Whats New in PhotoLab 7

I look at what’s new in DxO PhotoLab 7 in this video.
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[@brianmckeever5280]

I've got the update! Very nice. Thank you for the preview. I can't wait for it to support my new G9ii. Cheers!

[@RobinWhalley]

Hope you enjoy the new camera and software. Thanks.

[@jordanking7711]

Totally agree with you on the HSL adjustment that you pointed out Robin. WHY On1 and Adobe can't you integrate it into your software? Used it during my trial for Photolab and it is FANTASTIC.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thank you.

[@tonyb2760]

Last year my upgrade on the "Elite" version from 5 to 6 was $69 US dollars. This is quite the increase and to tie up some functionality to a "Filmpack" upgrade along side, seems a bit of a gouge in the pocket. I will definitely postpone this upgrade for a while, or perhaps permanently. On1 just ran me off with their pricing structure, looks like DXO is on the same path.

[@BraddGraves]

DXO asks for @ hundred bucks every year like clockwork, whether they have anything special to offer or not. No one should buy this now but wait until it goes on sale.

[@taliosnz]

@@BraddGraveswhich is fine - because as it's a perpetual license that you don't HAVE to keep paying for no changes like other tools, you have that option. That said - the luminosity mask would be a compelling feature - but it's unlocked by film pack - for some bizarre upsell reason.

[@BraddGraves]

I wonder if filmpack 7 works with PL 6? Knowing DXO, probably not, but I'll check.@@taliosnz

[@HamishRyan-x8j]

I did the upgrade, and it said it wouldn't install on my version of windows.......everything else is updated and fine on it, except for the one program I actually like. So since I paid the for the upgrade and could never install it, I can't go for photolab 7 now. Theirs simply no point.

[@markwith140]

I am very likely to get Photolab 7. I like the updates to the local adjustments, the local HSL and colour profiles. Like you I have an Xrite colour checker but am put off by the long process that is needed to use it. I am sure that I will use it a lot more if I can create a profile directly in Photolab. As an existing user the the features are worth the upgrade price to me.

[@RobinWhalley]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

The new design of local adjustments looks much better and more usable. In the old design, the tools so often got in my way (especially when making a layer consisting of several control points). I do hope performance of local adjustments is also improved, when using multiple local adjustment layers on the same image.

[@BraddGraves]

Sure, that's correcting the previous bad design, so it should be a free upgrade. But not for the greedy pricks at DXO.

[@Adventwore]

With all this new features I can say goodbye to C1. Thanks for the nice explanation of the new features. Looking forward to watch more video on it.

[@RobinWhalley]

My pleasure!

[@BraddGraves]

Ha! Ha! I'll be saying goodbye to DXO once PL 6 becomes outdated in a year or two. Sick and. tired of these greedy bastards, their price gouging and their shitty support staff.

[@gandolfred]

*1.* Thank you for the video! You explained it more clearly and simply than the DxO employees. *2.* It is not clear why they invented a wheel with local corrections. There is an industry standard - you select an area and standard tools only work for the selected area or layer. But for some reason DxO made a separate tab and repeated the tools there. This is bad work by a UI engineer. And it also resembles an attempt to stick something to the main interface without reworking it.

[@chrisbartlett8146]

I see this wont be released until next month but I would like to know if they are now displaying a full sized review of a denoised photo. I am getting older and virtually cannot use PL6 on my laptop as I can not see what I have done until I export the file. I find I am processing everything in LR and PS and often Affinity. They need to fix this problem as they are falling behind other Apps.

[@edwardphilipmarianafzger9800]

I bought DxO 10 after trial version 9 years ago after that all the next versions I bought first trial 30 days will I upgrade again yes but not today .

[@petermcginty3636]

Thank you, Robin. I have one question about using a colour passport to calibrate the colours. Is it a waste of time doing this if I subsequently use, say, FujiFilm Velvia? Our are you suggesting that it is a way of setting a good base for the colour palette of the whole image and, then, think about using something like Velvia? Many thanks, Peter.

[@RobinWhalley]

If you are using a colour correction DCP file then you can't also apply the Velvia rendering. They are both selections in the Rendering dropdown so it's one or the other. The only way that I can think you might get around this is to first colour correct your image using the DCP file. You could then export that to a TIFF image and then edit the TIFF image to apply the Velvia rendering. I think that's possible but haven't checked.

[@petermcginty3636]

@@RobinWhalley many thanks

[@dingbat19]

Robin - I have the same colour checker and like you found the bundled calibration software laborious to use. This looks appealing but am I correct in thinking that you kind of need to calibrate for each photo shoot and even then, potentially, if lighting conditions change, you need a new calibration shot again (e.g. going from sunny to in shade) ? And don't DXO usually make a big song and dance about how carefully they calibrate anyway for each camera ?

[@RobinWhalley]

The camera calibrations as far as I am aware are not for colour correction. All colour "effects" are through the renderings. The theory of the calibration tool (I believe) is that it standardises and corrects the colours for images shot at the same time, on the same camera and in the same light. If you go from dirrct sun to shade then it shouldn't work. My experience of using my own images is that it does work and makes a good job of things. It may not produce perfect colours but they are a lot better than trying to warm up a cool image using the Temp and Tint sliders. It's worth testing out.

[@alangauld6079]

I love that they have added the colour calibration I've been crying out for that. BUT I hate the new local adjustments UI, Nik did that for a while and it was awful, they wised up and put the sliders back on the control points - so much quicker to use. I can see why DxO needed the HSL tool separate(and it's addition is great, especially that they kept the whole wheel and not just a simplified tool!) but the main controls could and should have stayed with the CP, it just saves so much faffing around with the mouse!

[@glennn.3464]

I was asking for the Local Adjustments to be implemented this way years ago. So glad they finally reworked it so you can adjust using the larger, out-of-the-way, sliders like everything else. This is how it should have been since their introduction, IMO and by itself is worth the upgrade.

[@RobinWhalley]

I've used both the old and the new side by side for a few weeks now and I find the new approach much better to work with. It may be because I've used Lightroom for so long but it works well for me.

[@constantinelykiard1644]

Yes everyone has been conditioned to use sliders away from the image... however it is ergonomically far better to use adjustment where the eye gazes and the peripheral vision becomes aware of how the adjustment sits with the over image without having to hunt for the sliders to the right ... @@RobinWhalley

[@ernreeders5583]

The new local adjustments interface has a mouse cursor trap right where you want to start scrolling - the adjustment list panel.

[@RobinWhalley]

That's interesting. I haven't found that at all. I've been using it a lot, and it isn't something I have seen.

[@ernreeders5583]

@@RobinWhalley Doesn't happen every time so I'm now tracking the difference. Win version. My right panel isn't quite the same as yours.

[@PierGiorgioZuccaro]

Good updates on the "masks" and the possibility of colors, and the possibility of Luts. Less good for languages (something of little importance) but the sad thing is that in any case the Channel MIxer Palette can be seen in Lab7 but only active with associated FP, there are three presets but they don't seem to work. Too bad I don't see this leap as being so amazing as to justify so much cost... for the upgrade.

Help! When I activate the brush in local adjustments and start applying it to an image, the mask disappears while I’m applying it. The mask reappears when I stop (I’m using the trackpad on my laptop). The eraser shows the same behavior. In PL6 the mask remains visible when drawing so I can clearly see what I’m doing. Am I missing something?

7.0.1 update released today (10/2/23) fixed this. It works great. I'm loving the changes to the Local Adjustments.

[@macjim]

Is the version for Fujifilm cameras?

[@RobinWhalley]

Yes, it supports the Fuji X-Trans RAW files but check the complete list of cameras and lenses on the DxO website.

[@SilatShooter]

Have been a DXO user for years, initially did it because I hated the subscription model of Adobe. But...these yearly upgrades have gotten costlier and starting to get on my nerves. And now tying a local adjustment feature to a separate FilmPack upgrade to 7 as well is definitely abusive. Not happy.

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

Is there a way to avoid the 'dxo-art' during the loading?

[@RobinWhalley]

Not that I know of. Sorry.

[@ItsWillLee]

Thanks Robin, pretty sure I got my moneys worth from PL3, PL7 is nice leap ahead and im "missing" some new tech features from PL3.

[@ItsWillLee]

The cleaner interface is almost worth the upgrade alone. Cleaned up nicely, and I like how the levels are integrated for adjustments. DxO made some really nice improvements with PL7.

[@RobinWhalley]

I like the new version a lot. I've also just finished editing a video for next week about the new Luminosity Masking feature in FilmPack 7 which also launched today. When you have FilmPack 7 installed alongside PhotoLab you can use the Luminosity Masking tool there as well. I love it.

[@ddsdss256]

Thanks, but who likes Marmite?! I know it's supposedly good for you but I prefer my yeast in beer form. Anyway, I'll upgrade when the price drops (as I do every Black Friday since I also upgrade FP and Nik--even subscription-free, those add up).

[@jordanking7711]

For those of you who are complaining about DxO charging for updates to Photolab every year, unless the upgraded features are so appealing that you have to buy it for your workflow, do you really have to? In most cases no. Sounds like impulse buying to me.

[@mikeyc7072]

*I am spending more on my yearly DXO and NIK upgrades than I am on Lightroom Classic subscription (which includes Photoshop) - this is getting somewhat irritating😖!!* I never use Lightroom, but the latest revisions are tempting. I use specific functions in Photoshop - so - keeping the Adobe subscription. I really like the Control Point technology in DXO and NIK, after several years it is now second nature to me. Adding HSL to Local adjustments should be very useful✅ I might use the new colorchecker functionality; however, DXO Temp/Tint combined with Photoshop Camera Raw has been working well for me. Any additional color casts can be removed using NIK Remove Color Cast. Upgrade🤷‍♂?

[@BraddGraves]

Exit DXO while you have the chance, particularly if you are on a Mac. Their products often don't work on Macs.

[@realMysta]

@@BraddGraves Yeah the only reason i still use lightroom is because i can easily use it on my phone too. Some of their features are incredibly irritating too, though.

[@HotGates]

I have Photolab 6, You think it's worth it to upgrade to 7?

[@RobinWhalley]

I couldn't advise you. Each person will value the changes differently. There will be some who think they are extremely valuable and others who say they are a waste of money. For me, the colour calibration feature is a huge benefit but I suspect I'm in the minority. The best thing to do is download the tiral version and use it for a few weeks. If you then don't want to go back to using version 6, you have your answer.

[@HotGates]

@@superjet2771 Well I don't really use Photolab 6 for post processing only for deep prime xd so maybe I should invest in pure raw 3 instead?

[@Wairoakid]

The color calibration feature sold it for me. No conversion to DNG and then have to use the X-Rite programme to get the DCP file. There is no mention of the Dual Illuminant DNG capability but I normally use the single conversion for a specific shot.

[@JezdziecBezNicka]

Finally! 🎉

[@BraddGraves]

Completely redesigned the interface for local adjustments, you mean. Not an ounce of added functionality.

[@rickshapiro63]

Agreed, I am so disappointed they did not add the diffusion slider masking capability they have in the NIK collection. It is amazing that could not be ported.

[@alangauld6079]

Local adjustment of HSL on a control point is completely new and, so far as I know, unique to DxO. I really don't like the sliders being on the right though, I prefer them on the CP. But HSL is a big plus. However, DxO are always light on features in their upgrades, the main reason I usually skip a version. But the camera profiling feature is a must-have for me so I'll be forking out this time.

[@rickshapiro63]

@@alangauld6079 Well control points are specific to DXO but Local HSL are in most other products.

[@BraddGraves]

@@alangauld6079 Yes that has been ported over. That's it, and absolutly not worth 100 bucks to me.

[@BraddGraves]

Note that I have the previous version 6, and have learned how to use it. DXO feels they need to get 100 bucks a year from every user. This upgrade makes sense only for holdouts from several versions back.

[@kemerthomson]

This latest release is pretty significant, and their change in the local adjustments UI is, like you say, rather like Marmite: it was a little jarring at first, but with a familiarization it won me over. I wish DxO would offer a subscription plan, because the annual upgrades to PhotoLab are costing just about the same as Adobe’s plan for Lightroom+Photoshop.

[@RobinWhalley]

It took me a few days to get used to the new design but I've found it easier to use and make fewer mistakes. You should add a suggestion to the DxO forum regarding the pricing. Quite a few companies now have both purchase and subscription options.

[@dicebeatsofficial2525]

With what lightroom is doing with masking.i think you will need to do better as dxo.dxo was years behind lightroom and now it will look like decades

[@RobinWhalley]

I like the Lightroom masking tools and use them a lot but I don't class DxO as being far behind. Different yes but not decades behind. The main difference many people give is the AI tools in Lightroom but for me those have yet to deliver on their promise.

[@dingbat19]

TBH I always support DXO and upgrade but they are lagging behind with masking in some ways, given how quick and easy it is in Lightroom/ACR to auto mask a sky, background, subject, face, just the skin, just the eyes etc. Apparently AI masking is inbound to C1.

[@PhilsPhotographyVids]

Since Lightroom added Denoise AI and improved it's masking capabilities, maintaining PhotoLab as an additional Raw Converter is now a much harder decision. If you value having filmpack and other camera model renderings (at the raw level) at your disposal then maybe you would upgrade, but otherwise I'm not so sure!

[@BraddGraves]

I use the camera model renderings all the time in PL6. But only a small fraction of what's available. A few more I probably wouldn''t use is not interesting. Now, if they added layers, that would be worth paying for.

[@gandolfred]

@@BraddGraves There are also layers in the tab for local corrections. Each mask is located in a new layer.

[@BraddGraves]

That's layering of luminosity masks only its merely additive. Not much you can do with that..@@gandolfred

[@PhilsPhotographyVids]

Appendum to my original comment - I've realised recently that there still are some images occasionally where the combination of DxO's PhotoLab 5 raw conversion together with it's DeepPRIME noise reduction give a superior result to Lightroom's raw conversion and it's new Denoise. For this reason, it's a product that is now worth upgrading after I skipped version 6.

[@BraddGraves]

I have PL6, and the difference between their noise reduction options is barely noticeable. To my knowledge, there are no improvements to this technology in PL7. These overpricing issues with DXO are endemic and recurring. Better to find other option now than go with DXO's money pit.@@PhilsPhotographyVids