SILKYPIX® Developer Studio ProSOFTWARE MANUAL
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0. 0.Overview and Introduction

0.1. Section Names


An overview of section names and operation methods of the SILKYPIX® screen display will be explained.

0.1.1. Entire SILKYPIX Display


The SILKYPIX® display is composed of the following elements.

(1) Main window
The basic windows in this software are composed of the following parts.
(A) Title bar
Displays of the software name and status, as well as Minimize, Maximize and Close Software buttons are located here.
(B) Menu bar
The various functions can be executed by selecting the Menu.
(C) Tool bar
Various functions can be executed by clicking on icons in the tool bar. Icons also have the function of displaying status.
(D) Status bar
This displays information on the selected scene image.
(E) Parameter Control
This interface is for setting development parameters.
Parameter control comprises four parts.
(E-1) Main control
The main functions are for selecting tastes prepared for each category of development parameters and for calling up sub-controls for adjusting parameters in detail.
Adjust exposure bias here.
(E-2) Tab page
Sub-controls for detailed adjustments in each category of the development parameters are displayed here.
The sub-controls displayed here can be changed through operations on the Main Control.
(E-3) Control box
Sub-controls for detailed adjustments in each category of the development parameters which are regularly used can be displayed in this area.
We recommend that you locate sub-controls that you use frequently here. => See "How to Utilize the Control Box."
(E-4) Sub-control icon
This switches between displaying and not displaying sub-controls displayed as floating windows.


(F) Preview window
This displays an image of the selected scene. By splitting it into two parts, in the window on the right side you can either have an image of another scene, or you can locate the results of processing an image of the same scene with results from different development parameters. => See "Splitting Preview Windows."
(G) Thumbnail window
This is a thumbnail display listing scenes subject to operations. This window can be located outside of the main window and displayed as a floating window.



(2) Floating window
Sub-controls for adjusting development parameters and windows for displaying status can be displayed as windows independent of the main window.
These are collectively known as floating windows in this software.

(3) Modal dialog
These are windows that temporarily display various setting dialogs, setting changes, etc.

(4) Message box
Message boxes are displayed while running the software in cases such as special processing, when an error occurs or when you are asked to select the next operation from multiple choices.
Messages displayed here are assigned their own message numbers. Please make note of this message number if there is a problem, such as when an error occurs.
You may be able to use the troubleshooting sections in the manual or on our company's home page.

0.1.2. Menu bar



The Menu Bar is an interface from which you can select and execute various operations from the SILKYPIX menu.
Sub-menus for each menu item are displayed in dropdown form when you click on an item from the Menu Bar.
Each item on the Menu Bar is an entry point to locating menu items. They are categorized so that menu items are easy to find.

* Here you can assign short-cut keys to any functions you may select.
Please refer to "9.4 Key Settings" to learn how to set keys.

(1) File (F) Menu items related to files are found here.
Open File(O) Open RAW data and JPEG/TIFF images for development processing as single files.
Open folder(D) Open RAW data and JPEG/TIFF images within the designated folder.
One scene development(S) Develop one selected scene and save it to a file.
Close Close all developed scenes.
Print(P) Print selected scenes.
Load development parameter Read development parameters saved in files.
Save development parameter Save development parameters for a selected scene to a file.
Delete reserved scene(E) Delete a scene that was reserved for deletion.
Copy reserved scene(C) Copy a scene that was reserved for copying.
Move reserved scene(M) Move a scene that was reserved for moving.
Batch development for reserved scene(V) Perform batch development for reserved scenes.
Delete selected scene Delete selected scenes.
Copy selected scene Copy selected scenes.
Move selected scene Move selected scenes.
Batch rename Rename selected scenes as a batch.
Batch development for selected scene Perform batch development for selected scenes.
Immediately register selected scenes to batch development Register selected scenes as jobs for batch development.
Close selected scene Close selected scenes.
Exit(X) Close SILKYPIX.
File access history Display history of files that have been edited.
Folder access history Display history of folders that have been edited.
(2) Edit(E) Operations of the type that change the status of scenes for processing are found here.
Undo hirtory(U) Return to the editing state of the previous development parameter.
Redo history(R) Advance to the next position of the history state.
Select all scenes Select all scenes for processing.
Select Reserved / Marked scenes. Select all scenes set as Reserved / Marked.
Invert selection Invert status of selected scenes.
Copy development parameters(C) Copy development parameters of a selected scene to the paste buffer.
Paste development parameters(P) Paste development parameters copied to the paste buffer to selected scenes.
Paste partial development parametersPaste a part of development parameters copied to the paste buffer to selected scenes.
Partial paste for image propertyPaste edited status of image properties copied to the paste buffer to selected scenes.
Initialize development parameters(O) Initialize development parameters of the selected scenes to default.
Rotate CW +90deg Rotate selected scene 90degree clockwise.
Rotate CCW -90deg Rotate selected scene 90degree counterclockwise.
(3) Operation Items related to preview window operations are found here.
Fitted display Always fit display to size of preview display.
Zoom tool Resize and move preview display with zoom tools.
Loupe tool Resize and move preview display with loupe tools.
Palm tool Resize and move preview display with palm tools.
Exposure bias tool Adjust exposure of designated preview display to standard.
Gray balance tool Adjust white balance of designated preview display to standard.
Skin color tool Adjust exposure and white balance using designated skin color tools in preview display.
Rotation tool Use rotation tools to correct inclination of image in preview display.
Transverse chromatic aberration tool Use transverse chromatic aberration tools to correct transverse chromatic aberrations in preview display.
Spotting tool Use spotting tools to correct images and remove spots.
Setting for trimming Set areas for trimming on image in preview display.
(4) View(V) Items related to Main Control and Sub-control are found here.
Thumbnail mode Switch to thumbnail display mode.
Combination mode Switch to combination display mode.
Preview mode Switch to preview display mode.
Multi preview Divide preview window into two windows and compare images.
Previous scene Move selected scene to previous scene.
Next scene Move selected scene to next scene.
Display magnification(Z) Set magnification of display in preview window.
Display warning Display highlight warning, shadow warning and out of gamut warning.
Display grid Turn grid display in preview display on / off.
Sort thumbnail Set rule for thumbnail display order and sort thumbnails.
Select scenes for operation Select scenes to be displayed from within scenes for processing.
Histogram(H) Turn "Histogram" sub-control on / off.
Image Property Turn "Image Property" sub-control on / off.
Editing history Turn "Editing History" sub-control on / off.
Batch development status Turn "Batch Development Status" sub-control on / off.
White balance adjustment Turn "White Balance Adjustment" sub-control on / off.
Tone curve(T) Turn "Tone Curve" sub-control on / off.
Highlight controller Turn "Highlight Controller" sub-control on / off.
Fine color controller Turn "Fine Color Controller" sub-control on / off.
Lens aberration controller Turn "Lens Aberration Controller" sub-control on / off.
Rotation/Digital shift Turn "Rotation / Digital Shift" sub-control on / off.
Display setting(D) Make settings related to display.
(5) Parameter(P) Items related to development parameters are found here.
Copy development parameters(C) Copy development parameters for a selected scene to paste buffer.
Paste development parameters(P) Paste development parameters copied to paste buffer to selected scene.
Paste partial development parametersPaste a part of development parameters copied to paste buffer to selected scene.
Partial paste for image propertyPaste edited status of image properties copied to paste buffer to selected scene.
Initialize development parameters Initialize development parameters of selected scene to default.
Initialize trimming area Initialize trimming area of selected scene to default.
Append new taste Add / register development parameters of selected scene as taste.
Edit taste Edit registered taste.
Load development parameter(R) Read development parameters saved to file.
Save development parameter Save development parameters of selected scene to file.
Rotate CW +90deg Rotate selected scene 90degree clockwise.
Rotate CW -90deg Rotate selected scene 90degree counterclockwise.
Copy development parameter to Cloakroom Copy development parameters of a selected scene to temporarily register buffer.
Paste development parameter from Cloakroom Paste development parameters copied to temporary register buffer to selected scene.
Paste latest editing parametersPaste latest automatically stored editing parameters to selected scene.
Default parameter setting Set a registered taste as default parameter.
(6) Development(D) Items related to development processing are found here.
One scene development Develop one selected scene and save to a file.
Batch development for reserved scene Perform batch development for reserved scenes.
Batch development for selected scene Perform batch development for selected scenes.
Immediately register selected scenes to batch development Register selected scenes to batch development job.
Batch development status Turn "Batch Development Status" sub-control on / off.
Setting for developed image(E) Make settings related to saving files of developed images.
(7) Option(O) Items related to settings are found here.
Setting for developed image(E) Adjust settings related to saving files of developed images.
Display setting(D) Adjust settings related to displays.
Function setting(F) Adjust settings related to overall SILKYPIX functions.
Key customization(K) Assign SILKYPIX functions to short-cut keys.
Default parameter setting Set a registered taste as default parameter.
Imprinting the date for printing setting Edit data for imprinting date for printing.
Imprinting the date for file output settingEdit data for imprinting date for file output.
Importing settings Import settings from various setting files saved to file.
Exporting settings Export various settings to setting file.
Registering Window Positions Saves current window and control box positions.
Restore Window Positions Recalls current window and control box positions.
Option
Delete access history Delete access history of files and folders for processing.
Initialize location of controlsInitialize sub-control display location and status.
Select Skin Select SILKYPIX skin.
Display Start Screen Turn start screen on / off.
(8) Help(H) Items related to help and SILKYPIX are found here.
Open software manual(H) Display this manual.
Display SILKYPIX WEB Site Display SILKYPIX web site.
Registration Start product key registration.
Clear product key registration Clear product key registration.
Trouble shooting This is a function for overcoming troubles by following instructions and operations from our company's support desk.
Initialize user configuration file Initialize SILKYPIX user configuration files.
Delete temporary file Delete temporary files prepared for high-speed SILKYPIX processing.
Transmitting error report Send error report to our company's server.
Test registration Perform a test to see if it is possible to do an on-line registration of the product key.
Setting for troubleshooting Adjust settings for troubleshooting.
Version information Display SILKYPIX version information and customer's license information.

0.1.3. Tool bar



Icons for functions that are frequently used are located in the tool bar.

* Many functions that can be selected here can be assigned short-cut keys.
Please see "9.4 Key Settings" for how to set keys.

(1) Open file Open RAW data and JPEG/TIFF images for development processing as single files.
(2) Open folder Open RAW data and JPEG/TIFF images within a designated folder.
(3) Print Print selected scenes.
(4) Undo Return edited development parameters one step back.
(5) Redo Add one step in history to the status of the editing history for development parameters.
(6) Thumbnail mode Switch to thumbnail display mode.
(7) Combination mode Switch to combination display mode.
(8) Preview mode Switch to preview display mode.
(9) Multi preview Divide preview window into two windows and compare images.
(10) Display warning Adjust display settings for highlight warning, shadow warning and out of gamut warning.
(11) Previous scene Move selected scene to previous scene.
(12) Next scene Move selected scene to next scene.
(13) Preview mode Adjust settings for operation mode and display methods for the preview display.
(14) Exposure bias tool Set designated preview display to standard and adjust exposure.
(15) Gray balance tool Set designated preview display to standard and adjust white balance.
(16) Spotting tool Use spotting tools to correct images and remove spots.
(17) Setting for trimming Set areas for trimming on image in preview display.
(18) Rotate CW -90deg Rotate selected scene 90degree clockwise.
(19) Rotate CW +90deg Rotate selected scene 90degree counterclockwise.
(20) Batch development mark Mark selected scene for development.
(21) One scene development Develop one selected scene and save to file.
(22) Batch development for reserved scenePerform batch development for reserved scenes.
(23) Batch development for selected scene Perform batch development for selected scenes.
(24) Environment settings Make SILKYPIX settings such as display settings and function settings.
(25) Version information Display SILKYPIX version information and customer's license information.
(26) Batch development status Turn "Batch Development Status" sub-control on / off.



0.1.4. Main Control



The main control section can be classified into the following five parts.

(1) Icons for selecting category Select sub-control category displayed on tab page.
(2) Dropdown list for selecting taste Select taste registered in various categories of development parameters. Open dropdown list by clicking on "V" mark.
(3) Icon for adding taste Register current development parameter as taste.
(4) Icon for applying taste Reflect taste registered in each category of development parameters to currently selected multiple scenes.
(5) Control for adjusting exposure bias Adjust "exposure bias" parameter within development parameters.

The main control section can be classified into the following eight operations according to purpose.

(A) Taste parameter Switch to "taste parameter" sub-control.
Tastes selected here are tastes for all categories of development parameters. There are two types of tastes, overall tastes and partial tastes.
(B) Exposure bias Switch to "Exposure" sub-control.
Tastes selected here are partial tastes in the "Exposure" category.
(C) White balance Switch to "White Balance" sub-control.
Tastes selected here are partial tastes in the "White Balance" category.
(D) Tone Switch to "Tone" sub-control.
Tastes selected here are partial tastes in the "Tone" category.
(E) Color Switch to "Color" sub-control.
Tastes selected here are partial tastes in the "Color" category.
(F) Sharpness Switch to "Sharpness" sub-control.
Tastes selected here are partial tastes in the "Sharpness / Noise reduction" category. "Sharpness" and "Noise reduction" exist as separate sub-controls, but they share the same development parameter.
(G) Noise reduction Switch to "Noise reduction" sub-control.
Tastes selected here are partial tastes in the "Sharpness / Noise reduction" category. "Sharpness" and "Noise reduction" exist as separate sub-controls, but they share the same development parameter.
(H) Development Switch to "Development settings" sub-control.
There are no tastes to be selected.

0.1.5. Sub-control

Sub-controls are controls for detailed adjustments to development parameters.
Located on the tab page of parameter control or displayed as a floating window, each category of development parameters has separate sub-controls. (*1)

Selection / adjustment to parameters through sub-controls are mainly composed of controls for adjusting numerical values using sliders and edit boxes, dropdown lists and check boxes.

Please see "0.1.7. How to Operate GUI" for operation methods.

*1 As an example, "Sharpness" and "Noise reduction" exist as separate sub-controls, but they share the same development parameter category.


0.1.6. Sub-control icon



(1) Histogram This is a sub-control that displays a selected scene's histogram.
(2) Image PropertyThis is a sub-control that displays image properties. You can edit a part of the image information.
(3) White balance adjustment This is a sub-control for adjusting the white balance according to feeling.
(4) Tone curve This is a sub-control for minute tone adjustments with the tone curve. It has a level bias function.
(5) Highlight controller This is a sub-control that adjusts the tint and gradation of parts saturated by color. This is a sub-control that adjusts the tint and gradation of parts saturated by color.
(6) Fine color controller This is a sub-control for performing hue / chroma / brightness adjustments for each color hue.
(7) Lens aberration controller This is a sub-control for compensating for shading (when surrounding light quality is low), and distortion, as well as chromatic aberration of magnification.
(8) Rotation/Digital shift This is a sub-control for rotating images and performing digital shifts that simulate the effects of shifted lenses.
(9) Editing history This is a sub-control for displaying editing history of development parameters, returning to prior editing conditions and displaying preview windows for comparison with prior editing conditions.



0.1.7. How to Operate GUI

Various GUI controls are located in parameter controls and sub-controls, but common methods of operation are explained here.

(1) Slider control
This is a SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro standard GUI composed of slider bars, text boxes and buttons for changing numerical values.
Use the following methods to change values.

a) Drag the needle on the slider to change the value.
b) Click the slider to change the value.
c) Click on the arrow located to the left and right of the text box to raise or lower the value.
d) Directly input numbers in the text box
Moving the focus to the text box will turn the background of the text box red. This indicates that you have entered direct editing of numerical values mode.
Push the [Enter] key to confirm edited contents and leave the direct editing mode. Moving the focus to other controls will also allow you to confirm edited contents and leave the direct editing mode.
Push the [ESC] key to delete edited contents and leave the direct editing mode.
There are cases in which intermediate value settings cannot be set through other operation methods.
e) Raise and lower values with the mouse wheel
The mouse wheel can be used only when the mouse cursor is within a slider control composed of slider bars, edit boxes and buttons for changing numerical values.
Except for direct editing modes in text boxes, the concept of focus was not adopted for "SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro", so please use the mouse wheel to move the mouse cursor on controls for operations.
f) Click on the default value mark on the slider bar to set to the default value.
g) Double click on the text box to set to the default value.

(2) Edit control
This is a SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro standard GUI composed of text boxes and buttons for changing numerical values. It is used to set areas to be trimmed.

a) Click on the arrows located to the left and right of the text box to raise or lower the value.
b) Directly input numbers in the text box
Moving the focus to the text box will turn the background of the text box red. This indicates that you have entered direct editing of numerical values mode.
Push the [Enter] key to confirm edited contents and leave the direct editing mode. Moving the focus to other controls will also allow you to confirm edited contents and leave the direct editing mode.
Push the [ESC] key to delete edited contents and leave the direct editing mode.
There are cases in which intermediate value settings cannot be set through other operation methods.
c) Raise and lower values with the mouse wheel
The mouse wheel can be used only when the mouse cursor is within an edit control composed of text boxes and buttons for changing numerical values.
Except for direct editing modes in text boxes, the concept of focus was not adopted for "SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro", so please use the mouse wheel to move the mouse cursor on controls for operations.
d) Double click on the text box to set to the default value.
This will not function if no default value has been set.

(3) Dropdown list
A dropdown list will open when you click on the "V" mark to the right. Make your selection by moving the mouse and clicking on the selected item.
You can change the selected item with the mouse when the dropdown list is not open.

(4) Checkbox
Turn adjustment items on / off.



0.2. What is SILKYPIX®?


This SILKYPIX ® software generates images by processing RAW data recorded by the digital camera.(*1)
This process of generating an image by processing RAW data is called "development".

RAW data is the unprocessed data recorded as digital light energy information that image sensors capture. Compared to normal JPEG files, RAW files are bigger in size because native information is recorded at the time the photograph was taken.

When photographs are taken in RAW e.g. when photographs are saved as RAW data, you will be able to perform more varied image processing from the unprocessed light energy information even after taking the photograph.
The role of SILKYPIX ® is to get the most out of the photographic merits of RAW and to draw out as much image information as possible when reproducing scenes shot in RAW data. SILKYPIX ® was developed to make this a reality.

*1 ... JPEG/TIFF files can be developed. For more details, please refer to '2.4 How to Handle JPEG/TIFF Image'.

0.2.1. Basic Image Adjustment Items

In this software, you can adjust various parameters of development procedure. Basic development parameters will be introduced here.

(1) Exposure bias You can adjust parameters at the development process with SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro and obtain the same effect when using the function of the camera.
Also, you can use a high-precision "automatic exposure bias" feature, which makes it possible to drive into correct exposure quickly.
(2) White balance adjustment You can obtain results comparable to photographs taken with appropriate white balance settings on your camera by adjusting parameters when you develop them.
You can also obtain results comparable to photographs taken using color temperature conversion filters by adjusting parameters when you develop them.
(3) Sharpness / Noise Reduction Adjustments You can emphasize the outline of a shot image, or change the noise reduction during the development process.
(4) Tone Adjustment You can change the tone of the target scene (soft or hard, etc.) during the development process.
(5) Saturation Adjustment The "color mode" enables you to treat an image like changing reversal film, even after taking a photograph,
(6) Lens aberration controller You can correct or reduce shading (when surrounding light quality is low), distortion and magnification aberrations from a peculiar lens, and create images of a higher quality.
(7) Rotation/Digital shift If you find pictures you took with a camera that was tilted, you can adjust the angle by using the "rotation" function after taking a photograph.
In addition, the "Digital shift" function has the same effect as using a shift lens which enables you to control the perspective and to shoot a building effectively.

0.2.2. Features of SILKYPIX ®

When you store image data as RAW data and use this software to develop them, you don't have to worry much about adjustments during taking the picture because you can do most corrections at the development process stage. The merits of recording and saving to RAW data compared with saving in JPEG / TIFF are that information is not processed and the amount of information recorded is much richer.

It is also possible to readjust photographs recorded and saved as JPEG / TIFF with this software. However, compared to RAW data, there is less information recorded because JPEG / TIFF images convert to a special color space (sRGB, Adobe RGB, etc.) and color gradation converts to 8bit = 256 steps.
Therefore, if you readjust photographs saved as JPEG / TIFF, the breadth of adjustments are narrowed and deterioration of the image from the adjustments becomes greater.
In order to adjust images while maintaining high image quality, it is necessary to save the RAW data when taking the photograph.

By saving to RAW data and developing with this software, you will be able to obtain very similar results when developing after taking the photograph, as when color and image quality are adjusted at the time the photograph was taken.
SILKYPIX ® greatly shortens the time spent shooting and increases the chance of capturing that important "moment" on the camera.

In addition, with the adoption of a high development algorithm, SILKYPIX ® has the following features.

(1) High resolution, High resolving power
Although it is generally considered that resolution is decided by the type of lens and the number of pixels of the image sensor, a key factor of actual image resolution is the demosaic process during development procedure.
When you select RAW data to record images and use SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro to develop them, you can obtain higher quality pictures than the JPEG image which the camera records in taking a photograph.

(2) Advanced color separation
When photographing with a digital camera, the color boundary in high saturation area is lost and becomes white outline, which is a specific phenomena of digital cameras.
This effect called digital haloing is caused by the white outline through the phenomena that occurs when color resolution is low compared to excessive brightness.
We have therefore created a completely new demosaicing logic and embedded it into the software in order to provide advanced color resolution. This logic allows delicate and advanced color resolution.

(3) Less false color
Most of digital cameras now have sensors with a structure called Bayer array.
The R, G, and B sensor elements are allocated in order of Bayer array flatly. Each sensor can only capture one of the R, B or G, so false color appears on the edge of picture or area including delicate pattern.
The software reduces this false colors highly effectively with advanced pixel value forecast logic.
Fundamentally, high resolution, high separation capability, and false color reduction are not realized at the same time logically. High resolution causes increased false color phenomenon, and a trail of false color reduction results in low resolution.
However, the software efficiently enables the realization of these processes simultaneously to create natural pictures and colors

(4) Color noise reduction at high sensitive photography
When photographing in high sensitivity mode for night photography or in a dark place, noise of the image sensor generates color noise spots on the image, which is specific to digital cameras
These color noise spots appearing irregularly on the picture are very unpleasant to the eyes, and supposedly many photographers avoid high sensitive photography because of this phenomenon.
The software provides a function for reducing the color noise that surprisingly creates clean pictures for high sensitive photography.
With this software, you can select a wide variety of photographic methods and objects to create a new photograph.

(5) Hue control for highlight area
The software has the function to reduce color reverse or overexposure (bleached-out looking) in the highlight area.
For example, when taking a picture of a person, if you increase a development gain to make a skin color white, color shift phenomenon occurs and highlight boundary area often becomes yellow.
The Highlight controller of the software enables color control in over exposed area and creates fine color adjustment in these highlight areas.

(6) Real color reproducibility with high linearity
In order to create accurate colors with various types of light sources, we have embedded our unique color matching logic based on multiple color matching data acquired in many test pictures.
Many types of light source with various spectral distributions, such as sunlight (natural light), fluorescent light, tungsten filament lamp, glow of sunset, electric flash and combination of them are supported, which realizes accurate color reproducibility.
Based on this color reproduction, you can utilize "3-dimensional color mapping methods, "which converts colors into 3-dimentional data to create (Memory color) expressing similar colors with the colors in a human's memory, (Portrait color), expressing highlights of the skin, and Film taste expressing colors in a positive (Film color)"You can use these color modes according to its utilization or picture image.
Also, '4.10 Fine Color Controller' can change the precise color and to control the delicate color.

(7) Highlight reproduction control by the "dynamic range compression"
The "dynamic range" control function allows you to make the best use of RAW's ability, which has enough "dynamic range" and records whiter energy than the white point.
You can obtain the smooth gradation in highlight area similar to film.


0.3. Difference to Other Photo Retouching Software


RAW development process with SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro and image processing with a photo retouching software are similar.
While various types of photo retouching software that support RAW data are increasingly available in the market, there is a critical difference between them. Understanding of the difference helps you to use SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro to its fullest.

The important point is that this software always starts every image processing function based on RAW data.
When you change parameters in image processing (for example, changing "Exosure blas", "white balance" or "saturation"), the software always starts processing based on RAW data.
Development parameters are recorded in separate files different from RAW data.
Therefore, although the workload for the computer increases, you can obtain a lot of benefits described below.

(1) RAW data is not modified (non-degrading image processing).
Original image data is never changed, so you don't have to worry about losing it even if you make a wrong operation.
The basic design of this software is to "not modify RAW data files."
If JPEG files recorded on a camera are processed with photo retouching software or digital camera editing software, there is a chance that the original image will be overwritten, but with this software the original data file is not modified. (*1)

(2) You can change parameters until you're completely satisfied
In photo retouching software, images are processed through independent procedures, proceeding in order, one by one.
For example, if you want to change brightness and then adjust color balance, you have to create the image with a new brightness level and then adjust color balance of the newly created picture image. Adjustment work proceeds while checking each result.
If it is necessary to make minute adjustments to brightness after adjusting the color balance, then you have to choose to either start over again from the beginning or make the image at that time even brighter. Using the first method will not degrade the quality of the image, but it is that much more trouble. The second method is accompanied by image degradation.
Always having to start over again is not actually realistic, and in most cases a certain degree of image degradation is allowed and work proceeds. The user's technique is shown in how he or she lessens degradation in image quality and adjusts the image to fit the purpose.

With this software, image processing always takes place in the optimal order after reading the RAW data. If development parameters are determined, development results will be the same and there will be no degradation to image quality, whatever sequence is employed until adjustments are concluded.
Whether you adjust the white balance after adjusting exposure or adjusting exposure after adjusting the white balance, if the final parameters are the same, the results will be the same.
Therefore, you can change the parameters a number of times until you are satisfied with the result.

(3) There is no degradation in image quality from adjustment procedures.
If you make adjustments through photo retouching software, the adjustment procedures will have an influence on image quality.
You have to decide which one should be adjusted first, brightness or color balance. You also have to consider when you should adjust: Sharpness, Tone curve, and Colorspace for working or the Lens aberration controller.
Always performing these in the optimal procedure demands a high degree of knowledge which to the lay person may result in excessive image quality deterioration.
In addition, even if procedures are appropriate, there are times when gradation or a part of the color gamut is lost due to the combination of procedures.

This software is designed so that image degradation like that through other photo retouching software will not occur, through internal processing that appropriately combines high-grade pipeline image processing that can transmit pixels brighter than pure white.
Leave the image processing order up to SILKYPIX ®. Whatever order the adjustments made to development parameter are performed, SILKYPIX ® will output development results of the highest quality through optimal image processing.

(4) You can restart adjustments whenever you want
Development parameters are automatically read and updated for each scene, and are managed in a file separate from the RAW data. (*2)Therefore, you can later readjust development parameters from the previous adjustment results.
Development parameters are also concealed in JPEG / TIFF images that saved developments. The development parameters buried in these developments can be viewed with this software and applied to other images for processing. (*3) (*4)
If you have the developed JPEG / TIFF images and the original RAW data, the development parameters for the development results can be read and minute adjustments can be made from the previous adjustment results at any time.

(5) Perform efficient image adjustments.
After image processing based on parameters that were set is complete, photo retouching software performs the next image processing, so image processing is complete at the stage when all adjustments have been completed. With this method, in order to go through multiple image processes, you must wait until the previous process is complete, which means that there is a lot of wait time until image processing is complete.

With this software, development processing is gathered for later and can be processed as a batch. You can use a workflow in which development parameters are set while looking at a preview image and development processing is performed later in a batch.
In order to efficiently adjust images, a preview image makes full use of simple image processing and partial development processing, and it is displayed quickly. Even if one image processing has not completely finished, there are many times when making the next adjustment to development parameters is possible, so less time is wasted waiting for the next development parameter to take effect.
Even if a certain amount of time is necessary for actual development processing under the final development parameters, the work can be performed efficiently until the development parameters take effect.
This workflow shows its power when processing large quantities of pictures at the same time.


*1 It is possible to rewrite rotation information tags, depending on the settings, on JPEG / TIFF / DNG images.
*2 Development parameters are automatically recorded in a "SILKYPIX_DS" sub-folder created within folders that contain RAW data for editing and JPEG / TIFF / DMG images.
*3 Development parameters are buried within the Exif information in JPEG / TIFF images that record development results. They will not be buried if not recorded with Exif information.
*4 Spotting tool information is not included in development parameters buried in JPEG / TIFF images that record development results.


* From an early stage, our company developed this kind of "non-degrading image processing" (named OIP technology by our company) and adopted it for many products beginning with digital camera software called "Daisy Digital Camera Friend" which was sold in 1999.
With SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro, we have applied the technology to such processes that irregular images like Distortion Correction and, Digital Shift and implemented a completely continuous image processing in those processes.
The process causing rotation and deformation of image must be usually executed after development, however, this software allows users to skip this step and enables a complete set of smart workflow from the basic adjustment, such as exposure and white balance, to lens aberration correction.


0.4. Differences with conventional products


Functions that have been added / modified to "SILKYPIX® Developer Studio Pro" will be explained here.

0.4.1. Development processing / Output processing

(1) Automatic dodging function
This is the dodging / burning function also included in SILKYPIX ® Marine Photography.
It automatically judges the photograph, adjusts the exposure in each area and createsa good-looking photograph.

(2) Spotting tools
This is a function that modifies the image, such as removing dust found on the image sensor and deleting scratches in the image.

(3) Supports JPEG / TIFF input color space
The ICC profile recorded in JPEG / TIFF image files can be set as an input color space.

(4) Support to output color space other than sRGB / Adobe RGB
An ICC profile can be set as the output color space as desired.

(5) Supports printing color management
An ICC profile for printing is used, and color management for printing can be performed.

(6) Function for imprinting the date
The date and time the photo was taken, registered credit images, etc. can be imprinted on the image when development results are output to file or printed.

(7) Image properties editing function
Image property information recorded as Exif information on development results can be edited. This is also available for IPTC standard information.

(8) Batch development processing
The function for processing "Batch development" used up to now has been improved, and a batch development function that processes in the background has been achieved.

(9) High speed development processing
Development processing has accelerated compared to earlier versions by efficiently using multi-processors and making full use of many cache mechanisms.

0.4.2. Displays

(1) Multi preview display
Divide the preview into two and compare to another scene or to images reflecting different development parameters.

(2) Improved combination display
Combination display variations have increased to handle a bigger variety of screen layouts.

(3) Improved sorting display modes
Operation methods for selecting displays have improved, such as displaying marked or selected scenes.

0.4.3. Operations / GUI

(1) Improved tone curve / control
A level correction function was added and improvements were made in displaying the histogram in the background as reference information until just before tone curve processing.

(2) Edit history
A control for managing the edit history of development parameters was added and functions were strengthened much more than the previous undo / redo functions.
In addition, the number of scenes retaining edit history was expanded to 20 scenes and history is no longer lost, even when switching scenes.
Furthermore, it is linked to the multi preview function and the status of edit history can be compared on screen.

(3) Function for pasting from latest editing parameter
The latest status of the edited development parameters is automatically recorded in a special room for temporary records.
Work can continue on other successive scenes using the edited status of another scene worked on to that point by pasting the image parameters stored in that room to another scene.

(4) Bundle taste functions for each setting
Settings used often can now be registered in tastes.

(5) Improved key settings
The format for assigning functions to short cut keys was improved in order to raise work efficiency by assigning functions used often to short cut keys.

0.4.4. Other

(1) Advanced license registration function
A method is provided for automatically registering licenses, reregistering and transferring licenses to other PCs from PCs connected to the Internet.

(2) Export / Import settings
Functions for exporting settings such as "Development result save settings," "Display settings," "Function settings" and "Key settings" and saving them to a file, as well as for importing and restoring them are included.


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