Hydra Releases Version 2.1

Posted by scottbourne on March 17, 2009
Posted in: News. Tagged: , .

hydra
Hydra is an HDR plug-in that works in Aperture.

  1. New feature: Source image thumbs can now be clicked for smooth overlay. This makes it easier to compare the tone mapping output with any source image, or to compare source images together.
  2. New feature: Accurate dual histogram display (LDR/HDR). The HDR histogram represents the merged, 32-bit image before tone mapping in a logarithmic scale (EV). The LDR histogram represents the currently displayed preview, it is a regular 8-bit histogram with a 0-255 scale. Histograms are computed in a separate thread to keep overall interactivity.
  3. Improved: Faster rendering pipeline when previewing (up to 5x), especially true for RAW input images.
  4. Improved: Incremental rendering as tiles is implemented.
  5. Improved: Faster window resizing.
  6. Improved: The sharpen filter is now scale invariant, meaning that the preview rendering accurately demonstrates the effect as it appears in the full resolution output.
  7. Improved: Automatic update is now signed for improved security.
  8. Improved: Import progress sheet for images is displayed.
  9. Aperture Plug-In: Smart Aperture projects do not cause a hang anymore, option to save to the Pictures folder when project is read only.
  10. Aperture Plug-In: 16-bit TIFF rendering is now supported, 32-bit removed (use stand alone Hydra if OpenEXR format is needed).
  11. Aperture Plug-In: Shift key can be used to import modified versions of images into Hydra. This way, any modification in color temperature, contrast, etc. is made available to Hydra Plug-in. This remains an optional behavior as it has an impact on rendered image, and it can make the initial import process longer.
  12. Aperture Plug-In: Auto updating of the Plug-in when a new version is posted.
  13. Bug fixings in the stand-alone application and the Aperture plug-in.

You can now also order the stand-alone version of Hydra or the Aperture plug-in separately.

In my tests of Hydra Version 1, I was never able to make a decent HDR image – especially compared to Photomatix. I briefly tested the new version and found it much improved. It is convenient to work directly from Aperture. However, Photomatix is working on an Aperture plug-in and when that’s done, I still think Hydra falls a little short. What do you think? I welcome anyone in our audience who’s used it to chime in.

For more information
Go to http://www.creaceed.com/hydra

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0 comments on “Hydra Releases Version 2.1”

  3. Scott, you might want to add a first paragraph that tells what the product is. It is not clear that this is a Aperture plug-in for generating HDRs.

  4. Scott, you might want to add a first paragraph that tells what the product is. It is not clear that this is a Aperture plug-in for generating HDRs.

  5. I ran the same tests and came to the very same conclusion. Photomatix is the winner.

  6. I ran the same tests and came to the very same conclusion. Photomatix is the winner.

  9. I reached the same conclusion after testing/comparing the Hydra Aperture plug-in with Photomatix Pro (standalone). Although being able to work within Aperture was far more convenient, the finished HRD looked superior coming out of Photomatix.

    I look forward to the Aperture plug-in from Photomatix. Does anyone know if there will be an additional cost for this, or will owners of the current full version be able to avail of the plug-in at no extra cost?

  10. I reached the same conclusion after testing/comparing the Hydra Aperture plug-in with Photomatix Pro (standalone). Although being able to work within Aperture was far more convenient, the finished HRD looked superior coming out of Photomatix.

    I look forward to the Aperture plug-in from Photomatix. Does anyone know if there will be an additional cost for this, or will owners of the current full version be able to avail of the plug-in at no extra cost?

  11. A thorough review / comparison of these two would be extremely helpful. Please consider for blog or podcast. Thanks.

  12. A thorough review / comparison of these two would be extremely helpful. Please consider for blog or podcast. Thanks.

  13. I have used both the hydra and the photomatix (beta) aperture plugins.

    I have found that hydra does a better job at aligning handheld shots when I just don’t have my tripod handy, however photomatix does a much better job at the tonemapping.

    Using photomatix from within Aperture is a much better esperience than using it standalone for me…no more having to export my RAW files seperately or deal with importing and exporting the HDRs…it is all within my Aperture Library and greatly increases my workflow efficiency when doing HDRs. Although, if I have a lot of HDRs to process, I would still use the batch processing that is possible with photomatix standalone instead of inside Aperture.

  14. I have used both the hydra and the photomatix (beta) aperture plugins.

    I have found that hydra does a better job at aligning handheld shots when I just don’t have my tripod handy, however photomatix does a much better job at the tonemapping.

    Using photomatix from within Aperture is a much better esperience than using it standalone for me…no more having to export my RAW files seperately or deal with importing and exporting the HDRs…it is all within my Aperture Library and greatly increases my workflow efficiency when doing HDRs. Although, if I have a lot of HDRs to process, I would still use the batch processing that is possible with photomatix standalone instead of inside Aperture.

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