Diff between CS4 and LR

[nigelstorm]

Hey guys,

As I'm new to LR but having a little bit of experience with CS4; I simply want to know this; what are the differences between the two apart from the obvious fact that CS4 is a heavyweight product?

Can LR do things that CS4 CAN'T do? If so why use LR? Again, apart from the obvious cost of the software.

cheers
Nigel

 

[Denis Pagé]

Mainly that Lightroom can develop hundreds (and more) of photos all at once rather than one by one and it is also a classification and retrieval system. It can also create slideshows and web albums. Think of it as a database linked to your originals.

 

[Brad Snyder]

Nigel, I expect you will find the PSCS4 is the far more capable product. If you include Bridge and ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) there's very little, if anything, that Lr can do that PS can't.

The main differences are in the programs' designs, philosophies, and intended audiences. PS is designed for maximum pixel manipulation, never-mind the interface or ease of use. (OK, that's an exaggeration but ....) Lr is intended to address the overall workflow needs of the working photographer from camera to customer.

If you want maximum tweakage, PS is your choice. If you want smooth, integrated workflow, Lr is your choice. Of course Lr is only at v2, so much work remains in its implementation. It's not yet really suited to multiple networked photogs/users in an agency, and there are numerous 'wish-lists' directed to its perceived inadequacies in the post-processing arena. So, numerous work arounds exist.

Lr is intended to be a 'system', an end-to-end tool. It's supposed to be everything you generally need to be an organized photographer (from both the image processing and asset management perspectives) in one compact product. Currently, I guess you could say something about 'Jack of all trades, master of none'.

I'm sure others have said it better, but my two cents .....

(Ooops, I guess I was typing as Denis was posting)

 

[Denis de Gannes]

I would simply say that Lightroom is a more like Bridge/ACR on steroids and should not be viewed as an alternative for PS CS4.

Lightrooms main function is to manage and quickly process RAW files from Digital Cameras. If you are satisfied that Bridge/ACR can provide these functions for you there is little value in having Lightroom.

I presently have PS CS as my main editing program and since that only has a lame version of ACR and no Bridge function, I need the raw processing power of Lightroom.

I got a free version of Lightroom since Pixmantec, the producer of Rawshooter my raw software processor, was purchased by Adobe. Had this not happened I would have considered upgrading to PS CS3/4 to have use of the improved ACR.

 

[nigelstorm]

err I wouldn't know what a "BRidge/ACR" system is..

 

[Denis de Gannes]

err I wouldn't know what a "BRidge/ACR" system is..

Bridge and ACR are part of Photoshop CS4.
Bridge provides file management and browser functions.
ACR is a plugin for Photoshop which enables it to convert raw files (same as what the Develop module does in Lightroom.)

 

[nigelstorm]

thank you!

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Dennis, can you illuminate me on the file management capabilities of Bridge please? MY understanding is that it is a browser only, but then I don't use Bridge much and am always looking to learn, thanks.

 

[Denis de Gannes]

Dennis, can you illuminate me on the file management capabilities of Bridge please? MY understanding is that it is a browser only, but then I don't use Bridge much and am always looking to learn, thanks.

Sorry if I am misleading but I am only repeating what some users say. I am using PS CS which does not have Bridge.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Sorry for the extra n in your name Denis!!
I wasn't trying to be smart or get at you, it is just that sometimes I can overlook something big and obvious!!
I think Bridge is just a file browser and LR is the file manger, but I may be illuminated by others.
By the way, I like your responses Denis!!:lol::lol:

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Bridge has grown up - you can add keywords, you can create collections, you can create smart collections, you add other metadata, you can browse a variety of file types. Bridge can't, however, browse or search offline files, which Lightroom can.

Lightroom's all about workflow - not having to switch programs to do different tasks, everything runs in a nice stream.

Photoshop can do pixel retouching, so Lightroom won't replace that, but there's no way I'd go back to CS4 for managing files or raw processing.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Thanks Victoria, but how does Bridge manage files ??
By the way Bridge generates huge cache files, gazzillions of gigabytes!! PITA

 

[Victoria Bampton]

I'm not sure how you can say Bridge manages files, but more that you can use Bridge to manage files. The thing to remember is that Bridge is a browser for the whole creative suite, whereas LR is designed for photographers.