klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Hi, has anyone downloaded the new Capture NX-D Beta yet? It is supposed to be replacing Capture NX2.

As a Capture NX2 user I think this is another complete letdown by Nikon. It lacks several of the features like control points that made NX2 a powerful editing program.

No D400, no decent DX lens line-up, the D600 fiasco. NX-D is now another slap in the face of the loyal Nikon customer base!

I'm not sure Nikon is realizing how easy they make it for Nikon users to switch camps.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

I haven't heard of this yet, but (since it is still beta) my immediate question is: Is NXD supposed to replace NX2, or is this just a simpler, more streamlined version of NX2, much like comparing Adobe Elements to Adobe CS?

EDIT - After checking out release information on the internet, it appears that Nikon is, indeed, intending to replace the NX2 product. They also state that they are soliciting reviews and feedback from users of the beta software. If the control points are especially useful to you, now is the time to respond and let Nikon know your thoughts.

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Nikon already stated that control points will not be included with NX-D.

The big advantage for me with NX2 was the ability to non-destructively edit NEF files. The greatest feature was that you could go back and selectively undo or change every editing step you had done. Control points made it easy to manipulate specific areas of a picture without the need of layers.

I know, some people didn't like NX2 because it didn't look like Photoshop but it was a complete editing package and I liked the no nonsense approach to competently complete all day-to day editing tasks.

From what I can tell NX-D is simply not in the same league as NX2. It caters to the novice user and should be seen more as a replacement for View-NX2.

NX-D is supposed to roll out in September and at that point support for NX2 will end.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

NX-2 always catered to novice users afraid to move to other software titles that are way more powerful than NX... They ALL do non-destructive edit if NEF files as these are RAW and cannot be edited...

The control point (u-technology) were made by NIK software and licensed by Nikon. NIK has been purchased by Google so this is no surprise that Nikon had to remove it from their latest NX version. I would guess the 'talks' to keep the licensing going fell thought.

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

You must be confusing View NX2 which is bundled free with every Nikon Camera and Capture NX2 which is actually used by many professionals.

Capture NX-2 let's you (non-destructively) edit and save edited NEF files. You can then open the edited NEF files at a later point and selectively change or undo any work you have done so far.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

...

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Just found out that NX-D does not recognize NEF edits created in Capture NX-2. If that's supposed to be a replacement for Capture NX-2 it's a worthless piece of garbage!

Picdude Loc: Ohio

The following quote was taken from the website at the link below:

http://petapixel.com/2014/02/25/nikon-unveils-capture-nx-d-new-raw-image-processor-nikon-shooters/

Of course, the program is currently in beta, so hopefully some of this will be fixed before the final version is due on ‘this summer,’ but the fact that Nik is no longer designing the NX editing suite seems to be having a negative impact overall. Negatives aside, the new features are exciting and the price of ‘on the house’ makes it hard to complain. As Imaging Resource points out, Nikon was probably every bit as put off by Google buying Nik Software as many others, and releasing a capable free RAW editor of their own will likely turn out to be a positive move.

Given that the above is correct, it appears as if Nikon has had little choice in some aspects of their editor, seeing as how NIK (who provided the control-point editing portion) is no longer involved. They also appear to have rewritten the software in the new release to include a sidecar file to contain RAW edits without destroying/altering the original NEF file. If the NX-2 software is not doing this currently, it would explain the incompatibility of the two releases. (see the excerpt below at http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/02/25/nikon-releases-beta-version-of-next-generation-capture-nx-software?ref=title_0_5)

The new software will support many functions needed by professional photographers, including batch image processing, filtering and an enhanced user interface with a variety of displays and floating palettes that are ideal for multiple monitors. Additionally, photographers will also have the ability to adjust parameters including exposure and white balance in RAW files, and can adjust tone curves, brightness, and contrast, as well as functions for correcting lateral color aberration and vignetting in JPEG and TIFF files. The software also features a new “sidecar” format, which retains and saves the adjusted image as a separate file.

While Nikon will undoubtedly continue to manufacture the same high quality hardware that many have grown to depend on, it looks like they have been forced to change their software by the loss of one of their partners (NIK/Google). Other software packages that perform alterations on NEF files also use a sidecar to save edits without changing/destroying the original image. They may not have the option to not use the sidecar while still achieving their new objectives. Sometimes these things are just beyond everyone's' control. While it's unfortunate that they have to remove feature you have grown to depend on, Many others may well have been asking for these very changes for years.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

Just downloaded it. I will post a note when I have a chance to use it.

gilril Loc: Wilton, Maine

What is the best method to tell NIKON we don't want NX-D?

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Nikon has set up a suggestion box on their website.

Here's their link:

http://beta.nikonimglib.com/index.html.en

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

What didn't you like about photoshop, as you can also non-destructively edit any raw files and do that selectively on any part of an image without using layes in ACR?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The article emphasizes several times that this is a free program, at least in beta. It is replacing NX-2, but that was also free.

klaus Loc: Guatemala City, Guatemala

View NX-2 was (and still is) free. It's bundled with every new and refurbished Nikon.

Capture NX-2 is an entirely different application and has to be purchased.

Beta releases usually are free so I doubt that they will give away Capture NX-D for free once the full app is released.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Ah, yes. I was caught byt the NX. :oops: