Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365: Photo editing test

Need a quick photo fix? The Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365 has the express mode for this. The test says what else the image processing can do.

The software manufacturer Cyberlink has been around for 25 years. The Taiwanese company became known for PowerDVD, one of the first PC programs that could play DVDs. Cyberlink now not only develops programs for viewing but also for editing: PhotoDirector is in the program for photos. The test by COMPUTER BILD says what it can do.

Just make a few quick corrections - this works in several ways with Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365: If the program is started in Express mode (see lead image), it opens a photo directly for selected editing functions. In full mode, on the other hand, PhotoDirector first loads the library and then the program interface with all functions. The interface is divided into six modules (Library, Customization, Guided, Edit, Create and Print). In the "Adjustment" module, some editing functions have a magic wand symbol - one click is then enough to carry out an automatic correction, for example of the tonal values. The guided mode has assistants that enable more complex editing with just a few clicks, such as an HDR function (see next paragraph).

Simple HDR function

A real strength of Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365 is the ability to assemble an HDR photo from several individual images: In Guided mode, simply click on Photo Composition and HDR Bracketing in the sidebar on the left and then drag the desired images into the main window. An image can then be selected as the main photo (otherwise PhotoDirector will take the first image in the series). Then just click on Merge to create the HDR image. This takes a moment, after which photographers can choose from several HDR modes under Defaults. Natural is ideal for landscape photos, the other modes quickly look a bit overly colorful.

AI swap skies and more

Artificial intelligence is increasingly taking on complex adjustments in image processing programs. With the Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365, the functions usually (but not always) have the addition of AI (for the English translation Artificial Intelligence). For example, the AI ​​style transfer gives photos the look of an oil painting or a chalk drawing. The sky exchange function replaces (as the name suggests) the sky in the image (see image above). Users have several templates to choose from, and can also import their own sky photos as templates or use the Cyberlink store (subscribers can choose between five packages, each containing around 25 templates). These automatic functions only require a few mouse clicks, but can also be adapted to the selected photo if desired.

Works with RAW too

The Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365 also edits RAW files and offers many functions (see image above). However, it has to fit with some formats that are used less frequently. In the test, for example, it couldn't handle RAW files in Adobe's DNG format and RAW photos from the Fujifilm GFX 100S. RAW files from more common camera models such as the Nikon Z6, on the other hand, were not a problem for PhotoDirector 365. However, if you shoot a lot in RAW format, you will be better off with Photoshop CC or the RAW specialists Capture One 21 and DxO PhotoLab 4 .

Test conclusion: Cyberlink PhotoDirector 365

PhotoDirector (test score 2.2) only offers the full range of functions with a subscription (365). For example, the paid version lacks the sky swap feature or templates for style transfer. PhotoDirector offers many features and is still easy to use. The guided mode in particular gets photographers to their destination very quickly.