Bibble successor Corel AfterShot Pro 2 gets big speed boost, new features, camera support aplenty

 

 

If you're a Bibble castaway who has yet to make the jump to AfterShot Pro, the program's new name post-acquisition by Corel, the company has news it hopes will persuade you to give the renamed app a try. A recently-launched update to Corel AfterShot Pro 2 promises a significant step forwards in performance, as well as a raft of new features and updated camera support.

Corel is claiming its new 64-bit version of AfterShot is 30% faster than the previous version, and perhaps more surprisingly, four times faster than the competition. (It doesn't, however, state which programs it compared against and on what terms.)  The switch to 64-bit processing also allows images up to 250 megapixels and TIFF files larger than 30MB to be processed.

Perhaps even more important is the updated raw file support. Although Bibble was quite frequently updated, AfterShot Pro has languished somewhat, lacking support for many popular, enthusiast-friendly cameras launched since the rebranding in early 2012. (In fact, one newly-supported model dates all the way back to 2010!)

 

Corel AfterShot Pro 2 boasts an updated interface, a variety of new features, and support for a raft of camera models -- some new, many of them not quite so new.

Corel appears to have heard criticism of its lag in supporting new cameras, and AfterShot Pro 2 will now support 26 new models, with more additions promised in the future. Additions include:

• Canon
  • EOS 70D
  • PowerShot G15
  • PowerShot G16
  • PowerShot S120
• Leica
  • C (Typ 112)
• Nikon
  • 1 AW1
  • Df
  • D610
  • D5300
• Olympus
  • OM-D E-M1
  • PEN E-P5
  • Stylus 1
• Panasonic
  • Lumix DMC-GM1
  • Lumix DMC-GX7
  • Lumix DMC-LF1
• Pentax
  • K-50
  • Q7
  • Q10
  • 645D
• Sony
  • Alpha A7
  • Alpha A7R
  • Alpha A3000
  • Alpha NEX-5T
  • Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
  • Cyber-shot DSC-RX10
  • Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II

As well as performing faster and supporting new file formats, the AfterShot Pro 2 update brings a variety of new features. Athentech Imaging's noise removal technology is integrated into the new release, which also sports high-dynamic range imaging and red-eye removal tools. (The HDR feature is, however, currently available only on the Windows platform. Mac and Linux users are expected to get HDR support later this summer.) There's also local contrast adjustment, improved batch processing, and an updated interface with the ability to reset changes to a photo, and improved display of small images.

 

Among the new features in AfterShot Pro 2 is HDR imaging, but only for Windows users so far. Mac and Linux users will get the feature later this year.

Available immediately priced at US$80, Corel AfterShot Pro 2 can be used on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux computers. Customers with version 1 can upgrade for US$60, and those who own PaintShop Pro X6, Apple Aperture or Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 can also obtain upgrade pricing for an unspecified (but limited) time. A free trial is available on the AfterShot Pro website.