Adobe Brings Lightroom into Photoshop Family with Introduction of Beta 4

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced an updateto the public beta of Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Lightroom(TM) software atthe Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany. Available immediately fordownload from Adobe Labs(http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom), this update unites theproduct feature set for Windows(R) and Macintosh platforms, givingprofessional photographers a new way to import, manage and showcaselarge volumes of digital photographs. More than 325,000 people haveopted to try Lightroom during the beta period and feedback has beenfueled by over 3,400 of them sharing input in Adobe online forums. Thefinal version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is expected to ship inearly 2007.

"From the moment we introduced Lightroom beta we opened up theprocess to photographers, making them a part of our 'virtualdevelopment team' and allowing them to tell us exactly what thisapplication needs," said Deborah Whitman, vice president of productmanagement for Digital Imaging. "Engaging with this community hashelped us build a better workflow solution and has made watching itsevolution more exciting and dynamic."

The final branding of the software, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom,confirms its place within the Photoshop family, a line of productsthat meet the needs of novice snapshooters, photo hobbyists and adiverse set of professional customers.

Lightroom Feature Advancements and Raw Processing Support

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta 4.0 offers improved digitalphotography workflow tools, including a precision white balanceselection option and a more streamlined and elegant user interfaceexperience with customizable controls. An intuitive new tone curveadjustment feature provides powerful image correction capabilities,allowing users to visually obtain excellent midtone, shadow andhighlight adjustments.

New enhancements in the Develop and Library modules includetime-saving tools such as the ability to re-name and convert files toAdobe Digital Negative Format (DNG) after importing into the Lightroomlibrary. New filters, search presets and organizing options allow forquick retrieval of images and greater flexibility.

Lightroom supports over 125 native raw file formats, in additionto JPEG and TIFF, and brings raw conversion into a single workflowexperience. The latest camera models supported by this beta are theNikon D2Xs, Sony A100, as well as preliminary support for the CanonDigital Rebel XTi (400D) and Nikon D80. This support means thatphotographers can use Lightroom with even the newest cameras on themarket, knowing that the image files will be recognized today and intothe future.

Thriving Community Support

Adobe hosts an online community site for Adobe Photoshop Lightroombeta which features artists in the Lightroom Showcase Gallery(http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/gallery) and provides anarena for photographers to share their portfolios using Lightroomslideshow functionality. Photographers will find inspiration in thedocumentaries of well-known photographers posted in the community andgallery.

Pricing and Availability

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta is available for free download fromthe Adobe Labs Web site athttp://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom. Recommended systemrequirements are Macintosh OSX 10.4.3, 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor orWindows XP SP2, Intel Pentium 4 Processor, and 768 MB RAM and a1024x768 resolution screen. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta is auniversal binary application that will run natively on PowerPC and newIntel-based Macintosh systems. The final version of Adobe PhotoshopLightroom is expected to ship in early 2007. Further details aroundpricing, system requirements and availability have yet to bedetermined.

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