Hey Corel!
I'm considering an upgrade to 2020 but I would like to know if it got 32-bit/channel support?
This is required to be able to handle CGI file formats like .EXR .HDR ... etc. This is a very important feature for industries like video games/vfx/... etc. Unfortunately without the ability to support 32-bit/channel formats we are forced to depend on other image processing software.
Regards,
These are links explaining what are the EXR and HDR file formats:OpenEXR - Wikipedia
RGBE image format - Wikipedia
They are very common formats in the CG industry and without proper support, PhotoPaint won't be usable by CG artists.
I don't think it is possible to support such formats through a plugin. They have 32-bit per channel which probably requires modernizing the core of PhotoPaint in order to preserve the data through all the editing process.I'm not sure how Corel prioritize features, but i think if Corel is interested in getting some attention back from professional artists they should focus on such core features.
I admit that I've never used HDR for any of my images. I have played with it a day or so ago and I have a grasp of the concept and I can see why it's popular with CG industry.
I find the concept interesting as the overlaying of synthetic 32 bit files produces a faux dynamic range eventually viewed via displays with no more than 10 bit capabilities.
I'm not sure what Corel plans for that function are, however it appears that they use the same feature in AfterShot Pro as they do in PaintShop Pro. I'm not sure but I'd bet it's the same application that's built into those applications used as a plugin in Photo-PAINT.
Both ASP and PSP can open and save only HDR format. As a long time professional image editor using Corel products I've still not got my head around how Corel views Photo-PAINT in their family of software. I am of the opinion that you'll see EXR support in PaintShop Pro before Photo-PAINT.