What is the best alternative to Adobe ?

Hi,
I really like the new features about masking using AI technologies of Adobe Camera Raw (and Lightroom) but I don't like at all the type of licence it requires (subscription). So I'm looking for the best alternative that offers something similar but with a perpetual licence.

I have tried some software such as DxO, Capture One, On1 Photo Raw, Raw Therapee, Darktable,... but without taking enough time to explore each of them.

For the moment On1 seems to be the one who offers something close and for some aspects may be even more than Adobe software (such as AI Portrait, sky replacing) but I'd like to be sure that On1 is really the best alternative concerning the intelligent masking, eventhough the user interface doesn't look very intuitive.

What do you think ?

I used Lightroom to develop all of my Canon RAW images almost from the day the product was released. I thought this was the best product for RAW development. After I bought my R5 I tried several other programs. I personally am amazed at what I can do with DxO PhotoLab. I have started to reconvert many of my old RAW files using DxO.

Does DxO have AI masking features such as automatically select sky or subject or background etc. ?

Also I have read that some of the features of DxO are not included in the basic software but you have to pay extra for them such as geometrical correction...

yb98 wrote in post #19345545
Does DxO have AI masking features such as automatically select sky or subject or background etc. ?

Also I have read that some of the features of DxO are not included in the basic software but you have to pay extra for them such as geometrical correction...

No, PhotoLab does not have AI auto masking features in the current version. The PhotoLab suite consists of three separate programs. If you want all the features you must purchase PhotoLab Elite, Viewpoint 3, and FilmPack 6 Elite. While all three can be run as stand alone apps, Viewpoint and FilmPack functionality is also integrated directly into PhotoLab. The initial cost for all three is similar to the initial cost for Capture One. Since Viewpoint and FilmPack are only upgraded every 4 or so years, the annual cost for upgrading only PhotoLab, assuming you choose to do so, is much less than an annual Capture One upgrade.

With regard to ON1, although it has a lot of bells and whittles, the output is very inferior and the performance is slow compared to Capture One or PhotoLab. However, lots of people seem to like it. I have a license for ON1 PhotoRaw 2022 but never use it. I much prefer the results I get with PhotoLab, I would suggest you get the software you are most comfortable using regardless of what others might recommend.

yb98 wrote in post #19345545
Does DxO have AI masking features such as automatically select sky or subject or background etc. ?

Also I have read that some of the features of DxO are not included in the basic software but you have to pay extra for them such as geometrical correction...

Try PL5 free.

FYI about DXO. A good product however it is on an annual upgrade program which may or may not matter to you. DXO has been known to hold out for RAW support for months (even waiting until the new version is released in the fall) after a new camera release. Something to be aware if you purchase a license.

I have already installed the trial version but didn't had enough time to play with it and now it's expired
Anyhow the auto masking feature is important for me, so if DxO doesn't offer this feature then it's not interesting for me.

You said you tried C1 Pro but does it not offer this type of masking? I know it is popular in the professional world and hobbyists like it as well.

I still pay for an adobe subscription for pixel editing and other features. I don't do any RAW development in Adobe.

In terms of "all in one" editing solutions similar to On1 PhotoRaw, or whatever they are calling it nowadays, there is also Skylum Luminar:

https://skylum.com/lum​inar

which has a bunch of AI features, and Alien Skin Exposure:

https://exposure.softw​are

which does not do the AI jazz.

I used Exposure v4 and v5 (they are now at v7) a while ago and it is actually not too bad. I have not used Luminar since it first came out and I trialed it, so I have no idea how it performs. I have voiced my opinions about On1 in this forum a few times - it is slow and clunky and tries to do everything, and it does not do it very well. YMMV of course, especially if you shoot lower res files.

They all have trials, so give them a shot and see if your machine/graphics card runs the app well for the files that you typically edit.

Have fun!

Kirk

Sometimes the ease in workflow is part of that game, as in remaining with Adobe.

I'm using ON1 '22 and it is ok. It has hiccups along the way and is head scratching why it burps that way. Other times runs without issues. Some of the ways it feels clunky yet other features work well, a mixed bag. Becomes a matter of how flexible one can be. I am not a highly proficient Photoshop user so the simple tasks I do are covered by other programs and that $ savings is acceptable for what my uses are. This was during the perpetuale license times and PS was $$.

I can do most the edits in ON1 but some things in LR come easier. LR6 is still used for the final parts of an edit after the ON1 images are converted to a PSD or TIF file. The time invested in the program some tasks will become smoother, hard to really feel at ease initially.

So far pretty happy with ON1 relative to the $.

One has to consider what Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom can do, when asking for 'equivalent'

1. RAW conversion
   
2. Bridge 'mini data management'
   
3. Full pixel editing for photography and graphic arts
   

1. RAW conversion
   
2. Full relational photo data management (search/collect by photo properties and keywords)
   

Wilt wrote in post #19346253
One has to consider what Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom can do, when asking for 'equivalent'

1. RAW conversion
   
2. Bridge 'mini data management'
   
3. Full pixel editing for photography and graphic arts
   

Then there is Adobe Lightroom

1. RAW conversion
   
2. Full relational photo data management (search/collect by photo properties and keywords)
   

One can readily find alternatives for RAW conversion. But to find the other capability in the same program...that is the challenge.

I fully agree. Reason I still use Adobe for everything but RAW Conversion.

I said in the first post that I'm mainly interested by the auto masking features that uses AI to automatically create a mask of the sky, a subject, the face, the eyes, etc., or an object.

I'm trying right now Luminar AI, which looks promising but seems to be still a "young" software. I have seen that Luminar neo has just been released but not with all functions available. Unfortunately no trial version is available.

Just purchased a licence of On1 Photo Raw.