Luminar 1.3.0 gets new features, tools, and updates on Windows

Bellevue, WA — Skylum Software today released the latest update to its award-winning photo editing software, Luminar 2018, bringing improved performance, new features, and updated tools to both MacOS and Windows versions. 

On Windows, Luminar 1.3.0 gets new features, tools, and updates to bring it more in line with its MacOS counterpart. Now, Luminar on Windows opens RAW photos faster than ever and uses the industry standard DNG Camera Profiles (DCP) for processing DNG RAW photos. A new white balance tool includes an eyedropper for simple color correction, and a collection of new Image Transformation controls let you flip and rotate images within the Free transform tool. 

Also new is the ability to rename layers to help with organizing images with multiple edits and masks. Other updates include better filter performance, improved LUT mapping, and the same sharpening updates seen in the MacOS update.

On the MacOS side, users will notice improved handling of the Lens and Transform effects, as a number of bugs have been squashed that would occasionally appear when comparing Before/After photos. Sharpening photos will also be more accurate and responsive, with high resolution, real-time previewing. When batch processing images, there’s now an option for exporting photos in the PDF and JPEG-2000 formats. 

Luminar 1.3.0 on MacOS also has new plugin support. You can now install and access Imagenomic Noiseware 5, Imagenomic Portraiture 3, Imagenomic Realgrain 2, and DxO FilmPack 5 in Luminar under the Plugins menu. There’s also improved filter control thanks to a new slider, as well as more robust JPEG export settings with a quality control slider and the ability to enter a precise value. 

DAM PROGRESS 

Next up is a little update on Skylum’s upcoming digital asset manager (DAM). An update to Luminar with an integrated DAM will be released soon. The update will be free to all Luminar 2018 users and will have all of the key features critical for keeping your content organized from beginning to end. Before its public release, the DAM update will undergo a series of beta tests to ensure the final product is as seamless and bug-free as can be. 

The first stage of internal beta testing has already begun. It focuses on the overall stability of the program. The second stage, which will be starting in August, will consist of getting the update out to selected pros and educators across the globe to take for a spin. During this stage, Skylum will start to reveal some of the features that will appear in the final version of the DAM update. 

As stated by Scott Bourne, President US & China at Skylum Software, in a recent blog post, Skylum’s goal with its DAM is not to check off a list of “must-have” features. Instead, the goal is to fundamentally rethink the purpose of a DAM to ensure Skylum isn’t merely following the footsteps of others, but carving its own path. 

SALE

Luminar 2018 will also be on sale for a limited time. From July 19th through July 22, Luminar will drop to just $49 — a $20 savings compared to the usual $69 price. If you’re upgrading from an older version of Luminar, the upgrade price is $39. 

WHAT’S NEW AND IMPROVED

Below is a full list of the features coming to the Windows version of Luminar 1.3.0:

• NEW Faster opening of RAW-files. You can now open raw files much faster thanks to improvements in our RAW engine.  
• NEW White Balance Tool.  A new White Balance functionality and eyedropper tool have been added to the Raw Develop, Develop filters, and Color Temperature filters.
• NEW Image History. To better keep track of the changes, History will now be saved automatically when saving a file. Additionally, White Balance presets are now displayed in an image’s history with the preset name when using the RAW Develop, Develop filters, and Color Temperature filters.
• NEW Layer Renaming. For all new layers you add to a document (except for the original image) you can choose to assign a custom name.  Just double-click on a layer’s name to edit it.  This is a great way to organize adjustment and image overlay layers in your project.
• NEW Canvas Color. You can now set the Canvas background color to White.  Choose View > Background > White to set the working Canvas to White or choose from other shades of gray or black.
• NEW DNG Camera Profiles (DCP). Are you looking for truly professional control over your RAW files?  Then give DNG Camera Profiles a try. Luminar recognizes the industry standard DCP files that you may already have on your computer (or have bought from third parties).
• NEW Image Transformation Controls. You can quickly access new controls directly with buttons when using the Free Transform tool. You can now flip a layer on its horizontal or vertical axis.  Layers can also be rotated 90˚ as needed for compensating for camera rotation. Changes made are also stored in the file’s History.
• IMPROVED Filter Performance. You can now add or subtract filters more quickly to an image. 
• IMPROVED Blending Modes. When you choose a blending mode for an Adjustment or Image Layer, the experience is even easier.  Just hover your mouse over a blending mode and it updates in real-time.  This is an easy way to simply mouse-over the list to find the perfect blending mode.
• IMPROVED LUT Mapping. You can now easily scroll through your LUTs in the LUT Mapping filter. 
• IMPROVED Sharpening. The Sharpening filter is more responsive and accurate.  As you adjust the controls all changes are visible in high resolution with real-time feedback.
• IMPROVED Batch Processing.  Windows users gain the useful Batch Processing improvements. These include the ability to “Replace or Skip Files” when saving the file with the same name when Batch Processing.  Additional options include the ability to create JPEG and TIFF files as well as improved reliability when renaming and numbering files on export.

Below is a full list of the features coming to the MacOS version of Luminar 1.3.0:

• NEW Plugin Support. The following third-party plugins can now be used via the Plugins menu: Imagenomic Noiseware 5, Imagenomic Portraiture 3, Imagenomic Realgrain 2, and DxO FilmPack 5.
• IMPROVED Raw Develop. The Raw Develop filter has improved handling of the Lens and Transform effects.  Effects are not shown on the left side (Before) when using the Compare option.  The effects are also not blended with original when using the Filters Amount slider.
• IMPROVED Sharpening. The Sharpening filter is more responsive and accurate.  As you adjust the controls all changes are visible in high resolution with real-time feedback.
• IMPROVED Batch Processing.  You can now export to several file formats including new options for PDF and JPEG-2000.
• IMPROVED Language Support. Luminar offers eight Improved localizations: Chinese, Chinese Simplified, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish.
• IMPROVED LUT Mapping. You can now easily scroll through your LUTs in the LUT Mapping filter.  Just hover your mouse over a LUT and it updates in real-time.
  
• IMPROVED Image History. It is now possible to use the “Save History” option when saving a file with the “Windows Compatible” option.  Additionally, White Balance presets are now displayed in an image’s history with the preset name when using the RAW Develop and  Develop filters.
• IMPROVED Filter Controls. To save you time, all filter checkboxes can be enabled or disabled by clicking on the control name or the checkbox.  Additionally, be sure to try scrubbable number sliders.  Just mouse over the value for a filter and then click and drag left or right to move the slider.
• IMPROVED JPEG Controls.  Take precise control over JPEG and JPEG-2000 compression. You can see a numeric value for the Quality slider.  You can also click on the number and enter a precise value.