What are you switching to?

[jknights]

Well, probably I'll be back to an idea to use separate RAW processing and DAM software. As for RAW processing - there're many choices.
But my favorite DAM becomes Daminion (http://www.daminion.net). A very powerful, flexible, and free piece of software (for Windows).
-- M.

Since you are on Windows have you tried Photools.com iMatch as this is a really DAM. I wish it was available on other platforms.

[kupuna]

Photo Ninja may be a viable option for us Linux users.

There is, as yet, only a Windows and a Mac version, but the Windows version runs smoothly under Wine (and openSUSE 12.1), all functions working without a hitch.

The only thing that needs to be done, is copying the RGB profile file "sRGB Color Space Profile.icm"
from "/usr/share/color/icc/Adobe ICC Profiles/RGB Profiles/"
to "/home/[my home folder]/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32/spool/drivers/color/"
to avoid a Photo Ninja issuing a startup error message asking for that file.

Photo Ninja is a brand new piece of software, but the people at PictureCode LLC have been around for some time, producing the excellent Noise Ninja, which is of course part of Photo Ninja, and Photo Ninja looks like a finished product ready for prime time use.
As far as I can see, it does not have some of the issues Bibble/AfterShot have been riddled with, like high contrast colour fringing. Chromatic aberration is removed automatically, without any loss of sharpness. It is a bit slower than AfterShot, but as soon as adjustments have been made to a raw image, it saves to the jpg file in a snap.

I have only been using Photo Ninja for a few days, but I already like it and think I am going to buy it.

[ChrisC]

I am not yet so far to break with ASP as my raw converter and image editor but I am thinking about using a different DAM.
Now I wonder how such a workflow could look like.

I could categorize/rate the images in the DAM and edit the keepers in ASP.
But the result of my editing will not be reflected in the DAM.

So I have to change the workflow to something like:
- decide about the keepers in ASP
- edit/develop the images in ASP
- export the results and import them into DAM
- use DAM to categorize and rate
Now I have the final images categorized in the DAM but can't find the orginal files easily (e.g. to reprocess them).

Or I could combine both approaches and categorize the original images and the exported JPGs but then I have to do the categorizing twice and a search would show multiple results for an image.

This all seems much more cumbersome than using ASP alone (even if its DAM features are very limited).
How do you solve this?

[DocBrown]

Chris, when you rate and apply keywords, create Standard XMP files. Most DAMs can import them and you'll have everything you did in ASP. I use ACDSee Pro as my DAM. I have no trouble sharing the metadata between ACDSee and ASP. You can also embed the metadata when you export to .tif or .jpg, then your DAM will just read the metadata natively.

As far as catalogs in ASP, I only use them as work queues. In other words, I import a set of photos I took on a trip and create a catalog with just those, based on the file folder they are stored in. Use your file structure for both your DAM and ASP. In the case of ACDSee Pro, it does not have a catalog feature, it works strictly off the files system.

[ChrisC]

DocBrown, thanks for your reply.
So do you categroize both - the original RAW, JPG and the developed/exported ones?
And you pass the info on via XMP from RAW to exported JPG back into the DAM?

This sounds reasonable but limits the DAM to those that understand each others (Standard) XMP.
(You mentioned ACDsee works - but Dominian (which I otherwise liked) seems to have problems in this area).

I assume iMATCH would also work? Has someone experience in migrating the ASP Keywords to iMatch preserving the hierarchy?

[herman]

I assume iMATCH would also work? Has someone experience in migrating the ASP Keywords to iMatch preserving the hierarchy?

IMatch supports standard XMP, so it should be able to read ASP keywords.
I have no experience migrating from ASP to IMatch though, I used IMatch way before ASP was launched.
You can always download a trial version and test it to see if it meets your requirements.
If you run into troubles: the IMatch user community is very helpful, as is the developer.

[ferdinand-paris]

I use iMatch and ASP. As a general rule, to get iMatch to read metadata entered in ASP, you tell ASP to write standard XMP files, and then tell iMatch to refresh the XMP cache for those files. You may also need to adjust your iMatch XMP preferences.

That said, if you have entered hierarchical keywords in ASP, there may be issues in getting the full keyword hierarchy into iMatch 3.6 and having it recognised as iMatch categories. Not impossible, but a little tricky. I only migrate ratings and labels between the programs. As another general rule, if you're going to use a DAM, it is best to manage your images entirely within that DAM.

If you search on the iMatch forum you will find several people who have workflows involving both iMatch and LR. ASP is pretty much the same AFAIK, apart from the need to manually read and write standard XMP files, so these workflows would be a useful guide

F_P

[drawbar]

I'm not quite sure what I shall use in the long run.

ASP doesn't support Pentax k-30 files yet. So my present process is Adobe Bridge ->Adobe Camera Raw -> Photoshop.
Otherwise it is fine, but switching between 3 modules is slow and confusing.

Even if I liked the original Rawshooter, I shall not switch to Adobe Lightroom either because 1. ACR has same editing features, 2. Especially I dont like the compulsory catalogueing feature in LR. I prefer to keep my pics in such folders as I choose. Viva liberte!

Tried also Silkypix 3.0 that came with the camera, but was not excited about it.

So, presently I'm hoping that there will be an Aftershot update soon, because I feel it is second to none as a RAW program and I'm used to its workflow since Bibble 4.

[Tuvok]

I just swithed from Apple to Linux and purchased ASP. With ASP and Gimp I can do the same and have the same workflow as with Lr4/Aperture and Photoshop.

I hope that Corel continue development because I expect an grow in Linux users. Why, just because Valve come to Linux. Good games and game support is in my opinion required to grow in marketshare. When you have more users, you have more users that manage and edit photo's. I thnik ASP is a good choice. I like it!

[maggus]

Hi,

to be honest .... I don´t want to switch.
Came from RawTherapee 2.4 ... did not support my 60D .... tried RT3.x .... unstable, slow .... checked Bibble ... OK !! .... spent some money on it.
Then updated/switched to ASP .... little better than Bibble for me ... invested in a license for NN ....

O.K., ASP is neither perfect nor bug-free ... but it´s working well ....

BUT if I have to switch because Corel stops ASP, then I will give some open source (free) solution another chance, not paying for SW anymore.
Please note, I´m not a professional, it´s just hobby.

BR
Markus

[t3mujin]

Hi,

to be honest .... I don´t want to switch.
Came from RawTherapee 2.4 ... did not support my 60D .... tried RT3.x .... unstable, slow .... checked Bibble ... OK !! .... spent some money on it.
Then updated/switched to ASP .... little better than Bibble for me ... invested in a license for NN ....

O.K., ASP is neither perfect nor bug-free ... but it´s working well ....

BUT if I have to switch because Corel stops ASP, then I will give some open source (free) solution another chance, not paying for SW anymore.
Please note, I´m not a professional, it´s just hobby.

BR
Markus

I feel just the same, my workflow is settled around ASP and I'm happy with it so I don't really want to change software. Even if Corel doesn't abandon ASP for now, the lack of support for newer cameras is something that worries me because I'm planning to upgrade some of my gear.

[DocBrown]

I feel just the same, my workflow is settled around ASP and I'm happy with it so I don't really want to change software. Even if Corel doesn't abandon ASP for now, the lack of support for newer cameras is something that worries me because I'm planning to upgrade some of my gear.

I just switched to LightRoom. My workflow hasn't changed aside from re-learning a couple of tools inside LR. There are a couple of ASP plugins that handle some things better than LR, but aside from that, LR is much better to use than ASP. I did not feel this way when I trialed LR 3.x. 4.1 has fixed a lot of the missing pieces.

[wgo]

I do not change a *running* *performing* system.

+ ASP is really fast, fun to work with large set of pictures.
+ ASP runs on every of my machines. lnx64|lnx32|sleo32 desktop|macbook'06|netbook
+ Noise Ninja!
+ All of my digi's are supported.
+ doesn't touch original raw files.
- i use Asset Management only very basic. too buggy in MY experience.
- lens database is not usable for my lenses/sensorsize


To be on topic: if i decide to go for a new raw producing device...

* check if dcraw decodes a sample raw file.
if NOT: showstopper. exit.



* check for the actual workflow solution: ASP as of 20120922.

* new Cam on the marketplace.. wait a few DAYS ... ASP update! GREAT!
THIS IS CORE BUSINESS OF A RAW DEVELOPING SOFTWARE PRODUCER.
NOGO: the ASP D800E "support" is the worst thing ever seen.

* same for Lenses, correction for fullframe and crop. Nice to have.


go for it!
be AGILE. be RESPONSIVE.
release TEST/BETA versions on a regualar base.
Customers are not the enemy, they WANT good performing software.
And they are willing to pay for that service.

Wishlist:
get more speed using signal processing hardware in cpu-core(s) or graphic card.
New gadgets and picture manipulation is lowest prio, sorry.


ok just dreaming... back to reality:
+ dcraw|ufraw + scripting + gimp|imagemagick+co as pre-B5/ASP solution
+ other i-do-all-in-one-place: darktable rawstudio rawtherapee gtkrawgallery ...


hottest candidate: darktable.org 1.0.5: really a big step! fast! tethering!
-on my dell mini9/ubuntu/unity: application window is too big, unusable
-SLEO/32bit version to be checked. macports is version 0.7.1


All is possible, nothing is broken...
i keep checking for new software on a regular base
and continue reading this forum.

greets
W.

[hjorthr]

Question. I see a lot of talk about switching and what people are thinking of switching to. What I haven't seen is talk about ACDSee Pro. What are your thoughts on this program? I am going to trial Pro 5 and see, but would like to hear from those that have already used it and get their input. Thanks.

[wongjai888]

Hi,
I've used ACDSee Pro for about 4 years. It's my main image organizer and first-pass editor, plus I use it to launch most of my other editing apps, e.g., Topaz Labs, Nik, noiseware, Zoner, etc., even ASP. It is truly first-class, very fast, easy to use (no catalogs) and stable. Pro 6 is being launched tomorrow, so it's a great time to buy Pro 5 and then upgrade at a discount. I also have Lightroom 4, but ACDSee Pro is my bread-and-butter image application. If you haven't already, do try it.