DxO PhotoLab 8 with improved noise reduction
The raw developer DxO PhotoLab 8 comes with improved noise reduction and detail extraction, a magnifying glass window, color tone masks and a new curve tool.
The AI-supported noise reduction should work better than the previous version. As it is very computationally intensive, it only shows a preview of the result in the magnifying glass window.
(Image: Bild: DxO Labs)
The French software manufacturer DxO Labs has announced the raw developer PhotoLab 8. It includes the improved DeepPRIME XD2s noise reduction and a magnifying glass window that displays its computationally intensive changes in real time. Version 8 also introduces color tone masks for precise local adjustments and an improved tone curve tool.
Correction of lens blur
The core of the program is the profile-based lens correction. DxO measures common camera-lens combinations in its laboratory. After importing photos, the program determines the lenses used from the Exif data and loads the corresponding profiles from the manufacturer's server. PhotoLab 8 should also be able to sharpen blurred edges.
(Image:Â Bild: DxO Labs)
Preview magnifier for noise reduction
The preview magnifier shows the effect of the DeepPrime tool and other corrections before they are applied to the entire image. DeepPrime in particular is computationally intensive and time-consuming. The magnifying glass shows the effects of the tool in a pixel-perfect 100 percent preview. The scale can be enlarged up to 1600 percent.
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Color tone masks complement U-Point tools
PhotoLab 8 includes mask tools based on the U-point technique, which combines edge detection with smooth transitions. Tint masks can now be used to select individual color tones and color ranges. Photographers can choose from eight predefined color tones or select a color directly in the image. The mask can be adjusted using brushes and erasers.
(Image:Â Bild: DxO Labs)
Revised tone value curve
The curve tool has been given a pipette in version 8. A click in the image sets a control point. In addition to the red, green and blue channels, the luminance channel can now also be edited. It allows changes to be made to exposure and contrast without affecting the colors.
Photolab displays the histogram during correction. The program assigns an editable numerical value to each point on the tone value curve. Settings can be saved as presets.
Preview and comparison
A new comparison mode compares changes to the photo with a reference image. A tooltip shows a real-time preview of effects next to the mouse pointer, for example for color renderings, LUTs (look-up table) or tone curve presets.
Price and availability
DxO PhotoLab 8 is now available for download for Windows and macOS. The full version costs 229 euros. An upgrade from version 6 or 7 is available for 109 euros. (akr)
