Microsoft gets up to speed on RAW

WaterEngineer

Embarrassingly, I was not on top of this and posted as soon as it came out. Microsoft did not make this easy to know about - I just happened to stumble upon it. I should have known about it but somehow did not. Sorry.

May of you are looking for very low cost - or free - software for photo editing, including a way to handle RAW files.

Microsoft has now incorporated a new bunch of features in Explorer and Photo Gallery: Raw Files, Panorama stitching, others......

Please see the two short videos at the links below. For some reason we can no longer attach more than one video to a post so I am providing the URL's as a workaround. (As an aside, what was the Forum management thinking by not allowing more than one video at a time?)

Anyway, I am currently testing the RAW codec reader and the newly added features. It will be interesting to see if the fact that Microsoft is now paying attention and spending resources on imaging technology if that will put downward price pressure on future generations of other editing software.

I will write in if I find an issue - but my testing will only be with Fuji and Nikon RAW format. If someone wants to send me a few Sony or Canon RAW formatted files that would be fine. They can be sent to me in my Dropbox account.

A brief discussion of the RAW codec in Windows Photo Gallery >>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nUmR_YgQ2Y&feature=player_embedded

A brief video about the download >>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjDXnLDQEjQ&feature=player_embedded

Direct link to the download. >>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26829

mississippi mac

Craig,
Is the MS program a real photo editing program and will it run on xp pro, svp 3???
I'll give it a try....I just don't realy need a sledge hammer like CS for what I do.

tim

WaterEngineer

Yes, there is some basic exposure, contrast, brightness, etc. adjusting functionality.

mississippi mac

Craig...
Thanks....
but i was hoping for more...
i'm using topaz B&W as a plugin to elements 10 and it does a good job with b&W at 16 bytes...
i shoot about half of my land\city scape images as b&W and it does a good job...

tim

WaterEngineer

Yes I use Topaz Labs B&W Effects too. Great plug-in. My main complaint is that I with they would name (or emulate) the emulsions with "real" film names like NIK Silver EFEX does.

The main reason I started the thread was to point out a free options for those that want/need it. It is still lacking by my real world testing but it come a long way from where they started. Now with the ability to resolve RAW files and some other new functionality it may be enough for quick and dirty editing and there may be some folks that never want more.

Again, a free option for those who need something.