I have downloaded the trial of Lightzone and after working with a a few days, I have run into a few questions.
I am running this on a 2.13 Core duo Intel machine, with 2GB of ram, (laptop). XP
When you open the program and then browse a folder for images (this is very straight forward) all seems OK. But after you have selected an image to convert it really seems to slow down. For example after I have selected an image from the browser, moved to the edit screen and made my edits, when I go to file==convert, then the program take IMO way too long to process the conversion as long as 2 to 3 minutes and this is only on one file. When the conversion is done and you then select the browser tab, Lightzone saves the file (not sure what this is doing, as I already sat through a long conversion process) but the saving takes just as long. I have also noted that if I name the file on the conversion screen, after the file is convert and I look it up, my naming is not there only the base raw file name with the lzn added. These are all 1ds MKII raw files.
I normally use Capture One and it performs fine on this machine no dragging or slow conversions.
I checked the memory slider in Lightzone and gave it 1GB of total ram, but it made no diff. Also in my experience conversion are more processor intensive than memory and I verified this in task manager when running a lightzone conversion.
Not trying to be negative, just can't imagine any program running as slow as this and also have such a redundant step (conversion) and then saving again to move back to the browser.
Hi Paul,
I don't remember "converting" when done editing. I just save. It does add a lzn file that shows the changes to the original file next to it in the browser. So the wait should just be 1 time. However I'm not converting raw tiffs... they are already converted in Capture One and saved as TIFFS.
I like the way the software works a lot, but trouble with not generating enough contrast even though they swear it's far more robust than Photoshop.
I recall the wait more like 30 seconds when saving. Sorry...I can only recall, since my problem now is it won't launch on my Mac OSX 10.4, G5 dual 2 ghz 6 gigs ram. It always unexpectedly quit on my system.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
The whole point in using Lightzone is to get away of the tedious task of using layers for each image and save a whole lot of cumultive mouse or stylus clicking. It is far more faster simply to select areas and treat them individually... and not having to mask each layer appropriately. Try it out and you'll see the major differance in the interface that can be very useful when working with a large number of images. I used Photoshop since V.1 on a floppy, and find Lightzone to operate in an ingenious fashion.
UPDATE: I discovered my system to be corrupt and reinitiated my boot drive, the app is now running great. I'm actually learning a lot more of the features....I have the full version and testing out the styles it offers, which replaces the multitude of types of layer controls of CS3. I'm very impressed so far with Lightzone. Converting my Canon 1D Mark III's Raws well and able to choose my color space with ease. To respond to the "saving" delay Paul asked about above, mine is taking only about five to ten seconds. Just a matter of switching between "Edit" and "Browse".
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Last edited by Paul Kuroda; 10-03-2007 at 03:31 AM.
Hi Ed,
What do you mean "editing list"? It does has a folder browser in the full version and not the cheaper one.
I think you can try out the full version for a spin and see for yourself if it works for you.
One thing I haven't tried much is printing out the files. I just been using it for presenting online proofs to customers or clients so far. Still using CS3 for final build of the few selected images. However, since playing with it some more....hmmm.
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Adjustment points (black,white,gray,color) in Capture NX for example, you can't take a .tiff straight from NX to Photoshop if it contains these adjustment points and expect those adjustment points listed in the editing GUI to remain intact. Something Nikon conveniently forgets to tell you. You have to save as a jpg. Sort of like "flattening" layers, except its flattening a list.
In like manner, do you have to convert your LightZone file to a jpg to save the the adjustments made to the .tiff? Point I'm making is there are images and there are images with baggage lists. - Ed
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
Linear Mode
