Nikon Capture NX 2 full workflow software

Nikon has announced the latest version of its image-editing software, Capture NX 2, an upgrade to the Capture NX introduced in 2006.

In addition to the acclaimed Colour Control Point, the new version offers Selection Control Point, enabling users to apply enhancements such as Unsharp Mask and D-Lighting to a specific area that are immediately viewable on the monitor. Using the Auto Retouch Brush, one can simply apply mouse strokes to clear away specks that appear on the image (caused by dust when an image is shot). To fill a traced area, the software detects and applies the most appropriate portion to deliver the most natural image. Workspaces based on assumed workflow and improved an Edit List further enhance efficient operation and expanded expression.

Ludovic Drean, Product Manager Software at Nikon Europe B.V. comments: “Having received so much valuable feedback from our customers using Capture NX we’ve developed a new generation software package which will satisfy any demanding photographer by offering amazing and effortless results without comprising quality.”

A trial version of Capture NX 2 (for Mac and PC) can be found on the Nikon web site at the links below:

Capture NX 2 – PC
http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nikoneurope_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=24759&p

Capture NX 2 – Mac
http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nikoneurope_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=24760&p

Major New Features

Selection Control Point
Selection Control Point applies enhancements such as Unsharp Mask or D-Lighting to a specific area with just a click of the mouse. The Selection Control Point recognises the areas the user wants to modify and can be used with virtually any image enhancement tool, including D-Lighting, Brightness, Colour, Focus, Correction, and Noise Reduction.

Auto Retouch Brush
To achieve more natural-looking results, Auto Retouch Brush allows the photographer to remove specks of dust from an image and match the surrounding colour and tones. It also has the capability to remove facial blemishes, imperfections on flowers, or other unwanted objects within the frame.

Shadow/Highlight Adjustments
The slider in the Highlight Adjustment section easily adjusts shadowy areas and highlighted areas. Alternatively, shadows and highlights can be altered by directly typing a value into the textbox.

Workspaces
The new software offers four workspaces: Browser, Metadata, Multi-Purpose and Edit, with easy switching between workspaces for window composition. Workspaces can be saved with a palette layout and reopened later. There are also various customisable shortcuts available.

Quick Fix
This is a combination of frequently used tools including Level and Tone Curve, Exposure Compensation, Contrast, Highlight Protection, Shadow Protection and Saturation in a single window. For high efficiency, Quick Fix processes multiple tasks and uses image-processing steps of each function to adjust details.

Simultaneous opening of multiple settings
Multiple image processing settings can be used at the same time to make parallel process adjustments of multiple details.

Label/Rating support（XMP）
The new software supports nine kinds of labeling and five levels of ratings according to XMP, a metadata industry standard. It is compatible with ViewNX, Adobe Bridge, and Windows Vista and capable of filter sorting by label and rating.

In addition to these new features, the Capture NX2 has further enhanced its tried-and-tested features to create Nikon’s most efficient and most effective image processing software to date. Capture NX2 is compatible with both Windows Vista and XP and Macintosh OS X (version 10.4.11, 10.5.2).

Pricing & Availability (UK)

Capture NX 2 will be available as of 20th June 2008 at the following RRPs:
Retail:
Full version – Retail box: £129.99
Upgrade version from Capture NX – Retail box: £79.99
Online:
Full version – Retail box: £139.99
Upgrade version – Retail box: £89.99
Full version – Download: £129.99
Upgrade version from Capture NX – Download: £79.99

Online software will be available to purchase shortly at http://www.europe-nikon.com/capturenx