Luminar 2018 video

Check out the video

https://photofocus.com …/luminar-2018-first-look/

I am VERY interested in Luminar 2018 but I am VERY disappointed that it appears the digital asset management features (cataloging of images) won't be included in the initial release.

I am looking for a standalone program that will completely REPLACE Apple's Aperture. I know Luminar can be a plugin to both Lightroom and Aperture. That's not how I plan to run it. I despise Adobe and my anger toward Apple for discontinuing support for Aperture knows no bounds. Holy crap, Apple, just use a couple thousand of your BILLIONS of dollars to fix the few bugs in Aperture under Mac OS versions higher than Yosemite and also to allow Aperture to access newer Apple Camera RAW profiles.

But that's not going to happen and Luminar 2018 looks like my best hope for an image cataloging and image editor in one program. Macphun has been promising digital asset management for a year and it's apparently still not included in the initial release of Luminar 2018.

Sigh.

Mark

Wow. Have some patience or use other software that does what you want it to do. Photos does asset management, and so does the Finder. There are third party solutions as well. What are you looking to do that absolutely requires a single interface?

Aperture still works with DNGs, right? If you like the controls of Aperture, try Raw Power from Gentlemen Coders, a raw converter made by the former lead of the Aperture project. No asset management, but you get continuing camera support and the raw controls you know from Aperture.

kirk

Macphun made several commitments in late 2016 for 2017. The DAM is the only one I know that was fulfilled. But it easy to understand why. When the commitment was made they had not yet decided to have Luminar and Aurora on both MacOS and Windows. Would I like the DAM before Christmas....oh heck yes. But I will continue using Photo Mechanic until the DAM is out and proven winner.

Looks good, and the video says it's exactly what I'm hoping for - RAW development. (My CC sub is expiring and because I no longer get a discount, I'm looking for an alternative to CC).

But to be fair and honest, people should know that upon initial release, some features will not be available in Luminar 2018 windows version. For example, the video talks about LUT tables, but the PC version will not have it, along with other features, until early 2018.

Info here:

https://macphun.com/lu​minar/pc-mac

I purchased a license for MacPhun's Aurora HDR 2018, but didn't like it and requested a refund. They promised me a refund in several emails, but said they first wanted me to send them some files I used in the program. So, I did that and now they have stopped responding to me.

I'm OK with, "Sorry we do not issue refunds", but am infuriated with them not doing what they promised me in several emails:

Hi David,

Thanks for the examples.

We would very appreciate if you send us the original files you used to create HDR. Is it a single photo or a bracket group?

Please upload the files to www.WeTransfer.com & send us shared for everyone link.

We will proceed with a refund right after that.

Thaks in advance!

We really appreciate your cooperation.

Hope to hear from you soon.
_______________

Julia
Macphun Support Team
Web: www.macphun.com
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MacPhun seems like a very dishonest company to me.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18493391
I purchased a license for MacPhun's Aurora HDR 2018, but didn't like it and requested a refund. They promised me a refund in several emails, but said they first wanted me to send them some files I used in the program. So, I did that and now they have stopped responding to me.

I'm OK with, "Sorry we do not issue refunds", but am infuriated with them not doing what they promised me in several emails:

MacPhun seems like a very dishonest company to me.

Wow - that's BS. I have found their responses to issues to be quirky and hit or miss - but i have never had to deal with them about refunds. If they offer them, they should give them without messing around.

kirk

kirkt wrote in post #18493398
Wow - that's BS. I have found their responses to issues to be quirky and hit or miss - but i have never had to deal with them about refunds. If they offer them, they should give them without messing around.

kirk

Yes, and I was frustrated and annoyed that they demanded that I give them my raw files and example images as a condition for issuing me a refund. I liken it to trying to return a sweater and the retail shop saying, "Sure, just go shovel the snow off our sidewalk, and we'll proceed with a refund right after that."

And speaking of samples, here are a couple of output samples I sent them to show how poorly their HDR tonemapping does in producing terrible halos. It's a crap scene, but just one I used as a test to see how well the application did at tonemapping. As you can see Photomatix 6 does a decent job of suppressing halos, while Aurora HDR 2018 is awful. There was no setting in the application that would eliminate the halos around the cables.

Wow. And I thought Photomatix had problems with halos.

Are you sure you didn't use the Aurora preset entitled "Produce the worst halos you've ever seen." LOL

I'm with you - a refund should be unconditional. I have never had a brick-and-mortar nor online vendor ask me to prove I deserved a refund. Unforgivable.

Seems like the same PR consultant helping ON1 make their sloppy moves as of late is also contracting with MacPhun.

Edit: not to mention the Aurora Landscape preset has way too much blue / cyan in it. Yes, the Photomatix seem a little blue, but the Aurora is much worse.

Thinking about this, I'm wondering if I should get my pre-order money back before the product ships.

The parallels to the ON1 Photo RAW crapola are uncanny: pre-order, features missing, promises made, etc. Add to that the refund problems being reported concerning MacPhun and I'm thinking this is another potential disaster about to unfold.

HHmm...I just dropped my money on Luminar during lunch.

Well, it's no more expensive than a few mixed drinks out-and-about and we know where that ends up after a few hours, so I'm going to stick with it. We'll see.

David Arbogast wrote in post #18493405
Yes, and I was frustrated and annoyed that they demanded that I give them my raw files and example images as a condition for issuing me a refund. I liken it to trying to return a sweater and the retail shop saying, "Sure, just go shovel the snow off our sidewalk, and we'll proceed with a refund right after that."

And speaking of samples, here are a couple of output samples I sent them to show how poorly their HDR tonemapping does in producing terrible halos. It's a crap scene, but just one I used as a test to see how well the application did at tonemapping. As you can see Photomatix 6 does a decent job of suppressing halos, while Aurora HDR 2018 is awful. There was no setting in the application that would eliminate the halos around the cables.

That's pure artifact. I sent them image sets when they first made Aurora for the Mac. Its tonemapper had problems and I detailed them with the email I sent with the image sets. To their credit, the tonemapper has improved tremendously, but it clearly has failed on this image. Are you on a PC? I have not encountered an issue like this on my Mac version (2018).

kirk

Yes that was the PC version. And “realistic” preset aside, I worked with the sliders and I could get the halos reduced, but couldn’t come remotely close to acceptable or the Photomatix results

I hope it doesnt suck. I preordered it. Kinda bummed the catalog feature wont be out till 2018. I am looking to replace Lightroom as well. Tired of paying monthly and I feel it has gotten slower in use.
I tried a 30Day of that new On1 2018 and I deleted it about 10min after installing. First it was slow going between photos in develop but it would add some auto presets to my Raws and make them disgusting mess like a cell phone photo pushed 5stops and I had no idea how to make it stop that. tried resetting everything but nope.

Update: Macphun has now followed through and I have my money back now.

I’m not happy with how long it took them - with how many emails I had to send them asking for it - but they have issued the refund and that’s a credit to them.