Things I would like to see in the next NX release
Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#1. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
TiggerGTO Nikonian since 22nd Feb 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 04:40 AM | edited Mon 27-Apr-09 04:48 AM by TiggerGTO1. Properly support 64-bit Windows
2. Fix the bug where crops can change the apparent placement and/or the actual effect of control points.
3. Make crop steps editable (i.e. let me redo a crop rather than deleting it and making a new crop step).
4. Let me move edit steps around in the list (i.e. change their order).
5. As an enhancement to your selective exposure control suggestion, I'd like the ability to add selections to the steps in the Quick Fix section. This would allow using selection control points, gradients or painted areas for any of the edits in the Quick Fix section, in particular, the exposure compensation and the levels and curves adjustment.
6. Framing and/or stroke capability would be great. Even if it is just as simple as being able to increase the canvas size multiple times filling with black, white or a color selection.
7. Any performance improvements would be greatly appreciated.
Danny
A Nikonian in North Carolina-
#3. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 1
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 08:45 AMI have held off updating to a 64 bit OS because there are many programs I use that would most likely not work in a 64 bit environment. Fixing bugs would be nice, but I assumed they would do that. Seed improvements are always welcome, but if they did have a 64 bit verdion you would get speed, but I do admit that with a fast computer sometimes the time it takes to do some steps (with a long edit list) is a pain. The canvas size one is a good one as it alone would let you do many framing effects with the current product, All you would have to do is paint in the expanded canvas with the fill brush in any way you like and then change the color. I have already done that on images where the edges contained no real info.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#6. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 3
TiggerGTO Nikonian since 22nd Feb 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 10:18 AMUnfortunately, I wouldn't assume that bugs will get fixed. The crop and control point interaction has been around since Capture NX first came out. I know how to avoid it, but there are times where I need to go back and adjust a crop or work with control points that I put down before a crop. Over the weekend, I did figure out that if I uncheck the crop step, I can successfully go back and add or move control points in a previous edit step without the interaction. Then I just turned the crop back on after I was done moving the control points.
Danny
A Nikonian in North Carolina
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#4. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 2
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 08:46 AMIt doesn't work at all? I thought it did.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it. -
#5. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 2
TiggerGTO Nikonian since 22nd Feb 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 10:13 AMIt works for me on 64-bit Vista Ultimate. If you've seen my other thread, you know that I've run into problems that Nikon tells me they can't or won't look into, but I can get all my Capture NX2 based post-processing done on my machine.
Danny
A Nikonian in North Carolina
#7. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
It would be great if Capture NX2 (or NX3 or NXx) made some advances towards playing better with other applications to enable a more complete workflow.
For example, I currently use PhotoMechanic as a front end for Capture NX2. It would be great if Nik or Nikon put as much effort into compatibility as CameraBits does. It would be wonderful if you could open a NEF as a smart object in Photoshop CS4 like you can with Lightroom. It would be really cool if Capture NX2 handled metadata in a compatible way so that you could easily use Lightroom 2 for the library features and make changes to ratings, keywords or other metadata in either application that could be seen by both.
I don't think that Nik or Nikon has the capability to address all the needs of a complete digital photography workflow. So, they should make every effort to enable Capture NXx to easily integrate into a broader digital workflow.
Danny
A Nikonian in North Carolina
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#9. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 7
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 12:20 PMDanny that may be a bit much to ask, but it should not just be up to Nik and Nikon, the other apps should look for more compatibility as well. It is funny how things can be skewed, I looked at a NAPP tutorial yesterday where Kosklowsky was taking about the Adobe camera profiles. So he says that the profiles are an "approximation" of what you get if you use the vendors SW to open an image so that you start closer to how you want the image to look. I had no problem with that comment as it is true. But then he said, "but nobody wants to use the vendor Sw". Matt should look over his shoulder as he is a D300 user and NX2 is getting more converts every day because they don't want "approximations" when they paid to have a category 2 camera like a D300, D3, or D700.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#22. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 9
TiggerGTO Nikonian since 22nd Feb 2006Tue 28-Apr-09 06:33 AMI'm not quite sure why you are defending Nik and Nikon. I am a big fan of NX2, and there are many of us out there. And just like many of those people, I am becoming more and more frustrated with Capture NX2's failures to address defects in a timely fashion and make significant improvements to the performance and robustness compared to other similar applications. Also, the way that they handle both metadata and instruction sets for NEFs forces isolation from other applications in the RAW workflow. Sure you can "open with" into Photoshop, but many times NX2 can not or will not allow you to edit the TIF after Photoshop has saved it.
I mentioned CameraBits before. Whenever a new version of Capture NX2 comes out and minor changes to the file format or metadata handling cause problems, the guys at CameraBits update PhotoMechanic to fix things. They are extremely open to suggestions and responsive to problem reports. Nik and Nikon should follow that example. Heck, I'd love to see them work directly with CameraBits so that problems that may come up can be preemptively fixed before a new release comes out and so that PhotoMechanic can work even more seamlessly with Capture NX2.
As Rick Walker mentioned in another post on this thread, this market is becoming very competitive. Some of the players in this space will not survive the near term future. I'm not asking for miracles from Nikon and Nik. I am just asking for them to strive for a product that remains competitive and attractive to its users.
Danny
A Nikonian in North Carolina-
#26. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 22
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 28-Apr-09 09:30 AMI am not asying that Nikon and Nik should not fix their bugs. What I am saying is that other companies have responsibilites also when it comes to compatibility. My understanding is Adobe opted out of using NIKON/NIK Developer tools. I have never had a problem with a TIF in NX2. CameraBits as a library tool must keep up with the major tools to sell their product. Should NIKON/NIK work to keep their product competative? Absolutely, and I agree they should not make their stuff so out of wack with some industry standards that it does not work with other popular SW, but you also have to consider that they are breaking new ground here and are only up to version 2. Photoshop costs way more than NX2. Much of Adobe code is over 20 years old and the way they process stuff is often archaic. They are spending lots of money fixing that in each release. A lot of their new features are catch up actions, and are not the best solutions. Their camera profiles while nice are still approximations of what the new cameras produce, and turn a category 2 camera that you pay big bucks for back into a category 1. Each company has a development budget and has a business model. If they are smart they will listen to the market. If they are not, they will die off like others before them.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#27. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 26
walkerr Registered since 05th May 2002Tue 28-Apr-09 09:49 AM
>also when it comes to compatibility. My understanding is Adobe
>opted out of using NIKON/NIK Developer tools.
To clarify things, Adobe would have had to embed the entire Capture engine within ACR, which would have meant a different user interface, different performance (same issues that NX users have), and incompatibilities with how they handle other cameras. For those who use multiple systems (like me), this would have been a major source of frustration. I personally have no issue with their color profiles. They are exceedingly close to the Nikon ones if used correctly, but I couldn't care less if they're exact. There's nothing sacrosanct about the Nikon ones and for some shots, I prefer the Adobe Standard rendition, something NX doesn't offer.Rick Walker
My photos:
GeoVista Photography-
#28. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 27
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 28-Apr-09 10:01 AMRick mypoint was really not to slam Adobe, I use their products, but to point out that they have been at it for much longer than NIKON/NIK and improvements take time. Photshop is way better than it used to be and as I remember it used to have its share of frustrating issues and still does. While we as users would like all our programs to play nice together, that has certainly not been the case on Windows machines and is often not where the competiton wants to be. Everyone would like to be the top dog, unless their product is a supportive product to the big dogs.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#8. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
NX2 does everything that LR does but not as elegant and straightforward. NX, for me, is tedious work and LR is fun. The main reason that I’m going through LR is because the Library Module and the selection of photos, which is very nice, simple, and fast in LR. The following is my wish list for NX3:
1. Much Better user interface to make the selection of photos that much easier – NX2 is too time consuming and screwy.
2. A film strip at the bottom of the screen.
3. Implement the Nik Software plug-in – they own half the company. They only have Color Efex and they need Dfine, Silver Efex, and Sharpener.
4. Some graphics like frames and lettering.
5. HDR
6. Panos
Best Regards,
Ramesses
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos
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#10. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 8
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 12:27 PMHector:
I am sure there will be more interface improvements in the future, but I don't find the current one that much of an issue. As far as a film strip, I think all it would take is the ability to move the browser window to a horizonatal position as you can already make it float.
As far as plug ins go, Here NX has the advantage as they can implement any of the plug ins right into NX and perhaps they will offer that in the future. If they implemented my suggestion of selective exposure, that would go a long way to not needing HDR at all. Otherwise I don't see that happening at the NX price range. Don't see Pano's either, but you would think that if little companies like Olympus can put Pano support (stitching) in their inexpensive product, why can't Nikon and Nik?Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#11. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 10
I might have missed it, but when opening the browser, and all the folders are there, is it possible with thumbnails on the first pictures in the folders? Like in "My Pictures" in "My Documents" on my computer....I find it very difficult to locate pictures as they are stored by date on the folders, with thumbnails I can see if which folder it is I am looking for...
Kind regards
Nielsen-
#12. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 11
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 01:36 PMEven though you set your folder properties to show an image at the folder level, it appears that NX2 for some reason does not support it and only displays images in a folder. You can sort how they display, i.e. by name, date, when modified, etc.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#14. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 10
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Mon 27-Apr-09 02:20 PM | edited Mon 27-Apr-09 02:23 PM by RamessesHi Bob:
It is not a question of seeing the folders or not. Actually, this feature is nicer in NX – you can bring up the photos from the folder instead of having to import them into the library like in LR. However, the rest of the selection process is where LR shines.
The film strip enables you to navigate from photo to photo by just pressing the left-right arrows keys. In addition, you can see only the photos selected as thumbnails in the main screen, in the grid mode.
The compare option enables you to compare any quantity of photos, selected in the filmstrip, in the main screen. It only does two at a time, side-by-side: “Selected” and “Candidate.” You can change the candidate with the left-right arrow key and also the “Selected” photo with the up-down arrow key. All along the film strip shows you which one is the “Selected” or the “Candidate” photo. This is just the start. You can also mark as “Rejected” the photos you want to delete, which can be done all at once the selection process is finished.
You also have the “Quick Develop” panel in the Library Module. It allows you to increase or decrease by one thirds or a full EV various controls like: Exposure, Recovery, fill light, blacks, clarity, vibrance, brightness, contrast, temperature, tint, color treatment, etc. You use them to compare photos better. You get an idea if the photo that was underexposed can be recovered, for example.
All along, you have the important information about the photos like f-stop, shutter speed, name of file, ISO, and focal distance displayed on the photo you are looking at.
Once you get used to the LR “Library Module,” it is impossible to use NX for the selection process. View NX has similar features, but not as powerful as LR and the integration of both View NX and Capture NX is not that smooth.
The user interface of the “Development Module” in LR is much better than NX but not such a difference to justify using LR instead than NX – they both do the same. However, the Library Module in LR is excellent. I can finish selecting, for example, ~ 500 photos in less than an hour – it is that good.
Best Regards,
Ramesses
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos
#13. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
- Improve the browser and make it color managed.
- Copy settings from one file to another (or multiple ones) needs to be improved.
- General speed issues still must be addressed (and yes, I know about 2.2; it's not enough)
- Processes are too serial and more of them need to run asynchronously
- Local corrections should be made on the raw data rather than data that's already been converted from raw (a fine point, but why not, since other programs do it).
- Output sharpening shouldn't be guesswork and neither should capture sharpening. Users should be able to describe the kind of scene they've shot (fine detail, medium detail, etc.), and the sharpening routines should adjust based on that info, combined with the ISO setting. Output sharpening shouldn't just be USM. It should allow the user to specify the paper type or output source and then be calculated automatically based on the image size. Nik Sharpener does most of this, so a lot of the code already exists within the two companies.
- NX needs a clarity type control.
- Reordering of edit steps has already been mentioned. That issue has been around too long.
- The Nikon black box raw converter within NX is too obvious. It should be more seamless with the rest of NX.
- The UI needs a serious makeover.
- How far Nikon wants to take NX is a decision they need to make. I expect at least a couple of raw conversion companies to go out of business this year. Staying viable means keeping up with your competition. Control points are excellent, but attention needs to be focused on workflow and data management to stay relevant.
Knowing what I know, I feel good about some of these items, but a successful next major release will need to hit as many of these issues as possible.
Rick Walker
My photos:
GeoVista Photography
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#15. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 13
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 02:39 PMRick a very good set of comments. I am sure there are other issues involved in their choices, like how much would you have to increase the cost if you did all we asked or cannibalization of their other sales. Perhaps they should steal one idea from Adobe, and have multiple levels of the program. I would be willing to pay more if all the Nik products were integrated into NX2. Programs like TURBOCAD have general and Pro versions, so why not NX? The current product could be the basic level, full implementation of Nik products another and if they get around to figuring out a library function a third. Perhaps they could also do it buy making these items add on's like they do with Effects Pro 3 for NX2, as that would solve the cannibalization problem.Since I already own the CS4 Production Premium suite and still use NX2, it shows I appreciate what it can do, but I still need Photoshop sometimes.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
#16. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
1. Refined UI
2. PLEASE make the metadata editor simpler and easier to use
3. Fix the old bugs such as the crop and control point mess
4. Better multiprocessor use for core functionality
5. A type tool is absolutely needed
6. A better method to handle image size changes from the original ala Photoshop's Image Size
7. Reordering edit steps
8. Have some sort of layers functionality where you can duplicate the image or parts of it via selections/masks
9. A simpler way of managing things in edit steps. The in-place idea is OK but surely there's a better way to manage the dialogs.
10. Macro capability for common procedures - not the same as batch conversion or re-applying the settings previously saved.
11. A multi-image preview ala Variations in Photoshop. Let us see the same image repeated with different settings at the same time. It sure beats having to preview on/preview off for everything. Let us see the same image tiled with different settings so we can make comparisons more simply.
12. Smarter sharpening algorithms as mentioned. And I'll add to it, do the same with noise.
13. Find a way to allow Photoshop plugins or find a way to build a photoshop plugin that lets us embed a NEF in a smart object that uses NX as the editor.
14. Please, let us control how sensitive control points are. You pick a color but it always bleeds in a circular area. You pick the sky but it always impacts things outside of the sky. You have to paint out the selection so the control point only affects the sky. There should be a threshold so we can control how similar of a sampling we want to adjust.
15. Integrate video panels that link to instruction or something. That is, more relevant documentation!
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#17. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 16
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 06:57 PMNeil thanks for your inputs. One way to control bleeding is to set a color control point to protect in the area you don't want the effect to flow, or just set the mask view and you will see exactly waht will be effected.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#20. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 17
The protection function doesn't work cleanly. Especially for fine edge detail like what I usually end up with.
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#18. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
1) Support 64-bit Vista
2) Support 64-bit Windows 7
I currently run Capture NX and am waiting to buy NX2 (or NX3) until they support 64-bit. I know some people are having success running on 64-bit Vista, but I would rather know that it has been tested and is supported on an operating system before I use it.
Jim Kelly
There's no sense making a mistake unless you plan to learn from it.
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#19. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 18
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 27-Apr-09 07:45 PMWindows 7 will also have an Xp compatibility mode that will allow you to run programs that would not run in Windows 7.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it. -
#21. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 18
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 28-Apr-09 06:31 AMHi Jim:
I do not think that running 64-bit Vista is that critical. I’m running 64-bit Vista in my Laptop and NX has no problems with it – it runs fine. I have yet to see any difference in performance between LR (supports 64-bit) and NX from my PC and laptop. So much so, that I did not bother to upgrade my main PC from 32-bit to 64-bit especially when Windows 7 is around the corner.
Best Regards,
Ramesses
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#25. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 21
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 28-Apr-09 09:14 AMHector good to know. I think I will build a new machine when Windows 7 is out. I put together the current one from scratch, but I did use stuff from an earlier computer when I did. I would most likely swap out the MOBO, add about 6GB-8GB of RAM, a a new Video card and update all my SATA drives to 1 TB each.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#30. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 25
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 28-Apr-09 10:12 PM | edited Tue 28-Apr-09 10:54 PM by RamessesHi Bob:
Build your own? I used to build my own computers, not anymore. The present one came from Dell XPS ~ $1,600:
1. C Drive: SATA – 500 MB
2. D Drive: SATA – 1TB (Photo files)
3. Intel Dual Core – 3GHz each
4. RAM – 4 GB
5. Windows Vista Home Premium
6. Etc.
I was up to $3,500 for a system ~ to the above, to do it myself. However, my biggest problem is vision and steadiness - the small connectors from the case to the MOBO get me now. The previous one, that I built myself, I had to use magnifiers and extra lighting. However, there is nothing comparable like building your own, though.
Best Regards,
Hektor
PS: One thing that I just remembered. Right now, the technology is silicon-based conductors. They hit the wall with the heat generated by the transmission of electrons - it ranges ~ 3-3.6 GHz. That is why they came up with Dual-Core and QuadCore processors. However, I know that they are developing technology based in laser (light - no-light) processors and BUS - no heat. Therefore, there are no limits. However, I do not know how far advanced they are.
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#32. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 30
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 28-Apr-09 10:49 PMYes I built my own that way I could decide what went into the system. It is now 4 years old but does have a Core 2 duo and 4 GB of RAM, 3 DVD Drives (one of them SATA),1 SCSI and one ATA), 6 hard drives, (4 SATA (2 in RAID 1), 1 SCSI and 1 ATA), Windows XP Pro, 1 Floppy. The hardware part was easy, the Sw a pain.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#33. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 32
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 28-Apr-09 10:58 PMHi Bob:
WOW. Yes, you have a system!
I just added the following to my previous message. Let me post it again, just in case you did not see it.
"One thing that I just remembered. Right now, the technology is silicon-based conductors. They hit the wall with the heat generated by the transmission of electrons - it ranges ~ 3-3.6 GHz. That is why they came up with Dual-Core and QuadCore processors. However, I know that they are developing technology based in laser (light - no-light) processors and BUS - no heat. Therefore, there are no limits. However, I do not know how far advanced they are."
HektorA Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#34. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 33
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 28-Apr-09 11:45 PMNo need to upgrade as often, but 4 to 5 years is a good point now. I am too much of a pack rat. I still have SCSI because about 3 computers ago, I had a SCSI scanner, still do and a SCSI tape drive, which I no longer use as it is only 2 GB, and a SCSI drive (very small that I just use to store tutorials now). The SCSI DVD is newer, but SATA DVDs are really fast. I use SATA 3 drives, but they are only 500 GB units two in RAID 1, and the other 2 set as stand alones, one for Photos and one for Video. I also have 3 external drives for back up and that is what I would really like to change when I do upgrade, perhaps a network drive. This is along way from my first computer which I still have, an Ohio Scientific 8P which used an acoustic modem and was hooked up to Compuserve.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#29. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 21
Yes, I've noticed that some people are running NX2 on 64-bit Vista just fine. I've also noticed some people are encountering problems doing so. And nobody seems to know why some are working and some aren't. And Nikon refuses to help figure it out because 64-bit Vista is an unsupported operating system.
As for running NX2 in the XP compatibility mode in Windows 7, my entire motivation for moving to Windows 7 is to break out of the 32-bit virtual address boundaries and memory constraints when using Capture and Photoshop. I want both applications to be able to use 16GB of DDR3 2000 RAM. Plus, Nikon hasn't said that their product is supported on Windows 7 in XP compatibility mode, so the problem of support still exists.
Jim Kelly
There's no sense making a mistake unless you plan to learn from it.
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#31. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 29
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 28-Apr-09 10:28 PMHi Jim:
As I said, I do not have any problems with 64-bit Vista in my laptop. However, it only means just that. On the other hand, it has not been thoroughly tested, either. My laptop has a 12.3” screen and the main PC has 24” widescreen Guess which one is my first choice for PP?
Yes, 64-bit FSB is a dream. We’ll see about Windows 7. I can’t believe how far we have come in less than 20 years. In my days as a System Analyst for Main Frames IBM Sierras, the breakdown was as follows:
PC’s: 8-bit
Mini: 16-bit
Main Frames: 32-bit
The IBM 3090 Main Frame had 1 GB of Ram!!! – Virtual RAM. In other words, it came with an algorithm that only loaded the, let’s say, 10% of a program that was running, at the time. The rest was stored in massive disk drives. Since it was running like 10 programs at a time, it simulated that all programs were stored in RAM and thus 1GB, but not so.
Best Regards,
Hektor
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos
#23. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
1. drag and drop reordering of edit steps (i now know that you can copy and then past and then delete to reorder, but it should be easier than that.)
2. ability to crop, remove crops, or recrop WIHTOUT AFFECTING other edit steps I know about this and tell myself to crop as the very last thing I do, and yet continually screw myself.
3. Silver Efex Pro plugin implemented in the same manner as Color Efex pro
4. Silver Efex Pro and Color Efex Pro bundle
5. Text Tool, or at a minimum ability to imprint copyright information somewhere. Actually, ability to imprint EXIF data directly onto the photo.
6. A clone tool
7. a square brush
8. Really look at the way the program utilizes the processor. It seems like once you get beyond 3 or 4 steps that contain selection control points the time to do anything (even with the edit steps active unchecked) really really increases exponentially, though 2.2 has improved this a lot.
Other things I am sure.
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#24. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 23
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 28-Apr-09 09:11 AMJan a good list.Bob Baldassano
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#81. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 23
sylvesterii Registered since 02nd Sep 2008Fri 22-May-09 11:08 AM | edited Fri 22-May-09 11:08 AM by sylvesteriiAfter a recent discussion in this forum, I thought it appropriate to add one more.
When saving a .jpg, and indication of the size the resulting .jpg file will be when saved at that quality level.
#35. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
Since what I'd want to be able to do in LAB is mainly a curves manipulation of the L, A, and B channels, and then to come back to RGB, it would might take a fair amount of work to maintain the model of scripted actions on a NEF file. Frankly, I wouldn't care much if the app had to store some intermediate file format to manage the LAB version's data. Right now, I have to deal with the intermediate TIFF to go back and forth from NX 2 to PS.
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#36. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 35
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 11-May-09 09:28 AM | edited Mon 11-May-09 09:54 PM by robsbAlan when I work in Photoshop I often work in LAB space too. But it is usually for two reasons, the fact the luminosity is separate from color and for the wider color gamut. The sharpening in NX2 as I understand is done essentially the same way as you would do it in LAB i.e only luminosity is sharpened. Also the LCH curve in NX2 is similar to what you would do in LAB as well. You can also set the LAB space under preferences, but that is not as easy as it is in Photoshop where it is a menu choice.Bob Baldassano
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"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#52. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 36
adangus Nikonian since 02nd Jan 2009Tue 12-May-09 08:53 AMMy observation is that there's a good deal more to be done in LAB than just the sharpening in the L-channel trick. You can get some serious results from applying real curves in the A & B channels as well. But that's another topic...
I have NX 2.2.1, and I can see in the preferences how to choose various RGB, CMYK & printer profile options in the color management panel. However, unless I'm missing something obvious (which happens frequently) I don't see how to work directly in LAB within NX2.
As to LCH, which is available as a color model, there certainly is a relationship:
L = L
C = sqrt(a**2 + b**2)
H = arctan(b/a)
So LCH is like LAB in polar co-ordinates. But that makes getting certain complex curves effects in LCH as opposed to LAB rather exotic (I think). I'm not knocking LCH; I love it. I'm just saying that there are some A/B-channel tricks that I'd love to be able to do quickly in NX2 without having to run over to Photoshop for.
BTW, I've checked through the NX2 manual for LAB & CIELAB, etc, and haven't found anything much (outside of the color picker).Visit my Nikonians gallery
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#55. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 52
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 12-May-09 09:56 AMAlan I did not mean to imply that LABwas only good for sharpening.When I was using Photoshop exclusively, it was my main color space as I did use extensive curve manipulation. I tries every trick Dan Margulis had in his Photoshop LAB Color book. You can set your color space in preferences, not only printer profiles, it is at the top of the panel and printer profiles are below. I agree they do not talk about LAB in the manual, but I also think that LCH is very powerful and easy to use, and will give similar results.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#73. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 55
adangus Nikonian since 02nd Jan 2009Wed 13-May-09 08:03 AMThis might be almost worth another independent thread...
I assume you're talking about the Color Management preferences panel. Mine looks like this:
(Sorry about jpg artifacting in these screen shots. I set quality down significantly do get them under the 150kB limit.)
I can see settings for RGB prefs, but not a method to select LAB as a color space for any given file. The same situation appears to be the case for color space conversion. Basically what pops up as options is the list of available RGB color spaces. I do have a screen calibration for an L* curve, but that's still an RGB space for the monitor after all.
Also, if I save a TIFF in LAB format from Photoshop, NX 2 will refuse to open it. Save the same TIFF in any old RGB color space and NX 2 will happily open the file.
I also went through Margulis' book on LAB. It's certainly true that LCH is a close cousin to LAB, and many of Margulis' basic tricks are almost easier in LCH. For example, a steep curve in the A & B channels is equivalent to shifting up the chroma in the LCH panel. Selectively applying a less steep curve to B than A say would be achieved by pulling down the blue & yellow parts of the chroma curve, and so on. However, doing a dust&scratches or surface blur on the B channel sends you over to Photoshop.
Anyway, if something here is staring me right in the face, shout it out. I'd love for this to work.
Attachment#1 (jpg file)
Attachment#2 (jpg file)
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#74. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 73
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Wed 13-May-09 09:32 AMAllan I have to stop staying up past 2 AM as I have mislead you. While I stand by my statement that LCH can do most of what we accomplish in LAB, I have never tried to use a LAB space in NX2. More importantly, I too cannot see a LAB color space in my color management list either, because it is not there. It is a choice in View NX, where I can see NKLab.icm as a color management choice and I don't know why it does not show up in NX2. I have not tried the NKLab selection in ViewNX either, as I have always gone to PS for any LAB work, as I am familiar with it there. In looking over the manual in NX2, I must conclude that we cannot work in that space in NX2. The View NX manual is silent on LAB as well.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#75. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 74
adangus Nikonian since 02nd Jan 2009Wed 13-May-09 02:37 PMWe seem to have converged to a common view then. I agree about LCH being as good, if not better, than LAB at certain functions. And certainly if NX2 has an LCH color panel, and LCH's chroma & hue are just LAB's A&B channels in polar co-ordinates, then they probably can handle LAB inherently.
Anyway, back to my original wish item: LAB. Maybe tuck it right under the LCH item under "Color" in the Develop section. Better yet, make LAB an available working space rather than just a touch-up option.
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#76. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 75
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Wed 13-May-09 03:40 PMAgreedBob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#37. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
2. Tethering
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#38. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 37
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 11-May-09 01:27 PMStephen Nikon already offers tethering that ties in with NX2. It is control Pro 2 and if you have D300, d700 or D3 you also can use live view to see what the image will look like with a 100% view from frame edge to frame edge before you shoot. You can control aperture, focus, shutter, etc all from the computer and even activate the shutter. You can save directly to a file on your computer and can use NX2 or any other SW as the default viewer once the image is capturedBob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#41. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 38
prairiefire Registered since 16th May 2004Mon 11-May-09 05:16 PMThanks -- my post was inarticulate.
I already use Control Pro 2 to tether. What I meant to say was that I wanted the image to be imported by NX2 in the same way Lightroom 2 will do it now.
LR2 uses a "watched folder". I'd like NX2 to either do that or find another way to import, affix IPTC info and whatever stock processing I want, add keywords, and do all the other things LR2 will do.
Right now, although I prefer the processing power of NX2, I'm probably going to stick to my all Adobe workflow mainly because of the DAM and tethering issues.
Thanks for the reply -- sorry to put you to the task by my sloppy post.Visit my Nikonians gallery
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#42. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 41
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 11-May-09 05:59 PMStephen I am still puzzled by your comments. There is a "watched folder" in NX2 under the batch process. You can set up a series of steps and then any time an image shows up in the watched folder, it will be processed by those steps. Also you can add IPTC data automatically to your images as well. This is done under preferences. So what don't these functions do that you want?Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#43. "Will it open them in NX2?" | In response to Reply # 42
prairiefire Registered since 16th May 2004Mon 11-May-09 07:31 PMAs best I can tell, it will run batch processes but will not open them in NX2 automatically.
I just set up a "watched folder" dragged a .nef into it. NX2 renamed, etc -- but the image never opened up.
What I want is to shoot and then be able to look at the image in NX2.
You've been great in opening my eyes to most of what I want.
Can you take me the final step?
Thanks.
sjhVisit my Nikonians gallery
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#44. "RE: Will it open them in NX2?" | In response to Reply # 43
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 11-May-09 07:57 PMIf you are using control Pro 2, you can set it to open the image in NX2 as soon as the image is taken. You don't need to have a watched folder, but you do tell control Pro 2 where you want the images stored. You can have control Pro Show the image in its viewer, use View NX or NX2 or any other program for that matter. It works great and is even better if you use Live View, as you will see an enlarged image in the Cntrol Pro Live View Window before you shoot and then in NX2 after you shoot. Is that what you are trying to do?Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#45. "Exactly What I Am Trying to Do!!!" | In response to Reply # 44
prairiefire Registered since 16th May 2004Mon 11-May-09 08:31 PMMy camera is in my studio, but since you posted this message I've been looking at my software and manuals.
I take it in Control Pro 2 I use "Tools>Show Capture NX2" and this means that as an image is taken it will go directly to NX2 for viewing. (I also assume that I still have to download to a folder -- because I'm not storing on the CF cards BUT that the folder I set won't be a "watched folder". Am I correct?)
There is nothing in the Control Pro 2 manual that explains any of this. In fact the manual makes it seem that it simply runs processes but does not open the image.
So, when I get back to my studio on Wed, I'll hook everything up and see if I can make it work.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this patient help. This is something critical to my move away from LR2 to NX2, something I did not think I'd be able to do.
Best,
sjhVisit my Nikonians gallery
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#46. "RE: Exactly What I Am Trying to Do!!!" | In response to Reply # 45
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 11-May-09 09:42 PMStephen I think I have led you astray with bad memory. Tools> Show Capture NX2 will only open NX2. If you have a watched file in NX2, you can set that file in Download options as it will now come up as a selection as to where you want the images stored. The view Options in Control 2 allow you to use the Control 2 Viewer or View NX to see captured images. That is what I think I have used in the past, but the work around would be as follows:
Use Tools>show NX2 and then go to the NX2 browser and open the watched folder. Now every time an image is captured you will at least see the thumbnail which you can click for a FULL SIZE IMAGE. I would also use View NX as the Viewer as you can get a really big image automatically there,
I am sorry for misremembering how I did it a few weeks ago when I was copying slides to my computer using my D700.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#51. "Thank You." | In response to Reply # 46
prairiefire Registered since 16th May 2004Tue 12-May-09 08:45 AMBob,
I deeply appreciate the time you took to try and get me where I want to go.
I'm going to try your alternatives -- they may do what I want.
In the mean time, I hope this wish list we are developing gets to the people who are working on the next version of NX -- and I hope the next version will allow the program to open the images that go to the watched folder.
Best,
sjhVisit my Nikonians gallery
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#65. "Speed" | In response to Reply # 37
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#39. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
What I would also really, really like to see is better operations on multiple pictures. Opening and closing each file in NX2 is a pain (and a time sink) when you are trying to process a number of pictures in sequence. I find that the handling of this by ACR or LR much easier to work with.
Regards,
Michel G. Sylvestre
Nikonian from Montréal, Canada
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#40. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 39
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Mon 11-May-09 03:36 PMMichel thanks for your input. Let us hope that the NX2 team reads our inputs and implements some of our requests.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
#47. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
1. Custom White Balance - We are given lots of ways to fiddle with white balance except being able to just dial in our own white balance without the need to do it in a round about way. Just a simple Step for Custom White Balance with accompanying colour temp and tint sliders without any hard limits on the numbers we can use.
2. Access to Nik Plugins - Nik has a lot of good plugins on offer but we can hardly use any of them because they are all for Photoshop. Surely it would be simple enough to convert them for use with NX? Maybe they could release a Capture NX2 Professional Edition with all their plugins included? I'd be willing to pay a little extra for the ability to use these plugins with NX2.
3. Cloning Tool - Sorely needed and is something I really miss without having Photoshop on hand.
4. Double Processing - I'd like to be able to double process a NEF and then layer them togther in NX2. Maybe this is something already possible and I haven't realised how to use it yet.
Gordon
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#48. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 47
DrJay32 Nikonian since 11th Mar 2003Tue 12-May-09 05:31 AMGood suggestions, Gordon.
For what it's worth, I share many of the same desires for future versions of NX and have communicated them to Nikon.
-Jason
Jason P. Odell
Colorado Nikonian
Author, The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX2
www.luminescentphoto.com
My Nikonians Blog
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#56. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 48
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 12-May-09 10:27 AM | edited Tue 12-May-09 11:12 AM by RamessesJason:
I am very sorry, but I have given up on NX. The only reason that I’m still using is because NX continues to be the best RAW converter for Nikon. Nikon knows this and why should they bother to put out a product that people want. It is beyond me, that Nik Software, a company that Nikon is part owner, can come out with the LR plug-ins and not for NX, except of Color Efex. In addition, Nik Software is the one that developed Capture NX. All they need is Dfine, Sharpener, and Silver Efex. Viveza is NX.
It is not just the Nik plug-ins but also the graphics that I can produce in PSE7 like putting frames on the pictures, watermarks inscriptions, etc. In addition, I have the ability to create elaborate slide-show presentations, in PSE7, that I can play on TV’s.
I heard that NX3 will have a UI that people might like. However, they will be always behind, imho, to LR and PSE7. The last two are not going to stand still. For example, I can do panos with PSE7, now.
The lack of compatibility between the three is very frustrating. I cannot save the changes in NEF format using NX. OK, I can go through PSE7 or use Adobe DNG converter coming out of NX. For what use? Nik Software only handles TIFF and JPEG files outside of NX. OK, I’ll use TIFF files in LR, except that I have to bake the changes into the files, if I do not want to create a number of copies of the same file, which becomes unmanageable. OK, I’ll use layers in PSE7, if I do not mind creating 120+ MB files. Therefore, I flatten the files in PSE7 only to start the process again if I change my mind or do not like the final product. The problem is created by NIK and NX - in other words, Nikon.
Best Regards,
Ramesses
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos -
#62. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 48
I hope they will listen then. Including the Nik plugins with the next version of NX I feel would be a good draw card for those still wanting to stick with Lightroom or Photoshop. Just including Define or Sharpener Pro would be a good enough incentive, sharpening and noise handling are the two areas I feel NX2 needs to improve on and provide more options for.-
#63. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 62
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 12-May-09 04:22 PMGorden I agree that those tools would be the minimum adition to Color Effects Pro for NX2. The Key is they need to keep the price competative with Photoshop.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#49. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 47
>2. Access to Nik Plugins - Nik has a lot of good plugins on
>offer but we can hardly use any of them because they are all
>for Photoshop. Surely it would be simple enough to convert
>them for use with NX? Maybe they could release a Capture NX2
>Professional Edition with all their plugins included? I'd be
>willing to pay a little extra for the ability to use these
>plugins with NX2.
This is a REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY Good Idea.
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#50. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 49
prairiefire Registered since 16th May 2004Tue 12-May-09 06:46 AMI would bet that Nik is working on doing exactly that.
And, it will give NX2 an advantage over PS and LR2 because the Nik plug-ins in NX2 are writing instructions while in PS and LR2 they are working on pixels.
How big an advantage? Not necessarily much because with smart objects and layers Nik in Ps and LR2 are not really destructive -- and, although the files are bigger, storage is cheap.
However, if the name of the game is to stay non-destructive, flexible and small, Nik within NX2 will win.
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#53. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 47
Regarding Nik Software, I could not agree with you more. In fact, I’m waiting for that option. I have the Nik complete package that it includes all five for Photoshop and LR in addition to Nik Color Efex for NX. The people at Nik have told me that they get requests for a NX plug ins very often, but they do not know if Nik is working on them. At this time, Dfine is the only one not LR compatible.
Outside of Color Efex, I have to use them in LR or PSE7 using either JPEG or TIFF files – I prefer TIFF. LR changes are not reversible, but in PSE7 are done with layers that can be reversed. However, that option is academic if you do not want to create 120+ MB files. Therefore, I have to flatten the files, and using TIFF 8-bit depth, it keeps the files to 35 MB. The advantage of using PSE7 instead of LR, is that I can finish PP before flattening the files. However, it is nothing like working in RAW and non-destructive.
Best Regards,
Ramesses
PS: On second thoughts, I will continue using PSE7 with TIFF files even if NX has all the Nik Software plug ins. I also need graphics like putting frames on the pictures and watermarks copyrights. In addition, PSE7 creates very elaborate slide shows with photos zooming in-and-out, all kind of inscriptions, sounds like music or your recorded words that can be downloaded on DVD’s and played on regular TV’s. This is the digital age slide show and will be a major output option for me.
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos
#54. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 47
Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#57. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 54
sylvesterii Registered since 02nd Sep 2008Tue 12-May-09 01:07 PMI think an option where they are included up front would be very nice, at least from the pocketbook perspective. Assuming that it would be priced at less than purchasing NX2 + Color Efex Pro 3 + Silver Efex . Just those three items, and you are at the same cost as Photoshop. IMHO, that is too expensive. If they were to put them together for a $300.00 package, that would get me to purchase in a second. As it stands now, i can't justify the expense of Color Efex Pro 3 plug-ins, let alone Silver Efex.
I don't know much about Dfine or Sharpener (Viveza as I understand it is already included in NX2 by default), although from what I understand the sharpening and noise reduction in NX2 borrow a lot from them anyways.
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#58. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 57
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 12-May-09 02:34 PMHi Jan:
The whole bundle as a LR or Aperture plug-ins only is $240 after the Nikonians 20% discount. I imagine that would be the price for a whole bundle if they had it available for NX only, especially since you do not need Viveza. The big bundle is $480, after the Nikonians 20% discount, but that includes Photoshop, LR, Aperture, and NX (Color Efex.)
Nik software has an excellent user interface and yet it is extremely powerful – you learn one, you learn them all. Dfine is very good. NX or LR are not even close to it, imho. I like it better than Noise Ninja because the later is too aggressive. Sharpener, Silver Efex and Color Efex are top-notch. Viveza is NX, basically. Nik software is the one that developed the U-Point technology used in NX.
Best Regards,
Ramesses
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#59. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 58
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 12-May-09 03:04 PMViveza is like NX but not NX2 as it only supports color control points. When it came out for Photoshop, I chose not to buy it as NX2 beats it hands down and you can buy NX2 for the price of Viveza. I am sure NIK will add the other products to NX2. They already offer a cheaper bundle of NX2 and Color Efex 3 for NX2.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#60. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 59
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 12-May-09 04:01 PM | edited Tue 12-May-09 04:26 PM by RamessesHi Bob:
Yes you are right and I’m guilty of over simplifying. However, NX is built on Viveza. Of course, NX has many more features. Viveza alone does not cut it and if you have NX, there is no need for Viveza. On the other hand, it is nice to have Viveza in LR or PS because of the control points. You can use it, if you missed a certain area in NX. I just added the following. With Viveza in PSE7, you do not need NX, except as a RAW converter - I might not even upgrade to NX3.
When I got the big bundle, they also gave me a product key for Color Efex for NX, which was great since I already had it. It only reminded me that I wasted $179 for the first copy of Color Efex for NX.
It is more than just Nik software for NX. PSE7 is fantastic besides the graphics and watermarks. I have an account with Adobe (basic – no dues) that I can upload my photos, if I wanted to. I can create photo books, calendars, photo collages, very elaborate slide shows than can be downloaded to DVD’s. In addition, I can share my pictures via email attachment or photo mail, PDF slide shows, order prints, photo albums, upload directly to them, Flickr, Smug Mug, or Kodak Easy Share, etc. Everything is controlled from PSE7. It even scans documents or photos in groups of two or more (depending how many your scaner can hold) and separates them by individual photos, automatically.
It is a very powerful editor especially with the Nik Software package, which makes layers and masks not that useful (let me correct that statement. I'm talking about the regular layers and masks. The changes made with Nik Software are implemented as Layers.) In addition, it has very powerful tools like the “Magic Wand,” “Quick Selection,” “Cookie Cutter,” “Magic Brush,” etc like in CS4. I forgot about the artwork which is very good - I have yet to explore and learn, though, but impressive.
I believe that Nikon is listening to us, but I do not believe that they are going to do anything about it. I hope that I’m very wrong, though.
Best Regards,
Ramesses
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#61. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 60
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 12-May-09 04:09 PMI use both NX2 and Photoshop CS4 Extended. But where I used to use PS exclusively, I now only use it for special stuff, and I no longer use it for RAW processing of any kind for my Nikon cameras. Sometimes there is no other way to do something without PS. But if Nikon/NIK added the suggested features we have addressed here, even if they only bundled all the NIK filters in NX2 for an added price, I would use PS even less.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#66. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 61
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 12-May-09 04:48 PMHi Bob:
I agree with you and I know that you have CS4. PSE7, as an editor, is not as powerful as CS4. There is no 16-bit processing, CYMK, and macros like in repetitive steps. However, with the Nik package I do not need the features of CS4 or even the advanced features of PSE7. On the other hand, I believe that PSE7 (I’m not that familiar with CS4) is much more than LR, NX, or even CS4; it is a one stop complete photo package.
Let me emphasize the elaborate slide show presentation: Photos fading in-and-out, zooming in-and-out, you can record your own words, play background music, write titles, captions, comments, frame the pictures, etc. The slide show can be downloaded into a DVD and you can take that slide show on the road to play it anywhere that has a TV and a DVD player.
Adobe is almost giving PSE7 away – I paid $56 after rebate. They do it in the hope of getting you to pay annual dues for online accounts, purchase prints, photo books, etc. This is the future and if Nikon does not get in the game, they are going to be left behind. How can they compete with Adobe, when their revenues do not include photo services?
Best Regards,
Hektor
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#67. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 66
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 12-May-09 04:59 PMActually anything you can do in PSE7 I can do in CS4 Extended in Spades, including 3D.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#68. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 67
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 12-May-09 05:10 PMHi Bob:
I'm not familiar with CS4. Then you know about the slide show presentations. This is going to be a major output format for me. Who needs to print photos? I have the Nik package working through PSE7. Otherwise, I'm not that interested in layers and masks. On the other hand, I am very glad that I got PSE7, because I have a much better understanding of the photo editing process that I did not have before.
HektorA Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#69. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 68
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 12-May-09 05:25 PMHektor I have used Photoshop for years, but when you look at the price differential, I am sure PSE7 will meet most peoples needs. CS4 extended can do thing like animation, 3D editing, movie edits, and has a very powerful tool set. It is designed to seamlessly integrate with other adobe tools like After Effects, Illustrator, etc. It is difficult to learn to use well. I have spent years learning what I know. There are tools for slide shows, photo packages, Pano's, HDR, focus stacks, smart filters,etc.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.-
#70. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 69
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 12-May-09 05:41 PMHi Bob:
I know that you’ve been using CSx for years. I just got PSE7 for the framing and watermarks and a platform for Nik software. I did not want to get into CS4 for the reasons you mentioned. I had no idea how powerful and complicated PSE7 is. It has much more than I need to use.
I am installing the trial version of CS4 Extended. I do not know if I’ll be able to use since I already downloaded it before, but uninstalled it. I’ll see.
Hektor
A Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos -
#71. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 69
Ramesses Registered since 29th Mar 2007Tue 12-May-09 05:58 PMHi Bob:
I just finished installing CS4 - Extended. I have it for 9 more days Bye.
HektorA Nikonian in Kemet
My Blog: Hektors Blog
My Photo Album: Hektors Photos-
#72. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 71
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Tue 12-May-09 07:52 PMHave fun!Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it.
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#64. "RE: Interface changes" | In response to Reply # 0
#77. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 0
Having the browser render its thumbnails with the settings applied would be nice, too (I guess that's what people mean when they say "color-managed browser"). This drove me crazy until I figured out what was going on. It basically makes it impossible to do high-level comparison of images in the browser. If it made the browser a lot slower, however, I am not sure the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks.
The UI I've become accustomed to, and it's still better than the hallucinogen-induced UIs of any number of media players or greeting card creators I've run across. I'd like to see some consolidation of tools in the different sections; for example, why do we need contrast and saturation adjustments in both Camera Settings and Quick Fix, plus a Levels and Curves adjustment? I'd rather they had an option to represent the camera's Picture Control settings as an equivalent adjustment, maybe in addition to the simple numeric scale if you don't want to do minute tweaking of the curves. At least that way I could see what these settings are really doing to the image data.
I don't use Lightroom, or CS3/4, or Elements, so I don't know how essential the extra features in those programs are. But I haven't really been left wanting for anything with NX2. I basically want to fine-tune my pictures, and NX2 does that. I'm glad I didn't have to pay several hundred dollars for a boatload of features I don't use, or would go through years (as one poster here commented) to learn. I have yet to do any printing, however, and may have issues with NX2's lack of features in that dept.
Someday I'll have my own Nikonians gallery.
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#78. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 77
robsb Nikonian since 23rd Aug 2006Sun 17-May-09 08:53 PMIt never hurts to get the most powerful machine you canto run NX2 on.Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery
"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"
Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!
Old age is a special gift that very few receive. Be thankful if you get it. -
#79. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 77
ajgarza Registered since 09th Aug 2007Fri 22-May-09 09:48 AMThere is one issue with NX2 that I find very frustating. The saving of an edited image takes a lot of time; I understand this is because everytime an image is saved a full resolution jpeg is done and saved. I would like to be able to edit as many images as I want, and when finished, start a batch saving process.
My knowledge is limited, but I don`t see why this cannot be done. Am I missing something?Alejandro Garza
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#80. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 79
sylvesterii Registered since 02nd Sep 2008Fri 22-May-09 11:06 AMYes, NX2 can apply adjustments in batch mode to many separate images.-
#82. "RE: Things I would like to see in the next NX release" | In response to Reply # 80
ajgarza Registered since 09th Aug 2007Fri 22-May-09 11:22 AMI understand, but if you want to edit several images with a differentg adjustment for eachone, you will have to edit and save one picture at a time. I end up waiting more time for the save than what it took me to adjust teh image.
But you are right, if you have common adjsutments to several images, you can process that in a batch.Alejandro Garza
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#83. "RE: White-balance comparison screen" | In response to Reply # 0
A feature I'd like to see introduce is a white-balance comparison screen which will give you several mini-views of your current image with different white balance settings applied. I know Photoshop has a similar feature for adjusting colours for an image but it be worthwhile at a glance to see how an image will look quickly under a variety of preset white balance settings
#84. "Pre-Crop" | In response to Reply # 0
At the moment I'm considering trying something like this:
1. Open the NEF file, complete the Develop section, Exposure Compensation in Quick Fix, and Crop.
2. Save as a TIFF file.
3. Open the TIFF file and Save as a NEF file.
3. Continue with the other Adjustments, knowing I can't go back to the Develop section without starting again.
I may be missing something important here, but does this make any sense?
John | Leicestershire - UK | My Nikonians Gallery | My Website
"To express oneself in seventeen syllables is very diffic" - John Cooper Clarke
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1. An invert command- I often copy negatives to my D700 and when I import them into NX2 I have to manually invert the curve in Quickfix to turn the negative to a positive. This command could also have over uses like quickly inverting colors, in-versing a selection, etc. You get the idea.
2. Selective Exposure control- while we do have the ability to selectively change color,saturation, hue, contrast NX2 does not currently have the capability to selectively change exposure i.e. you can change exposure for the whole image but not a selection. This would be an extremely powerful feature and would eliminate the need to move two images set at different exposures into Photoshop to blend them.
3. Further improvements to the Auto Retouch Brush- I have learned to use the retouch brush to fix fairly large areas without resorting to a move to Photoshop and using the clone tool. I use small and frequent stroke movements to do this. It would be nice to either have a separate clone feature or a sub function to this tool as in general I think it is much better than Photoshops tool.
4. A copyright and signature tool. I have simulated this a time or two, but usually go to Photoshop just to add it to my photos.
5. A framing or stroke capability.
Well that is my list for now. Feel free to add to it.