You are correct: the primary value of PS (for me) is in its layering
functionality. This makes it very adept at some specific tasks - in
addition to its masking functions (which appear to be easier to
use/understand than those in DT) it can, for example, expertly complete
such complex tasks as changing the sky background of a photographically
interesting tree. I don't know enough about other image editing
applications (especially DT) to know if this effect is achievable as
accurately and as (relatively) easily as it is in PS ( and I use CS6,
now a very old version) - but I suspect not.
The LR->PS->LR round trip is very straightforward, having specified PS
and it's location as a suitable 'external editor' in LR settings. One
can then invoke that editor from LR, at any point in the work flow
within LR, very simply (menu item, mouse selectable or function key). LR
passes the image file to PS which opens it in Adobe Camera RAW if it is
a raw file; if the image is jpeg or TIFF, it is passed in 1 of 3
optional states: a) a copy of the original image with LR edits included,
b) a copy of the original image untouched by LR, or c) send the original
image (not a copy) untouched by LR. After editing the file is saved as
a TIFF in PS and that editing window is closed. The PS-adjusted image is
then optionally stacked with the 'original' In LR and editing can
continue. Even though LR does not support layers, if the image is not
flattened in PS before saving, the 'knowledge' of the layers is
maintained by LR and can be exploited in a subsequent invocation of PS.
All in all LR and PS are closely integrated - not seamless, but very
close. I would be very satisfied if I could find a similar level of
integration between DT and PS - or even GIMP, as that would allow me to
work within Linux. The only reason I currently use Windows is because I
use LR and PS and they are adequately integrated. My preference to use
iMatch as a DAM could be reduced to using Digikam in Linux - but there
would be some loss of function and usability (in my opinion).
On 20/06/2020 13:47, Anton Aylward wrote:
On 19/06/2020 07:03, Guillermo Rozas wrote:
I find a frequent need to invoke Photoshop as part of my workflow when
using LightRoom and assume this requirement might still exist if I
switch to DarkTable. Is there a way to invoke any 'external' programme
while working in DT ?
Short answer: no (or 'not yet')
Long answer:
DT has some local retouching tools (like cloning and healing) and a very
powerful
masking system that allows you to apply any tool to very specific portions of
the
image. This usually negates the need for an external program like Photoshop for
most people.
Yes.
My first thought on seeing the original question was "yes, but why? this is DT
not
LR". I'm a Linux user and not conversant wit those windows tools in detail but
it
occurs to me that what PS is doing is 'layers'. Is that the specific
requirement?
As you say, Guillermo, DT's tools are powerful. I have a number of books that
notionally describe working in PS but I have no problem mentally translating
them
to work in DT.
I'd like to ask the OP about how the LR-PS-LR process re-imports the image back
into LR after PS has tweaked it.
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