Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Public Beta

[Jerry Skrocki]

Lightroom 2.0 Beta brings 64 bit image processing to Macs running Leopard, but it installs as a 32 bit application by default. Option+Click on the icon and select "get info", allows you to uncheck the 32 bit tick box and the next time LR starts it will be in 64 bit mode.

I was excited to see this beta release as it addresses all the issues I had with the previous versions of Lightroom (broken print color management, lack of dual monitor support). Martin was kind enough to send me an invite to try the beta. The serial number also activated my expired Lightroom 1.3 trial.

Printing a controlled test print using a custom icc profile and turning off print management in the printer driver, I printed three test prints. Two prints were made from Lightroom 2.0 Beta, the first in 16 bit mode and the second in 8 bit mode. These prints were identical viewed with a loupe. Detail was excellent as was screen matched color management. The third print was made from Lightroom 1.3 using the same settings and the print output produced unnatural skin tones that were far to magenta and lacking in yellow.

I have to clarify that my printer (Canon ipf5000) does not currently have a Leopard (CUPS) printer driver available and subsequently can not be fully utilized in 64 bit mode with Lightroom.

For me another great new feature is the retouch brush that allows you to paint in changes:

[AndrewRodney]

Originally Posted by Jerry Skrocki

I have to clarify that my printer (Canon ipf5000) does not currently have a Leopard (CUPS) printer driver available and subsequently can not be fully utilized in 64 bit mode with Lightroom.

Its also unlikely sending 16 bits to the printer. For that, the OS, application AND print driver all have to be capable of handling the 16-bit data. We can (now) do this with Leopard Epson drivers. That's probably why you didn't see any differences.

Speaking at Photoshop World this week with the team, I'm told a good test is to print out something like a very saturated blue sky with gradations. You might see a difference in 8 versus 16-bit printing assuming your print driver (and OS) support it.

[Jerry Skrocki]

Originally Posted by AndrewRodney

Its also unlikely sending 16 bits to the printer. For that, the OS, application AND print driver all have to be capable of handling the 16-bit data. We can (now) do this with Leopard Epson drivers. That's probably why you didn't see any differences.

Speaking at Photoshop World this week with the team, I'm told a good test is to print out something like a very saturated blue sky with gradations. You might see a difference in 8 versus 16-bit printing assuming your print driver (and OS) support it.

I assumed this to be the case and I am anxiously awaiting for Canon to release the new drivers for the iPF5000 scheduled for this month.

From what I understand, the Epson 16 bit drivers are only available in Beta at this point as well.

Jerry

[AndrewRodney]

Epson is officially calling them beta, but for all practical purposes, they are good to go and are in some cases absolutely necessary to print correctly out of Lightroom.

[MarkAlsop]

I loaded the 2.0 Beta on my dual-monitor Vista 64 machine and started playing with it. It installs without a hitch.

It is very nice that it installs as a separate application so you can continue to use LR 1.3.1. It is very snappy using both monitors on a Core2 Quad system …the dual monitor support is quite something to see!

I still have not figured out how to sharpen just the eyes …it seems I read that it is supposed to be able to do that, which has been the main reason for taking photos into Photoshop in LR 1.x.

[Johan_Elzenga]

Local sharpening is not one of the new functions. You can however paint 'Clarity' which also has a sharpening effect.

[Dennis_Vied]

I was very disappointed to learn that the dual monitor feature does not include undocking and placing the panels/tools on the second monitor. That's the way I use CS3, and to me, it's the main reason for having dual monitors, so maximum image viewing can be done on the larger monitor. I have expressed my wants for the feature in the online LR2 forum.

Been playing with it a little, and had one hangup so far, but not quite sure what caused it. I had to reboot.

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