After importing RAW files into DxO PhotoLab, I process them similarly to how I would process DNG files processed with PureRAW, by enabling (noise reduction/chromatic aberration/vignetting/distortion correction) and color rendering in DxO PhotoLab.Will this setting produce the same DNG files as those exported by PureRAW? Or do I need to enable any other features?After obtaining a clean RAW file and adjusting the exposure, is it necessary to also enable DxO ClearView Plus after enabling DxO Smart Lighting? Once the image has the correct exposure, is the final step simply creative editing? Regarding this step, I need to use Nik software, but it exports as a TIFF file. Do I need to set the color rendering to neutral or disable color rendering?
I guess the DNG files will be very similar, but PL has lens corrections and may produce somewhat better results.
It’s not necessary to use any of the functions in PL, but apply what makes the photos look best.
Smart lightning is for exposure and has a lot of clever functions to get the best result. Clear View has a different function, it somewhat rice’s Local contrast and is best used with care. If overdone your photo will not look good.
Output will be similar, but not identical.
While PL and PuR share technologies, some are implemented slightly differently: PuR is intended to be a preprocessor or plugin for other apps that handle colours and tonalities differently than PL which means that differences do exist and have to be handled by the user, no matter what comes out of PureRAW.
If the question is “I have PuR , do I need PL?”, the answer might be “if you’re happy with PuR, don’t bother with PL and equivalence of output images”. If one has PL, there is, imo, absolutely no need to buy a PuR license.
Necessary? No! Make your output look like you want it. Learn how to get there, the only obligation is to you and your artistic vision or intention.
What is “correct”? Make your output look like you want it. Learn how to get there, the only obligation is to you and your artistic vision or intention.
Long story short: Like anyone else’s, DxO apps are tools that can help to convey (or prevent) your artistic intention. How you “Make your output look like you want it” is a matter of trial and error and of learning what helps and what doesn’t.
Try, go wild, undo if you don’t like the looks, but maybe wait a day before you do.