Monochrome
Philosophy
Monochrome aspires to be artistically advanced but technically uncomplicated.
Tight feedback loop eye-brain-hand-mouse-computer-display
Features
Several innovative features are included in the current beta, and more are on
the way. Here is a partial list of features:
Nondestructive: Source images are never
touched, and there are no sidecar files.
Location-independent: Monochrome doesn't care where
your image files are.
Monochrome edits are associated with image identity, not image location, so you
are free to open your images from any storage location.
Resolution-independent: Work on sized-down
copies on your netbook, then sync and open full-size images on your workstation
and continue editing session.
Format-independent: Edits are
connected to image identity, not file format. This means a JPEG and a TIFF copy
of the same image are considered the same image. Edit either image, Monochrome
doesn't care.
Device-independent: Use any
computer synced to your Monochrome cloud - your edits are where you are. As long
as you have access to a copy of your images - locally or in the cloud - you can
continue working on them.
Multiple image versions: Make different
interpretationsof an image, such as color and black-and-white. Each version
maintains its own editing history.
Full undo: from first edit of an image, past editing
sessions. In fact, editing history is all that is stored.
Cloud sync: Work on multiple computers. As
long as you have a copy of the same image, at any resolution, you can sync and
continue your editing session.
Cloud image editing: Open and edit images
directly on cloud image galleries such as SmugMug, Picasa and Flickr.
High-precision unclipped floating point mode: With tone
maps for high dynamic range editing (experimental).
Layered image editing model with filters, brushes,
shape masks and color masks
Supports very large images using even moderate amounts
of memory (current file size limit is 2GB limit due to TIFF file format limitation).
Support for JPEG and TIFF image file formats (the most
common TIFF formats are supported)
Fully color managed workflow from input to
editing to output.
Monochrome is currently a non-commercial software in beta-testing. To join the
beta program, go to the Beta page.
Cloud
MC cloud, sync, privacy, offline
Requirements
- A computer with a modern CPU (x86-class capable of SSE2
instruction set).
- Windows 7 (64 or 32 bit), Vista (64 or 32 bit), or XP
(32 bit), fully updated.
- Enough memory. We're not yet quite sure what that
means -
Monochrome will use available memory to speed up performance. More memory is
better. Generally 1 GB is a bit on the low side, 2-4 GB is good. On a 64-bit
system Monochrome will take advantage of more memory, so if you use 64-bit
Windows then 4-16 GB allows for editing very large images (200-1000 megapixels).
If you use a regular 10-25 megapixel camera then 4 GB should be sufficient.
- Installation takes up to 150 MB disk space - using
Monochrome uses much more.
- Display resolution recommended is 1280x800 or
larger. More pixels is better.
- A good display is recommmended for color-critical
work, preferably a color-calibrated desktop display with an IPS/MVA/PVA panel.
- A good mouse or trackball with a scroll wheel is
strongly recommended, while a trackpoint or trackpad is not recommended.
- Although it's possible to run Monochrome in a
virtual environment or remotely, it is not recommended for performance reasons.
Future
Here are some of the work in progress for future Monochrome releases.
- Print preview in separate window. Proposed features: gamut warning, color
management preview, cropping and framing, captions, watermarking, channel
separation RGB/CMYK, negative.
- Output ripping in separate window: Proposed features: scaling, cropping, color
management, watermarking, cropping, framing, captions, channel separation
RGB/CMYK, negative.
- Projects: keep several images from different locations together as a project in
Lightbox.
- Cloud: Connect to Shutterfly, Skydrive, Snapfish, web, and more.
- Tighter cloud integration such as direct upload to photo galleries.