Polarr 4.0

**bhbrake** · 08-21-2016, 09:23 PM

I haven't seen much about Polarr on these forums in my lurking, but I have been using it since version 2.0. 4.0 just came out a month or so ago and wanted to share my input for those that might be curious or want a good low-cost RAW editor.
Overall, Versions 3.0 and 4.0 have made some huge improvements, and I now do about 95% of my photo editing with Polarr and reserve Adobe Photoshop for brush touch-ups (clone tool!). For $20 to get the pro version, I am really happy with it. It is fast, intuitive, and has all the options I would expect for processing photos. Most of the things folks would do in lightroom can be done in Polarr. If anyone is interested in a in-depth review, I would be happy to write one up.

**UncleVanya** · 08-21-2016, 09:27 PM

I used to love it... On my 2gb chromebook. But version 3 failed me due to increased memory requirements. Since then I obtained a laptop, Adobe creative cloud, and dxo.

**bhbrake** · 08-21-2016, 09:50 PM

Ah. I only use it on my PC, as I haven't kept a laptop around in ages. I figured it would be more laptop friendly than the heavier processing requirements of most Adobe programs, but cloud operation is a game changer for an ultralight processing platform like chromebook.

**UncleVanya** · 08-21-2016, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by bhbrake

Ah. I only use it on my PC, as I haven't kept a laptop around in ages. I figured it would be more laptop friendly than the heavier processing requirements of most Adobe programs, but cloud operation is a game changer for an ultralight processing platform like chromebook.

Sorry to mislead you. Creative cloud is only cloud in name. All programs run locally unless you are part of a beta program for education that used Google app engine virtual machines in addition to chromebook. My use is now on a moderately priced laptop.

**BigMackCam** · 08-21-2016, 11:57 PM

I'd never heard of Polarr before, but I've just downloaded it and tried it out. As a Lightroom 6 on Windows 10 user, this is an impressive little app!

A couple of questions...

1. Using the Windows version, where are saved photos stored - locally or online? If it's online, what about when you have no internet connectivity?
2. I haven't been through the legal stuff yet, but do you know if using this app gives the provider any rights to use your photographs now or in the future?

EDIT: I already answered #1 - there's a "polarr" subdirectory created in my Pictures folder

rawr · 08-22-2016, 05:16 PM

To save people Googling, here's the Polarr home page.

**bhbrake** · 08-22-2016, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I'd never heard of Polarr before, but I've just downloaded it and tried it out. As a Lightroom 6 on Windows 10 user, this is an impressive little app!

A couple of questions...

1. Using the Windows version, where are saved photos stored - locally or online? If it's online, what about when you have no internet connectivity?
2. I haven't been through the legal stuff yet, but do you know if using this app gives the provider any rights to use your photographs now or in the future?

EDIT: I already answered #1 - there's a "polarr" subdirectory created in my Pictures folder

I store everything locally and don't mess with any of their cloud operations. You can install Polarr locally and run it with no internet connection. To my knowledge Polarr does not retain any kind of distribution rights to your images, but since I only operate the program locally, it is a non issue for me. The $20 pro version is mainly beneficial for the watermarking, batch processing, and spot/gradient filter applications. Most of the pre-set filter packs tehy give you with the pro upgrade just kitschy junk IMO.

08-21-2016, 11:57 PM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	I'd never heard of Polarr before, but I've just downloaded it and tried it out. As a Lightroom 6 on Windows 10 user, this is an impressive little app! A couple of questions... 1. Using the Windows version, where are saved photos stored - locally or online? If it's online, what about when you have no internet connectivity? 2. I haven't been through the legal stuff yet, but do you know if using this app gives the provider any rights to use your photographs now or in the future? EDIT: I already answered #1 - there's a "polarr" subdirectory created in my Pictures folder Last edited by BigMackCam; 08-22-2016 at 09:14 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Polarr	simon_199	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	2	02-22-2015 08:02 AM
For Sale - Sold: M42 28/3.5, 35/3.5, 50mm F1.4 & F4.0, 55mm F1.8/2.0, 100/4, 135/2.5/3.5, 200/4	MightyMike	Sold Items	205	05-28-2014 08:59 PM
Digital Camera Utility Software 4.0.0	JungleJim	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	20	11-27-2012 02:00 PM

08-21-2016, 09:23 PM	#1
bhbrake Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 332	Polarr 4.0 I haven't seen much about Polarr on these forums in my lurking, but I have been using it since version 2.0. 4.0 just came out a month or so ago and wanted to share my input for those that might be curious or want a good low-cost RAW editor. Overall, Versions 3.0 and 4.0 have made some huge improvements, and I now do about 95% of my photo editing with Polarr and reserve Adobe Photoshop for brush touch-ups (clone tool!). For $20 to get the pro version, I am really happy with it. It is fast, intuitive, and has all the options I would expect for processing photos. Most of the things folks would do in lightroom can be done in Polarr. If anyone is interested in a in-depth review, I would be happy to write one up.

08-21-2016, 09:27 PM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	I used to love it... On my 2gb chromebook. But version 3 failed me due to increased memory requirements. Since then I obtained a laptop, Adobe creative cloud, and dxo.

08-21-2016, 09:50 PM	#3
bhbrake Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 332 Original Poster	Ah. I only use it on my PC, as I haven't kept a laptop around in ages. I figured it would be more laptop friendly than the heavier processing requirements of most Adobe programs, but cloud operation is a game changer for an ultralight processing platform like chromebook.

08-21-2016, 10:17 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by bhbrake Ah. I only use it on my PC, as I haven't kept a laptop around in ages. I figured it would be more laptop friendly than the heavier processing requirements of most Adobe programs, but cloud operation is a game changer for an ultralight processing platform like chromebook. Sorry to mislead you. Creative cloud is only cloud in name. All programs run locally unless you are part of a beta program for education that used Google app engine virtual machines in addition to chromebook. My use is now on a moderately priced laptop.

08-22-2016, 05:16 PM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	To save people Googling, here's the Polarr home page.

08-22-2016, 07:20 PM	#7
bhbrake Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 332 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam I'd never heard of Polarr before, but I've just downloaded it and tried it out. As a Lightroom 6 on Windows 10 user, this is an impressive little app! A couple of questions... 1. Using the Windows version, where are saved photos stored - locally or online? If it's online, what about when you have no internet connectivity? 2. I haven't been through the legal stuff yet, but do you know if using this app gives the provider any rights to use your photographs now or in the future? EDIT: I already answered #1 - there's a "polarr" subdirectory created in my Pictures folder I store everything locally and don't mess with any of their cloud operations. You can install Polarr locally and run it with no internet connection. To my knowledge Polarr does not retain any kind of distribution rights to your images, but since I only operate the program locally, it is a non issue for me. The $20 pro version is mainly beneficial for the watermarking, batch processing, and spot/gradient filter applications. Most of the pre-set filter packs tehy give you with the pro upgrade just kitschy junk IMO.