Adobe Lightroom 2.0 Beta is Out!!!

Version 2 of Lightroom is now available as a public beta, (until August 31, 2008) allowing the photographic community to provide feedback on new features and workflow enhancements, so what are you waiting for?

Be sure to read the release notes for a careful understanding of what this BETA version is and what contents does it have.


Take a look at Scott Kelby Learning Center for some tips about the new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Beta version.

Here are some of the features this first Beta version brings:

IMPORTANT NOTES, PLEASE READ

Primary Known Issues

* Lightroom 2.0 beta will not upgrade Lightroom 1.x libraries. The beta is intended to be used for testing and feedback purposes. Lightroom 1.x and 2.0 beta libraries will be migrated to the finished version of Lightroom 2.0.
* While data loss is not expected, this is a very early ‘beta’ quality build and you should always work on duplicates of files that are securely backed up.
* Lightroom 2 beta will not overwrite or interfere with a machine that currently has Lightroom 1.3.1 installed.
* Develop settings applied in Lightroom 2.0 beta are not guaranteed to transfer correctly to the final version of 2.0. This is particularly true for localized corrections.
* The new Photoshop integration functionality is only available with Photoshop CS3 (10.0.1) and should only be used for testing purposes. Metadata associated with the original file may not carry over to the subsequent file saved from Photoshop
* Additional known issues are listed in the release notes.

New Features
Library

* Streamlined Library Layout
* Smart Collections
* Powerful Filter Bar to search and refine images
* Suggested Keywords for simplified keywording
* 10k pixel size limit raised to 30k pixels
* Output-based Collections

Multiple Monitors:

* -Four flexible modes for an alternate window: Grid, Loupe, Compare, Survey
(Check out the Live Loupe mode!)

Photoshop CS3 Integration:

* Open files in Photoshop as a Smart Object
* Select multiple images to merge as a Panorama
* Merge multiple exposures into a single Photoshop HDR image
* Load multiple files or virtual copies into Photoshop as separate layers in a single document.

Export Functionality:

* Auto-add exported images to the Lightroom catalog
* Auto Output Sharpening for images on export

Develop Module

* Non-Destructive Localized Correction for dodging and burning specific areas of an image
* Post Crop Vignette
* Basic Panel Keyboard Shortcuts
* Improved Auto Adjustment
* Improved memory handling through 64-bit support on OS X 10.5 and Vista 64-bit.(Not limited to develop module)

Print Module

* Picture Package for multi-page layouts
* Print Module output directly to JPEG
* Enhanced Print Sharpening based on PhotoKit Sharpener algorithms
* 16-bit Printing for Mac OS X 10.5

Additional Resource Links

* Lightroom video tutorials by Julieanne Kost: Lightroom 2 beta Tutorial Part I and Lightroom 2 beta Tutorial Part III. (Part II is on the way)
* Lightroom 2 beta preview by Ian Lyons
* Lightroom 2 beta review by Uwe Steinmueller at OutbackPhoto.com.
* Lightroom 2 beta review for our French-speaking photographers
* Photoshop Cafe provides a feature review and 1 hour training video.

I still miss the browse folders options, this way I do not have to always import photos into Catalogs or Collections just like we had on the Raw Shooter, maybe this will be available on the final version.

But so far I think they are making a tough product against the competition.

And I leave you with a great overview video from Terry White's Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast that shows you all the cool new features of this version.

Just click on the image below to download the 32Mb video.