Sing141 Loc: NoWhere, LA

Reference the topic Resolution Issues, May 5, 12 10:37:54 page 2. I haven't used Capture NX in years but have been looking at it again. The discussion referenced above seems to indicate that you can import an NEF file work on it, save it as a NEF file and then go back to the original NEF file and start over again to make different changes. Is that how it works? Is it actually saving what you have done as an NEF file? Can you go back to it later and continue to work on it again after saving it or do you have to always go back to the original NEF file and start over?

I will probably download and try Capture NX but thought if of someone using it you could answer my questions and that might be quicker.

snowbear

This is my process:
1. Copy the original NEF files (no changes) to computer.
2. Archive the originals into a ZIP file and archive it.
3. Import the NEF files into Lightroom and make edits.
4. Export the keepers to JPG for web display or printing. All others get saved to a second ZIP file and archived.

Use whatever editor you want for #3. If it doesn't work with NEF files, use Capture NX or ViewNX to convert them to something like TIFF first.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

RE NX - yes, essentially you have it right. What happens is that with a NEF the adjustments you make are applied to the visual image you see on your screen using the RAM. Simultaneously, NX is making a list of those adjustments in the order that you make them. When you close the image and tell NX to save it the two things that happen are:
1. the list is attached to the image file in the way that an EXIF file is attached to the image file - but it is not user recoverable independently of the image
2. The image is closed - in my words it is erased from RAM, the file image is not modified

Sing141 Loc: NoWhere, LA

Snowbear- Am I not understanding. In what you wrote where does Capture NX come in. I'm curious about how Capture NX handles nef files since it seems it can save as another NEF file, separate from the original, after adjustments are made.

BboH - So whatever adjustments are made are saved and if you close the software and reopen it the photo with those adjustments is shown? or is the unmodified raw file shown without the adjustments made earlier.

Guess I may try the free trial and play around with it. Thanks for your replies to my question.

LinksUp

Capture NX2 is a NON destructive Post Processing Program. If you bring your original NEF into Nx2, you are not editing the photo directly. You are providing a list of things to change, ie. black/white points, white balance, crop, degauss, etc... Any and all changes are just a list of the modifications that you would like to see on the screen. After making your changes, you have 3 choices.

1. Save the Nef with the original name. This saves the original RAW data with the list of the changes you have requested. If you open it again, you will see your original photo with that list of changes being applied to it. You can continue with new edits or remove some of the old edits.

2. Save the Nef with a new name. The original will be unaltered and the new name will have the same properties (list of changes) of #1.

3. Save the Nef as a Jpg. This option will actually save the photo with the changes from the list applied to it. This is a destructive save. Meaning you can't reverse the changes (at least not very easily) that you have made. I usually save this way after doing #2 and I need a jpg for email or posting purposes.

NX2 is a pretty cool tool. It has the point technology that makes some changes so quick and easy. It does have its limitations. It does not do well with background removal or image manipulation. It also likes lots of RAM and processor cycles.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

Sing141 gave a very good answer to your question - no sense my trying to repeat.
Yes, try it. I believe that the ViewNX and the TransferNX are inclused at no charge.