This major midterm upgrade to On1 Photo Raw brings more exciting and unique features that will certainly win it more converts from other asset management, raw development, and editing software programs

There are major releases to On1 Photo Raw twice yearly, and the one released in the winter is a free upgrade to the latest version for those who bought the current perpetual license. The update is, of course, also included in the subscription packages.

On1 has been releasing sneak peeks of their software updates over the last few weeks, and they look like they are pulling out all the stops to polish off what I think is not only a viable but, for many, an even better alternative to the Lightroom/Photoshop combination.

New Tools

The new tools in the 2022.1 version include features that address the criticisms that some have made in the past:

Liquify Tool: This tool lets you push, bloat, and pinch areas of your photo, reducing flaws and reshaping regions. It’s completely non-destructive, so allowing easy readjustments of each stroke after the fact.

Advanced Search: On1 says that finding the right photos will get a lot easier with the new Advanced Search dialog. Harnessing the power of a modern database to search the metadata for all of your photos, they claim it goes way beyond the basics. It includes searching on any combination of fields, with per-field operators and intelligent ranges. The previews of this facility appear to take that task of cataloging and finding photos way beyond other asset management software.

Smart Albums: These will allow you to save your favorite searches, enabling you to get to the right photos efficiently.

Snapshots: Allowing you to freeze a point and time, so you can always get back to it, snapshots are used for comparing different treatments of a photo at different stages of the development process.

Crop Tool Presets: These now let you store custom crop aspect ratios so you can quickly re-access them.

Visualize Dust When Retouching: The new Visualize Dust option in the retouching tools makes the dust jump out, so you don’t miss any if you have a dirty sensor.

Shared Presets: The presets you create or install from preset packs will be able to be shared across all supported versions of ON1 apps, like ON1 Photo RAW and ON1 Effects.

Topographic Map: There will be a topographic map option in the map view.

Performance Improvements: The new version includes Faster Background Export, Faster Opening of raw Files, Improved GPU support for M1, and an improved AI model for Sky Swap AI.

New Cameras: Added support for Raw files from the Canon EOS R3, Sony A7 IV, Ricoh GR IIIx, and Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II.

New Lenses: OLYMPUS M.12-45 mm F4.0

You Don’t Have to Subscribe, but You Can if You Want

As always, ON1 offers photographers the choice of purchasing either the perpetual or subscription license for ON1 Photo RAW.

The version released in December has always been a free update to owners of the current version, and 2022.1 is free for all owners of ON1 Photo RAW 2022. It will be available on December 20th for $99.99 for a perpetual license. Owners of any previous version of any ON1 products can order version 2022.1 for the upgrade price of $79.99. A free 14-day trial will also be available to download at the end of September.

We will never force you into a subscription model. You will always have a choice of perpetual license, subscription, or membership when choosing how you buy ON1.

Many photographers who are still smarting over the loss of the Lightroom perpetual license, despite promises made by Adobe to the contrary, will be pleased to hear this.

ON1 Photo RAW subscribers will automatically receive the new ON1 Photo RAW 2022.1 as part of their plans. Photo RAW subscription plans always include the latest version of ON1 Photo RAW for computers and mobile, the cloud syncing, and the ON1 plugins. Plans start at $7.99 per month or $89.99 per year.

A single purchase of any ON1 product includes Windows and macOS versions on two computers and support for 11 languages.

For a limited time, any new purchase of the new ON1 Photo RAW 2022.1 includes the ON1 Winter Creative Collection with over 80 additional winter-themed brushes, overlays, textures, LUTs, and ON1 presets.

What On1 Says

ON1 says that it has provided “award-winning software to millions of photographers worldwide”. It accomplishes this by being different from other photo software companies, claiming to put the photographer first, meaning customers have complete control over every aspect of their photography, including having a say in the products ON1 develops. This certainly seems to be the case, as historical criticisms made of possible shortcomings are addressed in updates.

Our goals are aligned around making ON1 Photo RAW the best photo editing software for photographers. That will never change. This new update brings some great features and enhancements to help simplify workflows. Customers should also be excited about what is still to come in version 2022. — Craig Keudell, ON1 President.

Recent Special Features

On1 introduced the following new features into this version of their software in September:

– New Sky Swap AI
– New Time-Lapse Creation
– Integration of ON1 NoNoise AI
– New Photoshop Plugin Host
– Newly Retooled Export
– New Line Mask Tool
– New Backup and Restore
– New Favorites in Browse
– Customizable Thumbnails
– Gesture Support
– Apple Silicon Native

Opinion

Far from playing second fiddle to other apps, On1 appears to be leading the way in many areas. For example, Lightroom has only just caught up with the masking tools that On1 introduced years ago. Furthermore, I know it’s subjective, but the raw development algorithms give much better results than Adobe’s. Plus, the NoNoise AI tool is outstanding in its results. These updates will certainly be enticing factors for many photographers.

For those considering swapping from Lightroom Classic to On1, it is possible to import your collections from Lightroom into On1.

I look forward to putting On1 Photo Raw 2022.1 through its paces when it is released in a few weeks. It’s good to know that there are independent companies working hard to bring new and innovative features to the market. It’s also encouraging that On1 takes heed of the needs of its customers and introduces features that they want.

Full product details are available here.