Adobe has released Lightroom 5.0 Beta for Windows (Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8) as well as Mac OS X 10.7 and 10.8. Lightroom 5.0 Beta features several community requested features and the Beta is free for testing for those who are interested!
“With this release, our goal was to add some highly-desired features that allow photographers to quickly process and enhance their images. We’ve added more robust healing options, the ability to create off-center vignettes, and a one-click auto perspective correction tool. We’ve also added the ability to edit photos when not connected to your original images,” Adobe stated in an official blog post.
Lightroom 5.0 Beta features enhancements to the Spot Removal tool to allow users to heal or clone using brush strokes. There is also a new “Visualize Spots” tool, which highlights sensor dust spots for easy removal. There is also a Radial Filter as well as the ability to “upright” objects. For example, you can automatically level horizons, straighten buildings, and correct other askew lines.
Users can also edit offline images by storing a smaller version of the original image. This feature is called a “smart preview.” Edits made to the smart preview will automatically be applied to the original image once you reconnect to Lightroom.
Just remember that Lightroom 5.0 Beta is not feature complete and expect to see bugs. This Beta program ends June 30 and Adobe has not revealed an exact release date or pricing for the software. Take a look at some of the videos below highlighting the features of Lightroom 5.0 Beta and hit the download link to snag the Beta (Adobe login required).
