New version of Photoline is out - V19

[Herbert123]

A milestone release, with many new features, and improvements in workflow across the board. Visit this page for the improvements. Of special note is the new dehaze filter.

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www.pl32.com

 

[Doublehelix]

Sounds interesting. I have never heard of Photoline, even though it is up to v. 19. Have I been living under a rock, or what?

 

[Herbert123]

not really, that is (was?) the expected response from most people. The developers do not market their product at all, but in the last two years the voices of the community of users have become louder, and it is slowly picking up pace now.

Photoline has a number of unique workflow features which even Photoshop cannot beat. For example, any layer can be any bit depth and colour space, and be freely mixed with other layers. The great thing is that there is no need for "image mode" switches! The background layer decides the colour space and bit depth.

It means that any layer retains its information - no matter the background layer setting. Thus it is easy to output a 32bpc or 16bpc version, and then switch the background layer to 8bpc for a web version. Or a CMYK 8 bit version for print. And all the information in the layers is retained!

Astoundingly handy. Much more convenient than "smart objects".

What's more, colour adjustment layers can be set to work in various colour spaces WITHOUT the need for an image mode switch as well: the curves adjustment layer, for example, works in RGB, Lab, HIS, and HSV mode - merely choose the colour space you'd like to work in from a drop down menu in that curves adjustment layer.

Btw, Photoline works in true 16bpc mode - Photoshop works in 15bpc mode, and throws away the extra bit when a 16bpc image is opened in it.

Sorry for the raving - I had been a professional Photoshop user up till three years ago, and then I switched to Photoline. Never been happier.

 

[Toermalijn]

not really, that is (was?) the expected response from most people. The developers do not market their product at all, but in the last two years the voices of the community of users have become louder, and it is slowly picking up pace now.

Photoline has a number of unique workflow features which even Photoshop cannot beat. For example, any layer can be any bit depth and colour space, and be freely mixed with other layers. The great thing is that there is no need for "image mode" switches! The background layer decides the colour space and bit depth.

It means that any layer retains its information - no matter the background layer setting. Thus it is easy to output a 32bpc or 16bpc version, and then switch the background layer to 8bpc for a web version. Or a CMYK 8 bit version for print. And all the information in the layers is retained!

Astoundingly handy. Much more convenient than "smart objects".

What's more, colour adjustment layers can be set to work in various colour spaces WITHOUT the need for an image mode switch as well: the curves adjustment layer, for example, works in RGB, Lab, HIS, and HSV mode - merely choose the colour space you'd like to work in from a drop down menu in that curves adjustment layer.

Btw, Photoline works in true 16bpc mode - Photoshop works in 15bpc mode, and throws away the extra bit when a 16bpc image is opened in it.

Sorry for the raving - I had been a professional Photoshop user up till three years ago, and then I switched to Photoline. Never been happier.

I have been eyeballing this piece of software for a while now. You can't beat the price (€59) and the features compared to some other more known software.

Maybe it's time to check it it out indepth.

You forget to tell that it can use photoshop plug-ins as well!

Maybe the closest competitor is GIMP, because it's free.

Could you tell me if it can use 16 bit plug-ins or only 8 bit plug-ins.

 

[Saleen1999]

I just downloaded this program to play with when I saw they had a dehaze filter. That is really awesome. I love the program. I have PS CC but I can think of very good uses for this program. I might purchase it after the 30 days.

 

[Herbert123]

I have been eyeballing this piece of software for a while now. You can't beat the price (€59) and the features compared to some other more known software.

Maybe it's time to check it it out indepth.

You forget to tell that it can use photoshop plug-ins as well!

Maybe the closest competitor is GIMP, because it's free.

Could you tell me if it can use 16 bit plug-ins or only 8 bit plug-ins.

It runs any generic Phootshop compatible plugin such as Google NIK, FilterForge, Topaz, and so on. Photoshop-only plugins do not play nice, though (such as guideguide) - those will not run in any other image editor, except PS.

I run Topaz and FilterForge - Topaz works with 16bpc images I send to Photoline after I develop them in RawTherapee, and FF generates 32bpc images (layers) if need be.

One thing to keep in mind is that Photoshop plugins may be either 32bit or 64bit - if the plugin is 32bit, you will have to run the 32bit version of Photoline, if it is a 64bit plugin, the 64bit version of Photoline is required.

Coincidentally, I also use Gimp on occasion for the odd plugin or effect in Photoline - in Photoline an external app link is available that allows for a round-trip editing workflow. This is very handy: I sort-of use Gimp as a "plugin" in Photoline. This even works with vector layers: set up InkScaoe as an external app link, and vector layers can be sent to it, edited, and saved, and the vector layer automatically updates.

The reason I tell this, is that ordinarily it can be frustrating when you work in Photoshop 64bit, and you wish to apply a plugin that only works in the 32bit version in Photoshop (save work, quite Photoshop 64bit, start 32bit Photoshop, open image, apply 32bit plugin effect, save work, close, Photoshop 32bit, open 64bit version of Photoshop again, etc., etc.)

In Photoline 64bit this is not necessary: it can use its own 32bit version as an external link app! Which means you can open the 32bit version through the app link, and send the layer to process to its 32bit version, apply that 32bit filter, and then save, and close - and the layer in the 64bit version is then updated. It is a small workflow enhancer, but pretty cool.

Anyway, I hope this all makes sense.

 

[Marcin 3M]

Sounds interesting. I have never heard of Photoline, even though it is up to v. 19. Have I been living under a rock, or what?

 

[Toermalijn]

I just downloaded this program to play with when I saw they had a dehaze filter. That is really awesome. I love the program. I have PS CC but I can think of very good uses for this program. I might purchase it after the 30 days.

--
Melissa
Adobe Photoshop CC 2014
http://upload.pbase.com/mnewco

Thinking about it as well, as a companion to photoshop.

The one thing that is really handy is the fact that you can use vector and raster layers together, wich saves a trip to Illustrator and back. For the money it's probably a no-brainer.

For almost the price of a plug-in, http://www.kolor.com/neutralhazer/, you'll get a full fletched program.

 

[Toermalijn]

I have been eyeballing this piece of software for a while now. You can't beat the price (€59) and the features compared to some other more known software.

Maybe it's time to check it it out indepth.

You forget to tell that it can use photoshop plug-ins as well!

Maybe the closest competitor is GIMP, because it's free.

Could you tell me if it can use 16 bit plug-ins or only 8 bit plug-ins.

It runs any generic Phootshop compatible plugin such as Google NIK, FilterForge, Topaz, and so on. Photoshop-only plugins do not play nice, though (such as guideguide) - those will not run in any other image editor, except PS.

I run Topaz and FilterForge - Topaz works with 16bpc images I send to Photoline after I develop them in RawTherapee, and FF generates 32bpc images (layers) if need be.

One thing to keep in mind is that Photoshop plugins may be either 32bit or 64bit - if the plugin is 32bit, you will have to run the 32bit version of Photoline, if it is a 64bit plugin, the 64bit version of Photoline is required.

Coincidentally, I also use Gimp on occasion for the odd plugin or effect in Photoline - in Photoline an external app link is available that allows for a round-trip editing workflow. This is very handy: I sort-of use Gimp as a "plugin" in Photoline. This even works with vector layers: set up InkScaoe as an external app link, and vector layers can be sent to it, edited, and saved, and the vector layer automatically updates.

The reason I tell this, is that ordinarily it can be frustrating when you work in Photoshop 64bit, and you wish to apply a plugin that only works in the 32bit version in Photoshop (save work, quite Photoshop 64bit, start 32bit Photoshop, open image, apply 32bit plugin effect, save work, close, Photoshop 32bit, open 64bit version of Photoshop again, etc., etc.)

In Photoline 64bit this is not necessary: it can use its own 32bit version as an external link app! Which means you can open the 32bit version through the app link, and send the layer to process to its 32bit version, apply that 32bit filter, and then save, and close - and the layer in the 64bit version is then updated. It is a small workflow enhancer, but pretty cool.

Anyway, I hope this all makes sense.

Thanks!

I see there is a guide tool as well, so maybe there is no need for guideguide at all.

 

[Glen Barrington]

I just downloaded this program to play with when I saw they had a dehaze filter. That is really awesome. I love the program. I have PS CC but I can think of very good uses for this program. I might purchase it after the 30 days.

--
Melissa
Adobe Photoshop CC 2014
http://upload.pbase.com/mnewco

How does DeHaze differ from using clarity on a duplicate layer? Is there something I'm missing? I mean, I realize that most filters are just a pre programmed series of controls that already exist in the program anyway, but does it do something else besides adding clarity to a duplicate layer as well?

--
I look good fat, I'm gonna look good old. . .
http://glenbarrington.blogspot.com/
http://glenbarringtonphotos.blogspot.com/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/130525321@N05/

 

[Toermalijn]

I just downloaded this program to play with when I saw they had a dehaze filter. That is really awesome. I love the program. I have PS CC but I can think of very good uses for this program. I might purchase it after the 30 days.

--
Melissa
Adobe Photoshop CC 2014
http://upload.pbase.com/mnewco

How does DeHaze differ from using clarity on a duplicate layer? Is there something I'm missing? I mean, I realize that most filters are just a pre programmed series of controls that already exist in the program anyway, but does it do something else besides adding clarity to a duplicate layer as well?

--
I look good fat, I'm gonna look good old. . .
http://glenbarrington.blogspot.com/
http://glenbarringtonphotos.blogspot.com/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/130525321@N05/

In general clarity is not a dehaze filter. It mostly enhances contrast.

I have clarity myself and will test this if i have time. I'll try the dehaze plug-in versus Topaz labs Clarity.

 

[luchs]

A milestone release, with many new features, and improvements in workflow across the board. Visit this page for the improvements. Of special note is the new dehaze filter.

http://www.pl32.com/pages/rnote.php

YES - I was waiting for the placeholder feature for quite a while. With this it is finally possible to create a layout, such as calendar, and let it automatically be updated with new pictures when I export images with LR to the appropriate directory and files names.

 

[Herbert123]

Being in a bit of a cheeky mood, I downloaded the haze example pack from NeutralHazer, and applied Photoline dehaze filter. Compared to the processed examples from NeutralHazer, in my opinion Photoline's dehazer does a better job.

What is also nice about Photoline's dehaze option, is that it is non-destructive - it adds a dehaze layer, and the mask can be re-used for different purposes as well. And the haze colour is added as a vector rectangle, which makes adjusting the colour a doddle. Very cool.



Here are the dehazed examples:

(The first image I applied a histogram (levels) correction before applying the dehaze filter. All the other images are "as is".

 

[Glen Barrington]

[No message]

 

[Herbert123]

I have noticed that the dehaze filter does add halos - just have to be careful, and adjust opacity settings where required. And the mask can be adjusted as well, of course, for more control.

Also, because Photoline allows for a NEGATIVE opacity layer setting, the dehaze filter can also be utilized as a "haze" filter - adding more haze, instead of reducing it. Fun.

 

[Toermalijn]

I have noticed that the dehaze filter does add halos - just have to be careful, and adjust opacity settings where required. And the mask can be adjusted as well, of course, for more control.

Also, because Photoline allows for a NEGATIVE opacity layer setting, the dehaze filter can also be utilized as a "haze" filter - adding more haze, instead of reducing it. Fun.

It seems photoline does a better job at dehazing then the de-haze plug-in. defenately a very interesting update and for the price probably a no-brainer.

 

[carl-martin decker]

I use 1 installation of Photoline - good to see a new version.

 

[Toermalijn]

I have noticed that the dehaze filter does add halos - just have to be careful, and adjust opacity settings where required. And the mask can be adjusted as well, of course, for more control.

Also, because Photoline allows for a NEGATIVE opacity layer setting, the dehaze filter can also be utilized as a "haze" filter - adding more haze, instead of reducing it. Fun.

Installed photoline 19 today and played with it for a while. there is a lot to like. Even for an avid photoshop user like myself it's easy to use since i recognize most tools quite easally. The de-haze tool works surpisingly well!

Might purchase!

 

[Doublehelix]

It will also have the negative effect (adding haze).

 

[Herbert123]

It will also have the negative effect (adding haze).