Adobe Photoshop CS3's interface will look a bit like Adobe After Effects 7, according to sources reporting to Mac blog site Think Secret.
The new look will feature better palette organisation with the ability to move all palettes into a single icon, as well as dedicated brightness adjustment for the interface itself.
The sources also say that Live Filters is one new feature that improves workflow as well as raw performance, bringing dynamic editing from Layer Styles to Filters.
The rumours also include news that non-destructive editing has been improved, so that layers can be saved as smart objects on which new editable filters can be applied.
Sources have also revealed to Think Secret that 3D objects can be imported and textures modified; video support has been enhanced; and a new Device Library contains listings for many phones and portable devices so that designers can check how their design will be viewed on screens of various shapes and sizes.
The same sources said that the release most probably won't come until March or April 2007.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Apple updates iLife to fit in with Aperture 1.5
ust a day after Apple released a software for its iTunes software the company has released a series of fixes for its iLife package which addresses updates to the company's Aperture photographic application.
Totaling 125.9MB the package that gets the most updates is iPhoto which becomes iPhoto 6.0.5 and as well as the Aperture update users will get new calendar, greeting card, and postcard themes for use with Apple print services, including a variety of holiday card designs
iMovie HD also gets further improvements including overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues.
The iDVD, GarageBand, iWeb updates simply "addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content".
Totaling 125.9MB the package that gets the most updates is iPhoto which becomes iPhoto 6.0.5 and as well as the Aperture update users will get new calendar, greeting card, and postcard themes for use with Apple print services, including a variety of holiday card designs
iMovie HD also gets further improvements including overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues.
The iDVD, GarageBand, iWeb updates simply "addresses compatibility for accessing Aperture 1.5 content".
Apple releases major update for Aperture version 1.5
Apple has released what it calls a “major update” to its Aperture all-in-one professional post production tool for photographers, in the form of version 1.5, which will be available to current users with a free upgrade.
Aperture 1.5 operates on a new open library, offers seamless integration across Apple’s other applications, including iLife, iWord, and even iTunes, and has added new adjustment tools and XMP metadata support.
The open library system means that photographers can store image files wherever they want, including external hard drives and removable media. The software generates high-res previews in a variety of sizes and quality levels, and lets users review, rate, and organise these previews while the original images are offline. This means the user can take a compact version of his or her entire library to work on while travelling.
With tighter integration with other Apple applications, users can now build websites through iWeb, create self-contained slideshows with Keynote, or produce DVD slideshows with iDVD, all using JPEGs from the Aperture library.
Users can also sync to iPod using iTunes, making it easier to download images to the device, and access Aperture photos within iPHoto.
Adding metadata is easier with pre-filled IPTC Metadata Prests, while RAW images can be exported with IPTC data stored in XMP sidecar files so that they can be read from within other applications.
New photo adjustments include luminance-based Edge Sharpening, and a new Color tool for tuning hue, saturation, and luminance of specific colour ranges.
The Loupe has also been enhanced with new onscreen tools and the option to detach the curser from the loupe while making adjustments.
And plug-ins from third party developers means that Aperture’s functionality can be extended and connected to complementary applications. Getty Images, iStockphoto, Pictage, Flickr, PhotoShelter, and more have already developed plug-ins.
Pricing in the US is around $299 for the full version; it's £219 in the UK.
Aperture 1.5 operates on a new open library, offers seamless integration across Apple’s other applications, including iLife, iWord, and even iTunes, and has added new adjustment tools and XMP metadata support.
The open library system means that photographers can store image files wherever they want, including external hard drives and removable media. The software generates high-res previews in a variety of sizes and quality levels, and lets users review, rate, and organise these previews while the original images are offline. This means the user can take a compact version of his or her entire library to work on while travelling.
With tighter integration with other Apple applications, users can now build websites through iWeb, create self-contained slideshows with Keynote, or produce DVD slideshows with iDVD, all using JPEGs from the Aperture library.
Users can also sync to iPod using iTunes, making it easier to download images to the device, and access Aperture photos within iPHoto.
Adding metadata is easier with pre-filled IPTC Metadata Prests, while RAW images can be exported with IPTC data stored in XMP sidecar files so that they can be read from within other applications.
New photo adjustments include luminance-based Edge Sharpening, and a new Color tool for tuning hue, saturation, and luminance of specific colour ranges.
The Loupe has also been enhanced with new onscreen tools and the option to detach the curser from the loupe while making adjustments.
And plug-ins from third party developers means that Aperture’s functionality can be extended and connected to complementary applications. Getty Images, iStockphoto, Pictage, Flickr, PhotoShelter, and more have already developed plug-ins.
Pricing in the US is around $299 for the full version; it's £219 in the UK.
Ulead releases PhotoImpact 12 image and video editing software
Ulead has released the latest version of its consumer image editing software, PhotoImpact 12, with a number of new features designed to make operation even simpler.
The key addition to the programmed is the new ExpressFix mode, which is a simplified interface that provides commonly-used photo features as guided and fully-automatic tools. Users can edit images and compare their changes with the original on a large before and after preview screen. Noise reduction and the SmartCurves tone adjustment are available as one-step processes in this mode.
A SmartGuide “How-to” panel has also been incorporated to guide new users through a range of Photo, Web, and Video and DVD editing options.
Although the software is designed for consumer use, it does incorporate a number of features for high-end users, including RAW file conversion and editing high-colour depth with support for selected tools and objects, and a new White Balance correction tool to achieve natural-looking images.
Web, DVD, and Video Graphics have also been enhanced. Component Designer now includes video title graphics and DVD navigation buttons, and new to PhotoImpact 12 are Web blog and DVD menu templates.
The package includes PhotoImpact, Photo Explorer 8.6, Alum 12, COOL 360 for panoramic images, and Animator 5.05 for £45 for download, £50 for the box. Upgrades from older versions are also available.
The key addition to the programmed is the new ExpressFix mode, which is a simplified interface that provides commonly-used photo features as guided and fully-automatic tools. Users can edit images and compare their changes with the original on a large before and after preview screen. Noise reduction and the SmartCurves tone adjustment are available as one-step processes in this mode.
A SmartGuide “How-to” panel has also been incorporated to guide new users through a range of Photo, Web, and Video and DVD editing options.
Although the software is designed for consumer use, it does incorporate a number of features for high-end users, including RAW file conversion and editing high-colour depth with support for selected tools and objects, and a new White Balance correction tool to achieve natural-looking images.
Web, DVD, and Video Graphics have also been enhanced. Component Designer now includes video title graphics and DVD navigation buttons, and new to PhotoImpact 12 are Web blog and DVD menu templates.
The package includes PhotoImpact, Photo Explorer 8.6, Alum 12, COOL 360 for panoramic images, and Animator 5.05 for £45 for download, £50 for the box. Upgrades from older versions are also available.
Adobe releases Lightroom beta 4.0
Adobe has released a fourth Beta version of its Lightroom RAW workflow software, and has added Photoshop to the title to reinforce the idea that it is part of the Photoshop family of software.
This latest release is the result of feedback from over 3400 users who have posted comments and criticism in the Lightroom forums. Over 325,000 people have downloaded the software during the beta period.
Beta 4.0 adds improvements like a new precision white balance selection option, and a more streamlined and elegant user interface, with changes to the way tools are displayed and greater customization. A new tone curve adjustments translates to powerful image correction capabilities, that lets users visually obtain proper adjustments.
Enhancements in the Develop and Library modules yield the option to convert files to Adobe Digital Negative Format, or DNG after importing, although over 125 native raw file formats are support, with preliminary support added for the latest DSLRs, the Canon 400D and the Nikon D80.
Unlike Photoshop, the Lightroom beta is a universal binary app that can be used on both PowerPCs and Intel-based Macs; a Windows version is also available.
This latest release is the result of feedback from over 3400 users who have posted comments and criticism in the Lightroom forums. Over 325,000 people have downloaded the software during the beta period.
Beta 4.0 adds improvements like a new precision white balance selection option, and a more streamlined and elegant user interface, with changes to the way tools are displayed and greater customization. A new tone curve adjustments translates to powerful image correction capabilities, that lets users visually obtain proper adjustments.
Enhancements in the Develop and Library modules yield the option to convert files to Adobe Digital Negative Format, or DNG after importing, although over 125 native raw file formats are support, with preliminary support added for the latest DSLRs, the Canon 400D and the Nikon D80.
Unlike Photoshop, the Lightroom beta is a universal binary app that can be used on both PowerPCs and Intel-based Macs; a Windows version is also available.
Corel announces new Paint Shop Pro Photo version XI
Corel has been quick to respond to Adobe’s announcement of Elements 5.0 yesterday with a new version of Paint Shop Pro Photo, version XI.
This release incorporates a number of new features, including a Photo Organiser that also functions as a file browser and seems to offer similarity functionality as Adobe Bridge does to Photoshop.
The Photo Organiser is built within Paint Shop Pro so that users can quickly locate images and search for images by filename, date, file type, or folder location, as well as assign ratings, keywords, and other metadata.
Other major additions are the Color Changer tool, Time Machine, Film and Filters, Skin Smoothing, Quick Review, and Photo Trays.
The Color Changer Tool lets users replace blocks of colour realistically by matching the illumination in the original colour, while the Time Machine is a fancy name for applying various filters themed around periods of history to an image. It tries to replicate the effect of various photo developing techniques from, for example, the Roaring Twenties or Swinging Sixties.
Film and Filters applies a variety of tradition film and filter types to images, while Skin Smoother, part of the Makeover Tools collection, gets rid of wrinkles, blemishes, and scars so you can turn granny into a teenager.
Quick Review is a slideshow manager for quickly fixing them, while Photo Trays providers users with a new way to sort images.
The software also includes the new Snapfire Plus SE photo and video sharing software, and is available from the website for £77 ex VAT, or £52 ex VAT for an upgrade.
This release incorporates a number of new features, including a Photo Organiser that also functions as a file browser and seems to offer similarity functionality as Adobe Bridge does to Photoshop.
The Photo Organiser is built within Paint Shop Pro so that users can quickly locate images and search for images by filename, date, file type, or folder location, as well as assign ratings, keywords, and other metadata.
Other major additions are the Color Changer tool, Time Machine, Film and Filters, Skin Smoothing, Quick Review, and Photo Trays.
The Color Changer Tool lets users replace blocks of colour realistically by matching the illumination in the original colour, while the Time Machine is a fancy name for applying various filters themed around periods of history to an image. It tries to replicate the effect of various photo developing techniques from, for example, the Roaring Twenties or Swinging Sixties.
Film and Filters applies a variety of tradition film and filter types to images, while Skin Smoother, part of the Makeover Tools collection, gets rid of wrinkles, blemishes, and scars so you can turn granny into a teenager.
Quick Review is a slideshow manager for quickly fixing them, while Photo Trays providers users with a new way to sort images.
The software also includes the new Snapfire Plus SE photo and video sharing software, and is available from the website for £77 ex VAT, or £52 ex VAT for an upgrade.
Adobe to launch Photoshop Elements 5.0 in October
Adobe has announced what it calls a major upgrade to its Elements software that incorporates support for the company’s about-to-be-launched online photo service.
Elements 5.0 is for the amateur photographer who is looking for sophisticated editing tools as well as fun photo applications. The latest version includes themed and customisable layouts for albums and scrapbooks, as well as over 100 framing options.
A new Map View has overtones of Sony’s new map feature for its digital cameras in conjunction with a portable GPS receiver. It lets users drag photos to any location on an online satellite map to tag them with location information.
The new, yet-to-be-launched online service by Adobe, called Photoshop Showcase is a new way for users to share images for free or for a subscription, and features a Flash-based photo gallery with virtual scrapbooks.
The software also incorporates new photo layout tools to make creating photobooks more “personalised”, in the company’s words.
According to Adobe’s statement, there’s a dearth of new editing tools, except for a black-and-white conversion tool; an Adjust Color Curves tools; and new fixes for lens distortion.
Elements 5.0 is for the amateur photographer who is looking for sophisticated editing tools as well as fun photo applications. The latest version includes themed and customisable layouts for albums and scrapbooks, as well as over 100 framing options.
A new Map View has overtones of Sony’s new map feature for its digital cameras in conjunction with a portable GPS receiver. It lets users drag photos to any location on an online satellite map to tag them with location information.
The new, yet-to-be-launched online service by Adobe, called Photoshop Showcase is a new way for users to share images for free or for a subscription, and features a Flash-based photo gallery with virtual scrapbooks.
The software also incorporates new photo layout tools to make creating photobooks more “personalised”, in the company’s words.
According to Adobe’s statement, there’s a dearth of new editing tools, except for a black-and-white conversion tool; an Adjust Color Curves tools; and new fixes for lens distortion.
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