Wednesday upgraders and new customers will see PhotoLab 6 and ViewPoint 4 on offer. Photolab 6 has a lot of new features, most notably an update to DXO's popular DXO PureRAW technology, arguably the best software available to fix color, noise, and optical issues in RAW files.
DxO PhotoLab 6 introduces the new taproom XD (eXtreme Details) mode, which adds further quality to photographers’ raw files. Ideal for high-ISO images, it removes noise, retrieves previously unseen details, and restores vibrant, natural color.
DeepPRIME XD uses a neural network trained using billions of image samples and routinely gives photographers improvements of more than 2.5 stops. For example, an image shot at ISO 4,000 will more closely resemble an image captured at ISO 500 in terms of noise, color, and clarity. And because it is fundamental to the raw conversion process, DeepPRIME XD can even increase dynamic range, providing photographers with greater flexibility when shooting in low-light situations. The original DeepPRIME mode is also still on board for faster enhancements or for images that simply need less adjustment.
In addition, PhotoLab 6 introduces re-engineered color processing algorithms that push the boundaries of color management and a new, extended working color space. These are complemented by a soft proofing mode to ensure accuracy throughout the entire workflow, allowing photographers to make adjustments according to how their photographs will be reproduced for display, whether it’s on a high-definition screen or as a fine-art print.
DxO PhotoLab 6 adds the new ReTouch tool that extends the capability of healing and cloning well beyond that of other raw processing software. Photographers can now transform the source through mirroring, rotating, and scaling or use brushes to fine-tune the area they’re editing into a more accurate shape. The new tool ensures fewer trips outside of DxO PhotoLab for complex cloning and healing tasks and speeds up workflow while ensuring that editing never moves away from the original raw file and therefore remains non-destructive.
In addition to PhotoLab 6, DXO is offering an update to ViewPoint, this update being ViewPoint 4. The software gives photographers ultimate control over perspective, geometry, and image quality, gains a host of new tools and updates, including the innovative ReShape tool for local adjustments, improved cropping and rotation, new guides for perfect alignment, an easier-to-use interface, and full Apple Silicon support, same as PhotoLab 6.
The latest version is available as standalone software, a palette within DxO PhotoLab, or as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, and Lightroom Classic. It features the new ReShape tool that allows users to warp specific regions of an image, improvements to its crop and rotation functionality, the addition of guides to ensure the most precise adjustments, and an updated interface for a more refined user experience.
DxO ViewPoint 4 (Windows and macOS) is available to purchase now from the DxO website for $99. Owners of DxO ViewPoint 3 can upgrade for $59. To upgrade, customers should log into their customer account. A license for DxO ViewPoint 4 does not require a subscription.
For PhotoLab 6 The ESSENTIAL and ELITE editions of DxO PhotoLab 6 (Windows and macOS) are available to download now from the DxO website at the following prices:
- DxO PhotoLab 6 ESSENTIAL Edition: $139
- DxO PhotoLab 6 ELITE Edition: $219
- DxO PhotoLab 6 ESSENTIAL Edition upgrade price: $75
- DxO PhotoLab 6 ELITE Edition upgrade price: $99
DXO has a solid record of providing excellent software for professionals and semi-professionals. DXO PureRAW has become a standard for preparing raw files for further editing, and I use it on every image I take. DXO did not provide samples of the software soon enough for me to complete a review, but one will be forthcoming.
XD definitely pushes my GPU way harder than standard DeepPRIME, and takes over twice as long to complete an export. Worth it, though.