DxO PhotoLab is well regarded as one of the finest raw editors available for pro and semi-pro photographers. Although certainly not as well known as the Adobe products like Photoshop and Lightroom, it offers very powerful tools that have gotten a lot of attention.
This new version, 6.3, released today, introduces the ability to simulate papers and inks when soft proofing, expands the performance of DxO Wide Gamut, as well as giving photographers the option to edit JPEG and TIFF files within this powerful new working color space.
In addition, upgrades have smoothed the installation of DxO Optics Modules, and photographers can now view the entire image area (going beyond what photo editors typically display) when cropping.
DxO PhotoLab 6 introduced a new working color space and with it, soft proofing options that give photographers greater precision when preparing their images for display. Version 6.3 develops this further, adding paper and ink simulations when soft proofing, and ensuring that prints are as accurate as possible.
DxO PhotoLab’s soft proofing palette already features the unique "Preserve color details" slider, which protects color detail in highly saturated parts of the image when moving to smaller color spaces. In addition, it now has a checkbox to activate paper and ink simulation as specified by the selected ICC Profile, giving photographers even greater accuracy when preparing their files for printing.
DxO’s new expanded working color space was designed to give photographers the ultimate color workflow for their raw files. With version 6.3, photographers now have the option to edit JPEG and TIFF files in the new color space, giving greater flexibility when editing files and maximizing color capabilities.
New Crop Options
Photo editing software typically crops an image as it corrects distortions, making the image conform to the standard ratio of the camera. This can cause part of the image to be lost. Sometimes, photographers might want to access the maximum image projected by the lens, and DxO PhotoLab 6.3 offers this option when using the Crop tool.
Changes to the Optics Modules
For maximum image quality, photographers have long been prompted to download DxO Optics Modules — corrections that have been produced in DxO’s own purpose-built laboratory. Now, it’s possible to quickly select or deselect all of the modules that a photographer wants to install, making the process smoother.
My Take
DXO tools are really first class. I use DxO PureRAW every day. PhotoLab is very attractive, but like many photographers, I have a strong mental investment in Adobe tools and also like and use Luminar Neo from Skylum. Learning something new is not always at the top of my agenda, but PhotoLab offers so many advanced tools that I'm going to have to get into it, as I believe it is superior to much of what I use, although I still haven't found one raw editor that does everything I need.
The DxO product family is worth a look. They have some superior technology, and it's constantly improving.
How to Get PhotoLab 6.3
DxO PhotoLab 6.3 (Windows and macOS) is now available for download on the DxO website at the following prices:
● DxO PhotoLab 6.3 Essential Edition: $139
● DxO PhotoLab 6.3 Elite Edition: $219
A free,30-day trial is available. Existing owners of earlier versions of PhotoLab 6 will be prompted to upgrade for free from within the application.
I have been using it a lot more in preparation of bailing on CaptureOne when CaptureOne officially bails on upgrade pricing. I've been pretty impressed so far. DxO is adding useful features as a matter of course while CaptureOne seems to only release something I am interested in ever 2nd or 3rd upgrade. DxO isn't perfect. Their unwillingness to support 4k monitors with their NIk collection plugin made me bail on that in favor of Topaz long ago but PhotoLab support seems awesome.
I already made the switch from C1 to PL. Well worth learning!
A great, affordable product that just keeps getting better.
Now they just need to make a decent set of import/export tools (automatic re-naming and file hierarchy creation) and I'll finally have no need to open any other software!
That's very much a nitpick however... PL6 has been and is still the best photo editing software you can buy, in my opinion.
I would really like to try out the 30 day trial, but I can't find any way to do it. I have searched the DXO Photolab website from top to bottom, but can't find any links to a trial version. The only option I can see is to directly buy it, but I'm reluctant to buy without at least first trying it out.
I think all you have to do is download it and then when you run it you'll have the choice to enter an activation code or use it in trial mode.
I've found out what the problem was. If you click on the link in this article, it takes you to a web page where the only option you have is to buy. To find the trial version I had to start from scratch and search for DXO in my favourite search engine. I am now downloading the trial version and looking forward to trying it out.
Last year during Black Friday week I bought PhotoLab 6 and haven't looked back. Also bought Nik Collection and FilmPack, all on sale for a very good price. No regrets at all. Before that I did the trial for PL6, LR/PS, and Capture One (again. I had tried it two years ago and liked it a lot but passed on it). Affinity Photo takes care of my Photoshop needs and detailed retouching if it's too complex for PL6. The Healing Brush and Inpainting tools in Affinity work great. Also has built-in frequency separation. So tiff to Affinity then tiff back to PL6 for any final adjustments and export or print.
https://t.me/pump_upp - best crypto pumps on telegram
Make 1000% and more within 1 day, join channel @pump_upp !
Been saying it's the better buy for years now. Glad to see the Photography world looking at something besides Lightroom. Was never a fan of lightroom and their worthless noise control and was very happy to bail on them completely when they went to their subscription model..
One of the things I love about DxO is IT IS YOURS. Upgrades are optional and the price is very reasonable.. Between that and Affinity I've pretty much bailed on Adobe's products altogether. Don't miss them either.
I have been using dxo for quite some years, and I really like it.
My biggest gripe - it does not support mobile phones, making a second editor mandetory, also it does not support a lot of special cameras like action cameras, drones, gimbals and so on.
I really wish they do like most other editors and just support it at a basic level with manual distortion corrections.
Because mobile photos could really use prime noise reduction.