From Bibble to AfterShot Pro

[brucet]

I use Bibble 5 for my RAW conversions and have never bothered with the RAW that came with PSP.

For me there are a number of reasons for using a more 'robust' RAW conversion program. First I have the choice of saving the end result as a 16 bit tif. Programs such as Bibble allow a number of presets so you can improve your work flow with common settings. Bibble also offers a huge data base of cameras and len combinations. So when I change lens on my camera I can make adjustments for them in Bibble. There are many other positives to a program that can give you a better starting point when you transfer to a program such as PSPx4. For me just knowing that I have a good 16 bit tif to start with is worth the effort. Then I can work in PSPx4 with a good base file.

I think a number of specialised programs is always better than just one compromised program. Bit like having more than just a hammer, screwdriver and wrench in your tool box.

[Tadjio]

I've been testing various RAW editors/converters and that is how I came across this Bibble/Corel news. I have always used DPP to handle my files, and then edit in Photoshop....and more recently PSPx4. In my tests PSPx4 has actually come up with better conversions than DPP (although softer, since there is no sharpening applied...correct?)! Which was surprising to me.
PSPx4's RAW conversion seems very basic. The question I have is, is there a benefit to creating a "perfect" RAW conversion in a more robust RAW converter over using a basic RAW conversion to 16-bit Tiff that needs more edits in PSP?

I too have always used DPP for my Canon RAW Images. I have tried and rejected the various attempts in PSP Camera RAW Lab.
One major disadvantage of PaintShop Pro and AfterShot Pro is that they don't recognise Canon Picture Styles - hence no sharpening is applied, as well as other features.

I have tested the Canon CR2 RAW Conversion in AfterShot Pro and it is reasonable, especially after Corel corrected some shortcomings, but I still prefer to use DPP "in anger". I have also tried some Olympus ORF RAW Files in AfterShot Pro and they come out well.

The great feature of AfterShot Pro is the ability to call an External Editor, i.e. PaintShop Pro X4

[WilsonC]

The great feature of AfterShot Pro is the ability to call an External Editor, i.e. PaintShop Pro X4

I usually use the Batch Processing in DPP to get my files into PSP, which works similar to how AfterShot opens PSP (save file in specified format, then open in PSP).

[Joelle]

Nope. Not interesting. Don't care...

Has nothing to do with PSP unless they can actually improve camera support, which wouldn't be an issue if camera manufacturers/developers could actually agree on a standard...

(I mean, c'mon. Proprietary junk is killing the industry...)

It has a lot to do with Paint Shop Pro, it's a RAW converter.
RAW files need converting for use in PSP as the RAW converter in PSP isn't particularly wonderful.

Just because YOU don't care, it doesn't mean that it isn't of interest to others.

Joëlle

[JStanley]

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[LeviFiction]

Assuming they ever do. I mean, why improve a crappy RAW converter by replacing it with a good one when you can squeeze out an extra $100 dollars from your customers? Hope I am wrong of course but I would not doubt this course of action on Corel's part. Of course it is possible they will integrate the "light" version of the engine with a few of its options stripped out for PSP since unlike Bible they appear to only be offering one version for $30 less.

[brucet]

If I was the chief bean counter at Corel I would keep the 2 programs seperate. Get 2 sales rather than one. But there's a but. There's always a but! But they would need to be aware that charging full price would give them a negative response. Let's asume PSPx4 was $100 and AfterShot was also $100, (based on the current price for each program now). That would be $200 as 2 programs or as one combined package. That price point is creeping up towards the competitions price. So what would I do if I was said head bean counter? I would keep both programs seperate. Reduce the price of each by approx 30%. ie $65 each. Total outlay of $130 for both programs. Corel would still be bringing in more money than they are currently doing if both packages were purchased. If someone purchased just 1 program, offer an 'upgrade' price on the other one. This way Corel still gets more money. Gets users who buy for PSP and hope they buy AfterShot. Or get current and future buyers of Bibble/AfterShot to purchase/use PSP. It would give them 2 chances of snaring the market.

Combine the 2 programs into one package, at either the same price or at a higher price, and all they get are the user who would have purchased anyway. The goal should be to increase market share by increasing users. You don't do that by increaing the cost to users. You do it by making the price attractive in the hope that buyers will buy other products. The devil may even suggest dropping RAW features from PSP in order to 'encourage' the purchase of AfterShot. Likewise reduce the editing features of AfterShot to enourage the purchase of PSP. Make each a plugin for the other.

Mind you I'm not Corel and I guess they already have it figured out so we will just have to wait and see wont we?

[JStanley]

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[MarkZ]

AfterShot (ASP) has much better RAW conversion than PSP and interesting editing capabilities. For many purposes the product could need no further work. But the link to PSP for final touches is there.

A weakness in PSP is file management and ASP is terrific in that regard. I love the capability of sorting and viewing photos in external storage (when not connected). And very fast in all it does. There is a learning curve but it is worth it. I had tried Bibble and did not think it was worth the money but ASP is now an indispensable tool - the alternative is likely $300 for Lightroom.

I received an email from Corel this morning with an offer of $50 (Cdn) for ASP.

Mark

[bananahead]

Do you remember in PSP X3 that there was a tab under Help called Upgrade Camera Raw Lab?

Well now you know what it was waiting for. (Corel bought Bibble around the time that X3 was released)

I am very happy because I have used both products for years.

[JStanley]

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[kaymann]

The biggies in ASP for me are:

Keywords/Sub Keywords (visible in Adobe and other metadata readers)
Stacking
Versions
Nondestructive Editing (no hidden files to lose)
Complete control of Undos as Shown in history tool (even after restart)
Recursive folder viewing (all folders selected which can include sub forlders)
Smooth hand offs to PSPX4

[JStanley]

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