Lightroom 5 Beta Released

Yesterday, Adobe released its beta version of the upcoming Lightroom 5 with a few new features:

  • Advanced Healing Brush allows customers to heal imperfections and remove distracting elements
  • Upright tool analyzes an image to automatically level horizons and straighten objects like buildings to correct a keystone effect
  • Radial Gradient tool creates off-center or multiple vignette effects
  • Smart Previews allow customers to edit images without needing the original raw file
  • Video slideshow enables customers to combine still images, video clips and music in a creative HD slideshow
  • Upgrades to the Book module enhancing the ability to create, customize and order elegant photo books using a variety of tailored templates

I’m personally excited about the Upright Tool and the Radial Gradient tools shown in the screen shots below. They will be very useful indeed.

lightroom_5_upright

lightroom_5_radial_gradient

Remember that beta versions are not for everyone — they are a way for users to help work out the bugs before the final release and they only work for a limited time, and this program ends on June 30th with the full version coming out later this year.

Note too that Lightroom 5 is apart of Creative Cloud and will be an immediate and free upgrade to all Creative Cloud users.

For more info on the beta version, check out Adobe Labs.