I have "little snitch" running constantly
 
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Software houses are businesses. They are there to make money and will keep developing their products in line with every improving technology. Against that background it seems reasonable to conclude that stuff will change and/or become redundant as a matter of routine. That unfortunately is business. Profitable businesses will stick around and to be profitable those businesses need to identify their value customers and support them. All other customers are on the periphery and will remain there. That kind of make outfits like Serif seem a more realistic option for Mr Ordinary - Affinity Photo is a superb product for a 1.4 release and once they develop their DAM I think they will bite into Adobe's share.
 
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Those of you on Mac, have you tried Macphun's stuff (Intensify Pro etc.)? I have and I quite rate it, even over Topaz.
 
casts_by_fly said:
Bill,

I think you've hit my hot buttons as well. I want a standalone product because I don't necessarily need to have the latest and greatest every release. I don't buy the latest computer every other year and I like finding a stable system and sticking with it (my macbook is from 2007 so I went 8 years before upgrading to my Macbook Pro). I had $50 invested in Aperture (initial purchase, then updates were free) and it lasted me 4 or 5 years so committing to $10 a month for LR Cloud is not what I'm looking for. A standalone LR is probably my leading candidate, but I worry about Adobe dropping standalone support (even if I'm not fussed with updates too much). CO9 looks like it might be what I want, but at €279 that is a LOT of money for something that I don't use every day. At this rate I am seriously considering just using Photos on the Mac and loosing brushes and some other functionality I use.

Thanks all for the help,
rick
Click to expand...

I went for the standalone LR5. I didn't want to be paying almost £10 a month so bought out right for under £100 I think. I know people will disagree but I was previously happy with LR3 (for as long as I can remember!!!) and probably still would be if I didn't go Sony A7 series.
 
Travelling Man said:
Those of you on Mac, have you tried Macphun's stuff (Intensify Pro etc.)? I have and I quite rate it, even over Topaz.
Click to expand...

I tried some of the Macphun stuff 18 months ago. The program with the erasing functions was extremely disappointing, and was nothing like as good as presented in demos - really mis-sold I'd say. The rest of the image tweaking stuff seemed like a slightly weak version of what I already had in lightroom.
 
Strange how experiences differ, I and several mates could not get LR to achieve anything like the detail that can be squeezed our of Intensify. The erase module works well enough for me and its far better than LR and probably on a par with PS.
 
Affinity is currently £29.99 on the App Store - I'm currently paying £8.57 a month for a CC sub (PS and LR) - I think I'm going to dive in.
 
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