FDRTools
FDRTools enables you to create High Dynamic Range images by merging several different exposures into a single image, at the same time converting the result to tone-mapped output for display on conventional devices. Unlike other HDR merge tools it brings merging and tonemapping closer together by allowing the user to look at the final output in real time.
FDRTools offers control of blackpoint and whitepoint, saturation and gamma; provides a histogram view of the HDR image, and eliminates noise as a by-product of the process. It has an integrated RAW converter and comes in different editions: Basic and Advanced. The Advanced version has 3 different tone mapping methods instead of 2 and facilities for creating camera specific profiles for photogrammetric HDR images. Both versions have automatic compensation to correct slight camera vibrations.
Comment
The developer describes the basic version of this software as "a collection of capable tools for the ambitious shutterbug," but this understates its power. It's a formidable introduction to HDR photography, aimed at whetting your appetite so that you purchase the (low-cost) advanced package. Extremely good value, FDRTools has proved to be a popular HDR package in this specialist photographic sector.
Tech info
- OS: Windows 98 onward or Mac OS X 10.3 onward
- Price level: Approx. $55 (FDRTools Advanced)
Andreas Schömann
Software developer Andreas Schömann is based in Bonn, Germany, but he has made English the "official language" of the FDRTools forum -- and his excellent documentation is all in English, too.
From the same vendor:
- FDRCompressor Plug-In
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