Nikon Announces Replacement for Capture NX-2 Raw Converter (NX-D)

[Bill Jobes]

My initial impression is that NX-D is a very robust and well-designed program.

Here is a link to the Daily Camera News article:

http://www.dailycameranews.com/2014/...ally-released/

On the page is a direct link to Nikon's Download servers.

The download is free.

[Jerry van Dijk]

Thanks for posting this Bill. I read about it in advance on Nikonrumors and meant to download it on the 15th when it came out, but completely forgot about it!
I've read reports that the NX software actually does a better job processing Nikon images than Photoshop, supposedly because Photoshop doesn't have access to the actual Nikon coding of the RAW images. I'm very curious to try it out and see for my self.
Installing now.....

[Bill Jobes]

You're welcome, Jerry.

I did a few images with it last evening, and was very impressed with the results.

Unless someone uses Photoshop plug-ins from outside vendors, I see no reason why PS can't be shelved.

My initial impression was so positive, that at this point, I see no reason why top pro results can't be achieved exclusively with NX-D.

[Dan Brown]

Exciting news, BUT..... I have installed and reinstalled twice now and can't get the software to work? It loads, opens to a bridge type browser and then is totally unresponsive? I can't even close it? I have had to shut my machine down with the power button? Anyone have a suggestion?

[Bill Jobes]

I had no problems with the install or operations, Dan. I am using a Mac Pro.

There is a manual also available on the download page, in case you missed it. There may be some system compatibility info there, or elsewhere on the download site.

[Dan Brown]

Looks like the cpu requirement exceeds my laptop! I will try on my desktop. Thanks

[Robert Kimbrell]

Bill, Glad he hear NX-D is working for you, I hope it continues . Unfortunately I do not share your enthusiasm. Firstly I have not downloaded or tried Nx-D. But the loss the Nikon U point technology was enough to make me jump ship to Lightroom. I am not confident Nikon will continue to keep their software state of the art.
The rub here is that Lightroom does not currently recognize the adjustments I have made to my raw files. As anyone importing Nikon NEF files into lightroom could potentially loose years of processing,
Personally I have been making tiff copies of my favorites for years. So this is only an inconvenience. Also, I expect to go through a learning curve as I start processing is Lightroom. Capture Nx2 is still active on my computer, But I have great concern that Nikon is not willing or wanting to compete with Adobe.

[Dan Brown]

Bill, Glad he hear NX-D is working for you, I hope it continues . Unfortunately I do not share your enthusiasm. Firstly I have not downloaded or tried Nx-D. But the loss the Nikon U point technology was enough to make me jump ship to Lightroom. I am not confident Nikon will continue to keep their software state of the art.
The rub here is that Lightroom does not currently recognize the adjustments I have made to my raw files. As anyone importing Nikon NEF files into lightroom could potentially loose years of processing,
Personally I have been making tiff copies of my favorites for years. So this is only an inconvenience. Also, I expect to go through a learning curve as I start processing is Lightroom. Capture Nx2 is still active on my computer, But I have great concern that Nikon is not willing or wanting to compete with Adobe.

Robert, interesting that you haven't tried NXD but you are convinced that it's not going to be usable (for you)? Could you explain the significance of the Nikon U point technology? I have no idea what that is! I have downloaded but have not yet used NXD and would appreciate any input that you have regarding this

[Robert Kimbrell]

Robert, interesting that you haven't tried NXD but you are convinced that it's not going to be usable (for you)? Could you explain the significance of the Nikon U point technology? I have no idea what that is! I have downloaded but have not yet used NXD and would appreciate any input that you have regarding this

Dan
" U Point is a selective image-editing tool. It was designed to allow photographers and image editors to make adjustments with just a few mouse clicks. " Simply place the control point on the area you want to edit and U Point technology will analyze color elements such as hue, saturation and brightness, as well as recognize similar areas where an edit would best be applied. Just point at an area and enhance or fix it."
In July 2014 Nikon has released a new software Capture NX-D and desupported Capture NX 2. and does not contain the U-Point technology of Nik any longer."
I would not say NX-D could not work for me, or anyone else. I spend a lot of time processing photos, and with the un supporting of Capture NX2, I feel forced to start a transition to a new workflow and or program. I feel that U-Point technology was the hallmark of NX-2. I am not sure If Nikon lost it due to a licensure issue or just decided to go in another direction. Either way its a negative.
So in no way do I want to bash or steer someone away from trying NX-D.as I have not tried it. It is only reasonable That I move to a new program as the one I was using is discontinued. So for me today I am moving toward Lightroom.

[Dan Brown]

Dan
" U Point is a selective image-editing tool. It was designed to allow photographers and image editors to make adjustments with just a few mouse clicks. " Simply place the control point on the area you want to edit and U Point technology will analyze color elements such as hue, saturation and brightness, as well as recognize similar areas where an edit would best be applied. Just point at an area and enhance or fix it."
In July 2014 Nikon has released a new software Capture NX-D and desupported Capture NX 2. and does not contain the U-Point technology of Nik any longer."
I would not say NX-D could not work for me, or anyone else. I spend a lot of time processing photos, and with the un supporting of Capture NX2, I feel forced to start a transition to a new workflow and or program. I feel that U-Point technology was the hallmark of NX-2. I am not sure If Nikon lost it due to a licensure issue or just decided to go in another direction. Either way its a negative.
So in no way do I want to bash or steer someone away from trying NX-D.as I have not tried it. It is only reasonable That I move to a new program as the one I was using is discontinued. So for me today I am moving toward Lightroom.

Thanks Robert, that makes sense. I don't use many of the NX2 tools but I agree, that selection point tech. is a nice feature. I am primarily using the program as a first round NR tool, cropping and then converting to tiff, all of which I am hoping to be able t accomplish with the new NXD.