DxO PhotoLab 9: intelligent masks and improved iPhone workflow
The raw developer DxO PhotoLab 9 masks subjects with AI, supports the iPhone formats HEIF and ProRAW and has learned a thing or two about batch processing.
In DxO PhotoLab 9, a mouse gesture is all it takes to mask subjects. According to the manufacturer, the AI runs locally.
(Image: DxO)
The French software manufacturer DxO has equipped its raw developer PhotoLab 9 with intelligent object recognition. Similar to Lightroom, PhotoLab now also generates masks using artificial intelligence.
Three methods for AI object selection
DxO's AI runs locally on the user's computer and the process can be controlled in different ways. PhotoLab 9 offers three options for AI masking: you can move the mouse over areas of the photo and click on subjects, draw a frame to have the content analyzed, or select subject-related object types such as sky, people, faces and hair.
Combine and transfer masks
Object types such as hair can be copied as instructions and saved as a context-related preset. This should allow image series to be edited faster than before.
According to the manufacturer, AI masks can be combined with other masking tools such as control points, control lines, gradient filters and the brush tool. For example, you can mask an object with AI and the background with a graduated filter that fades out softly towards the bottom. The masks remain separate. This allows users to change them at a later stage.
iPhone photography and batch renaming
In addition to HEIF photos, PhotoLab also supports Apple's ProRAW format. A new renaming tool provides building blocks for metadata fields. These can be used to rename images intuitively, for example with the date taken, camera name and other data.
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Noise reduction with DeePrime XD3 for Fujifilm cameras
DxO has been integrating AI-supported noise reduction DeepPrime into its programs since 2020. Its latest version DeepPrime XD3 ("eXtra Detail") is now available for Fujifilm cameras.
The camera manufacturer Fujifilm does not rely on the usual Bayer pattern for the arrangement of the red, green and blue pixels in its sensors, but on the so-called X-Trans arrangement. This is relevant for noise reduction, as DxO combines this with demosaicing, in which independent color pixels are combined into RGB pixels.
(Image:Â DxO)
DeepPrime XD3 X-Trans leaves the beta phase with PhotoLab 9 and now also supports the fifth generation of Fujifilm cameras. The third DeepPrime generation will then also be available for sensors with Bayer patterns.
Pricing and availability
According to the manufacturer, DxO Photolab 9 is available immediately and costs 240 euros. An upgrade from versions 7 and 8 is available for 120 euros.
(akr)
