Nik Software Announce Sharpener Pro 3.0

Nik Software have announced the latest version of their Sharpener Pro photographic plug-in for use with Adobe® Photoshop® and Apple® Aperture™. Sharperner Pro is designed for professionals and photo enthusiasts, and features Nik Software's patented U Point technology, which allows photographers to selectively sharpen objects and uses Control Points to offer precise control over sharpening. “Sharpener Pro 3.0 has been dramatically improved with a range of new features, including powerful creative sharpening tools, a soft proofing option, and integrated U Point technology,” said Michael J. Slater president and CEO of Nik Software. “This new version of Sharpener Pro offers the most comprehensive tools for optimally sharpening images for any output device while also offering photographers the complete control they expect,” Slater concluded. Key Features include: • New U Point Powered Control Points—Enables precise, selective sharpening control • Updated Output Sharpening—Provides the ultimate control to create perfectly sharpened images on all devices and media types such as display, inkjet, continuous tone, half tone, and hybrid tone • New Creative Sharpening—Enhances fine details and textures with new structure, focus, and local contrast tools for drawing attention to desired areas within the image • New Industry-First Sharpening Soft Proof—Allows detailed inspection of sharpening results on screen before printing, eliminating costly test prints • New Output Presets—Enables custom settings to be saved for consistent, professional results • Updated RAW Presharpener—Retains and enhances sharp details within images without amplifying noise and other artifacts • Updated Powerful Selective Tool (Photoshop only)—Enables the use of Photoshop’s brush tools to paint in sharpening selectively • New Smart Filter Support (Photoshop only)—Provides compatibility with Adobe Photoshop’s Smart Objects enabling adjustments to sharpening after Sharpener Pro has been applied • New Multi-Image Support (Aperture only)—Provides compatibility with Aperture’s multiimage support, allowing photographers to easily copy and paste settings between images to maintain consistency Sharpener Pro 3.0 will be available in September for electronic delivery directly from (Nik Software) in four languages (English, French, German, and Spanish). It will be available through specialty camera retailers in October of 2008. The SRP will be € 199.95, with upgrades from any previous version will be available for € 99.95. For more information about Sharpener Pro 3.0, including video tutorials showing the software running within Photoshop and Aperture and a free 15-day fully functional trial version, please visit www.niksoftware.com/sharpenerpro.

Nik Software Announce Free Update For Color Efex Pro 3.0

Nik software have released an update for Color Efex Pro 3.0. The 3.1 update includes support for Aperture and Capture NX 2, and compatibility with Photoshop® Smart Filters.

Nik Software Announces Silver Efex Pro™

Nik Software announced their new Silver Efex Pro photographic plug-in for use with Adobe® Photoshop® and Apple® Aperture™. Silver Efex Pro is an advanced solution which allows users to create black-and-white photographs which closely emulate real world films. It uses advanced imaging algorithms to protect against unwanted artifacts, and emulates 18 black-and-white film types. Silver Efex Pro also features a state-of-the-art grain engine that according to Nik software, "truly mimics the silver halide process and creates the highest quality black-and-white images possible from scanned or digital color photographs." For more information about Silver Efex Pro, and to download a free 15-day fully functional trial version, please visit silverefexpro.

Color Efex Pro 3.0 For Capture NX 2

Nik Software Inc. have announced the immediate availability of their award-winning Color Efex Pro 3.0 photographic filters for Capture NX 2, the latest version of Nikon's flagship photo editing software. Color Efex Pro 3.0 is a powerful and easy to use set of photographic based filters. "Unlike using plug-ins in Photoshop which require controls located in a separate interface, enhancements are made directly on the image in real-time and non-destructively in Capture NX 2, ... This tight integration dramatically simplifies enhancing images and offers photographers a powerful photo editing solution," said Michael Slater, Nik's President and CEO. Color Efex Pro 3.0 adds nine powerful new filters that increase the traditional and stylistic range of the collection. New filters include Bleach Bypass, Cross Balance, Film Effects, Film Grain, Glamour Glow, High Key, Low Key, Polaroid Transfer, and Tonal Enhancer. Previously available filters have also been updated to provide even more options. Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2 has 52 filters, with a possibility of over 250 effects available. A complete filter list can be found at: cep3fornx2.

Nik Software & Vertus - Color Efex Pro 3.0 and Fluid Mask 3 Software Bundle

Nik Software, Inc. and Vertus announced a new software bundle which offers photographers and creative professionals Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete Edition from Nik Software and Vertus’ Fluid Mask 3. These tools offer excellent capabilities for doing image extractions and creative enhancements. Available on both companies’ websites as an electronic download, the bundle is available for $429.95. For download and discount information please visit niksoftware.com or vertustech.com.

Nik Software Ship Viveza

Nik Software have begun shipping Viveza, their new and innovative colour and tone correction plug-in for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Viveza makes selective adjustments simpler to perform than using Photoshop's own tools. It is built around the U Point technology which first appeared in Nikon Capture NX. From all appearances Viveza looks like an excellent workflow improvement tool. I'll hopefully be taking a closer look at it in the next few weeks.

Nik Software Announce Dfine 2.0

Nik Software have announce the availability of Version 2 of Dfine. This Noise reduction plug-in solution for Photoshop allows a great deal of selective control and features a revamped image processing core. The noise reduction capabilities are excellent and do a good job of maintaining exisiting detail and sharpness in the processed image. Other key Features and enhancements include: The creation and sharing of your own profiles, with the use of a precise auto profiling system or through the manual creation of a noise reduction profile. Profiles can be automatically loaded based on image EXIF data, saving time and ensuring an efficient workflow. This feature, however, requires a profile to have been created with Dfine 2.0 for a specific camera and ISO combination Enhanced selective capabilities, include: Control Points powered by U Point™ technology – This works via a single mouse click, where you place Control Points on an image and selectively adjust the amount of contrast (luminance) and color (chrominance) noise reduction. Colors Ranges – by using an eyedropper tool to select colors, you can also reduce noise based on a range of colors. This method is ideal for batch processing a series of images. Selective Tool – this works by using brushes allowing noise reduction to be applied selectively. For added control and fine detail adjustments, Dfine also supports pressure sensitive features optimized for Wacom® Pen Tablets. Dfine 2.0 also has a newly redesigned user interface, which enables you to resize it (the interface) to match your workflow needs. The UI also features a new, unique Navigator Loupe which either shows details under the mouse or provides a bird's eye view of the current image. For more info read theDfine Press Release or the Product Page.