Darktable 2.4.0, many new features in this new version

about Darktable 2.4.0

In the next article we are going to take a look at Darktable in its version 2.4.0. This is a photographic processing program in raw format. This format is known as digital negative, that is, image without pretreatment. Some time ago a colleague told us about this fantastic program in an older version.

Rather than being a raster graphics editor like Photoshop or GIMP, this one works with a set of tools specifically focused on processing and post-production of raw images. It is mainly focused on improving the photographer's work process, facilitating the management of large quantities of images. Is freely available in versions for the main Gnu / Linux, OS X and Solaris distributions under the GPL license.

This is an application that provides a virtual light table and darkroom for photographers. It will allow us to manage our digital negatives in a database and we will be able to see them through an illuminated table with zoom. It will allow us to develop raw images and improve them. Darktable 2.4 comes with hundreds of fixed issues compared to previous versions.

General features of Darktable 2.4.0

darktable image edit

The most outstanding novelty of this new version is the support for Windows operating system, although this still lacks some basic features such as being able to print. It also carries certain bugs such as the lack of support for non-ASCII characters in the import and export of TIFF.

With regard to the news included in the application itself, users are going to find a new module designed to eliminate mist. We will also have at our disposal a new X-Trans debugging algorithm called Chroma Domain Frequency.

In this new version we will have support to load HDR DNG in floating point and Fujifilm RAF RAW compressed files. We will also have the possibility of performing the undo action on masks. We will also have a new laplacian mode for the contrast module.

Have been incorporated pre-programmed profiles for OpenCL plus the ability to use absolute color input as an option for the color lookup table module.

Other improvements have been on the ability to network storage and backup system.

Darktable 2.4 incorporates a base curve module that offers users greater control over exposure blending characteristics and RGB color spaces. Support for automatic RGB color adjustment has also been implemented for the tone curve module.

Darktable continues to support a large number of digital camera brands. These include Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Canon, Fujifilm, Samsung, Panasonic, Pentax and Kodak, as well as some LG smartphones.

Install Darktable 2.4.0 on Ubuntu

darktable folder navigation

We will be able to install Darktable on Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 17.04. We can do it through Traditional PPA from Ubuntu or by snap package.

Install Darktable via PPA

First of all we should check the link PPA before following the next steps. The new packages may not be ready when we try to install them. To add the PPA, we will have to open a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and execute the command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pmjdebruijn/darktable-release

Once added we can proceed with the installation. In the same terminal we will only have to write the following script:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install darktable

Uninstall Darktable installed from PPA

To eliminate the PPA, we can start the utility «Software and updates»And go to the«Other software«. From there we can eliminate it. Another option would be to open the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and write in it:

sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:pmjdebruijn/darktable-release

To remove this program that we have installed from the repository, we will only have to write in the same terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove darktable

Install Darktable via Snap package

Snap is a universal Gnu / Linux application with all its dependencies bundled together. It runs in the sandbox and is isolated from the rest of the system software. Darktable is available as Snap. We will simply have to open the option Ubuntu software, find and install Darktable.

darktable software ubuntu snap

In addition to the traditional package (the last one), you will see two new darktable packages. These are maintained by different providers. Check the package version and select one of them to install. Or just run in the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) the following command (I chose darktable-pie for this example):

snap install darktable-empanada --classic

This coexists with the traditional package of this program. Therefore, we can find two shortcut icons in the application launcher if we already have another version of the program installed.

If anyone needs to know more about the new features in these versions, they can check them out in the GitHub page of the project. Those who want to know all the details about this latest version, can consult the official announcement of this release.


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  1.   Juan Carlos Santa said

    Good Morning.
    I would like to know if you can use a digitizing tablet with Darktable.
    Thank you.