Skylum’s New Luminar Update

credits: Skylum

Skylum’s first part of a major update for Luminar is here, bringing a redesigned interface, better performance, and a number of upgraded AI-powered editing tools. One of the biggest additions is improved generative AI, which can now create new elements that blend more naturally into your original photo. The update also makes the app easier to navigate by combining the Catalog and Edit workspaces into one, so there is no longer any need to switch between separate modes. Presets, tools, and edits now live together in a single panel, while a redesigned sidebar, breadcrumb navigation, back and forward buttons, and a new full-screen Creative Library make everything easier to find. Skylum has also confirmed it is moving back to the software’s original name, with “Neo” gradually being dropped in favour of simply Luminar.

There is also a good number of performance improvements. According to Skylum, exports are now up to 27% faster on both Windows and macOS, preset previews load up to 3.8x faster, and batch editing large groups of photos is smoother while using fewer system resources. Masking has also been optimised, using up to 33% less memory, which should make working with large files feel more responsive. The update also adds support for several new cameras, including the Leica SL3-P, Leica M11-P, Panasonic Lumix DC-L10, Sony a7R VI, and Sony a7 V, including compressed RAW files from the latter. Features like Upscale AI, HDR Merge, Panorama Stitching, GenErase, GenSwap, and GenExpand are now integrated more naturally into the editing workspace.

Alongside the update, Skylum is also changing the way it talks about AI. Instead of putting artificial intelligence front and center, the company is now emphasising that these tools are there to support photographers rather than replace them. Skylum says the goal is to speed up repetitive editing tasks while leaving the creative decisions entirely in the photographer’s hands. The second phase of the rollout, expected this fall, will add even more features, including an AI Assistant, AI crop suggestions, AI-generated fog, smarter automatic editing tools, and a new web-based photo editor.