Hi Robert, you will have to wait for Windows. Right now there is no workaround for viewing pictures if it's not on a Mac. We know this isn't ideal. Thanks for being patient...and for the time being, maybe make friends with a Mac owner? 

Ipad support for viewing pictures is also on our radar - given how optimal the visual viewing experience could be on an ipad. Thanks again for feedback. 

Kristen (PM)

I am confused by Kristen's comment.  I've been able to view Lytro images on the website, using my windows PC, ever since they first started making sample images available.  I can understand claiming that you haven't finished the software for manipulating the images, but not the claim that there is "no workaround for viewing pictures if not on a Mac".   What the heck have I been looking at all this time?

Hey Don!  Roger was talking about viewing pictures from his own Lytro camera. In order to import pictures from a Lytro camera, at this time, you need a Mac computer.  But you are most definitely correct, no special software or OS is required for viewing Light field pictures online.

When the files are transferred to the Mac, are they simply copied over and then processed, or does the import software process before saving?  The reason I ask, is because if the files are altered before saving on the Mac, then perhaps I might want to save the best on the camera for importing in the future as updates to the software are made.  (I'm thinking along the lines of RAW files from regular digital cameras, where they can be brought over untouched, so that as the software gets better, you can go back to the original file and edit.)

Thanks!

-alex (Waiting on his hot red cam.  Forecast shipping date March/April...  Hoping for March!)

Hey Alex! Thanks for the question. All of your pictures that are imported from the camera to the desktop software live in the desktop software with the full light field data. This means that when future updates come, we'll let you reprocess pictures with the latest and greatest light field technology. This will improve pictures you take on day 1 and day 1,000.  No need to keep pictures on the camera in order to save them. Hope this helps.

Same here, Daniel. It's a lovely looking brick, but I'd like to look at the photos I've taken. :P

Obviously this is a serious issue for Windows users ... and it's totally avoidable.  If the camera captures the image, and saves a file ... then when the USB cable is connected to a Windows machine the camera should show up as an external drive.  Of course this depends on Lytro sticking to the USB standard.   Then the Windows user should be able to drag the file to their computer, upload the pic to your website, and view/edit it there.  No need to wait for a software release for Windows.

Now, after having ranted, let me add that I'm buying a MacBook Pro today.  My camera is on the way and I want to use it right away.  Also, if Lytro is expecting to re-release their software often it makes some twisted sense ... they won't have updates to the Windows version available until after the Mac version is available ... probably for weeks if not months.  It sucks but I'm fortunate to be able to afford the additional computer.  I love my iPad2 ... hopefully I'll grow to love my new Mac.

Lytro needs to wake up and support Windows users ... the graphics/publishing world is no longer the domain of Macs.

Unfortunately Roger - they did not stick to that standard.   The data is locked down quite hard, plugged into a PC the only thing visible is a readme file indicating that PC software is not yet available.  Viewed on a Mac the only data available on the external drive is the installation file for the drive itself.

In a separate ticket I requested whether it is possible to place standalone runtimes for the software on the mac (and eventually PC) partitions, so one could plug and run a specific photo.   I am also fustrated that I cannot do a direct upload to the website, but am restricted to doing it through the software.   I have photos that some fellow photogs are waiting to see, but I cannot since the sockets used by the software are blocked by the company firewall.

I was happy to see some of my photos, but I'm rapidly growing more fustrated with the aggressively minimal approach taken with the software, preventing any and all workarounds to the lack of PC software.   Lytro stands to lose audience, which would be a real shame for a product with potential.

Any ETA on it? What are other higher priority features/user stories/use cases are you guys working on?

I am tempted to return the camera since I cannot do anything with it and Lytro is not giving specific enough answers other then mac only and software for PC in 2012. I thought the software for windows was to be available before the camera was launced, at least that is the impression  I got. Maybe I will ebay it....hmmmm

Or accept that the Lytro camera is something very new and the Lytro people are working hard to make things workable for Windows users. What I did was buy a Mac Mini on eBay for $450. When the Windows 7 software is out and working, I can sell my Mac Mini on eBay as they amazingly keep their value.

Bye.

David - I personally accept and understand the folks at Lytro are working on this.   The Lytro is absolutely a new product and it will take development time and work to get software features out, given how new the product is.  

That being said, this is a feedback forum, and the folks at Lytro need to get a gauge of how people feel about their product, otherwise they cannot effectively prioritize their development time.  There are several requests that people are clearly asking for - I think PC software is obviously on the list.   However, I think also people would be relieved if there was a reiteration of their plans on the software development front.

I personally wouldn't be providing feedback if I didn't accept the camera was something very new -- from any other established product I would have simply returned the product outright.

The thought of buying a mac mini and then reselling it has crossed my mind - unfortunately it will not work given my travel plans.   My Lytro Red will be cruising Hong Kong and Japan for the next three weeks.  I'm hoping new developments will be out by then!  :)

I accept as there is nothing else I can do.

It would be good to know ETA and/or what is planned/accomplished.

It appears that there is more anticipation than frustration with this issue.  I am a Windows user and I am really looking forward to being able to really see what this magic box can do!  Though I have not been able to upload any images yet, I have enjoyed shooting with my new Lytro for the past few days.  Lytro, from my understanding, has a pretty small team, so small issues may take a little while to fix.  That all being said:

Lytro Staff: Could you please feed the masses and give us a better hint as to how far along the development of the Windows platform may be?  There are 292 days left in 2012, and "sometime in..." is not very specific for those of us who are kept waiting while trying to admire the images on a small screen.  Personally, if it' expected in 6 days, 6 weeks, or 6 months, I would really just like to know (at least roughly).

Thank you your hard work and (hopefully) your response!

Well, I received my camera yesterday and rushed right out to take pics ... and to buy a MacBook Pro.  As advertised the Lytro desktop installed without issue when I connected the camera, but unless I've missed something the software is very disappointing even for the Mac.  I can upload the photos to my new laptop and I can change the focal point, but I can't save the image as a .jpg, or see a 3-D image as they've said is possible.  In fact I can't even enlarge the image.  The website seems to have as much if not more capability to view and play with the image than the desktop.  What a huge disappointment!  If they're using a small team of programmers it may be time for them to fire cousin Jimmy, and hire someone with some experience.  I look forward to more capability in the future, but hazard to guess what they're releasing to Windows users.  I guess we'll see ... if we don't lose interest before then.

I got my camera a couple of weeks ago and I was very exited about receiving it and all. Nevertheless I am growing really frustrated by the lack of windows software (and no delivery date for it) and the lack of functionality in the Mac application.

So far, my camera is turning inta a paperweight at my desk. I would really like to know when we will be able to have the windows software available at least to view the photos. I hope is before people lose interest in this product. Personally, I now think that the company rushed a product not really ready for mass comsumption, and that is a shame as I would like to see this technology prosper.

I owe Lytro an apology.  You can save the photo as a .jpg.  It's small, but should print to 8x10 reasonably well.  I'll take it on faith that the software will improve.  It's difficult to say since we really don't have any insight into the file format, but I suspect the resolution can be improved by combining the data from more than one focal point and by transforming them to a common perspecitve ... similar to the approach they'll be using to create 3-d images.  I'm off to the Zoo today to see how long the battery lasts ... and how many pics I can take in a single trip.  

Regarding the software for the Mac ... in the short time I've had mine I've determined the Mac user interfaces could benefit from a lesson or two from Windows.  None of the software seems overly intuitive.  Maybe it's a limitation of this platform, and not specific to the Lytro desktop.   I'll let you know about my experience at the Zoo later.   Regards.

As a first day out of the box Lytro User,  Windows user and programmer, I can only surmise that either:

• A) you don't really have and image format, or at least one that you wish to expose at this, or 
• B) you (Lytro) are attempting to pull the wool over everyone's eyes and are really creating a closed church with this camera. 

EVERYONE who purchased this camera has a very solid idea of how ALL OTHER DIGITAL CAMERAS whether in a phone or camera body. There is an object file of one sort or another which can be moved from the camera to another form of storage. I want a specific answer as to whether or not you are going to allow this image to be exposed as all expectations presume, or is this camera a closed church? If it is, I want to send this camera back today for a full refund.

 If you are working on this, and it will eventually work as all other cameras work, I am willing to be patient, although I will not go out and buy a new MAC. I would like a specific date as to when the windows version of the software will be ready as do a lot of other folks. 

It was helpful to me to know a bit more about the preprocessing done in the Lytro application. I'd pretty much guessed as much and it's good to hear about it directly. My new old Mac Mini certainly has been busy and I was only guessing what it was up to. As an embedded software engineer with decades of data acquisition and visualization experience, it's reasuring to get these lttle tidbits. Keep them coming.

Bye.

PS. I never thought I'd ever have a reason to buy a Mac, and now I own one.

Adam,

Please clarify your answer.... If you have  full light field images on the camera, why didn't you just expose them to the windows interface and let the user store them on windows until such time as you come up with windows software to process them. Can't see that it would be a big deal to do that. That is, unless there is more to the story than what you are willing to provide... 

David: 

 I have all the elderly users I support using Macs.... Unfortunately, UNLIKE Microsoft, Apple strands users in time. I still have my original copy of Bill Gates basic, and recenly moved it to CD. It still runs under the Windows 7 64bit OS. I have several users who are running tiger who will never be able to enjoy the fruits of Apple.  I am however, more concerned that Lytros is trying to score an "itunes" type control over users of the camera. Not going to sign up for that.

I would not tolerate an "iTunes" control environment by Lytro. That's one cup of Coolaid I will not drink. Let's hope what I been reading here represents the path Lytro is following and an open standard emerges. I expect that to take a while. For now, I'm exercising the artistic possibilities of my Lytro camera with the tools available.

Bye.

Got my camera today, and was wondering what the ETA is for window availability (and I'd like to apologize for not finding "sometime in 2012" good enough of an answer).

A month? 3 months? How about some Alpha-version-use-at-your-own-risk software?

Thanks

I just got this camera and it's useless. I don't know a single person who uses Macs, and haven't seen anyone releasing a product that ONLY works with MACs. Also reading other posts I see that except for the ability to refocus there is no other advantage and the picture quality is crap (according to posts).

Given that I now have a $500 nicely colored brick, I want to get it returned ASAP and get my money back. Please let me know how to proceed.

Hi Lytro friends,

As a professional photographer and camera store owner, I also would like to add my 35 cents.... I also have a red brick sitting on my desk, can take photos but can't do anything with them.  I am exposed to 30-40 people a day coming into my store.  I have been excited and shared my "new technology that will change the camera world" as I have described it.   But 95% of the customers I show and talk to find out that because I have windows, I can't even get access to the photos on the camera, they immediately loose intersest and have comments like "what a waste of money".

It would be terrible to kill a product like this so quickly due to this issue.

Help us help you by communicating to your "already" customers so we can keep promoting your product for you!!

@Daniel -  Know the feeling Daniel... I have spent several days discussing this issue with tech support folks. Before you RMA it, I would recommend that you check EBAY. You may be able to turn a nice profit....

Chiming in from a product perspective...thank you for your feedback. As you know,  we've published that we're working hard on a WIndows version but at this time cannot support Windows. Look for this in 2012. Team is cranking hard and with increased enthusiasm due to your passionate feedback. 

Kristen, Product Manager

Seriously.  At least offer a way for Windows users to pull the image files off the camera for storage while they wait for software.  This may be the most foolish product launch ever.  If you are only going to offer MAC then offer the product through Apple to avoid these issues until Windows is supported.  Silly, really.

Hi Kristen, et. al.

As the mood of this thread seems very energized I would like to say that I do really enjoy my Lytro camera and am thoroughly captivated by light field technology and the current features and future potential the technology presents. In addition, I see how there are benefits to keeping strong control of the technology in the early phases to make sure the user-base as a whole has a streamlined experience (even if as a strong technical user I personally would prefer otherwise ^_^).

I am one of the lucky Lytro Windows users who happens to have good Mac friends who don't mind sharing their time (and hard drive space :o) for Lytro pics. The biggest concern I have until the Windows software comes out (delayed for technical or other reasons) is that my Mac user friends lead their own lives and are not always immediately accessible. Also, I am taking a lot of lightfield pictures; like a huge number, mucho, a cornucopia of pics. My 2¢ is that until the Windows software comes out, it would be great if there was a way to have the data saved and dumped off the camera to my hard drive or flash drive from Windows so that I can then import them on the Mac later. At least that way I can continue to take pictures without worrying about running out of space on the camera.

tl;dr; As a Windows user I was aware Windows support was not initially available, but it would be nice to be able to save raw data off the camera to import on a friends Mac so I can keep taking lightfield pictures.

Thanks Lytro, I am excited to see what is to come!

OK, Camera's on Ebay.

Farewell, Lytro! I'll call you in about a year or so. Good luck

Statistics show there are only 9% MAC users compared to 90% Windows users. No wonder there is such a state of disgruntlement on this board. I certainly appreciate and can empathize with all the "red brick" references. "Some time in 2012" is just not good enough. That could mean 12/31/12. And what if we find out then that we don't like it? Can we return it then? We had to wait to get the cameras and now we need to wait for the update so that the camera is compatible with our operating systems. Lytro, you have our money that we paid for these cameras, now let us use them!

I'm not disgruntled. I am happily taking pitures with my bright red camera and then loading them onto my new old Mac Mini and enjoying sharing them. For $450 I became part of the 9% so I could enjoy my new wonderful toy. When the year is up (no matter how long that takes) I have the option of selling my Mac on eBay where I got it, and go back to the 90%. Life is too short. I intend to enjoy this little part with ease.

Bye.

I bought the Lytro camera as I wanted to show my support for the most innovative product in photography since "dark ages". I hope there will be more innovative way that digital photography can use cheap computing now available in real time.

I also would like to know when Windows support, even small enough to allow downloading files from camera, is planned. I hope it is before summer as I go for vacation and was looking forward to capture amazing pictures with Lytro.

@David world wide it for 2011 new machines it is about  2% unless you count ipads and I think there is no ipad support for Lytro?

http://www.canalys.com/newsroom/worldwide-pc-market-7-pads-fuel-growth

Lytro camera for for the one and two percenters?

Add yet another dumbfounded Windows PC user to the list.  At first I thought it was a Lightroom issue and then saw the text message in Windows Explorer...

...Say what??????

I'm not sure what to put into the "Thank You!" note to my daughter.  "Thanks for the Lytro, but I can't show you any of the pictures until sometime in 2012" doesn't really do it for me, sorry.

Good suggestion about eBay. Going to put there tonight.

Now, since we seems to have someone from the product group looking at this thread, can you comment on the business logic behind developing software for MAC ahead of PC and not having software ready for a release? Is is some sort of philosophical thing, someone's preference or or a technical or market reason? Because if it's anything but the technical or market reason, I would question the whole business approach of your company to decision making and therefore would question other decision you may make in the future. Perhaps this camera is geared toward MAC fanboyz and if so, I will go in toyz category in my book and I will make my purchasing decision accordingly.

If you could share the insight on the above it would be highly appreciated.

I have been using IBM PCs since 1978 when I used an IBM 5100 to code some search algorithms in APL. In 1981, or so, I finally got the newly releaesd MS-DOS 2.0 with installable device drivers so I could give up on CPM-86 for a 64-port data router I was building. That's how long I've been an Intel - Microsoft fanboy. I never thought I would ever own a Mac. Well, Lytro gave me a compelling reason to get one.

WBye.e can guess why they chose that path. I'm sure the story would generate a few huhs. 

Meanwhile I'm enjoying my Lytro camera.

We need to be able to edit our own posted comments - Grrrrr.

@David - You probably can, but ONLY on MAC. :)

who makes osx support before windows...  and here i thought i was clever for installing ubuntu on my mbp :)  guess i will have to wait just a little longer before i can finish purging the patent trolling filth of apple from my life...

I was one of the early folks who believed in this technology and signed up for a camera in the first few days the pre-order started. Reading press releases from Lytro and the believing in the common sense thinking that Lytro would be able to have the Windows software ready in time for the camera release (6 months from the date of pre-order to the official shipping of cameras), I was looking forward to laying my hands on a Lytro camera. 

But to have the camera sitting at home and unable to use it coz I dont own an Apple computer is very disappointing and not what is expected from a company as cutting edge as Lytro :(

This is (to me) smells like the elitist attitude that Apple fanboys have for anything related to Apple and how Windows is so the 19th century and not worth any cool technology!

I know this may seem like another post that is ranting about the unavailability of Windows software, but it's really frustrating and disappointing to not be able to use my camera - something that I was looking forward to doing for the past 7 months. 

I wish you guys have a return policy and I will be first in line to return this cool technology which to me is just another POS in my opinion!

Lytro Support Staff,

Yours is a new technology, and an exciting one!  I am a PC user and, though I can not use the full function of my Lytro, I have been looking at the world a bit differently the past few weeks.  I understand the nature of proprietary information, especially when it comes to unique developments in technology.  Once data leaves your front door, it can go anywhere.  Your ideas are your own, and I respect that.

The comments on this board are filled with comments that start with questions, turn to frustration, and end in returns.  True, it would have been wise to have software for the PC finished before releasing the Lytro to the world.  Were I in your position, I would have likely released the product as you did.  It is an exciting technology!  The problem is that by releasing the Lytro without the technology available for the masses to really experience it, the masses have been frustrated.  Understandable, given the cutting-edge nature of the product and the waiting time to use it after it shows up.  It does feel like waiting in line after the roller coaster is over.

I feel that given this line (I am waiting in it too), it my be a prudent idea to do one of two things: inform the masses, or enable us.  "Look for this in 2012" will not be enough to hold off the "I'm sending it back"s for too long.  Tell us where you are in the development of the software. Even if it takes longer to develop than you currently believe, it is always easier to wait when you have an idea of the waiting time.  If it turns out that you guys are a bit behind the ball, let us know.  You'll find that people will calm down and mark an imaginary date in a calendar and wait for it calmly.

Another option would be to open up the technology a bit.  Protect your ideas legally, of course.  It is always surprising how far people can push an open-source technology.

Just my two cents.  Good luck!

Lytro Support Staff,

Yours is a new technology, and an exciting one!  I am a PC user and, though I can not use the full function of my Lytro, I have been looking at the world a bit differently the past few weeks.  I understand the nature of proprietary information, especially when it comes to unique developments in technology.  Once data leaves your front door, it can go anywhere.  Your ideas are your own, and I respect that.

The comments on this board are filled with comments that start with questions, turn to frustration, and end in returns.  True, it would have been wise to have software for the PC finished before releasing the Lytro to the world.  Were I in your position, I would have likely released the product as you did.  It is an exciting technology!  The problem is that by releasing the Lytro without the technology available for the masses to really experience it, the masses have been frustrated.  Understandable, given the cutting-edge nature of the product and the waiting time to use it after it shows up.  It does feel like waiting in line after the roller coaster is over.

I feel that given this line (I am waiting in it too), it my be a prudent idea to do one of two things: inform the masses, or enable us.  "Look for this in 2012" will not be enough to hold off the "I'm sending it back"s for too long.  Tell us where you are in the development of the software. Even if it takes longer to develop than you currently believe, it is always easier to wait when you have an idea of the waiting time.  If it turns out that you guys are a bit behind the ball, let us know.  You'll find that people will calm down and mark an imaginary date in a calendar and wait for it calmly.

Another option would be to open up the technology a bit.  Protect your ideas legally, of course.  It is always surprising how far people can push an open-source technology.

Just my two cents.  Good luck!

This camera is incredible and I very much looking forward to when it becomes Windows compatible. Please keep us posted and keep up the great work!

I borrowed a friends mac book pro and then , proceeded to download all the images to their machine. And then afterwards I opened the container file where they were stored on the Mac and copied them to a drive and now when software for PC comes available I'll be able to access them from there.  So in turn giving me more available space on the camera, until I'm a big kid to and I can do it  myself. lol

~far

farminded photography

Another windows user here, looking at a lovely gray brick with a battery charge status and nothing more. Whatever you guys at Lytro are doing, stop it right now, and get the windows software out the door ASAP, even if its in beta form, with bugs, we don't mind, just get a solution into users hands.

One other thing I don't get... the device is identifying itself as a CDROM drive on my PC, and opting to use a genertic Microsoft driver.  Why?

This is stupid.  There's no reason why you shouldn't at least be able to offload your picture files onto a PC even if you have to wait for the Windows desktop software to manipulate them.  PCs do recognize the camera as a storage drive but the only thing you can see is a dumb readme file.

Well that's a shame, I am a windows user and I came to the website to purchase the camera, but after reading this thread I guess I won't be able to. I mean, I would be cool with purchasing it if I could at least offload the pictures, but to not even be able to do that is a deal killer, and the fact that the mac software is given so much more priority than the windows software makes me think the windows software will always be second seat, and I really can't support that at this time.. or maybe ever... what a shame, I was so excited :(

#1. Great Camera. I love it, and as a WINDOWS user, have found only a small annoyance with dancing around Mac in a VM to get my lfps. 

#2. To all the windows users: Get a MAC OSX copy, install it in VirtualBox, then sync with the Lytro Software. After that, copy the files in /pictures/Lytro/ to windows, and use https://github.com/mscappini/Lytro.Net to export to JPEG/PNG/Etc. 

#3. To all mac users, follow my instructions for windows users, you'll get better image exports.

Honestly, the tech in this little thing is amazing. The software Lytro puts out is garbage. I can't wait until it gets out of what I consider an "alpha" state and I can have all of those features that the video demo/interview showed... because, honestly, that's what made me buy the camera. 

Also... looking at your file format, I can't say as it is very hard to reverse, especially since two people have already done it. It just seems like a shame that people have been able to reverse the file format and display an image before lytro released anything for windows. Makes me hope they have some seriously awesome software coming.

Just have to give Matthew Dumas a bit HIGH FIVE!!!! I have been grumbling for a month now about the lack of widows software. I know about mscappini/lytro.net , but did not have any way to get pictures to it!!! It was not without pain, and had to buy mac OSX, but I now have a mac on my windows machine with the Lytro software installed. Works like a champ!!! Hats off to you Matthew!!!!! I am beginning to have fun with the camera now...

Well! Not that is one alive thread!!! 

I would just like to understand why is LYTRO afraid to give us any more concrete answers on the ETA for windows? Are you guys afraid to commit to a deadline? Would you at least keep us up to date (even via email to those who have subscribed to windows version notification)? It would be nice to maybe get a once a month update of where the progress is, ids "beta" near.. and such....

They way things look here in the forums, it's hard to even understand if there's any priority on this projects. 

Please put yourselves in Windows bound customer's shoes, and please understand, that with all the frustration we face, people sometimes are not as unhappy about waiting if they are kept informed of some detail.. just saying "some time in 2012" does not seem like a good customer relation sort of answer.. Not so mention, with the above posts for unsupported ways, I really find it.. surprising that it's taking you guys so long to get there on windows side... even if it is a multifocal-microscaled-rocket-science sort of project! :)

Please give us a little more to go on!

From the rumors I've heard, Lytro was hiring windows developers last month.  It wasn't clear if they didn't have any current windows-devs already on staff, but they definitely are working on addressing the situation, but if they are just now hiring devs, anything short of Fall seems optimistic.

On the plus side, when the development effort does get going, the hardware has lots of features that haven't even been turned on yet for Macs either (wireless syncing someday?)...

I hope they will manage to "port" rather than end up with two separate development directions... either way - as long as the end users get the stuff we'll be happy... Maybe they will hire some of the people who reverse-engineered quite a bit of stuff already? :) After all, the webapp and desktop app, really do sort of what the jpeg extractor does already.... ;) 

Thanks for the information Matthew!  But, as a non-programmer I don't have access to a compiler for your code.  Or maybe I don't understand the instructions well enough to realize I don't need a compiler.  In any event I'm anxious to try your method and see if it results in better .jpg exports.  Would you be so kind as to provide more detailed instructions either here, or on your webpage?

Thanks again.

To Lytro ... having started this thread I'm going to throw you another question.  Any word on a version of your software for my iPad?  I hope you have multiple teams working on your software ... i.e. windows, mac, tablets.  Having seen the posts about the other features in my camera I'm looking forward to updates in the near future.

Thanks.

I'm sorry, but if you're not a programmer you may not wish to attempt to use the program, as any slight modification could corrupt your files, rendering your originals useless. Remember, always work with backups.

That being said, you will need Visual Studtio C# express to compile/run the code. Microsoft freely distributes this from their website. Once you have visual studio installed, you'll have to download the entire repository from the link I gave above. When you have everything downloaded, open the .sln file in the base directory, and go through the menus of Visual Studio. Find the "Build all" option, and click it. Then, you can click the little green triangle on one of the tool bars, and the program will run in "debug mode."  To learn more about visual studio, you'll have to find a good tutorial.

For anyone who doesn't mind using an extremely experimental version, I forked the repo above, and have made my own version, which I plan to add features to over time. Right now, I've added: "Export All -- Raw" which will give you every JPEG embedded in the files, a depth file, and a raw file, Export Raw, and a pseudo-gallery feature, which will let you scan a whole directory, and choose which file you want to see. In the future I plan to expand it to the capabilities of the current lytro software, and beyond (assuming they don't release something much better before I can finish). 

However, I am NOT working on it right now. I'm a bit sick of using MAC to get my photos off, so I've run a few USB traces, and am currently analyzing those to determine the best way to make a driver.  If any other programmer/reverse engineer wants my traces, I'll be happy to send them over, just post here (or send me a message, if the forum's capable of that). The quick rundown is that the Lytro is a mass storage device which only sends bulk messages, and has at least two partitions (CDFS for the windows one and HFS+ for the Mac...both of which are ~25.1 MB, which is approximately the size of the installer software on Mac). A third "partition" exists for the Apple Partition Table, but since I have no clue how to read it, I can't find out of there's any more partitions.

As with anything I say, none of this is supported by Lytro. Period. Don't even ask them. Seriously. If you use anything I say, you are taking a moderate risk, and acknowledge the fact that you may ruin your lytro files. If you mount the HFS+ and CDFS partitions and write to them, you may very well brick your lytro camera. I won't be held responsible. If you don't know what you're doing, simply don't do it. I live on the edge, and if this camera weren't so damn awesome, I'd have already taken it apart to look at the electronics... but the fact is, it IS awesome, and I'm not going to risk it. ... but if any of you are crazy enough to have already done that, please point me to where you posted the photos?

Anyway, that's enough from me for now. I'll post again if I can get a driver of any sort working. If you want to use my extremely experimental software, then you can find my enhanced version of lytro.net at:

https://github.com/matthew-dumas/Lytro.Net

One last thing... I will not be able to handle any sort of tech help for the use of my, or anyone else's software. Please don't use it unless you know you can figure it out. Remember to always work from backup copies, not originals.

Happy hacking, and don't forget to thank the people at Lytro for their awesome camera.

Thanks again Matthew!  Great instructions.  I believe even I can follow them ... and understand I'm on my own should anything unexpected happen!

Gosh! There was a time what I considered myself smart! :) Reading this - no more! U guys rock ;)

Though I had bought a Mac Mini to handle my Lytro camera, I was intrigued by the idea of running OSX in VirtualBox on my Windows 7 PC. I got it to work after quite a bit of experimenting and fussing about. The Lytro camera is properly recognized in the virtual environment and downloads its pictures quite willingly. Though the performance is adequate, I'm glad I have a real Mac to handle my Lytro camera.

If you are not an experienced computer hacker or advanced hobbyist, I would not recommend it.

Bye.

I was sooo excited to finally get my camera, I was even willing to wait a little bit for the software so I can download the pictures to my PC. I thought getting the camera in May that the software would be ready and I can use my camera to my heart’s content. Boy was I wrong. I'm trying to return the camera but am just over the 30 days return and refund policy (yes, I should have kept better track of the dates). However, shouldn't there be some sort of clause for people who are unable to use the camera for its intended use?

1) Do not own a Mac to even download the pictures

2) Do not have the discretionary funds to purchase a Mac for this one piece of equipment. I know only 1 person who owns a Mac and I don’t want to always ‘borrow’ her computer when I want to download pictures.

3) I don't know how to program and create my own software so I can even use my very expensive brick of a camera.

4) Cannot use the camera to its fullest extent because of all of the above (Yes, I'm VERY dissatisfied).

When more than half of your customers – and this includes any potential customers who do not have Mac’s, why, oh why did you not provide the proper resources and people to create this? Even iPad users can use a PC to access their iTunes and app’s.

In my opinion, I received an incomplete product. I want to get my money back but since it’s over the 30 days, I won’t get it. There is no return clause for customers like me who are waiting for software in order to use the camera. The company has indicated that the Window’s software will be available in 2012. It’s already June- half the year is done and still no software and no still no ETA when to expect it. This is the fault of the company- not the customer.

So the camera will be making a showing on eBay. The funds will go towards a camera that will work on all platforms.

origami star,

I'm not sure how you could have missed the CLEARLY labeled pop up where it says 

Tell me when Windows is ready"

And the fact that you have to click "I'm good, let's go" button in order to purchase the Lytro. Not only that, but since there's a waiting period, you had PLENTY of time to read this: http://support.lytro.com/entries/20552272-is-the-lytro-camera-right-for-me

Lytro can't help it that you failed to read up on their camera before purchasing it. It's YOUR responsibility to read what they provide and even throw in your face with the pop up "warning" about what's required prior to purchase. And their return policy is excellent...30 days. You had 30 days from shipping to return it. How hard is it to figure out on the 1st day that you got it that oops! You need a Mac. 

Oh wait, you missed that pop up where it said you needed a Mac. So yeah, I can see how you let 30 days go by before deciding you didn't want it. Put it up on ebay, it'll sell.

John R.

The pop up is a recent add, no doubt inspired by this thread and complaints to their customer service team.

Chill

I received the camera as a gift- the person who sent it to me did not realize that this will only work on a Mac. Given it was a gift & I was excited when I got it, I was going to try and wait for the Windows software version. But the frustration of not being able to download pictures onto my computer has won out.

Yes, i do own up to the fact that I should have returned within the 30days. I'm quoting myself here 'yes, I should have kept better track of the dates'. It's a good camera- no complaints about that. My complaint is that the product is incomplete- taking pictures is one component while the 2nd (since it is a digital camera) is being able to view my pictures on a computer.

I love my dear friend for thinking of me when he got me this gift. I don't fault him for not realizing I didn't have a Mac- he probably thought that would ruin the surprise.

The whole thing is starting to reek of apple; proprietary file type that doesn't play at all with others, priced elite but functions like a toy, intoxicating build-up hype to a severely limited release. Maybe we're all so surprised in this thread BECAUSE we haven't been conditioned to sit--BEG--payyy--good fanboy for every new product. Linux and windows users expect unlimited flexibility but I feel we're all gonna be disappointed, even when/IF support becomes available. 

Halfway through 2012 now and no feedback in months. 

Wow.   Tough croud.

Perhaps not all of the "ducks were in the row" before releasing this hardware to be mac only.  Such a shame, had lots of potential.

Why not create a web uploader, with "with a valid serial number lytro specific camera is connected to a windows PC while on a certain (read: Lytro.com profile?) web page, that the secured pictures can at least be uploaded directly to the website, even if at the lower quality setting, and maybe also post processing done on the website back end?

That way, you could support windows clients, it would be more browser dependent, but it could be done with competent programmers who have strong focus and abilities.

Or even see if Safari on the PC (but still apple born and bred) would fill the gap, on a windows machine.

Well, there's always ebay for those who need to.

Could you also enable export and import of images in the application (enable transferring between computers on e.g. a USB key)?

After reading about how Ren Ng, brilliant founder of lytro, had met with Steve Jobs and what transpired (http://gizmodo.com/5878805/report-steve-jobs-met-with-lytros-founde...) it is reasonably clear to me that lytro has struck some kind of a bilateral and exclusive deal with Apple. Apple seems to be the invisible hand behind many of lytro's marketing & branding strategy.

1. Notice how Apple'sque Lytro's website is
2. The box packaging of the camera is all-so-apple.
3. "Designed in California, Made in China" printed on the aluminium body of the camera... familiar?

None of the above is hard evidence, but if it looks, feels, smells and tastes like a cow, chances are it is a cow.

Stretching the idea to the 'wait till sometime in 2012' situation for lytro's windows software, the prognostication is quite clear.. dont hold your breath.

My Lytro just arrived in the mail a couple days ago and it is a fabulous product I must agree. Lucky for me I have a 2006 Imac (bootcamped to Windows, with a rarely used MacOS partition) which I just need to upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard for some 30 bucks.. but I'm gonna try Matthew's VM suggestion just for kicks.

Apple (and Lytro) are great & creative tech companies which I admire a whole lot on hose grounds, but I just dont like being gavage'd... I'm not a goose people, and my liver aint for sale!

Summer is here and it is already 6 months into 2012 ... what is the cost of lost opportunity and burning your early adopters? We will see ...

My husband has had the Lytro I gave him for a few months but is still unable to use it. If you aren't going to provide Windows software, will you provide an online processing service? (Please don't tell us to just go find a mac owner.)

BTW, I tried to use this site's support form, but your "reason" selectbox, although required, does not load.

Ok.  Here we are in July.  Can you at least tell us Windows 2nd class citizens if the software will release in 3rd quarter or 4th quarter?  Managing expectations is a step up from ignoring your customers.

Please?

Finally they got the software for Windows... Too bad it's for 64bit OS only and my Lytro is long sold on eBay. :)

I installed the Windows Lytro desktop and it seems to work pretty well. It's very Mac-like  :). The first thing I noticed was how fast my Windows machine processes the Lytro pictures it downloads. My Mac is a Mac Mini from 2009, while my PC is a very up-to-date i7 with 12 cores running 3.2GHz and over twice the RAM of my Mac Mini.

I do wish the whining would stop, however. Yes, you know who you are - be gone!

Bye.

@David: 12 cores, huh? :) Nice! Have you looked at the utilization? I just wonder if it would seem that Lytro is using most or all of your cores well during processing? I do not see myself getting a 12core box.. but am just interested ;)))

I can see that some XP users or non 64bit users can still be upset.. but having this software available is a HUGE step in the right direction. I will have a 32 bit win7 shortly.. I wonder if the app will run on it, or does it check and trully will only run on a 64bit architecture?

GT

Thx Adam, not what I wanted to hear.. but ;) that's life! Better some option for Windows than none.

@Adam: Thanks to the team for finally getting the Windows version up and running, but it was too little too late.  My camera was a "March baby" and the lack of communication beyond "sometime in 2012" turned it into an orphan.  @David may call it whining, but I'm hoping that Lytro 2.0 will have a more consumer friendly approach to its software development and roll-out.  (Adding the "Mac Only" popup to the order pages in June suggests that someone may have figured it out.)

Good luck. 

Anybody else has it? I see no pictures and when I reuested log form Help/Save Logs ...

[1343242570][INFO]: Starting Lytro Desktop Application version 1.1.0 (120712.4230) (app_controller.cpp:403)
[1343242570][INFO]: Using 3 workers and 4 threads. (app_controller.cpp:425)
[1343242570][INFO]: Starting application (app_controller.cpp:537)
[1343242573][ERROR]: Failed to open pipe for camera, error: 2 (wincommcamera.cpp:348)
[1343242573][ERROR]: pipe not found, retrying in 2 seconds... (wincommcamera.cpp:361)
[1343242573][ERROR]: VersionChecker network finished error: Object member not found: desktop_versions (version_checker.cpp:76)
[1343242575][ERROR]: Failed to open pipe for camera, error: 2 (wincommcamera.cpp:348)
[1343242575][ERROR]: pipe not found, retrying in 2 seconds... (wincommcamera.cpp:361)
[1343242577][ERROR]: Failed to open pipe for camera, error: 2 (wincommcamera.cpp:348)
[1343242577][ERROR]: pipe not found, retrying in 2 seconds... (wincommcamera.cpp:361)

...

Any ideas?

I'm somehwat amazed.  You sold your camera in April.  For a tidy profit I might add.  Now that the Windows version is out, the problem is it is 64 bit only?  When was the last time a 32 bit mainstream computer was offered for sale?  (Not Netbooks or tablets.)  It was quite plainly stated, when I pre-ordered mine back in October, that the first support would be Mac, and that the Windows version would be out sometime in 2012.  Is July the first half of the year?  No.  Was first half support promised? No.  Everyone had 30 days to send it back.  Where else have you ever, ever, gotten that deal?  If you sold your Lytro, especially if you turned a nice profit, I'd like to suggest you spend your free time out enjoying your profit and whatever new camera you bought.  Sticking around here, and continuing to throw rocks makes you look like you have a little bit of that obsessive/compulsive stuff going on.  If you think you got a crap cam, and turned a profit unloading it, I would call that a very good day.  And good day to you sir.

Solved by rebooting and reinstall that allowed "LytroService" to start C:\Program Files (x86)\Lytro\lytroservice.exe

Before that service showed as marked for deletion and could not be started.

Nice to see finally the pictures on big screen - only now I realized how low resolution actually they are ...

Any plans to for some standard picture format and allow uploading to flickr etc?

I did comment previously that before I sold my camera on eBay, I managed to retrieve pictures via a borrowed MAC. The pictures are absolute crap making this camera a very expensive toy. The re-focusing gimmick wow factor wears off pretty quick, and all you are left with is flip phone quality pictures.

I'm not complaining, I"m glad I found a sucker to buy this <insert_your_own_qualifier_here> camera. I'll wait until someone incorporates the technology into a decent camera and they will give it a try again.

I did look a bit at CPU and memory utilization with this new Windows Lytro application. The first thing I noticed is that it's mostly a 32-bit application. On my 12 core i7 box, I get CPU utilization at around 40% with about 8 cores being used when I am downloading about a dozen shots. The memory usage can jump to over 1 GB on one of the several Lytro processes. That's where the need for 64-bit Windows comes in. I can see now why my relatively whimpy Mac Mini takes many minutes to process a dozen shots.

Bye.

Thx David. So looks like the multicores do work well. The reason I asked, is that on my 2 core AMD I can see about 90% utilization one one core and about.. oh, 10-20% on the other.. So it rerely gets pegged... which if it did, would probably speed up the processing some. But it's good to know that it screams with many cores. The memory never gets very high for me either... I wonder if they could get away with dropping req. back to 32.. but like someone already said, new computers are all 64, so technically it's an issue that the market is resolving.... but there's A LOT of 32 users outthere, especially with win XP....  where many of these machines will not take win7x64. Oh well, that's life. But I do feel sorry for all the people who got dissapointed...

GT

I wanted to add a positive comment: I am very glad that Lytro was able to get software to work and do it before December 31! So I am able to take the camera on vacation and do some experiments - which I hoped but pretty much resigned that it is not going to happen. Good work Lytro.

As for quality of pictures: it is not that bad, it is not great but I am proud to support the biggest innovation in photography since going digital. So I look on what I paid as investment into future and hope you get me more exciting products to buy soon and this time include windows support form beginning.