"DAM" software that is not Lightroom or Aperture?

[PatrickONeill]

I've been using Lightroom less and less these days, and I'm not using ACR for processing my Raws anymore and I'm wondering if there is any other Digital Asset Management software out there that works on the same level of cataloging and organizing all of your pictures like Lightroom or Aperture?

I've been using photo mechanic lately for importing, tagging, sorting and ranking my files, but it doesn't preform well as a catalogue replacement to lightroom.

anyone have any suggestions in a Mac environment?

 

[filmtwit]

Extensis Portlfolio

 

[PatrickONeill]

Extensis Portlfolio

do you use Portfolio? how do you like it? how does it work with your workflow?

 

[PatrickONeill]

sweet baby jebus, that price is eye watering. $2k?

edit... ok. the personal version is $200...

 

[venchka]

Which brand and camera model RAW files are you making?
Which version of Lightroom & ACR are you "using less & less."
Why?
In a nutshell: What do you hate about Lightroom & ACR?

Wayne

 

[filmtwit]

I've used it in the past. Had mixed opinion of it. But it works for what we needed.

Simple drag and drop to start with.
Keeps existing file structure, or can build one.
Does raw converting. Not fantastically, but it does it.
It's an ACR based cataloging software to boot that handles a bit more then simple keywording.
Networkable.

do you use Portfolio? how do you like it? how does it work with your workflow?

 

[dshfoto]

Why not use Corel After Shot Pro (BibblePro)? and Gimp? Just store the raw files in folders by year>month>day.

 

[mackigator]

ACDSee Pro has a Mac version and it is good software, at least in the PC version. Its database supports ratings, labels, and tags, allowing you to use it for DAM. I've not used the Mac version and I do favor Lightroom (see PatrickJames comment above). But ACDSee is a solid alternative. I think it has a smaller resource footprint than Lightroom and it seems to bog down less.

 

[PatrickONeill]

Which brand and camera model RAW files are you making?
Which version of Lightroom & ACR are you "using less & less."
Why?
In a nutshell: What do you hate about Lightroom & ACR?

Wayne

I have two computers. an old G5 that is on the way out, but it serves as archive and storage. 6gb of ram , 3TB Raid drives, Lightroom 2. I'm using this machine only for storage. everything goes into dated folders and relies heavily on collections and smart collections based on tags. one catalogue with somewhere north of 50k images. so, its a bit pokey.

I have a Macbook Pro that I use for raw conversion and processing. I don't have Lightroom on it, but I do have Photo Mechanic for importing and tagging and ranking, after each semester I then transfer the new files to the G5 Tower for deep storage. For Raw processing, I like ACR just fine, but I've been testing out Phase One's Capture One Pro 7, and I'm liking the results better than ACR.

The reason I'm asking is because I've only thought of Lightroom as my DAM software because its what I've been using since its inception. A lot can change in 6 or so years, and methods and practices can change over time. Im just making sure I'm not missing out on new efficiencies.

 

[petronius]

Have a look at Graphicconverter from Lemke Software

 

[Godfrey]

I used MediaPro for several years, before Microsoft bought them out. They ruined it, in my opinion. Switched to LR in late 2006, just before it was final, and have been with it ever since as my image management tool.

Cirrus and Extensis Portfolio are other DAM tools. There are others. None are are economical or well integrated for daily workflow as Lightroom and Aperture.

As someone else said, if you have moved to a different raw converter for some reason, use it, then import both the raw and the converted TIFF or PSD file into LR. To me, that's the only sensible thing to do unless you want a completely different workflow.