[Lightroom replacement]

Hello R C-R,

 

A DAM (Digital Assets Management) is just a bit more than a photo viewer in a sense that it can, like Adobe Bridge, manage any type of files you want (in the case of Graphic Converter it really does).

But you are right, It lacks the ability to view the whole content of a folder and its subfolders.

This is one of the many reasons I prefer Photo Mechanic. One of the other reasons is that GC cannot combine RAW+JPEG, for instance.
Anyway, I have mentioned it just because it could be a useful software for its price.

 

Regards,

Fx

[Lightroom replacement]

Hello Occulon,

 

The best DAM I know is, by far, Photo Mechanic. But It is only a DAM, another software like Affinity Photo is needed for editing. And It is a bit expensive. You can also  have a look at Graphic Converter from the german company Lemkesoft (Mac only, 32£). The devellopers claim that it is a "swiss knife" and, indeed, it is one. But sometimes too many functions on your knife lead to a bulky size and some difficulties to handle... (it may take a whole week to handle the preferences panel ). Anyway, for the price it is a very good DAM. There is a function to make basic RAW editing, but it is not very efficient (the soft is not made for that), so I guess you will need another software to do the work properly.

 

Using two or three software to manage your files is not a problem. It is actually more lightweight and secure. What is needed is a DAM not too "greedy" with hardware ressources, and a good RAW converter with batch processing before editing in Affinity, or any software you want, for the finishing work.

Batch processing in the RAW software part is essential to manage several files in one time (to create previews for instance).

 

I have used Lightroom since 2012 and the 4th, 5th and 6th versions before completely switching a few weeks ago for a combination of three softwares : Photo Mechanic, Iridient Developer, and Affinity photo (I also use Nik plugins for a long time). I still learn to use Affinity Photo Properly, but that workflow suits me perfectly. 

It is above the budget you have mentioned. But, you can focus on the RAW developer, because it is the most important part if you use RAW files, Affinity is not very expensive, Nik plugins are free, for now. And Graphic converter will do a good job. There is also a free DAM named XnView, I know it for a long time since I have used the Windows version in the newspaper I was working for. You can have a look at it.

 

Regards,
Fx

[RAW developement in Affinity Photo]

Hi befehr,

 

For the same reasons as yours, I have tested, a lot of, if not all the Mac photo softwares on the market. Some are quite goods, some do not stand longer than a 24-hours testing (like Pixelmator pro for instance). It would be very long to detail the pro or cons of each software, but the only one that has stayed on my computer is Affinity Photo. It's the most complete, and the most powerful alternative to Photoshop, in my sense.

In a side by side comparison, you have to adapt your way of working  for each software, and, most of all, going through the whole processing, to achieve a final result that suits you.

Your concerns are justified, and it is always good to point out things that could be improved. But If you want to get rid of Lightroom, just stop trying to compare.

 

For information, I use Photo Mechanics as a DAM, Iridient Developer, or Affinity for the raw files, and Affinity and sometimes Nik plugins for the finishing work. After a few weeks to learn all of these software (I still have work), I do not regret switching from Lightroom.

 

All the best,

Fx

[RAW developement in Affinity Photo]

I totally agree with you, indigoMoon. 
To make an analogy, I will say that develloping a raw file is the first step to achieve a good negative, and a good negative is the necessary step before going trough the enlarger...

 

Fx

[RAW developement in Affinity Photo]

Hi,

Like It has already been said before, you just cannot bring to life something that doesn't exist. No software could do that.

 

In lightroom, I think that the highlights and shadows sliders work probably on more than just the shadows and highlights adjustments, but on local exposure and contrast as well. Lightroom do the job for you, Luminar tries to do so, in Affinity, you will have to work a little more. 

 

But, going too far to retrieve a bad eposed picture will lead to poor image quality.
One of the best RAW developer I know, is certainly Iridient Developer. This software focuses on high quality results, in term of definition for instance. It doesn't go as far as lightroom to correct a bad exposed picture (maybe, though...), but it will preserve the overall quality of the picture. I have used Lightroom since the fourth version, and Camera Raw wich is the same engine, and of course the results are quickly appealing and easy to carry out (Adobe are good products, obviously. The problem with that brand is elsewhere...). Now I use Iridient for the basic RAW conversion before Affinity Photo. A way longer, but particulary for large prints, I think that the results are infinitly better.

 

Anyway, this is not the software that makes the picture. Not more than the camera or the lens ... 

 

Regards,

Fx

[New documents Models or Presets]

Hi,

 

It would be useful when creating a new document, in both Affinity Photo and Designer, to have custom models or even presets to avoid re-setting the parameters one needs.

For example, if I need an A3 landscape document for print in 360dpi, 16-bits, I set the parameters and the next document will have the same settings. But if I need an A4 size or a custom paper size, I'll have to re-define the settings. 

Having just a few customizable settings fields in the "Page Presets" menu, Will help a lot.

 

Regards,
Fx

[Histogram]

Double thanks, owenr!
One for advising the thread.
One for your post in the aforementioned thread: 
- "(A Levels adjustment layer will indicate clipping if you press Alt/Opt when operating its black and white sliders.)"

 

This is just what I needed, even if it would be more convenient to have just a few buttons to show the clippings. 
For now, before printing I just need to add that layer, and a soft proofing layer in a (sort of) print layout preset. Then copy and paste (or place) my image in it, and that's it.

 

I am an happy man, at least for today. 

 

Regards,
Fx

[Histogram]

Thanks for your answer, stokerg. I hope it will be added in a future update...

 

Regards,

Fx

[Dock Icon Size]

17 minutes ago, Why Me said:

Hey Fx, this is genius. Much appreciated. I have a long way to go. 

 

You're welcome. I have a long way to go too, I guess, with such a powerful software.

[Histogram]

Hello,

Is there a way to display the shadows and highlights clipping in the histogram outside the Develop Persona.
I use this feature a lot, specially before printing and until now, I have to go back in the Develop Persona to view and adjust the clippings. I could use the Color Picker, of course for a better precision, but it is a way longer. 
Sometimes I'm a bit lazy...

 

Regards,
Fx 

[Again: a problem with Affinity Photo print manager]

Thanks for your answer Dmitri.

 

Here is what I see when I go through File=>Print... or cmd+P: 

Indeed, nothing looks like your first screen. Maybe you are working with the Windows version, Mac users will have to wait to have a print manager...

 

Regards,

Fx

[Again: a problem with Affinity Photo print manager]

Hello Dmitri,

 

Sorry to ask a probably dumb question, but where have you found this Print Assistant?

 

I have posted a feature request regarding the ability to set the size of the picture in the print menu, because I have not found such functionality in Affinity Photo 1.6.6 or 1.6.7 beta yet. 
So until now, I work with some models of new documents as empty layout with a soft proofing layer, and place an image in it. It is a bit old fashioned, and not realy fast, but I must admit, it works fine.
Of course I would prefer a convenient Print Assistant.

 

Regards,
Fx

[Please update the Print Menu !]

Everything is in the title. 
Affinity Photo is almost perfect, but when one comes to print... 

 

Without asking for a real printing section, wich would be a must, of course. I would like to suggest in the "scaling and artboards" section:
- The ability to set the print size of the image (a custom width or a custom height or both) independently of the paper size.
- The margins setting.
- The position of the image (centered, left, right, up, down, etc...)

 

Anyway, many thanks and congratulation for the team and this wonderful software. 
Regards,
Fx

[Multiple destinations on export]

Many thanks for your answer Pšenda.

It almost solves what I needed except that what it does is to create the folders and subfolders you have chosen in the path form, in the destination you choose after clicking the "export slice" button. So if you want to export a file, for isntance,  in your usual pictures destination and another one for further work on the desktop or any folder you want, you can't. Not to mention sending a file to another or external drive.
Better than nothing, of course, and like I said above it still helps me.

 

Just to be more precise on my workflow. I work with Photo Mechanic as DAM, process my RAW images with Iridient Developer, before sending them to affinity Photo for final adjustments before printing. In Iridient, I can set a batch process to export a JPEG file in the original folder to combine it with the RAW and so preview the changes in Photo Mechanic, and, in the same time, a TIFF file in a different location before launching Affinity. 
In affinity, I need to export manually a JPEG file in the original folder to see the last changes, then save or export the final TIFF, in its final location. 
It would be more convenient to just click the "export" button and have both files in the right location.

 

Regards,
Fx

[Dock Icon Size]

Hello Why Me, 

I'am new too, don't know if I'am old . And I just start to write in forums too. In top of all, English is not my first language. But I hope this will helps you.

 

Seeing your example, by dock icons you mean the dock tools, I guess. So, in the menu bar, at right hand, you have a "view" menu. Scrolling down this menu you will find some options to unpin ("dock tools"), hide or customize the tools.

In the customize menu you can just choose add a column for instance or remove some tools you do not use.

If you do not want to change your screen resolution (on non-retina screen you can only change the screen resolution)  like explained by owner, it could be fine.

 

Regards,
Fx

[Multiple destinations on export]

Hi,

 

It would be useful to have the choice of multiple destinations in Export Persona. 
I use Photo Mechanic as DAM and I need to combine a Low resolution JPEG with the RAW file to display changes and a High resolution TIFF for archiving and printing. I can set different resolutions and output file formats, but only one folder for export. I would like to send, for instance, the JPEG in the original folder and the TIFF file elsewhere on the hard drive.

Regards,
Fx