eadler

I recently had issues with the program and like you Luminar only responds via email. It did take several rounds of email before they finally figured out the problem but did finally get fixed. I'm still using Luminar and really like it. Maybe you give their tech people a little more time if you really like the program

jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America

My problems with Luminar 3.0, 3.01 and 3.0.2 were beyond crashes and lags (which I suffered a LOT).

The worst part was that:
1) The lens correction was not working - at least - for my SONY cameras.

What is worse, I couldn't find anything close to a lens profile... the only the software offered was the standard pinch/barrel and trapezoid correction which never worked. I even did test photos of a test pattern and sent them to the support team, this was the remarkable response:

"You are correct, I can see that Lens correction is not working as it should.

I have passed all this info to our tech department, they will investigate the issue and will see what they can do in the future.

Nevertheless, there are tasks with higher priority at the moment. We are working on the Luminar updates that target performance issues in terms of speed and stability."

Test the feature by yourself before you buy.

2) Masks don't get transformed when you do any geometrical transformation on the photo

Let's say you do some adjustment masks for different areas of your photo and then decido to straighten the horizon. Well, **none of the masks will follow the rotation** and you will end up with a borked photo.

This time, the response form the Skylum team was even more extraordinary:

"I got a reply from our devs that this is normal behavior for now that won't be changed in the nearest future."

Well that was it. I filled a refund request and walked away with the money.

I don't know if 3.1 solved those problems and frankly I don't care.

Test by yourself and please comment below... those comments could be valuable other UUH members which are planning on purchasing this software.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Indeed- worry about now.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Well, having been in the software business my entire career (first as a developer, then executive) I learned a long time ago that you need to “wait” until they get most of the bugs out of a major release. Luminar 3.0 was a major release for Skylum.

They’ll solve the problems, or they won’t have a viable company. When customers start raving about how wonderful a major release is ... that’s when you start using it. I bought Luminar 2018 last year for $49, and love it! I’m staying away from Luminar 3 until it’s working fine.

If you really need the library feature, then you might need to go back to LR until Luminar 3 is ready for prime time. I know that’s not what you want to hear. Sorry it’s so frustrating, but unfortunately it’s the nature of major new software releases.

If you go the “other” PP software route, you introduce more variables into the equation.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

It's easy to be part of the crowd. To fit in. To subscribe.

jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America

Yes! And this is very positive... by adding variables, one might be able to find novel solutions.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Or, on the other side of the coin, roadblocks....The grass isn't always greener on the other side, although it may appear so...

TonyF Loc: Bradenton, FL

3.1.0 Came out at the end of April and works fine on my PC.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Well ... that’s ONE!

sagfgrump

I think the main problem is that they release stuff before it's been thoroughly tested - in effect making the customers do their beta testing for them - not the first software company to take that approach!

But at root it's still a very good product at it's price, and considering it was Mac only not that long ago, the difficulties of creating a fully equivalent windows product are quite daunting, so on balance I'm prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

Very wise advice. Thanks.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Since you liked Luminar version 2018, why not return to that version? Or did you upgrade to Luminar version 2019 ver. 3.1 because of the Data Management add-on? If so, that is probably your issue particularly if using one of Microsoft's Windows versions. I have used Luminar for several years now and currently run Version 3.1.0 (3588) on my Apple iMac version 10.14.4 without problems.
It is reasonably well know that Luminar on a Windows machine has not been as well developed and debugged as the version on the Mac OS platform. However, that is not to say Luminar 3.1 does not work successfully on a Windows 10 machine. My neighbour has a Windows 10 setup and runs Luminar 3.1 using the Data Management option without problems.

Please consider the fact that when a company sells any item such as software for the low price of the Luminar suite, there is little or no meaningful way any company can be expected to provide person to person on going support. Therefore, the conclusion on the part of the supplier of any goods or services at low price points is that the buyer is a reasonably knowledgeable person that can work out most difficulties encountered on their own without personalized support. Secondly, in the software world, there is an assumption on the part of suppliers that their customer base is using up to date hardware as most companies do not write code for their products to accomodate legacy hardware. Which leaves us consumers with the question: "what is legacy computer hardware"? I do not consider myself sufficiently knowledgeable to answer that question to the satisfaction of all persons that may read this post. You will have to answer that question for yourself.
Good luck and best regards, Garth

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

A crummy experience indeed. Running L3 on my Mac computers has been a dream. Once I had a query for Luminar and was responded too quickly and effectively. I still have the full-load Adobe lurking on my hard drive, however, do not use it much, if at all. I have heard that L3 enjoys the Mac OS and Windows PC users report challenges/bugs. I suspect Luminar wanted to get their product out with the DAM to meet the promised deadline of 2018 and will be updating along the way. It isn't perfect, but then either are the alternatives.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

Good thought on the windows hardware, but I am trying to load Luminar on a MacBook Pro with the latest operating system. My download from version 2019 to the first version 3 was flawless. I can't understand why I am having this problem.

Another Hogger suggested that the software is being distributed as it is being written, that it may contain some flaws and that it may be sensible to switch back to Lightroom and give Luminar some more time to mature before trying it again.

Bill_de Loc: US

I don't understand why people have/had a problem with this. When you bought a record, cassette tape, CD, etc., you didn't own the music. You owned the right to listen to it. And just like with software you didn't own the right to make a copy for your friends.

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