LaserSoft Imaging

SF HDR Studio now supports my Canon 350D camera; ie, I can open and process CR2 RAW images. I have however run into a few of limitations and have questions.

To convert the CR2 files to a format usable by SF, you either:

1. open them in SF
2. open them in Edit mode via the JM, or
3. drag them to an album in the VLT and click a "convert" button.

Problems:

For (a) and (b), you have to wait for the conversion each time before you can continue. if you're only working with one or two images, this wouldn't be a problem. if you're working with 144 images (my last photo shoot), it's a big problem.

For (c), only 20 images can be converted. there's a percentage regarding cache but I don't understand what it is and why it is. that number does not change each time you open VLT or relaunch SF. it's as if each album (or the whole application?) is limited to just 20 conversions.

Questions:

1. I tried adding the CR2 images to a JM queue and converting them to HDR-48/JPEG2000 Lossless. that worked but I lost all of the neat image controls (native temperature, tone adjustment) available when processing the images with SF so that's not the best solution.
2. I tried finding the converted images created when I used the Convert button in VLT. I found them in Pictures/SilverFast/Cache/Untitled-1/ but was not able to open them directly. SF reported a General Data Error.

Requests:

1. I'd like to convert more than 20 RAW images at one time.
2. I'd like to be able to convert the RAW images and be able to store and access the converted files anytime with all of the extra picture controls. apparently, the converted files are not HDR files. what are they?

The work flow with RAW files is not convenient at this time. The extra image controls and picture quality/colour/temperature are amazing but it takes too much time to convert each image one-at-a-time.

Am I doing something wrong? Can the situation be improved? Soon?

(I searched the forum and read the manual. I couldn't find anything regarding these issues)

regards,
Gregory

Dear Gregory,

the files are converted into an internal raw format and are indeed saved in a Cache folder parallel to your Albums folder (which you can set under "Options->Special->Albums folder"). Under Options->Special->maximum Cache size" you can set the size of the cache. The default size for the cache is 1GB and that's why you are limited to 20 conversions (8 MP = approx. 50 MB uncompressed image size = 20 images in 1GB). You should just increment the cache size to be able to store more converted images (approx. 8GB for your 144 images).

Best regards
Ralf

Dear Ralf,

nice to know about the cache ;-)

how do you clear the cache to convert more RAW files? does SF ever automatically clear the cache?

regards,
Gregory

Dear Gregory,

if the cache is full, the oldest file(s) will get deleted automatically.
You can emtpy the cache on your own by clicking on the trash icon in the VLT. There you'll find three commands:
"Cache: Delete for overview" will delete all cached files (of course NOT the original files) for files that were converted/opened from the overview (the blue LED signals, that a file is cached).
"Cache: Delete for album" will delete all cached files for the current album.
"Cache: Delete all" will empty the cache completely.

Best regards
Ralf

I now have something of a workflow.

I add all of my images from the overview to the JM, choosing a screen output Setting (100 dpi, 1000 x 666 pixels, no colour changes) with Auto-Adjust turned on. this forces SF to convert all of the CR2 RAW images to its compatible format and shows me what the Auto-Adjust produces. I can then go back and fine tune each image in the JM without having to wait for RAW conversion because they've all be cached ;-)

it's not perfect but it's not too bad.

thank you for the cache info.

btw, the colours produced by converting the CR2 RAW files is amazing. the images are wonderful although the exposure is usually too low and needs to be adjusted.

regards,
Gregory

Thank you for the post.
Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.

Dear Jezzicaz789

Is always nice to have new people here!

Cheers