Silkypix wont open RAW file

Just downloaded the trial of Silkypix Developer Studio Pro, and unfortunately seem to have stumbled at the first fence. The program wont recognise a RAW file for me. I have used DNG and PEF format within the came menu, but still nothing. The 'file open' menu just show a blank folder on my PC. Anybody help ? I'm sure I will look like a right muppet when someone tells me what I'm doing wrong, but here goes Thanks. Andrew

I can't think what you're doing wrong.

Try opening a folder instead of an indidual file.

What is your camera? K-7? Kx? Perhaps the trial version isn't compatible? The latest full version is compatible with K-7, though.

In the "Open File" dialog box, you have four options for "File type (T)" - "All Images" "RAW Images" ""Jpeg" and "Tiff." Make sure that you have "All images" selected. That's the only thing I can think of.

Ray

I only have RAW images available. Which wouldnt be so bad but it doesnt even show any RAW files to be opened. Its a K200D. I suppose its possibly not supported but that seems odd, as if the main problem isnt enough. I might uninstall and start again.

does anybody know of a good alternative RAW processing program ?

There's nothing else as good as Silkypix, in my opinion. Try a different version if you can, and contact Silkypix.

Meanwhile, you could have a go with RAW Therapee (free).

link

You put that quite boldly Pete.
I wonder why not everyone is using it.

Personally, I'd say there's nothing as good as Silkypix for image quality and features.
For usability, some may find Lightroom, Aperture, or Capture One easier. Silkypix is perhaps a little "quirky", but it doesn't take much to get the hang of the GUI... if you can read the manual and try a little Googling (I have put some quick guides to Silkypix and Capture One on this very forum )

I've tried them all, and Silkypix still ranks as number one for IQ

Matt

Because different people have different opinions! And habits! I put my opinion (it is just an opinion) boldly as I'm such a fan of the program and genuinely believe the developer's have done an excellent job.

When you say personally you can say a lot of things what does not necessary needs to be true generally and things like IQ are subjective matter as well.
Saying that nothing is better then Silkypix does not have to be true for everyone.

That was all I was trying to say Matt and Pete, no need to defend the software.

No need to be shouting either!

It's just enthusiasm, Stefan - hopefully not taken as serious dogmatism. No offence intended to fans of other programs. They can speak up for themselves

People with opinions just go around bothering each other.

Opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one, even you!

Most of the top Raw converters are excellent compared to shooting in JPEG! But some people prefer different aspects when it comes to using them.

I often find that many users haven't really explored them in depth sufficiently and therefore have a unrepresentative, or even biased viewpoint, based upon their incomplete analysis. The more complex the program, the more I find people have incomplete knowledge about them.

Silkypix especially is a classic example, due to it's unconventional and often bizarre naming of functions, but I persisted with it very early on and learnt my way around it to the point I now feel completely at home with it. I have even used the Japanese version (now that's challenging!), but even so I still ocassionally find out some new aspects of a feature that I haven't explored fully in the past.

The new Pro version is a very complete and powerful Raw converter, and I, like many others, always gravitate back to it after trialling the other main offerings. But I do revisit all the major converters when a new version is announced to see what improvements and features have been introduced.

Currently playing with Capture One v5 and Lightroom v3, I've also recently tried DxO pro v5 and will shortly trial Bibble 5 preview v3. I currently keep Capture One v4 and Raw Therapee as well as ACR (i.e. Photoshop) on my computer.

You can burn up an awful lot of time trying to keep up with Raw converters!

Very true Richard, all of it.

Tried the trials for Silkypix, Capture one and Lightroom before picking the one that's going to be used mainly.
Have tried Silkypix for two weeks but got lost in the interface too many times that I gave up. Capture one was quite good but picked LR since that one worked the easiest and had to make the least steps with it before getting an finished product.
So good as every photo also goes through Photoshop and well one click in LR will open it in PS without adding additional files or quality lost.

With other converters I got the imported RAW files then a Tiff for in PS and the final output.
With LR + PS combo, I only have the imported RAW and the PS output, far cleaner system that way.

At the moment I'm giving the new Capture one v4 a try again, I'm only having problems with my colour profile though.
Might give Slikypix another spin as well, hopefully they have improved things to make it more accessible.

ps. downloading SP now for another try...

I was sold on the Samsung-badged Silkypix that came with my GX20. Mainly for the image quality as others have pointed out. However, since downloading Lightroom 3 I have to say that I will be (am) switching. This is simply because post-processing is much more than just raw conversion and LR3 covers just about every base including, and this is in my view very important, workflow.

It also has two tools that Silkypix misses - graduated filter and clarity slider (unless someone can enlighten me.) I find these very useful.

Sorry to the OP - just realised I've gone a bit off-subject!

Tony