News, news, news..

Tom Hogarty, the Camera Raw & Lightroom product manager noted on the Lightroom Journal that Camera Raw 5.0 is currently shipping but that the camera support for 5.0 is the same as Camera Raw 4.5/Lightroom 2.0. The new cameras added in the Camera Raw 4.6 update will need to be rolled out in a Camera Raw 5.1 update some time next week. He also noted that as of the release of Camera Raw 5.0 and Photoshop CS4 the DNG Profiles are still considered “beta”. News about the final release of the profiles and a revision to DNG Profile Editor are expected “soon”.

Read Tom’s post.

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Camera Raw 4.6 and the DNG Converter 4.6 has been posted to Adobe.com for Mac and Windows. This will be the last Camera Raw update for Photoshop CS3 customers and it includes support for raw formats from the following 15 camera models:

Canon 1000D (Digital Rebel XS/EOS Kiss F)
Canon 50D
Fuji FinePix IS Pro
Kodak EasyShare Kodak Z1015 IS
Leaf AFi II 6
Leaf AFi II 7
Leaf Aptus II 6
Leaf Aptus II 7
Nikon D700
Nikon D90
Nikon Coolpix P6000
Olympus SP-565 UZ
Pentax K2000 (K-m)
Sigma DP1
Sony A900

This update is not going to be listed on the main Camera Raw product page because Adobe is staging that page for the release of Photoshop CS4 and Camera Raw 5 (which due shortly). Also, no word about a Lightroom 2.1 GM release but it is expected shortly as well. The Lightroom 2.1 RC version is still available on Labs.Adobe.com

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Check out Julieanne’s web site for new Camera Raw 5 and Photoshop CS4 video tutorials and PDFs.

ADOBE TV The Complete Picture - Episode 08
Let Julieanne show you the power behind the new features in Camera Raw 5. Discover how to make non-destructive localized corrections as well as create special effects using the Adjustment Brush, Graduated Filter, Post Cropping Vignettes and more!

ADOBE TV The Complete Picture - Episode 07
Discover the new features in Adobe Bridge CS4 as Julieanne walks through the new features, tools, refined interface and integration with Photoshop.

PSCS4 What’s new in Bridge CS4 (PDF)
Learn everything there is to get you up to speed quickly in Bridge CS4.

PSCS4 What’s New in Camera Raw 5 (PDF)
Discover the unlimited possibilities with Camera Raw 5.

PSCS4 Photoshop CS4 - But Wait, There’s More! (PDF)
Master the important but often overlooked refinements and adjustments in Photoshop CS4.

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Photoshop CS3 had some mixed reviews. It didn’t have quite as many features of interest to photographers as say, previous versions of the program. I think such responses may also have been influenced by the introduction of Lightroom 1, which was definitely designed with photographers in mind. It is probably fair to say that there was a certain amount of envy among the Photoshop team to the ‘new kid on the block’. Well, Photoshop CS4 has arrived, hot on the heels of Lightroom 2 and it’s time to see how the new version of the ‘mother ship’ program shapes up.

As far as Photoshop CS4 itself goes, I think photographers will be very pleased with some the new changes here. Photoshop now has a smart dark gray interface and adopted a task-based approach to image editing and this can be seen in the way image adjustments are now accessible within their own panel. When you combine this with the ability to non-destuctively edit a layer mask, you’ll discover that the  Photoshop CS4 image editing system offers the most flexible yet for pixel image editing.

Read the full story…

Original post by Martin Evening

To address new camera compatibilities, Adobe has released a preliminary version of Camera Raw 4.6. It’s considered a release candidate (RC) which is considered a bit beyond beta in terms of internal testing. In addition to Camera Raw 4.6, DNG Converter 4.6 has also been released. People who have new cameras and wish to import those images into Lightroom 2.0 will need to use the DNG Converter until Lightroom is also updated.

The downloads are available from Adobe Labs.

The RC update adds official support for;

• Fuji Finepix IS Pro
• Nikon D700
• Nikon D90
• Nikon Coolpix P6000

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Adobe has released new beta camera profiles for Camera Raw 4.5 and Lightroom 2.0 as well as a beta of the new application called DNG Profile Editor for editing DNG profiles. The betas of the profiles and the editor app are on Adobe Labs.

From the DNG Profiles page:

Overview
We have been actively working on improving color rendering for digital raw photographs. Our new color rendering package contains the following components:

• the DNG 1.2 specification, which expands and formalizes the concept of a color profile for raw (i.e., scene-referred) image data captured by digital sensors,
• Adobe Standard camera profiles that significantly improve color rendering, especially in reds, yellows, and oranges,
• Camera Matching profiles that match the camera manufacturers’ color appearance,
• DNG Profile Editor, a free software utility for editing camera profiles

Public Beta
The new camera profiles and DNG Profile Editor are being initially distributed online in public beta form. This public beta gives photographers the opportunity to try these new tools and provide feedback before we finalize them.

Requirements
The new Adobe Standard and Camera Matching camera profiles require Camera Raw 4.5 / Lightroom 2.0 or later. In general, they can be used in any raw converter that supports DNG 1.2.

These camera profiles will NOT work correctly with earlier versions of Camera Raw (i.e., 4.4.1 and earlier) and Lightroom (i.e., 1.4.1 and earlier). These earlier versions do not support DNG 1.2.

The DNG Profile Editor’s basic system requirements (i.e., CPU, operating system, and memory) are the same as Lightroom’s requirements.

Resources
Since the profiles and DNG Profile Editor are still in public beta, there is no official Adobe support for them. However, we have put together an online FAQ, tutorials, and documentation to help you get started with both the profiles and DNG Profile Editor. You are also encouraged to post questions in the User-To-User forums (see links below).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
DNG Profile Editor Tutorials and Documentation
Adobe DNG Home Page (includes latest DNG specification and SDK)
Camera Raw User-To-User Forums
Lightroom User-To-User Forums
DNG User-To-User Forums

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Adobe has released the final version of Camera Raw 4.5 as well as the DNG Converter 4.5. The updates are available for download from the Camera Raw Product Page.

In addition to new camera support (now at over 180 cameras), Camera Raw 4.5 and DNG Converter 4.5 also adds support for rendering the newly released Lightroom 2.0 functionality.

The direct download pages are here; Macintosh, Windows

From the Camera Raw 4.5 Read Me:

Working with Lightroom 2 and Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw
Lightroom and Photoshop Camera Raw share the same image processing technology to ensureconsistent and compatible results across applications that support raw processing. These applications include Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Elements 6.0 and Premiere Elements 4.0. Photoshop Camera Raw 4.5

Adobe applications must be updated with the Camera Raw 4.5 plug-in in order to ensure compatibility with Lightroom 2 develop module settings. Photoshop CS3 users can update the Camera Raw plug-in automatically using the Update tool listed under the Help menu. The Camera Raw 4.5 plug-in can also be downloaded and installed manually by visiting the Adobe web site: www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html. Please follow the installation instructions carefully.

Sharing Lightroom Settings with Camera Raw 4.5
By default, Lightroom’s develop module settings are stored in Lightroom’s database. In order to ensure that Lightroom develop settings can be viewed by Camera Raw 4.5 the settings must be written to the XMP metadata block for that file. This metadata is stored in an XMP sidecar file (Imagename.xmp) in the current image directory of proprietary raw files or stored directly within DNG files. To update images with the latest develop settings, choose the library module and select the group of target images. Choose the “Export XMP Metadata to File” option in the Metadata:XMP file menu. Note: This menu option is only available in the Lightroom Library.

Viewing Lightroom settings in Camera Raw 4.5
Before working in conjunction with Lightroom and Camera Raw please set the Camera Raw preference to: Save image settings in: Sidecar “.xmp” files. By default Camera Raw will display the image adjustments exactly as performed in Lightroom’s develop module. However, at this time Camera Raw 4.5 is unable to support further adjustments to the following settings or tools:
• Clone/Heal Opacity
• Post Crop Vignette
• Graduated Filter Adjustment
• Local Adjustment Brush
The controls currently available in Camera Raw 4.5 will continue to function normally and provide incremental edits beyond those performed in Lightroom. The Lightroom adjustments that are not available in Camera Raw 4.5 can be cleared by choosing the “Clear Imported Settings” option in the Camera Raw settings menu.

Viewing Camera Raw settings in Lightroom
Raw files edited by previous versions of Camera Raw files will maintain their previous appearance when imported into Lightroom. Note: Those files must have been edited with the preference set to Save image settings in: Sidecar “.xmp” files in order for Lightroom to respect the previous edit. Files edited in Camera Raw after importation into Lightroom can be updated in Lightroom by choosing the “Read Metadata from File” from the Metadata file menu. Note: This menu option is only available in the Lightroom Library.

This new version of the Camera Raw plug-in replaces the original Camera Raw plug-in that was installed with Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Elements 6.0 and Premiere Elements 4.0. The Camera Raw 4.5 plug-in is not compatible with versions of Photoshop earlier than Photoshop CS3 or versions of Photoshop Elements earlier than Photoshop Elements 5.0 for Windows and Photoshop Elements 4.01 for Mac.

The latest version of the Camera Raw plug-in available for Photoshop Elements 3.0 customers is Camera Raw 3.6. The latest version of the Camera Raw plug-in available for Photoshop Elements 4.0 (Windows) is Camera Raw 3.7.

Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Creative Suite 3:
Automated installation on Mac or Windows®:
1. Select “Updates…” from the Help menu

2. Follow the on-screen dialogs to download and install the latest available Camera Raw update

Manual installation on Mac or Windows®:
Windows®:
1. Exit Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Bridge.
2. Open My Computer.
3. Double-click Local Disk (C:).
4. Navigate to Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CS3\File Formats.
5. Move the existing Camera Raw.8bi plug-in to another location (for example, a new folder on your desktop). Ensure you keep this version in case you need to revert back.
6. Copy the Camera Raw plug-in, Camera Raw.8bi, from the download into the same folder as Step 4.
7. Launch Photoshop CS3 or Adobe Bridge.

Mac:
1. Exit Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Bridge.
2. Open the Finder.
3. Navigate to the root of the local disk (not the user’

s home folder).
4. Navigate to Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-Ins/CS3/File Formats.
5. Move the existing plug-in to another location (for example, a new folder on your desktop). Ensure you keep this version in case you need to revert back.
6. Copy the Camera Raw plug-in, Camera Raw, from the download into the same folder as in Step 4.
7. Launch Photoshop CS3 or Adobe Bridge.

Photoshop Elements:
Windows®:
1. Exit Photoshop Elements.
2. Open My Computer.
3. Double-click Local Disk (C:).
4. Navigate to Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 6.0\Plug-Ins\File Formats
5. Move the existing Camera Raw.8bi plug-in to another location (for example, a new folder on your desktop). Ensure you keep this version in case you need to revert back.
6. Copy the Camera Raw plug-in, Camera Raw.8bi, from the download into the same folder as Step 4.
7. Launch Photoshop Elements

Mac:
Photoshop Elements
1. Exit Photoshop Elements and Adobe Bridge.
2. Open the Finder.
3. Navigate to the root of the local disk (not the user’

s home folder).
4. Navigate to location designated by your version of Photoshop Elements:
a. Photoshop Elements 4.01: Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-Ins/CS2/File Formats
b. Photoshop Elements 6: Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-Ins/CS3/File Formats
5. Move the existing plug-in to another location (for example, a new folder on your desktop). Ensure you keep this version in case you need to revert back.
6. Copy the Camera Raw plug-in, Camera Raw, from the download into the same folder as in Step 4.
7. Launch Photoshop Elements or Adobe Bridge.

Premiere Elements:
Windows®:
1. Exit Premiere Elements.
2. Open My Computer.
3. Double-click Local Disk (C:).
4. Navigate to location designated by your version of Premiere Elements:
a. Premiere Elements 3.0: Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0\Plug-Ins\ Common\PSA
b. Premiere Elements 4.0: Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0\Plug-Ins\ Common\PSA
5. Move the existing Camera Raw.8bi plug-in to another location (for example, a new folder on your
desktop). Ensure you keep this version in case you need to revert back.
6. Copy the Camera Raw plug-in, Camera Raw.8bi, from the download into the folder designated in Step 4.
7. Launch Premiere Elements

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Major Software Upgrade Further Simplifies Photography Workflows

Press Release: SAN JOSE, Calif. — July 29, 2008 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the immediate availability of Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 2 software, the photographer’s essential toolbox for managing, adjusting and presenting large volumes of digital photographs. With new enhancements such as dual-monitor support, radical advances in non-destructive localized image correction, and streamlined search capabilities, Lightroom 2 is a compelling upgrade that simplifies photography from shoot to finish. As Adobe’s first application to support 64-bit for Mac OS X 10.5 Macintosh computers with Intel® processors and Microsoft® Windows® Vista® 64bit operating systems, Lightroom 2 also provides improved memory performance for dealing with large scale images.

“A worldwide community of photographers provided valuable insight and feedback, as part of the Lightroom 2 public beta program, ultimately helping us deliver a better product,” said Tom Hogarty, senior product manager for Lightroom and Camera Raw at Adobe. “We’ve considered their requests which helped us develop useful features that make it easier than ever for our customers to quickly refine, enhance and present brilliant photographs.

Photoshop Lightroom 2: Smarter, Faster and More Accurate
The enhanced Library module in Lightroom 2 helps streamline and accelerate photographers’workflows. With the ability to visually organize images across multiple hard drives, Lightroom 2 and its powerful Library Filter Bar makes it easy for users to quickly find the images they need. The Suggested Keywords feature helps photographers keyword their images by making intelligent suggestions based on their own previous efforts. New dual-monitor support allows users to expand their workspace, giving them flexibility to edit and organize images in a way that maximizes an additional display.

In the Develop module, the new Local Adjustment Brush lets photographers fine-tune specific areas of an image to precisely adjust color, exposure and tonal range without affecting other areas of the image. The new Graduated Filter expands the toolbox in Lightroom, allowing for edits to larger areas by applying gradually diminishing or increasing adjustment effects such as exposure, clarity, and saturation, alone, or in any combination. Lightroom 2 also helps photographers print more efficiently by quickly arranging photos of multiple sizes on one or many pages with flexible and customizable templates to maximize paper and ink. Intelligent algorithms automatically determine optimal sharpening for screen or print, producing crisper images faster.

Developers can further extend the Lightroom workflow with Web, Export and Metadata Software Development Kits available at the Adobe Developer Connection, http://www.adobe.com/devnet/.

Ground-Breaking Innovation in Raw Technology
New raw technology gives photographers access to flexible camera profiles. Camera profiles are the visual starting point for the raw processing workflow, but image preferences vary for every photographer. To minimize surprises, Adobe is supplying default camera profiles that closely emulate the visual looks that photographers are used to seeing from their favorite camera, while also providing the ability to create highly customized profiles to suit different tastes. Camera profiles are available for immediate download on Adobe Labs (http://labs.adobe.com) for use with Lightroom 2 and Camera Raw 4.5, along with the DNG Profile Editor for the community to test and create their own profiles.

The Adobe Camera Raw 4.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 4.5 are also now available on Adobe.com and support over 190 camera models including the Olympus E 420 and E 520 models.

“One of the big reasons why Lightroom has become such a phenomenon among serious photographers is that Adobe built it with the input of a very vocal user community,” said Scott Kelby, president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). “Adobe really listens to the issues and challenges today’s photographers face and they’ve built a complete solution that not only meets the needs of photographers; it really feels like it was made just for us. The enhancements to Lightroom 2, combined with the power of Photoshop, give photographers the ultimate freedom to produce professional images quickly.”

Pricing and Availability
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 is available now through the Adobe Store at www.adobe.com/store in English, French and German with the Japanese language version planned to be released at a future date. The estimated street price is USD$299 for new users with an upgrade price of USD$99 for registered users of qualifying Lightroom customers. Recommended system requirements are Macintosh OSX 10.4, 10.5 1 GHz PowerPC G4 or G5 or Intel® based processor, or Microsoft Windows® XP SP2 or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise, Intel Pentium 4® processor, 1 GB RAM and a 1024×768 resolution screen. Additional information on product features, upgrade policies, pricing, and language versions is available on www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information –anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

© 2008 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Mac, Mac OS and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United Sates and/or other countries. Pentium is a trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation, or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Adobe has posted a release candidate of Camera Raw 4.5 on Adobe Labs. The ‘release candidate’ label indicates that the plug-in is well tested but would benefit from additional community testing before it is distributed automatically to customers. If you do experience an issue with this release candidate please report them to the Camera Raw User to User forum.

Newly supported cameras include the Olympus E 420 and E 520. Additional compatibilities have been added for the DNG 1.2.0.0 specification. Photoshop Elements users will now be able to control the camera profile used. 

For more information on the Camera Raw plug-in please visit the Camera Raw pages on Adobe.com.

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff

Adobe has released updates to the Photoshop Lightroom and Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in to correct for issues found in Lightroom 1.4 and Camera Raw 4.4. The Lightroom and Camera Raw teams apologize for any inconveniences caused by the issues presented in the initial updates.

The Lightroom 1.4.1 and Camera Raw 1.4.1 updates are available immediately as free downloads at http://www.adobe.com/downloads. Senior Photoshop Lightroom Product Manager, Tom Hogarty, has included a complete list of the corrections on his blog at http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal.

Original post by PSN Editorial Staff