Capture NX 2 — Powerful tools for quick and easy photo editing

3 June 2008

Tokyo — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the new image-editing software, Capture NX 2. As an upgraded version of the proven Capture NX that was marketed in 2006, the Capture NX 2 is a "really powerful and easy-to-use software" for photographers who want to realize quick and comfortable image enhancements with intuitive operation.

In addition to Color Control Point that has been highly evaluated, Selection Control Point is newly added, that enables users to apply enhancements such as Unsharp Mask and D-Lighting to a specific area, which are immediately viewable on your monitor. Using the Auto Retouch Brush, simply apply mouse strokes to clear away specks (caused by dust when an image is shot) that appear on the image. To fill the traced area, the most appropriate portion is detected and applied, to deliver the most natural image after use. Also, Workspaces based on assumed workflow and improved Edit List further enhance efficient operation and expanded expression.

The Capture NX 2 is a software optimized for workflow of photographers who want to do high-quality image editing in a simple way.

Major Features

Color Control Point make image editing easy
Enhancements for hue, brightness and saturation are as easy as placing a Color Control Point on your image, then adjusting the length of the sliders. For example, Color Control Points are remarkably convenient for changing the color of flowers to better effect against green surrounding foliage or for changing the color of a blue sky without affecting the colors of foliage in the same picture.

Selection Control Point
This new function enables you to apply enhancements such as Unsharp Mask or D-Lighting to a specific area with just a click of the mouse. There is no need for precision selection or masks — the Selection Control Point recognizes the areas you want to modify. The enhancement effect can easily be adjusted, allowing you to apply your chosen effect as you would with intuitive masking to either the designated area or to the entire image except for that area. The Selection Control Point can be used with virtually any image enhancement tool, including D-Lighting, Brightness, Color, Focus, Correction, and Noise Reduction (U Point Technology developed by Nik Software, Inc. of the U.S.A. makes Control Points intuitive to operate).

Auto Retouch Brush
To simply achieve more natural-looking results, Auto Retouch Brush lets you remove specks of dust photographed on an image using a mouse click and stroke to match the surrounding color and tones. This can also be used to remove facial blemishes, imperfections on flowers, or other unwanted objects within the frame.

Shadow/Highlight Adjustments
Using the slider at [Quick Fix], you can adjust shadowy areas by [Shadow Adjust] and highlighted areas by [Highlight Adjust]*. You can also make such adjustments numerically by directly typing a value from 0 to 100 into the textbox.
* [Highlight Adjust] supports RAW images, JPEG and TIFF, but is most effective for RAW images because they store additional highlight information.

Workspaces
Four workspaces are provided — Browser, Metadata, Multi-Purpose and Edit — and your window composition can be easily switched among them. Workspaces can be saved with a palette layout, then reopened later. Various customizable shortcuts are also available.
• Browser: Folder tree is displayed; thumbnail can be displayed at full screen
• Metadata: Camera information and others are displayed instead of folder tree
• Multi-Purpose: Thumbnail and edit list are simultaneously displayed; enough space is secured for editing while minimizing thumbnail space
• Edit: Edit list is displayed while closing thumbnail display; maximum editing space is secured

Quick Fix
This is a combination of frequently used tools including [Level and Tone Curve], [Exposure Compensation], [Contrast], [Highlight Protection], [Shadow Protection] and [Saturation] in a single window. To work at high efficiency, use [Quick Fix] to process multiple tasks and use image processing steps of each function to adjust details.

Simultaneous opening of multiple settings
You can open multiple image processing settings at the same time and make parallel process adjustments of multiple details.

Label/Rating support (XMP)
Supports nine kinds of labeling and five levels of ratings according to XMP, a metadata industry standard. Compatible with ViewNX, Adobe Bridge, and Windows Vista. Capable of filter sorting by label and rating.

A variety of functions to achieve your desired photographic expression

Straighten: You can change the degree of image tilt by clicking the mouse on the center of the area that you want to rotate and draw a line by dragging the mouse in the direction you want the image to be rotated. You can also correct image tilt by drawing a line that will be the horizontal reference for the reoriented image.

Black/White Control Points: Let you easily modify the contrast of an entire image by operating a slider.

Neutral Control Points: Make it easy to quickly adjust balance, remove color cast, set up multiple points and adjust complicated areas.

Red-Eye Control Points: You can manually correct red-eye in areas that you choose and further fine-tune colors that have been adjusted by Color Control Points.

Selection Tools: Tools like Select Brush, Lasso, Polygon Select, and Selection Gradient allow application of a range of editing functions.

Batch Processing: Pre-set editing information can be applied to all image data in a selected folder.

16-bit Image Compatible: 16-bit internal processing of all editing and adjustments maintains high image quality.

Vignette Control*: Allows you to brighten up in a balanced way those dark corners of an image that result from insufficient light around the lens.

Auto Color Aberration Control*: Reduces lateral chromatic aberration throughout an entire image, for high image quality.

Distortion Control Function*: Reduces pincushion and barrel distortions, for distortion-free images.

Noise Reduction: Color noise, edge noise, and color moiré reduction functions reduce noise in details without degrading image quality.

Active D-Lighting (NEF only): Available only for NEF images taken using Active D-Lighting function. The shadowy area of the image, which was taken underexposed to prevent blow-out of the highlighted area, is brightened to achieve appropriate tonality levels throughout the image with natural contrast.

D-Lighting: Corrects the tones of shadowy and dark backlit images. Features [High quality (HQ)] for superior quality and [High speed (HS)] for superior processing speed.

LCH Editor: Individual palettes for brightness, color brightness, saturation and hue let you intuitively create the tone color as you like.

Image Dust Off (NEF only): Effectively reduces dust photographed on an image.

Fisheye Image Transformer: Converts images taken with diagonal fisheye lenses, such as AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED and AF Fisheye-Nikkor 16mm f/2.8D, as if they were captured by an ultra-wide angle lens.

Color Booster Function: Lets you control saturation of an entire image. You can also make adjustments without affecting skin color.

Color Management: Apply the profile of your unique color management workflow and convert current profile, and use soft proof function to preview printer output on your monitor.

Highlighted/Shadowy Display: Indicates highlighted area resulting from backlit or shadowy area due to insufficient flash. Lets you determine at a glance where adjustment should be made, for significant improvement in work efficiency.

*Can be applied to images captured by Nikon SLR cameras with a D/G type lens.

Free download of "Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 for Capture NX 2" updater that is compatible with Capture NX 2
Nik Software, Inc will start free download service of the "Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 for Capture NX" updater to be used with "Capture NX 2". Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 for Capture NX adds versatile filter works to image-editing functions of Capture NX 2. Registered customers of Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 can download the free update from Nik Software, Inc.'s website* (expected to be available on June 2008).
*www.niksoftware.com/cepnx

[Lineup of Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 filters]
Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 for Capture NX provides three editions — Standard Edition featuring 19 frequently used filters, Select Edition featuring 45 filters to meet the requirements of professionals and advanced amateurs, and Complete Edition featuring 75 filters to realize any filter effect that professional photographers demand.
Used with Capture NX 2, Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 for Capture NX offers various filter works to expands the joy of digital image editing and helps create your works significantly.

Click here to download the Trial version of Capture NX 2.

Examples of image enhancements

Four Color Control Points were used to adjust color and brightness of various elements independently within the frame.

Two Color Control Points were used to enhance color and brightness of flower petals and the background.

Selection Control Point

D-Lighting brightens the shadowy areas, and Selection Control Point applies the effect only to the bright subjects and their surroundings seen through the opening between foliage and water.

Tone Curve adjusts the brightness and contrast, and Selection Control Point applies the effect only to the man and his surroundings.

Auto Retouch Brush

Original image	Simply trace using brush tool	Natural finish

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. May 2008

©2008 NIKON CORPORATION