Ansel, a new open-source RAW photo editor, has been released as a fork of Darktable 4.0. The software aims to reduce complexity for both developers and users by streamlining the workflow and redesigning the core architecture.
Ansel, a redesigned fork of Darktable, aims to simplify RAW photo editing
Key features of Ansel include a redesigned "Lighttable" for more efficient photo importing and organization, and a revamped "Darkroom" for image editing. The application introduces several unique processing modules not found in Darktable, such as an "AI raw denoise" for reducing noise in high-ISO images and a "Photographic grain" module that simulates the appearance of film. Other features include "Color primaries" for adjusting specific color hues and "Split-toning."
The development focuses on high performance and maintainability. According to the developer, Ansel's engine has been restructured to be more modular. Performance measurements indicate that Ansel's photo list loading is approximately 3.5 times faster, and switching to the edit screen is roughly 6 times faster compared to Darktable 5.0.
Ansel is currently in its alpha version, meaning the user interface may change and the application may experience crashes. It is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Sources
- darktableをフォークして余分な機能を排除しデザイン面の使い勝手を洗練させた「Ansel」 （GIGAZINE, 2026-09-26）
- GitHub