Adobe Systems has released Adobe Lightroom 2.0 public beta at Adobe labs.

This is a significant update and includes many of the features that I personally have been looking for in Lightroom.

New enhancements are included in all the modules of Lightroom under the 2.0 beta .

The most significant to me are:

• Addition of multiple monitor support
• Improved integration with Photoshop via Smart Objects and Multiple image merging including loading files or virtual copies as separate layers. Improved file loading speeds. 10k pixel limit has been increased to 30k pixel per side.
• Localized Correction- such as dodging and burning
• Vignetting of a cropped image
• Printing to file added to Print Module and improved picture package creation. Yes, you can now export out to jpeg a custom print layout for future use !
• Improved Print Sharpening, based on the output media and resolution of the file.

I quickly tested the Frame Print Templates that I have created to see if they were compatible and did not find any issues thus far. Plus you will be able to print out to a file, samples of what a image may look like framed.

For further info check out -

• Scott Kelby’s Blog – Adobe Reveals Lightroom 2.0 Public Beta at Photoshop World Opening Keynote
• Matt Kloskowski’s Blog – It’s Lightroom 2.0 Baby! (Beta that is)
• Terry Whites Blog
• Adobe labs
• NAPP members (non-members for 30 days) check out the Learning Center video previews -

What’s still missing from my wish list ?

• Off line archival tracking, it would be real nice to track images that have been archived on a storage drive or DVD.
• Direct Export to Print Services for Photo Books such as Kodak Gallery. They can do it in Adobe Photoshop Elements with templates for wedding albums and portfolios.
• The ability to have a image Copyright Watermark overlay in the export option. Presently you can add the copyright that is in the Meta data. I suppose with the ability to print to file in the print module, you could add a custom identity plate watermark before printing to file.
• In the same family, I would like a watermark that is independent of the identity plate. Much like the signature effect that I created but separate from the identity plate.
• I know how to add special effects to the print Module such as frames, mats and edge effects but I would like to do so without using the identity Plate as I do now with my print templates.