Workflow integration: iPhoto

iPhoto (from Apple) allows you to select another application as an "external editor" for editing your photos. You can configure LightZone to be such an editor. Additionally, LightZone integrates seamlessly with iPhoto via the Direct Save preference.

Note: The information provided here is accurate as of iPhoto version 7.0.1 but may need to change for future versions.

To configure iPhoto to work with LightZone:

  1. Select iPhoto > Preferences... (the Preferences dialog will appear).
  2. Select the "General" tab.
  3. For Edit Photo, select "In application..."
  4. Navigate to and select LightZone.
  5. Select the "Advanced" tab.
  6. Under RAW Photos, check "Use RAW files with external editor."
  7. Close the Preferences dialog.

Alternatively, you can click the AppleScript icon to the left to configure iPhoto automatically for you now. (If iPhoto is running, you must quit it first.)

When using an external editor, iPhoto gives your original photo to the external editor to edit.

To configure LightZone to work with iPhoto:

  1. Select LightZone > Preferences... (the Preferences dialog will appear).
  2. Make sure the Direct Save check-box is checked.
  3. Close the Preferences dialog.
Now that everything has been configured, you can select one of your photos in iPhoto and edit it in LightZone.

To edit your photo in LightZone from iPhoto:

  1. In iPhoto, double-click the photo you want to edit. (LightZone will launch and open your photo.)
  2. In LightZone, edit your photo to your liking as you would any photo.
  3. Select File > Save to iPhoto. (LightZone will automatically save your edited photo, switch to iPhoto, and tell iPhoto to import it into the current album.)

See also: