Utility 4 processing

rob barnett · 06-08-2012, 09:57 AM

Greetings everyone !

First post on here.... anyone know how do I get an image into the Utility 4 Laboratory to process ??

Also most of the toolbar icons are greyed out !

HELP !!!

Regards

Rob

SpecialK · 06-08-2012, 10:52 AM

Hi:

The Lab only works on RAW files, so you'll need that.

Also, there was a filter in v3.51 in one of the drop downs that may need to be set to All or something similar. (Sorry it's been a while since I used it).

rob barnett · 06-08-2012, 11:08 AM

Yes its RAW files but i cannot get them into the box in laboratory and the instruction manual offers no help ....

rob barnett · 06-08-2012, 12:42 PM

I think it's best not to try this Pentax lark ...far too complicated !

Cannot use PS or Gimp either....any suggestions on easier programs ???

Grampa Kr · 06-08-2012, 02:43 PM

Try ACDSee. I've using their products for years and like the functionality. "you get'er done!!)

Arrvon · 06-08-2012, 02:56 PM

Hi Rob, welcome to the Forum.

Can you ellaborate what you mean when you say you can't get it in the "box". I've used PDCU 3 and 4 for years and have gotten used to it. I really like it's output...

Are you saying you can't find the file to open it? Or once it's open things don't seem to work?

Without knowing more, make sure you have it updated to the latest version.

If you have already given up on PDCU, there are a lot of RAW processor options out there.

Corel Aftershot is getting a decent amount of attention and gets pretty good reviews. It's a lot cheaper than Adobe Lightroom currently which always helps.

Rawtherapee is a full featured Raw processor, but I found it very complicated.

With that said, I've been very happy using the combo of PDCU followed by Picasa for my 'library' management, small tweaking, tagging, and then upload to Smugmug.

SpecialK · 06-08-2012, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by rob barnett

I think it's best not to try this Pentax lark ...far too complicated !

Cannot use PS or Gimp either....any suggestions on easier programs ???

I think something is wrong with the file/s. Elements v9 works just fine and easy on my K-5 RAW files. When I had the K-20D I had to update the ACR in Elements v6 for the files to be recognized, then it worked fine. Sometimes there are good deals on it (around $50), but the regular price is not bad.

bluestringer · 06-08-2012, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by rob barnett

I think it's best not to try this Pentax lark ...far too complicated !

Cannot use PS or Gimp either....any suggestions on easier programs ???

I tried the pentax utility, didn't like it. I'm using FastStone now, works well for me. Give it try, it's free.

asp1880 · 06-09-2012, 02:57 PM

Use the Folders tab, navigate to the desired folder, then single-click on the desired file in the lower thumbnail pane to load it into the preview pane.

And by the way, PDCU 4 also works on JPEGs, but only on Pentax-camera JPEGs.

Regards,
--Anders.

06-08-2012, 09:57 AM	#1
rob barnett New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 11	Utility 4 processing Greetings everyone ! First post on here.... anyone know how do I get an image into the Utility 4 Laboratory to process ?? Also most of the toolbar icons are greyed out ! HELP !!! Regards Rob

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06-08-2012, 10:52 AM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Hi: The Lab only works on RAW files, so you'll need that. Also, there was a filter in v3.51 in one of the drop downs that may need to be set to All or something similar. (Sorry it's been a while since I used it).

06-08-2012, 11:08 AM	#3
rob barnett New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Yes its RAW files but i cannot get them into the box in laboratory and the instruction manual offers no help ....

06-08-2012, 12:42 PM	#4
rob barnett New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 11 Original Poster	I think it's best not to try this Pentax lark ...far too complicated ! Cannot use PS or Gimp either....any suggestions on easier programs ???

06-08-2012, 02:43 PM	#5
Grampa Kr Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 5	Try ACDSee. I've using their products for years and like the functionality. "you get'er done!!)

06-08-2012, 02:56 PM	#6
Arrvon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 242	Hi Rob, welcome to the Forum. Can you ellaborate what you mean when you say you can't get it in the "box". I've used PDCU 3 and 4 for years and have gotten used to it. I really like it's output... Are you saying you can't find the file to open it? Or once it's open things don't seem to work? Without knowing more, make sure you have it updated to the latest version. If you have already given up on PDCU, there are a lot of RAW processor options out there. Corel Aftershot is getting a decent amount of attention and gets pretty good reviews. It's a lot cheaper than Adobe Lightroom currently which always helps. Rawtherapee is a full featured Raw processor, but I found it very complicated. With that said, I've been very happy using the combo of PDCU followed by Picasa for my 'library' management, small tweaking, tagging, and then upload to Smugmug.

06-08-2012, 03:22 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by rob barnett I think it's best not to try this Pentax lark ...far too complicated ! Cannot use PS or Gimp either....any suggestions on easier programs ??? I think something is wrong with the file/s. Elements v9 works just fine and easy on my K-5 RAW files. When I had the K-20D I had to update the ACR in Elements v6 for the files to be recognized, then it worked fine. Sometimes there are good deals on it (around $50), but the regular price is not bad.

06-08-2012, 03:24 PM	#8
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748	Originally posted by rob barnett I think it's best not to try this Pentax lark ...far too complicated ! Cannot use PS or Gimp either....any suggestions on easier programs ??? I tried the pentax utility, didn't like it. I'm using FastStone now, works well for me. Give it try, it's free.

06-09-2012, 02:57 PM	#9
asp1880 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lyngby, Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 742	Use the Folders tab, navigate to the desired folder, then single-click on the desired file in the lower thumbnail pane to load it into the preview pane. And by the way, PDCU 4 also works on JPEGs, but only on Pentax-camera JPEGs. Regards, --Anders.