Reference View

[TC214]

It was my impression that the new Reference View allows a view of the unchanged original

in one panel and a view of the same shot with changes.  However, any changes to the "Active"

version are immediately applied to the "Reference" version.

If both panels show the same thing, I don't see any reason to use the Reference View.   

What is supposed to be the application and use of the Reference View?

[dj_paige · Accepted solution]

Haven't tried it yet, but I thought reference view was to compare two DIFFERENT photos, not two versions of the same photo. I thought the idea was to allow you to compare/match the color balance or exposure or some other aspect of one photo to the DIFFERENT reference photo.

[TC214]

I may be misunderstanding the intended use.  It wouldn't be the first time.

[Bob Somrak]

Before/After view of the SAME photo was already implemented in Lightroom with the BEFORE/AFTER button on the toolbar.  If you want to compare the before/after in Reference View you can create a Virtual Copy of the photo you are editing and use that as the REFERENCE photo but is seems like a waste of effort as this capability is already implemented.  As dj_paige said the idea of reference view it to compare two DIFFERENT photos.

[Rob_Cullen]

I see Reference view being used by all those who say "...my raw photos never look the same as my jpgs..."

If you shoot 'raw+jpg' , now there is the possibility to adjust the raw to look like the jpg. (and then make a camera default to do it automatically?)

[john beardsworth]

I hadn't thought of that idea, but that might well be one way some people use it.

I've found t handy for correcting colour casts on pictures taken with 10 and 15 stop ND filters, where I can refer to other pictures taken at the same time but without the filter.

[Greg Zenitsky]

What is the logic of making this feature only available to Creative Cloud users? Is that simply Adobe's sovereign choice or is there a technical reason I'm overlooking? Personally, I would like to have this feature available for managing my personal library of images. Just my opinion.

[dj_paige]

This topic has been beaten to death in this and other forums. Basically, if you want the latest features, you pay for the package that gives you the latest features.

[Bob Somrak]

gzenitsky wrote:

Personally, I would like to have this feature available for managing my personal library of images. Just my opinion.

The solution is VERY SIMPLE if you want this feature, sign up for Creative Cloud.

[John Waller]

gzenitsky wrote:

What is the logic of making this feature only available to Creative Cloud users? Is that simply Adobe's sovereign choice or is there a technical reason I'm overlooking?

The primary reason is far more mundane: US accounting regulations.

Why Creative Cloud Gets Free Upgrades but Adobe CS6 Doesn’t | ProDesignTools​

"This is not an internal Adobe thing, it’s due to very limiting and strict revenue recognition laws which prevent the addition of new features to perpetual license customers at zero cost."

[Greg Zenitsky]

Thank you John. At least you gave me a real and friendly answer. Much appreciated.

[Artful Nancy]

I am trying to figure out how to turn off Reference View now - I turned it on to check it out, but how do I make it go away??

[Artful Nancy]

Never mind, I just figured it out - you have to turn on the Toolbar under View, and then there's an option to make it go away