It’s Lightroom 2.0 Baby! (Beta that is)
Hey folks! I bet I've got one heck-of-a surprise for you today. Ready for it? Adobe has released Lightroom 2.0 beta to the public (no, this is not a belated April fools day joke). Today kicks off Photoshop World and not only is Adobe going to demo the 2.0 beta but they're letting everyone have it and download it for free. The first question everyone's going to be asking is what's it all about. I've included my top 10 favorite features in 2.0 right here. However, NAPP has an entire learning center website all set up with videos (by Scott Kelby and myself) on all the new features. I'll give you the links at the end of the post.
First, the top 10 list1) Localized Corrections (AKA: Dodge and Burn) - If Lightroom 2 came out and this was the only new feature I'd upgrade in a heartbeat. Localized Corrections is the non-destructive dodging and burning that we've all wanted for so long. But I have to say this - it's so much more. It goes WAY beyond what I expected from dodging and burning in Lightroom (which is why it's called Localize corrections and not just dodge and burn) and I think you're going to love it.
2) Better Photoshop Integration - Now you can open your files as Smart Objects, Merge to Panorama or even export straight to Photoshop's HDR from Lightroom.
3) Post-crop vignetting - if you've ever tried to darken the edges of a cropped photo with the lens vignetting slider you'll know it doesn't really work. That's where the post-crop vignette comes in.
4) Multiple Monitor support - can you say "Finally!"?
5) Picture Packages in the print module.
6) Output Sharpening in the print module and it really works this time around. I've seen tests compared to Lightroom 1 and the print sharpening is noticeably better.
7) Smart Collections - Collections were great in LR 1 but smart collections make using collections a lot easier.
8.) Printing directly to a JPEG file in the Print module. So if you send your photos off to a lab now you can save the files right from within Lightroom's Print module.
9) Suggested Keywords - Get this... Lightroom will start suggesting keywords to you once you start keywording your photos. It's weird to explain so make sure you stop by NAPP's learning center to see it in action.
10) OK, I'm going to give you two here. First there's a new filter panel in the Library module that makes getting to your photos easier and faster because it's right there with your photos (instead of tucked away on the left side panels). Next, the Slideshow and Web modules both have Content panels as well as Collection panels. So now you can very quickly switch slideshows without having to jump back to the Library module and choose different photos.
Now for the links to find out moreI know I promised some links so here they are:
- Download Lightroom 2 beta here
- NAPP's online learning center
- John Nack's Blog
- Scott Kelby's blog
Kelby Training Online Training Course
If you're already a Kelby Training subscriber then you can also check out my Lightroom 2.0 beta Power Session. It covers all the new features in Lightroom 2 beta and you have access to it immediately as a subscriber.
As you can imagine, with Photoshop World this week and Lightroom 2 beta launching things are pretty crazy and sure to get crazier. I'll have a lot more news, tips and tutorials as the weeks go on so make sure you stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by and thanks so much to all of the Photoshop World attendees who've already came by and introduced themselves. Take care!
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April 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 pm
The email I got from Adobe mentioned selective sharpening, but I don’t see it. Any tips on this?
April 4th, 2008 at 11:33 am
They still haven’t fixed the time stamp issue!! How long does it take them to fix this? I still have images from Europe that are 12 hours off. Even the free MS viewer gets it right.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I’d really like to see the network or multiple computers share the same catalog support in this newer version. I think it’s already such a great product.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Re; captin spin above
I found out the problem from somebody on Adobe Forum. You have to check the little boxes to the left of your paper profile in the dialog box that comes up after you pick “other ” under color management. I was just clicking on the paper profile and than clicking OK. It’s so obvious once you know but I l tried everything else for a day and as half until I got clued in. ( well the boxes were tiny, tiny and my eyesight ain’t what it used to be :
April 4th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Matt seems to say that you can’t Export an existing catalog in the L/R 2 Beta but I have found that you can Import and existing catalog.
Hank
April 4th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Hey Matt,
Any word on if they are going to add a album maker anytime soon or if there are any plug-in’s for it?
Thanks for all your hard work. I love LR
Casey Figlewicz
April 4th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hey all,
Hoping for the best.
Sounds like good news. On the other hand, they sucked big time w/1.4.1 and now they’re talking about 2.0, sigh…
Looks like one can say bye bye to the free 1.4-1.9 updates… And if one wants to hang on CS2 it’s too bad
Cheers - Flo.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Hi John B, ah sometimes I wonder how I can be so thick! Thanks mate; that is the answer.
CS
April 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
HOw do I get all my lightroom 1.3 catalogue into lightroom 2.0?
Anyone know how to do this?
April 5th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
With the new 2.0 print module with variable sized images will it have the ability to add simple text titles/captions? Hope so as I do miss that feature. I am a complete convert to LR and the 2.0 improvements sound great.
April 5th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Adobe says 2.0 will expire in August. You guys are saying 30 days. Which is correct?
April 6th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Hey James,
As of right now, you cannot import 1.x catalogs into 2.0. The way I understand it, they did this intentionally since it is Beta. They didn’t want anybody having Beta type issues that ended up affecting the entire catalog. Once the final version is released, you will be able to do that.
As for me, I am loving the new version and can’t wait for the final release. This has pretty much everything I was hoping for in a version 2. The print to Jpeg and localized corrections work fantastic. The only issue I’m having so far is that on export to Jpeg, I don’t seem to be getting the same color consistency as I did with 1.3. Hopefully, this will be resolved by final release though.
Cheers
April 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Chris,
I’m having the same JPEG consistency problem. In my case, everything I export to JPEG from Lightroom 2.0 is significantly darker.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Other than that though. I love the program. It’s just incredible how much better (and faster) than Aperture, LR is (for my purposes at least).
April 6th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Hi Matt,
I wanted to re-visit a lesson that I believe you taught over at kelbytraining.com It had to do with using custom files under the identity plate function to create borders/layers in Lightroom. For the life of me, I can’t find the lesson anymore. Can you or anyone direct me to the right lesson again? Specifically..it was using ornamental textured files from istockphoto.com to overlay on the final print. Thanks for any help. Love the site and I’m addicted to Lightroom!!
April 7th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Given the cautionary notes from Adobe http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/
I guess the main use for the Beta is just to play around…not to do editing you want to save….or can you? If not, can’t imagine using much….even testing much…am I missing something?
April 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I was using 1.3.1 and cannot import either the catalog or the collections. Is this correct?
April 8th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Comments:
1. Post-crop vignetting is worthy of its own upgrade.
2. The new sharpening features kick complete @ss.
3. Dual Monitor Support should be renamed “Here, Show These Images to Your Clients,” ’cause that’s the only thing I can figure this feature (in its current state) is useful for. Adobe, PLEASE give us TRUE dual monitor support, where we can…well that brings me to…
4. Custom Adjustment Panels are a MUST. I am so tired of scrolling up and down through the side adjustment panels. Why can’t we move these things wherever we want them? Why can’t we re-arrange the listing order? WHY CAN’T THEY BE MOVED TO THE SECOND MONITOR? Photoshop is so much better at this, so I know it can be done. How about a little (optional) tear-off panel for each adjustment setting that can be re-ordered or moved wherever we like?
5. Can we PLEASE have a Levels adjustment like Photoshop has, where we can manually set a white point and a black point? I would love to be able to specify a (repeatable) black clipping point, like I can with the levels control in Photoshop.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I think “Lens Correction” feature (something like DxO has) is one of the most important features in my opinion - because now whole LR’s RAW workflow is weaken by making you to switch to PS (or other third-party software) to fix almost always present lens distortions, the switch that strips files of their RAW data by making LR convert files to TIFFs or PSDs for feather editing. So if (almost?) all lens corrections could be done inside of LR 2, photographs in most case could be kept in their native RAW formats - witch would lead to a lot more flexible work environment.
Can this feature be added to LR 2? If DxO can do it - why LR can’t, right?
April 29th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Hey Matt,
I know this is completely off-topic for your LR Killer Tips blog, but could not find another way to contact you. I went to send you an email through the NAPP site about a tutorial you did a while back on creating a calendar for your desktop. (we had messaged a few ties in the forums)…but I know how busy you are and that this site takes up a good portion of your time.
Well…as you likely already know - I did a video version of that for Windows a little later. That has also evolved into a little template project for me using Photoshop (sorry, not LR - many many layers here), which was completed this evening when I finally had some time to get back to it and clean a few things up. Anyway, the video for it is over on my blog - feel free to dissect it or share with others at your leisure (both in QT and flash versions)…
Keep doing everything you guys do at NAPP with LR and PS - the training and resources are second to none!
Oh yeah, the link (for others if interested) is http://www.canonblogger.com - thanks again for the inspiration and genesis of the template idea! PS Guys “Rock the How-ski!”
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:16 am
Hey Matt,
I enjoy your Lightroom Killer Tips. Can you tell me how you made your ” Matt Kloskowski Photography Template that accompanies your photos that you share with us on the lightroomkillertips website?
Was this a tip or an article that I missed from a previous week?
Please let me know your formula for your template.
Thanks in Advance,
Todd
May 4th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I can not load either LR 1.41 or Beta 2. About 1 second after launching, a message appears saying Lightroom has to shut down. I use updated XP and have no trouble with LR 1.31 or any other program. I have spent the last two weeks trying: removing the pref file, removing and reinstaling all LR programs, defraging, reg clean and probably other things I could think of. Does anyone have any cures for this? Thanks jc
July 29th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Well, I have been waiting for the upgrade to V2, though I didn’t bother with the beta version. I looked at the NAPP video’s on V2 and while all the new features are great, the three principal reasons for upgrading, in order of their priority, are:
1) the Adjustment Brush
2) the Filter Bar
3) Smart Collections.
Now back to editing my last shoot….