Direct Qimage Pro Raw File Support is Here!

[Artpixel]

Mike,
Is a mac version in the works ?

Art

 

[Mike Chaney]

Mike,
Is a mac version in the works ?

It's just a question of resources at the moment. A future goal of mine is to expand and be able to hire another programmer to do Mac digital imaging work. It will probably take a year or so to do that, however, because programmers are expensive and I'll need to allow my business more time to grow to be able to afford one. ;-)

For now, if you really wanted to play with some raw files and you already have Virtual PC, you could run Qimage Pro on that but it would probably be too slow to be of use on a daily basis, and probably not worth buying VPC just for that.

--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Mike Chaney]

I'll be releasing beta 2 later today. The improvements related to S2 raw are:

• Improved interpolation
• Fixed magenta problem in blown out areas
• Fixed the EXIF info so that it now displays for RAF files

Here's a sample of what the Qimage Pro RAF converter can do. The image on the left is from the Fuji RFC. The one on the right is Qimage Pro. Same RAF file decoded with both programs at their default settings. Both stored in sRGB space.



--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Paul W. Walters]

Good job!

I'll be releasing beta 2 later today. The improvements related to
S2 raw are:

• Improved interpolation
• Fixed magenta problem in blown out areas
• Fixed the EXIF info so that it now displays for RAF files

Here's a sample of what the Qimage Pro RAF converter can do. The
image on the left is from the Fuji RFC. The one on the right is
Qimage Pro. Same RAF file decoded with both programs at their
default settings. Both stored in sRGB space.



--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Mike Chaney]

http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/beta.htm

Check the above URL to download Qimage Pro 2002 v2.3 beta 2.

The following changes have been made with respect to Fuji S2 raw file support:

• Improved interpolation algorithm for Fuji S2 raw (RAF) files

• Neutralized blown out highlights so they don't take on a magenta cast

• Fixed the EXIF bar and details window so that EXIF data is visible for RAF's

• Fixed 16 bit/channel (48 bit) TIFF file saving for RAF conversions

--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Paul W. Walters]

I downloaded and ran the Beta 2 version. You definitely got rid of the problem with blown out highlights, and everything else seems to look better too! It converts quicker too (it seems, though I didn't time it).

One thing I'd still like is if when converting from a RAF file to a JPEG file if you can stick the full EXIF data into the JPEG file.

Thanks!
Paul W. Walters

http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/beta.htm

Check the above URL to download Qimage Pro 2002 v2.3 beta 2.

The following changes have been made with respect to Fuji S2 raw
file support:

• Improved interpolation algorithm for Fuji S2 raw (RAF) files

• Neutralized blown out highlights so they don't take on a magenta

cast

• Fixed the EXIF bar and details window so that EXIF data is

visible for RAF's

• Fixed 16 bit/channel (48 bit) TIFF file saving for RAF conversions

--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Doug Jones]

Mike,

Simple question on compatibility between my current production version of QImage and the beta. Do they co-exist or does the beta replace the existing installation? Still waiting for my S2 but keen to play with some of the RAFs available on the web.
Thanks,
--
Doug Jones
Canberra
http://www.panamagic.com.au

 

[Mike Chaney]

You can do it either way. When installing, if you accept all the defaults, the beta will overwrite the production. If you simply choose a different install folder (other than the default \program files\qimage), you can install the beta in a different folder and run the two separately without interference. The only thing you can't do is run both at the same time (have two copies of QP open at once).

--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Howard Soucy]

Mike -
will the S1 ICC work for the S2 or will you be offering another profile.
Howard

 

[Mike Chaney]

The S1 profile might work on the S2. I haven't tried it yet. The best way to get truly accurate color on the S2 is to shoot raw and use Qimage Pro to decode. There's really no comparison. Using a profile on JPEG/TIFF images can help, but it will never be as accurate as shooting in raw mode.

--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Mike Chaney]

The following image is an effective example of my only complaint about the S2. Both the in-camera images and the Fuji Raw File Converter have some problems with certain shades in the deep red-magenta range as well as a tendency to create too much contrast which blocks shadows. The Fuji RFC version below shows the flower much to hot and shifted toward orange. The Qimage Pro version is an exact match to the actual flower.

I'm now satisfied with the color and resolution of beta 2, although I plan to work on resolution a bit more to get that last 5% in the coming days/weeks. I'm ready to release the final/public version and am just waiting on a response from Fuji corporate about legality of third party tools being able to decode RAF files. I don't expect there to be a problem on that front since other manufacturers encourage third party raw tools. In the mean time... enjoy beta 2.



--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[DavidMillier]

Looks like good work Mike.

You're obviously far too busy to be working a a D100 version though....

The following image is an effective example of my only complaint
about the S2. Both the in-camera images and the Fuji Raw File
Converter have some problems with certain shades in the deep
red-magenta range as well as a tendency to create too much contrast
which blocks shadows. The Fuji RFC version below shows the flower
much to hot and shifted toward orange. The Qimage Pro version is
an exact match to the actual flower.

I'm now satisfied with the color and resolution of beta 2, although
I plan to work on resolution a bit more to get that last 5% in the
coming days/weeks. I'm ready to release the final/public version
and am just waiting on a response from Fuji corporate about
legality of third party tools being able to decode RAF files. I
don't expect there to be a problem on that front since other
manufacturers encourage third party raw tools. In the mean time...
enjoy beta 2.



--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[MVH]

Great job Mike... : )

Used it yesterday and last nite, till the wee hours, and found I would like a fine adjustment (perhaps sliding scale?) for the shadow noise filter. I feel that would be a fantastic addition to the RAF + S2 Pro.

 

[Kevin Roczey]

Any chance of retaining the EXIF info in the converted JPG? Also, an ability to determine target size/resolution/colorspace?

Was that more than one questions??

Thanks,

Kevin R.

Great job Mike... : )
Used it yesterday and last nite, till the wee hours, and found I
would like a fine adjustment (perhaps sliding scale?) for the
shadow noise filter. I feel that would be a fantastic addition to
the RAF + S2 Pro.

 

[Mike Chaney]

Any chance of retaining the EXIF info in the converted JPG? Also,
an ability to determine target size/resolution/colorspace?

No and yes.

Retaining EXIF info in JPG/TIF conversions is on the list for a future upgrade. It applies to all conversions and not just S2 raw files, but I won't get to it for a few weeks.

As for the size and color space, you can already do that. You can output to any color space you like by just checking "Perform Profile to Profile Conversion" when you convert. When you add RAF's to the queue and right click to "Convert Images", just check the box that says "Perform Profile to Profile Conversion" and delete the top "From" profile. The word will appear: leave that there. Then, in the bootom "To" profile, just browse and select any color space you like. When the images are saved, they will be stored in the "To" profile color space. If you choose the TIF format for the conversion, the profile will even be embedded in the TIF image so that PhotoShop and other apps will know what color space to use. Unlike the Fuji S2 software manual indicates, you can embed the color space into both 8 bit and 16 bit TIFF's, and QP will do that.

As for resolution, that's a little trickier. Since Qimage Pro's output from RAF's will always be 4276 x 2868 by default, you'd have to double click on the first RAF in the queue and open it in the batch filter. In the lower right, enter whatever resolution you like and click "Done", and on the next window, check "Create New Images" and proceed from there as you would if you had selected "Convert Images" from the queue. All the images will be saved at the desired resolution.

--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Kevin Roczey]

Excellent Reply...Thanks!

Kevin R.

Any chance of retaining the EXIF info in the converted JPG? Also,
an ability to determine target size/resolution/colorspace?

No and yes.

Retaining EXIF info in JPG/TIF conversions is on the list for a
future upgrade. It applies to all conversions and not just S2 raw
files, but I won't get to it for a few weeks.

As for the size and color space, you can already do that. You can
output to any color space you like by just checking "Perform
Profile to Profile Conversion" when you convert. When you add
RAF's to the queue and right click to "Convert Images", just check
the box that says "Perform Profile to Profile Conversion" and
delete the top "From" profile. The word will appear: leave that
there. Then, in the bootom "To" profile, just browse and select
any color space you like. When the images are saved, they will be
stored in the "To" profile color space. If you choose the TIF
format for the conversion, the profile will even be embedded in the
TIF image so that PhotoShop and other apps will know what color
space to use. Unlike the Fuji S2 software manual indicates, you
can embed the color space into both 8 bit and 16 bit TIFF's,
and QP will do that.

As for resolution, that's a little trickier. Since Qimage Pro's
output from RAF's will always be 4276 x 2868 by default, you'd have
to double click on the first RAF in the queue and open it in the
batch filter. In the lower right, enter whatever resolution you
like and click "Done", and on the next window, check "Create New
Images" and proceed from there as you would if you had selected
"Convert Images" from the queue. All the images will be saved at
the desired resolution.

--
Mike
http://www.ddisoftware.com

 

[Doug Jones]

The following image is an effective example of my only complaint
about the S2. Both the in-camera images and the Fuji Raw File
Converter have some problems with certain shades in the deep
red-magenta range as well as a tendency to create too much contrast
which blocks shadows. The Fuji RFC version below shows the flower
much to hot and shifted toward orange. The Qimage Pro version is
an exact match to the actual flower.

Mike,

Now you've made it almost mandatory for me to shoot in RAW mode when my S2 arrives. I'm going to have to buy more memory cards - or another microdrive

Great work on those reds and magentas.
--
Doug Jones
Canberra
http://www.panamagic.com.au

 

[Anthony32599]

Thank goodness the fine jpg mode is adequate enough for most work. Otherwise, I'd be spending all my time shooting RAF, thanks to Mike's excellent work. As it is, he's made it all the more attractive for me to shoot in RAF mode for critical shots. And best of all, I don't have to install the Fuji software.

Mike, Fuji should pay you for the work you've done. I have no doubt that more people will buy the S2 thanks to your wonderful Qimage software.

Anthony

The following image is an effective example of my only complaint
about the S2. Both the in-camera images and the Fuji Raw File
Converter have some problems with certain shades in the deep
red-magenta range as well as a tendency to create too much contrast
which blocks shadows. The Fuji RFC version below shows the flower
much to hot and shifted toward orange. The Qimage Pro version is
an exact match to the actual flower.

Mike,
Now you've made it almost mandatory for me to shoot in RAW mode
when my S2 arrives. I'm going to have to buy more memory cards - or
another microdrive

Great work on those reds and magentas.
--
Doug Jones
Canberra
http://www.panamagic.com.au

 

[Kevin Roczey]

I just sold my D100 and decided to keep my S2, mainly because of the great color I can get out of it with Qimage Pro.

Kevin R.

Mike, Fuji should pay you for the work you've done. I have no
doubt that more people will buy the S2 thanks to your wonderful
Qimage software.

Anthony

The following image is an effective example of my only complaint
about the S2. Both the in-camera images and the Fuji Raw File
Converter have some problems with certain shades in the deep
red-magenta range as well as a tendency to create too much contrast
which blocks shadows. The Fuji RFC version below shows the flower
much to hot and shifted toward orange. The Qimage Pro version is
an exact match to the actual flower.

Mike,
Now you've made it almost mandatory for me to shoot in RAW mode
when my S2 arrives. I'm going to have to buy more memory cards - or
another microdrive

Great work on those reds and magentas.
--
Doug Jones
Canberra
http://www.panamagic.com.au

 

[roy mckeown]

Mike

I'm a newcomer to Qimage and using the beta to convert S2 raw files to TIFF. I make large fine art prints so need max fine detail.

In ‘raw format options’ I choose
Gamma 1
Auto level Ticked
Shadow/Highlight (0/.1)
Convert to Tiff with 16 bits/channel
Use sRGB for display/conversion
Convert to Tiff

When converting the images from the queue I choose
Apply associated filters if they exist
Save as Tiff lossless
Perform a profile to profile S2raf.icm to Adobe sRGB

As a separate excercise I also tried choosing the ‘linear raw space’ (raw format options) together with making the profile to profile s2raf.icm to s2raf.icm.

I'm finding that sometimes the result (in terms of fine detail at large sizes) is not very different from the fuji LE raw file convertor.

I'm sure its my fault - how should I change the settings for max detail?

Roy