Software question

[nikony c]

What software are you guys using for converting raw files with a77II?

 

[nikony c]

thanks I down loaded it, and not bad but a little slow. but I'll only convert the ones that I'll use. But how do you take them over to light room 4?

Ahoy!

In the top menu of Sony IDC, there's an option to link to any external programme. Just make the link to LR4 and it'll then show an icon on the top menu of IDC which you click once you've done all you can with IDC. I think you also have the option to select the format, so use TIFF. Look at the IDC menu to see all of the available settings etc you have available and adjust to suit.

Once IDC has been used, click the LR4 icon on the top of the IDC toolbar and the image will be transferred as a lossless TIFF file and you then complete your PP with LR4 and then save the finished image (I suspect most will opt for JPG) and select the destination folder (I think you can also pre-set this in the menu), but if like me you have separate folders, then it's easier just to select the destination folder short of using the desktop as a default destination. You can link several external programmes to IDC, so if you do that, you'll have an icon for each on the top toolbar of IDC.

It's all pretty straight forward, and whilst Sony IDC may not be as powerful as a professional stand-alone software package like PS CS5, CS6, CS7 or Lightroom etc, it's a means to an end, but whether you buy, borrow, download a free trial or from a torrent, a dedicated software package can cost big bucks. Adobe CS2 can be downloaded free with the activation code for all formats, plus the v9.02 final update is available directly from Adobe (no need to have an account for the update). It's just that with all of the dedicated PS plug-in's available, it can make your PP a lot easier (and much better) and images enhanced to a much higher level whether for website uploads, printing or if you plan to sell via the likes of RedBubble and Fotolia (no harm in making some money rather than all your images lying dormant on your hard drive).

I have a whole bundle of PS plug-in's (some with activation codes) if anyone wants them which includes: Topaz Labs Suite, BWorks, Perfect Effects 8, Sharpener Pro 3.0 and *Noiseware Pro (*arguably the best NR programme and it does a brilliant job).

Other free software titles that I found to be very useful include: Adobe DNG Converter, Microsoft ICE, Opanda IExif + Power Exif and Combine ZP.

Hope that may help you further.

 

[Calico Jack]

If you already have an external programme installed, Sony IDC should automatically detect it and ask you if you want to link to it. If it doesn't, then do it manually as shown below:

From the Sony IDC top menu, select:

Tools, Settings, External Programmes, Add. You can also select Color Management (I use sRGB) and Save In location. It only takes a few clicks and 30 seconds to do.

I have Sony IDC v4 for the Sony A850. I have to assume you have the same options to link external programmes.

As for the transferred image format type, select:

File, Output Type.

I use TIFF, though there is the option for RAW and JPG, but I would advise against those as LR4 won't handle RAW and JPG is the final finished image format, so TIFF is the lossless format to finish your PP before saving.

You also get to select the image bit depth. I use 16 bit sRGB for TIFF.

If your version is different to mine, then I can't see that the same or similar options wouldn't be available. I could download your version (what camera are you using), but it really should be a simple thing from the IDC top menu.

As for the other thing, that would be via PM.

 

[nikony c]

If you already have an external programme installed, Sony IDC should automatically detect it and ask you if you want to link to it. If it doesn't, then do it manually as shown below:

From the Sony IDC top menu, select:

Tools, Settings, External Programmes, Add. You can also select Color Management (I use sRGB) and Save In location. It only takes a few clicks and 30 seconds to do.

I have Sony IDC v4 for the Sony A850. I have to assume you have the same options to link external programmes.

As for the transferred image format type, select:

File, Output Type.

I use TIFF, though there is the option for RAW and JPG, but I would advise against those as LR4 won't handle RAW and JPG is the final finished image format, so TIFF is the lossless format to finish your PP before saving.

You also get to select the image bit depth. I use 16 bit sRGB for TIFF.

If your version is different to mine, then I can't see that the same or similar options wouldn't be available. I could download your version (what camera are you using), but it really should be a simple thing from the IDC top menu.

As for the other thing, that would be via PM.

--
Mark (aka Pirate!)

Thanks Jack

 

[Calico Jack]

Thanks Jack

Ahoy!

No problemo! Can you update the thread with your findings assuming you got Sony IDC to link with your external programme and whether it's working for you (or not) as the case may be? As for the 'other thing I mentioned', this would be for PS, but I'm sure I have the entire Topaz Suite with activation numbers. In the meantime, you can download the Topaz Labs B&W Effects v1.0.0 from my own webspace here which is a .RAR file. There are 2 sub-files. One is the plug-in .EXE and the other is the Serial Number. It's a brilliant bit of software.

 

[Lunatic4ever]

What software are you guys using for converting raw files with a77II?

Aftershot Pro on linux.

much faster then rawtherapee and darktable.

IDC also works very well with wine emulation but is slow...