Adobe has unleashed a beta version of Lightroom 2.0. If you are doing any amount of photo work then you should be using Lightroom. This new version adds some long await tools such as a painting tool that allows you to paint exposure, brightness, clarity, tint, and saturation. A highly anticipated post-crop vignette tool is also a very welcome touch.

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Primary Known Issues

• Lightroom 2.0 beta will not upgrade Lightroom 1.x libraries. The beta is intended to be used for testing and feedback purposes. Lightroom 1.x and 2.0 beta libraries will be migrated to the finished version of Lightroom 2.0.
• While data loss is not expected, this is a very early ‘beta’ quality build and you should always work on duplicates of files that are securely backed up.
• Lightroom 2 beta will not overwrite or interfere with a machine that currently has Lightroom 1.3.1 installed.
• Develop settings applied in Lightroom 2.0 beta are not guaranteed to transfer correctly to the final version of 2.0. This is particularly true for localized corrections.
• The new Photoshop integration functionality is only available with Photoshop CS3 (10.0.1) and should only be used for testing purposes. Metadata associated with the original file may not carry over to the subsequent file saved from Photoshop
• Additional known issues are listed in the release notes.

New Features
Library

• Streamlined Library Layout
• Smart Collections
• Powerful Filter Bar to search and refine images
• Suggested Keywords for simplified keywording
• 10k pixel size limit raised to 30k pixels
• Output-based Collections

Multiple Monitors:

• -Four flexible modes for an alternate window: Grid, Loupe, Compare, Survey
  (Check out the Live Loupe mode!)

Photoshop CS3 Integration:

• Open files in Photoshop as a Smart Object
• Select multiple images to merge as a Panorama
• Merge multiple exposures into a single Photoshop HDR image
• Load multiple files or virtual copies into Photoshop as separate layers in a single document.

Export Functionality:

• Auto-add exported images to the Lightroom catalog
• Auto Output Sharpening for images on export

Develop Module

• Non-Destructive Localized Correction for dodging and burning specific areas of an image
• Post Crop Vignette
• Basic Panel Keyboard Shortcuts
• Improved Auto Adjustment
• Improved memory handling through 64-bit support on OS X 10.5 and Vista 64-bit.(Not limited to develop module)

Print Module

• Picture Package for multi-page layouts
• Print Module output directly to JPEG
• Enhanced Print Sharpening based on PhotoKit Sharpener algorithms
• 16-bit Printing for Mac OS X 10.5

Download Lightroom 2.0 Beta at Adobe Labs

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