Zoner Photo Studio X adds unique retouching features that beat the competition. First worldwide to fully support HEIF files
(November 29th, 2017, Tampa) – The popular photo editor and manager Zoner Photo Studio X has added several unique new features just in time for the holidays. With this winter update, Zoner Photo Studio X has become the first Windows photo editor to support the opening and saving of HEIF files. The new Smoothing Brush and Structure Cloning features in its Develop module make it easy to retouch portraits quickly while retaining that natural look. The Polarization feature helps users get more detailed clouds, and the increased freedom for photo books lets users unlock their imagination.
Perfecting Retouching in Develop
The options for local edits in the Develop module have been upgraded significantly in the last year. The two latest features are simply beyond compare: Smoothing Brush and Structure Cloning. “Both of these features use the pro-class frequency separation technique that you may know from Photoshop. But unlike the competition, they’re non-destructive, and above all they turn an otherwise tough and complicated job into one that’s so simple it’s almost unfair,” explained product manager Jan Kupcik.
The smoothing brush is an ideal starting point for portrait retouching. It is used for evening out color tones and softening gradients while retaining structure. Structure Cloning is the opposite, repairing problems in skin structure without changing its color. It is useful for detail work such as removing a lone hair that has fallen in front of a face. Structure Cloning is available as a mode for the Retouching Brush.
Experimental support for the HEIF format
One long-awaited new feature, especially among technology fans, is support for the HEIF format. Zoner Photo Studio X is the first software in the world to offer a solution for reading and writing this format on Windows. This support is currently experimental and thus must be turned on in the program under Options > Advanced.
“With Zoner being first to support HEIF this makes us one of the few options for users to work with their photos from the latest iPhones on Windows. But for us it means much more. We’ve been waiting a long time for this successor to the antiquated JPG, not only because, as noted above, this format saves space while retaining quality, but also thanks to other modern abilities such as saving multiple pictures via the difference method, combining photos and video, utilizing depth maps, and making editing less demanding. The new HEIF format will enable truly great things in the future,” added Kupcik.
Save the cost of a polarizing filter with our new feature
The Polarization slider, part of the color-editing tools in Develop and the Editor, can save photos with washed-out skies. It works as a replacement for a polarizing filter, and can save photographers up to hundreds of dollars. Polarization draws out details, gives skies a deep blue, and makes clouds look more crisp.
More freedom for photo books
The Create module now gives users more freedom than ever. Photo books offer several new templates, and you can now freely edit their pages. You can move photos, add more pictures and text, and remove decorations. A recent minor update has also enriched the Create module with the ability to create calendars in landscape orientation.
Working with layers improved
The winter update also brings a number of improvements to the Editor, both large and small. Users can now set the source layer for the Retouching Brush and for cloning as well. This enables retouching in a new layer, ensuring that you don’t re-use a spot that’s already been retouched.
Users can horizontally or vertically flip layers. Masks are smarter as well: besides new interactions with the selection (e.g. intersecting), they can be merged directly with the picture.
When the user needs a selection with a specific size or ratio of sides, it’s enough to just enter that size or ratio in the side panel. The last new Editor feature is several new line types (dotted+dashed and more) available in Place Line or Place Shape.
Faster work with previews
Faster preview loading is another of the new features. Continually improving speed for Zoner Photo Studio is a priority for the developers. ZPS now fully supports work with the online Microsoft OneDrive files introduced in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
The new features can be tried for free
Zoner Photo Studio X can be purchased as a one-year subscription license for just $49. During their subscriptions, users have the right to ongoing program updates, exclusive guides and other materials, along with free priority technical support.
The full version of the program is available for download at www.zoner.com. It includes a free 30-day trial. Users for whom the ZPS X trial has expired and who have not yet purchased can try the new update free for 10 days. For more details on the winter update see: https://www.zoner.com/en/zps-x-winter-2017-update
Zoner Photo Studio X was released in October of 2016 and many of its initial users have begun renewing their subscriptions for a new year. “It’s too early to say, but in the first weeks 9 out of 10 users renewed, which we’re definitely delighted about. You can see that we’ve convinced users of the program’s quality and value,” says Michal Prouza, manager of Zoner’s software division. “The software’s regular updates, within which we consistently bring new features based on user suggestions, has definitely played a role in this success.”
Zoner, Inc. develops and markets Zoner Photo Studio and also operates Zonerama.com, an unlimited and free online photo gallery service. Zoner’s corporate offices are located in Tampa, Japan, Germany and the Czech Republic. The company was launched back in 1993 by five fresh-faced, photography-loving graduates.