ACDSee Release New Pro Photo Software Solution

ACD Systems International Inc., have announced their ACD See Pro2 for professional photographers. ACDSee Pro 2, features their next-generation workflow management and RAW processing functionality as tested by thousands of professional photographers. This new version of their “one-stop” software for viewing, processing, editing, cataloguing, publishing and archiving digital images is a feature rich offering which enhances their already excellent powerful Pro solution. This update was developed with input from the more than 2,500 photographers, who participated in their beta-testing program. ACDSee Pro 2’s features enhanced processing power and performance which allows speedy viewing and handling of large RAW files. File manipulation is facilitated through features which nclude: the cutting and pasting of RAW photo settings, one-step rotating and cropping, and recovery of up to two stops of lost highlight detail with their Highlights Recovery slider. RAW files can be simultaneously exported to up to 14 different formats and multiple resolutions also included is the capability to rename, resize and embed colour profiles. Cataloguing images using ACDSee Pro 2’s is even easier with improved metadata handling which includes automated metadata-based file sorting, advanced browsing capabilities such as “Group By,” “Filter By” and “Events View,” and read/write capabilities for both XMP sidecar files and digital negatives (DNG). Enhanced editing is supported via tools such as opacity and blending, channel mixer, and their patent-pending shadow and highlight controls. For more information visit the ACDSee Pro2 product page...

RAW Product Announcements

There have been several RAW image product announcements this week. Bibble Labs have updated Bibble to include support for the Canon 40D, Pentax K100D Super and the Fujifilm FinePix E550. The support for the Canon 40D included tethered shooting and sRAW, check out Bibble Labs for more information on this release. Phase One announced the beta release of Capture One 4, this is a new application building on cutting-edge technology, a new architecture, and what users found best from previous generations of Capture One. The beta is available now at no cost until November 1. Capture One 4 is available for Windows XP (SP2) and Vista and Mac OS 10.4.8 (or higher) platforms. Visit Phase One for more information. Ichikawa Soft Laboratory have updated Silkypix Developer Studio to version 3.0.12 adding support for the Canon EOS 40D, visit the Silkypix product page for more information

Corel Announces Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

Corel Corp. have announced the launch of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2. This new release features a new photoneutral interface and major workflow changes that promise to improve a users experience of editing and correcting their photos and images. Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is at the photo-enthusiast and also at business users who wish to edit and enhance photos for their presentations and other applications. Many of the features found in PSP Photo X2 are found in professional level applications and as such would be ideal for use by the amateur photographer who wants their capabilities to grow with their experience level. Improvements and new features include: Express Lab, which which allows for quick edits, enhancments and changes to images, HDR Photo Merge which adds High Dynamic Range capabilities to Paint Shop Pro. Other improvements include, Layer Styles, Makeover Tools, Auto-Preserve Originals and Crop as New Image. For more information please visit Corel. Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 will be available for a suggested retail price of US$99.99.

onOne Announces PhotoTools and PhotoTools Professional Edition

onOne has introduced two new digital imaging software plug-ins – PhotoTools and PhotoTools Professional Edition. PhotoTools is a new Photoshop plug-in that utilizes Photoshop Actions to provide a wide range of imaging tools. These include; effects, corrections and production automation and all are applied through a nicely crafted interface which allows the user to more easily control their application. With PhotoTools users can preview effects either individually or... "combined/stacked together in a layer-like configuration as well as save their favorite combinations as presets to be used in the future." PhotoTools replicates many traditional photographic filters and darkroom techniques. "PhotoTools and PhotoTools Professional Edition will faithfully reproduce camera filters like neutral density, color correction and polarization as well as darkroom techniques and alternative processes like solarization, cyanotype and palladium printing as well as many paper toners. PhotoTools even includes cinema looks popularized by Hollywood movies." Phototools includes over 150 effects, whilst the Professional Edition adds over 100 more. PhotoTools 1.0 is available for a retail price of US$159.95 and PhotoTools Professional Edition will retail price for US$259.95.

Photoshop Express Shown At Photoshop World

Photoshop Express was shown by Adobe Senior Vice President, John Loicono to crowds of onlookers at Photoshop World. Photoshop Express isn't meant to replace any of the existing products, but is instead designed to be a web based application similar to Premiere Express, which was released earlier this year. The application follows some of the same UI principles shown in Lightroom and other RAW apps but is far simpler in its use. Allowing users a pick and use type of approach for edits and enhancements. John Nack mentions it on his blog, and even provides a screenshot of the app in action.