[Digikam-users] Workflow with gimp

[Peter Mc Donough]

Am 02.01.2014 17:27, schrieb Anders Lund:
> I'm reaching a point where digikams internal editor is not enough for me to do the 
> postprocessing I want to.
> I will have to use gimp or other to do additional work once in a while.
> So do you have tips on a good workflow for that?
> I will probably do the raw conversion using digikams editor, and global adjustments, 
> but after that I will need an external application, so
> - which fileformat is best? png, tif, jpeg?
> - concerns about metadata?

I understand you use Linux.

You should keep the RAW original, write-only.
I let digikam generate all tags i.e. xmp-files.
It can also produce a jpg-copy from your Raw-file with a copy of the xmp
information. (Gwenview for example doesn't see Raw)

For processing there are for example UFraw + Gimp.
UFraw takes your original RAW file and sends it after basic
modifications you consider necessary to Gimp for the final touch.
If you want, UFraw produces a copy of its output in lossless png which
you could use as input for Gimp.
Gimp processes at present only in 8bit, so it is a good idea to have
decided maximum dimension (pixels) in UFraw before you send the picture
to Gimp. The xcf-file format of Gimp is also lossless.

As the final output then is in 8bit and you do not intend to modify it
further, there is in my opinion no reason to avoid lossy but compact jpg.

Alternatively have a look at rawtherapee and darktable which offer more
options for Raw developing, but miss some of Gimp's capabilities.

One last point.
You will not get around a color profile for your monitor, in other words
calibration of your tools, to avoid unwelcome color surprises

cu
Peter