Lightroom 2.0 public beta....

[Furgus]

is available for download.

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/

Learning Center
http://www.photoshopuser.com/lightroom2/

 

[mabas9395]

I hope it's better than 1.4.

It sounds like localized corrections are great. But I still wish keyword tagging used checkboxes like Bridge.

And the Lightroom Queen (whom I've even seen around here once in a while) has published a great write up of the changes.

http://www.victoriabampton.com/lightroom20beta1whatsnew.htm

 

[MarkBarbieri]

It looks like the local corrections are going to be very, very useful. I also like that they added output sharpening and worked with Pixel Genius to develop it.

I'm surprised that they didn't include soft proofing. That seemed like an odd omission in version 1. To not have it in version 2 seems really strange.

Two monitor support is nice to have. I'll have to find room to stick another monitor back on my desk.

 

[Furgus]

I see that is has layer support as well, but my question is, will your edits be on their own layer when you open it up in CS3?

 

[GrillMouster]

I see that is has layer support as well, but my question is, will your edits be on their own layer when you open it up in CS3?

I don't understand what you mean when you say layer support.

Lightroom 2 doesn't support layers. Edits done in LR2, including the new ability to "paint" exposure, saturation, clarity, etc. (local edits) are nondestructive, but do not use layers. I haven't heard anything about LR2 edits being on a separate layer when exporting to Photoshop CS3.

You can select multiple images in LR2 and export them to Photoshop CS3, where each image will be on a separate layer. You can also export multiple images from LR2 into PSCS3's photomerge to create panoramas. You can export from LR2 into CS3 as a SmartObject, so double-clicking the icon on the CS3 layers palette will open the image in ACR (which has the same develop options as LR).

 

[mabas9395]

The new selective editing utilizes masks, and you can have multiple masks per image masking out different things. I think the question is will those individual masks each be a seperate layer?

 

[GrillMouster]

The new selective editing utilizes masks, and you can have multiple masks per image masking out different things. I think the question is will those individual masks each be a seperate layer?

My understanding is that when you "paint" localized edits in LR2, the program automatically masks areas based on edges and changes in color. Using a slider, you can adjust the tolerance (sensitivity) of the mask. The mask is not saved as a separate layer.

 

[jann1033]

you can't in pse, not sure about the other photoshops, it's either everything as you did it in lightroom ( in one package, no layers)or nothing you did in lightroom...which i don't understand but i do love it...i've been playing all morning on it and thinking i might wait till june and get the 2 ( and pay through the nose instead of the cheap education version) if you go to photoshop via the developer, it takes you to a box and you get 3 choices but none include layers(unless it's different for other photoshops)

dumb ? but how do you save it or does it save it automatically? it looks like the edits i did are in the library but want to make sure they will stay there after i close out

 

[Master Mason]

you can't in pse, not sure about the other photoshops, it's either everything as you did it in lightroom ( in one package, no layers)or nothing you did in lightroom...which i don't understand but i do love it...i've been playing all morning on it and thinking i might wait till june and get the 2 ( and pay through the nose instead of the cheap education version) if you go to photoshop via the developer, it takes you to a box and you get 3 choices but none include layers(unless it's different for other photoshops)

It will come out as an education version as well. And I am sure there will be some sort of an upgrade path as well.

 

[Code]

The local correction tools make me want a tablet even more.

 

[SWDopey]

Mabas9395, thanks for the compliment! Glad it helped! Updated shortcuts list is on there now too.

The individual masks are only editable in LR. There's a good chance ACR will eventually be updated inline with that, but no, they don't then appear in PS as layers.

Grillmouster, you're pretty close. The AutoMask function works like that, protected areas that are not the same colour as you originally started the stroke over. With AutoMask turned off, you are literally brushing the mask wherever you choose, just like masking in Photoshop. You can put masks on top of each other, so in that way, they are similar to layers.

Jann1033 - you have to have Photoshop CS3 10.0.1 for the Edit with extra options to become available, which is why you're not seeing them.

Yes, it saves as you go along in the database/catalog. Makes sure you let it back up regularly, as with any database there's a risk of corruption. You can also write back to the xmp section in the files (sidecar files for raw) which is a useful additional backup. Changes aren't applied to the files until you choose to 'export'.

If you don't already have a Lightroom 1 license, the 2.0 beta will expire within 30 days, but you can ask a license owner for an 'invitation' which will then allow it to run until 31/8.

Mark - soft proofing was on the short list, but got bumped by some of the other features.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

It will come out as an education version as well. And I am sure there will be some sort of an upgrade path as well.

I doubt they will offer an upgrade path from a previous education version. They didn't for Photoshop. You have to buy new education versions each time (according to the Adobe rep). I would be pleasantly surprised if they offer an upgrade to the education version.

 

[jann1033]

Mabas9395, thanks for the compliment! Glad it helped! Updated shortcuts list is on there now too.

The individual masks are only editable in LR. There's a good chance ACR will eventually be updated inline with that, but no, they don't then appear in PS as layers.

Grillmouster, you're pretty close. The AutoMask function works like that, protected areas that are not the same colour as you originally started the stroke over. With AutoMask turned off, you are literally brushing the mask wherever you choose, just like masking in Photoshop. You can put masks on top of each other, so in that way, they are similar to layers.

Jann1033 - you have to have Photoshop CS3 10.0.1 for the Edit with extra options to become available, which is why you're not seeing them.

Yes, it saves as you go along in the database/catalog. Makes sure you let it back up regularly, as with any database there's a risk of corruption. You can also write back to the xmp section in the files (sidecar files for raw) which is a useful additional backup. Changes aren't applied to the files until you choose to 'export'.

If you don't already have a Lightroom 1 license, the 2.0 beta will expire within 30 days, but you can ask a license owner for an 'invitation' which will then allow it to run until 31/8.

Mark - soft proofing was on the short list, but got bumped by some of the other features.

any of you kind lightroom owners want to give me an invite? to sweeten the deal i'll promise not to post for a week or 2 in return..3 weeks? a month? ok a yr, a whole yr of no annoying questions or comments and no annoying smilies

 

[Groucho]

The multiple monitor thing really excites me. IMHO, for my tastes - one big monitor cannot beat the usefulness of two smaller ones. There's something about having one display dedicated to one thing and another to something else.

I'm not going to bother with the beta, though. Won't import the 1.x library, won't guarantee changes will migrate to 2.0 final. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for 1.4.1.............

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The multiple monitor thing really excites me. IMHO, for my tastes - one big monitor cannot beat the usefulness of two smaller ones. There's something about having one display dedicated to one thing and another to something else.

Having worked for a while with a pair of 19" monitors and a 30" monitor, I have to strongly disagree. I have all the resolution of the pair in one monitor. If I want to go "dual", I can easily do that by putting one window on each side of the monitor. The single large monitor gives me the flexibility to also have one single large picture without a big divider in the middle. So with one jumbo monitor, I get the best of both worlds.

I'm not going to bother with the beta, though. Won't import the 1.x library, won't guarantee changes will migrate to 2.0 final. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for 1.4.1.............

I would strongly recommend using the beta as a production photo processing tool. I'll install it so that I can get an early understanding of the new features and how they will probably work. I won't do real work in it, though, for fear of losing that work when the new version finally arrives. This will also help me assess whether I want to buy the upgrade or wait for version 3.

I'm teaching a Lightroom workshop this June and will add a segment on what features will be changing. That could be useful for attendees in assessing whether to buy version 1 or wait a few more months for version 2.

 

[Groucho]

Having worked for a while with a pair of 19" monitors and a 30" monitor, I have to strongly disagree. I have all the resolution of the pair in one monitor. If I want to go "dual", I can easily do that by putting one window on each side of the monitor. The single large monitor gives me the flexibility to also have one single large picture without a big divider in the middle. So with one jumbo monitor, I get the best of both worlds.

Different strokes for different folks. There's no way I'd ever put a 30" monitor on my desk, for a variety of reasons. I'm glad you're happy with it, but it's not for everyone.

I would strongly recommend using the beta as a production photo processing tool.

I assume that you mean that you would not recommend using it for production. Testing and playing with new features is fine, but I'm in no rush and I'd rather learn the "final" version when it's available.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I assume that you mean that you would not recommend using it for production. Testing and playing with new features is fine, but I'm in no rush and I'd rather learn the "final" version when it's available.

I beg your pardon. I meant exactly what I didn't say.

 

[jann1033]

just wondering, if i save my work in another folder on my computer is it a problem doing edits with the beta? i am imagining the libraries wouldn't transfer to the final version but anything i save in my hard drive would be fine right?..just checking

 

[SWDopey]

just wondering, if i save my work in another folder on my computer is it a problem doing edits with the beta? i am imagining the libraries wouldn't transfer to the final version but anything i save in my hard drive would be fine right?..just checking

Yep, that should be fine.