hipoint wrote:
I am currently a Lr user but realize that I need some advanced photo editing functions which Lr does not offer and I do not need Lr’s organizing features. I also do not want a subscription based software and it is likely Lr may be going in that direction. I also want a 100% non-destructive program.
LR has already gone to a subscription. Not sure I understand your objection, unless you are a person who wants to buy a program and then use it for years and years without updates. Getting yearly updates costs about what a subscription would cost in many cases.
hipoint wrote:
My Question: Will Affinity, On1, Luminar, Paint Shop, etc work with my Lr processed images and are these programs non-destructive?
I like Affinity, but the “develop Persona” may still be semi-destructive, On1 Raw sounds semi subscription like, not searched luminar or paint shop or others.
I process using a computer with Windows 10 and lots of memory.
No matter what system you use, it will be non-destructive if you either do your editing on a copy, or save the edited version with a different file name. I prefer to work on copies to prevent any errors on my part!
I cannot advise you on the programs you mention since I am a LR/PS subscriber. But I can tell you that PS is a great program, has great capabilities for editing beyond LR, and is totally compatible with it. Most subscribers use LR for its organization of images, and for first level edits. If you do not need/want what LR has to offer, you do not have to use it. Just use your own cataloging system and open images directly into PS; when done editing save them back to your folders. "Non-destructive" is available, just up to you to specify how you want to work. Such as opening images as "smart objects" and when editing is done, choosing "save as" instead of "save". This gives you a new name image and preserves the original untouched. If you are working on a previously edited version, and do additional edits, then you can choose "save" to add those new edits to that image [or "save as" to create a separate, new version].
My point is, that no matter what program you use, to preserve the original it is up to you to make the right choices. And a subscription is something you can cancel at any time, without losing any images, because they are all on your HD, not in the program [same as when using LR for organization]. Don't forget that most programs [LR and PS included], will offer a free trial period where you can see if you like using it. I love having new updates whenever they come out, indefinitely, as long as I am a subscriber, at no additional cost.