Performance

Using ON1 Photo Raw 2017 is very fast and quick, and while it takes some time to save some in-depth edits, in general using it is a pretty much seamless operation (depending of course on how fast your computer is).

It’s particularly impressive to see how previews of certain edits (such as Blending Modes) are applied, as it saves you having to actually make the edit, then change it again if you don’t like it and can speed up your editing process.

For entry-level users, or just those who don’t like to perform a lot of edits, using the Presets and Filter is an obvious way to make changes to your photos without having to have too much knowledge. Those filters and presets are great fun to experiment with, and some are really appealing - which you prefer will of course depend on your own personal preference.

When it comes to more complicated edits, you have a lot of scope to perform some powerful edits, just as you might do with Photoshop or Lightroom. Object removal works well if the object is on a relatively easy background -  but it struggles a little more if the background is complicated. It’s not a piece of software I’d necessarily recommend if you often find yourself having to remove complicated objects and shapes from your pictures.

The noise reduction tools do a good job of tidying up excessively noisy pictures, and with a range of presets on hand you can quickly and easily choose the best noise reduction for your pictures. The results are natural, leaving a smooth and polished look without losing too much detail.

Examples

Conclusion

ON1 Photo Raw 2017 is a great piece of software to use, mainly due to how easy it is to use and get to grips with. That’s boosted by the fact there’s a huge amount of online support in the shape of tutorials and videos to help you get to grips with how it all works.

Those who like to be a bit creative with their photography will probably find the presets and filters to be particularly appealing. There’s a huge amount of choice, and the fact that you can download extras and create your own is even better.

The main develop window is easy to understand and navigate, and it’s great that you can do as little or as much editing as you want to, making it appeal to different levels of user.

Some of the more in-depth edits are not quite on a par with Photoshop. For instance, object removal is a little baffled by complicated backgrounds, but if you only tend to make relatively basic edits most of the time, you should find it more than powerful enough.

In terms of value for money, the fact that you don’t have to tie into a subscription model just as you do with Adobe products means although you have a higher initial outlay, once you’ve bought the software, the payment is done. If you prefer, ON1 has made a yearly subscription model which gives you access to extra content - it’s worth considering this, but bear in mind that instead of the one-off payment of $99.99, you will be asked to pay $129.99 a year.

For those who don’t want to give up their Adobe products, but are drawn in by the presets and other functions of ON1 Photo Raw 2017, it’s great that you can use it as plugin and make it part of your workflow.

Overall, ON1 Photo Raw 2017 is a great piece of software for a variety of different users. It is capable of producing some great effects via the presets, while general editing is also powerful enough for the majority of users.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4
Features	4
Ease-of-use	4.5
Value for money	4

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