Acr 4.1

[Jonathan]

Looks like some great new goodies!!! Any pixel shooter reviews or thoughts?

THis new clarity control looks real nice.

http://photoshopnews.com/2007/05/31/about-camera-raw-41/
makes me want CS3..ugh

[Ron Lacey]

Looks like some great new goodies!!! Any pixel shooter reviews or thoughts?

THis new clarity control looks real nice.

http://photoshopnews.com/2007/05/31/about-camera-raw-41/
makes me want CS3..ugh

I've been using ACR4 since the public beta was released and am completely sold on it. I also have Lightroom which I got for free by virtue of being a registered RSP user. Lightroom is pretty much functionally a clone of ACR and quite a bit cheaper than CS3 though I have to admit the interface is a nightmare, at least for me, it'll wear out your mouse's scroll wheel in no time :).

Ron

[David Cramer]

ACR 4.1 offers several additional items, including the clarity slider and refined capture sharpening. The clarity slider is similar to contrast sharpening, in that it adds midtone sharpening to increase contrast in those tones. The new sharpening functions include masking and luminance noise control to help reduce all that noise those 5D and MIII cameras create.:biglaugh:

I have found both functions helpful, but not groundshaking. I do think Adobe keeps moving in the right direction by adding functions that work as advertised.

[Ron Lacey]

ACR 4.1 offers several additional items, including the clarity slider and refined capture sharpening.

Yep, I was already sold and have 4.1 installed just in case somebody buys me a Mk III :).

Ron

[Jonathan]

I've been using ACR4 since the public beta was released and am completely sold on it. I also have Lightroom which I got for free by virtue of being a registered RSP user. Lightroom is pretty much functionally a clone of ACR and quite a bit cheaper than CS3 though I have to admit the interface is a nightmare, at least for me, it'll wear out your mouse's scroll wheel in no time :).

Ron
How would you compare some of the sharpening techniques in Lightroom as compared to ACR 4.1? I may give this a look..just seems a bit nerve recking as I am just getting used to some masking layers and "neat" tricks in CS2. All in all I will need some more practice before upgrading.

ACR 4.1 offers several additional items, including the clarity slider and refined capture sharpening. The clarity slider is similar to contrast sharpening, in that it adds midtone sharpening to increase contrast in those tones. The new sharpening functions include masking and luminance noise control to help reduce all that noise those 5D and MIII cameras create.

I have found both functions helpful, but not groundshaking. I do think Adobe keeps moving in the right direction by adding functions that work as advertised.

Excellent insight as always David! Are the new "noise" benefits comparable to noise ninja while retaining more sharpness or am I really jumping overboard on the greatness of that point?:biglaugh: Seems to me I will stick with Cs2 for now and get my feet wet with more practice:biggrin:

[Ron Lacey]

How would you compare some of the sharpening techniques in Lightroom as compared to ACR 4.1? I may give this a look..just seems a bit nerve recking as I am just getting used to some masking layers and "neat" tricks in CS2. All in all I will need some more practice before upgrading.


Sharpening in Lightroom 1.0 is pretty much the same as ACR4.0 or 3.7, it doesn't have the new stuff David mentioned. There are no layers or masking in Lightroom. However Lightroom is more than a RAW converter, you can apply all it's editing function to regular image files like TIF and JPEG as well as publish images to your printer, the web or DVD slide shows. It's also a file organizer.

As to ACR4.1, operationally it isn't much more difficult than ACR 3.7 in CS 2, just some additional tools :).

Ron

[Jonathan]

Sharpening in Lightroom 1.0 is pretty much the same as ACR4.0 or 3.7, it doesn't have the new stuff David mentioned. There are no layers or masking in Lightroom. However Lightroom is more than a RAW converter, you can apply all it's editing function to regular image files like TIF and JPEG as well as publish images to your printer, the web or DVD slide shows. It's also a file organizer.

As to ACR4.1, operationally it isn't much more difficult than ACR 3.7 in CS 2, just some additional tools :).

Ron

Thanks again Ron! Honestly I have been avoiding my brother's place as he has been using lightroom:biglaugh: Now I need to go over there and really check it out.

[Rudi]

However Lightroom is more than a RAW converter, you can apply all it's editing function to regular image files like TIF and JPEG

You can do this with ACR 4.1, too, Ron. There are times when I choose to use ACR to edit a JPEG file, only because it's simpler than using CS3 (things like changing the colour temperature, etc.)

[mdephoto]

Looks like some great new goodies!!! Any pixel shooter reviews or thoughts?

THis new clarity control looks real nice.

http://photoshopnews.com/2007/05/31/about-camera-raw-41/
makes me want CS3..ugh

Hi Jonathan -- from my perspective I am not surprised at all that you want the newest version of PS. I think that the newest version packs quite a wallop for today's digital photographer. The newest version of Bridge is a big jump over the last one. And, they have even up the functionality since the original announcement with new enhancements in keywording for example. PS 10 with better b&W, photomerge, improved curves, cloning and healing with previews, and better high dynamic range just to mention a few new features.

And since you asked about ACR 4.1 -- I find the sharpening improvements fantastic (I would always rather tweak the raw file than the psd or tif), the addition of Clarity a great improvement (I used to have to do this as an action), and the continuing work on noise a good deal.

I close by telling you the same thing I told my son ..... "This upgrade is well worth it -- I would place getting it ahead of the next lens, camera body, or any other camera component for any digital photographer."

[Jonathan]

You can do this with ACR 4.1, too, Ron. There are times when I choose to use ACR to edit a JPEG file, only because it's simpler than using CS3 (things like changing the colour temperature, etc.)

Leave it to rudi to confuse me:biggrin: Isent ACR only applicable to Raw files? I. E when i load a raw file on CS2 ACR loads and that is the only time i see or use it?

[Jonathan]

Hi Jonathan -- from my perspective I am not surprised at all that you want the newest version of PS. I think that the newest version packs quite a wallop for today's digital photographer. The newest version of Bridge is a big jump over the last one. And, they have even up the functionality since the original announcement with new enhancements in keywording for example. PS 10 with better b&W, photomerge, improved curves, cloning and healing with previews, and better high dynamic range just to mention a few new features.

And since you asked about ACR 4.1 -- I find the sharpening improvements fantastic (I would always rather tweak the raw file than the psd or tif), the addition of Clarity a great improvement (I used to have to do this as an action), and the continuing work on noise a good deal.

I close by telling you the same thing I told my son ..... "This upgrade is well worth it -- I would place getting it ahead of the next lens, camera body, or any other camera component for any digital photographer."

Mike!! So good to hear from you. How is the car? good to see you online:biggrin: I must admit the more and more I am playing with layer masks and various more "advanced" techniques I am really beginning to see the need. No matter how perfect the original shot. Its like an advanced darkroom:biggrin:

Glad you mentioned bridge as well. i have been using thumbsplus to view multiple images and then send to CS2 as I was not pleased with adobes last bridge at all. Then again Thumbsplus gives a new meaning to the word SLOW :biglaugh: So hmm more to ponder. Thanks so much mike

[Rudi]

Leave it to rudi to confuse me:biggrin: Isent ACR only applicable to Raw files? I. E when i load a raw file on CS2 ACR loads and that is the only time i see or use it?

Jonathan,

In CS3, in Preferences, you have the option to tick the checkbox for "Prefer Adobe Camera RAW for JPEG files". After that, a JPEG will open with ACR before anything else. :)

It appears that this is only an option for JPEG files. I haven't tried anything else...

[Ron Lacey]

You can do this with ACR 4.1, too, Ron. There are times when I choose to use ACR to edit a JPEG file, only because it's simpler than using CS3 (things like changing the colour temperature, etc.)

Thanks Rudi, I did not know that but actually I never save jpgs for anything else other than posting to my web server, I print from PS and save the RAW conversion edits to XMP sidecars. I agree that ACR is way easier for white balance than fixing it in PS though.

Ron

[Rudi]

I do not use this for my files either, Ron, since I usually have them in RAW. But there are times when I need or want to dress up a JPEG that someone has sent to me, or asked me to fix up for them. This will definitely save me a lot of time on those occasions! :)

[haibane]

Guys isn't ACR the same in Lightroom 1.1 as it is in CS3? Same exact features and tools with clarity. I don't know why you are comparing ACR to lightroom. ACR is not CS3 its a part of both programs...

[Jeff JTPhoto]

Thanks for the link Jonathan. I didn't realize the new sharpening tools were so powerful...
I believe that CS3 with the new Bridge and RAW 4.1 is easily worth more to you then new camera gear.. My feeling is "What is the point of having the best camera gear without the best image processor to take advantage of it."

[Jonathan]

Thanks for the link Jonathan. I didn't realize the new sharpening tools were so powerful...
I believe that CS3 with the new Bridge and RAW 4.1 is easily worth more to you then new camera gear.. My feeling is "What is the point of having the best camera gear without the best image processor to take advantage of it."

I completely agree Jeff! My first bit of free funds is going to CS3.