Adobe Systems has released the full version of its Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 plug-in. This latest update extends support to the Pentax K2000 (K-m) and the latest cameras and backs from Leaf. In addition, the cameras given provisional support in the beta are now fully covered. The update will be the last expansion of coverage for Photoshop CS3.

Support for the following cameras have been added in this update:

* Canon 1000D (Digital Rebel XS/EOS Kiss F)
* Canon 50D
* Fuji FinePix IS Pro
* Kodak EasyShare Kodak Z1015 IS
* Leaf AFi II 6
* Leaf AFi II 7
* Leaf Aptus II 6
* Leaf Aptus II 7
* Nikon D700
* Nikon D90
* Nikon Coolpix P6000
* Olympus SP-565 UZ
* Pentax K2000 (K-m)
* Sigma DP1
* Sony A900

Click here to download ACR v4.6 (Windows)
Click here to download ACR v4.6 (Mac)

Lightroom users can gain support for the same cameras by downloading version 2.1, currently at the release candidate stage:

Click here to download Lightroom 2.1

Portrait Professional version 8 is different from conventional editing software in that it is designed only for portrait shots and has actually been ‘trained’ in human appearance using many hundreds of human faces. As such the software has ‘learnt’ statistically what is attractive and unattractive in human faces.
Because of this built in knowledge, it requires less skill and considerably less time than traditional software for face touch up.

While we don’t see it as a direct substitute for software such as Photoshop, for the professional dealing with multiple images in short space of time or the amateur who doesn’t have the requisite skill level on other suites, we feel that it provides a complimentary and easy-to-use alternative.

What’s new about it?

• It is the first version of software that is Mac compatible
• Further enhanced training in human appearance particularly on the 3/4 views and more shape beautification modes, including neck lengthening (at the request of fashion, advertising and catalogue photographers)
• Hair beautifying controls including hair re-colouring, thickening and smoothing to let you eliminate bad hair days after the event. To the best of our knowledge, a world first
• It also has similar enhancements for eyes and mouths. Iris colour, iris saturation, whiteness of the eye, pupil colour, and the sharpness and size of each eye can be individually controlled by sliders. Whiteness of the teeth, the colour contrast saturation and darkness of the lips and the sharpness of the overall mouth can be altered in the same manner
• Improved Colour Calibration and Raw File Support as well as a an Improved User Interface and an Improved Help and tutorial System

Portrait Professional 8 is available in two versions:

1. Portrait Professional 8 Standard This is the standard version which works on
JPEG and Tiff files
2. Portrait Professional 8 Studio This is the high end version which also works
directly on 16 bit Camera RAW files.

The high end software is priced at £79.95 (US $149.95) while Portrait
Professional Standard is £39.95 (US $79.95)

The month is not yet over, but, since Christmas is near and I have to bake cookies, he’s a short list of the most important software updates and releases that might be of interest for digital photographers.

LightZone for Linux

With LightZone First Professional Photo Editor for Linux Users, you have all the powerful LightZone tools for editing, enhancing and improving digital photos that Windows and Mac users have, including the innovative ZoneMapper and Re-Light tools. LightZone is the first and only application of its kind spanning all three major platforms. The 3.3B beta version of LightZone for Linux is free and available for download at http://www.lightcrafts.com/linux .
Linux users will now enjoy access to LightZone’s ZoneMapper and Zone Tools, which enable digital photographers to easily apply the powerful Zone System™, developed by Ansel Adams in 1941, to produce photos with exceptional exposure and tonal ranges.
Linux users will especially enjoy access to the new LightZone Relight Tool which recaptures the High Dynamic Range (HDR) images they visualized when originally taking the photograph.

onOne Software Now Leopard Compatible

The following onOne Software products are now compatible with Apple’s latest version – Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Genuine Fractals 5.0.4, Mask Pro 4.1.2, PhotoFrame 3.1.1, PhotoFrame Professional Edition 3.1.2, PhotoTune 2.2, Intellihance Pro 4.2.1, Essentials for Photoshop® Elements 2.0, PhotoTools 1.0, PhotoTools Professional Edition 1.0, Plug-In Suite 3, PhotoFrame Frame Collections, PhotoPresets for Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, and PhotoPresets for Adobe Camera Raw.

PhotoPerfect 2.85

Arcadia Software introduces the english version of its Photo Editing Software PhotoPerfect 2.85 with a rich functionality and range of features – like exposure correction, selective color saturation, RAW and 16-bit TIFF editing, support of lab- and RGB color mode, color-profiles / soft proofing as well as HDR/DRI images and framing –, combined with a moderate introductory sales price of only $59.99, PhotoPerfect is geared towards both the enthusiast and the professional photographer. With one-click optimizations the enthusiast achieves results that are so good that most pictures need no further enhancement. The professional finds advanced image enhancement functions that are usually included only in much more expensive software. Product fact-sheet: http://www.arcadiasoftware.com/download/pp-factsheet.pdf

Bibble 4.9.9

Bibble Pro Version 4.9.9 adds support for Nikon D300, D3, Canon 1Ds Mark 3, Canon G9, Olympus E-3, Sony A700, and adds Tethering Support for Intel Mac’s with Nikon dSLR’s. This latest update is free for all current Bibble 4 customers, and new customers will also receive a free upgrade to Bibble 5, when available. Bibble Pro is the most comprehensive cross-platform RAW Workflow application available today, including robust support for the latest cameras and offering Best-in-Class image quality with features such as tethered shooting, Noise Ninja technology, Perfectly Clear automated image optimization and the industry’s only RAW-Level plug-in interface. The Bibble Pro plug-in for Adobe Photoshop supports CS2, CS, and version 7 – providing native access to the latest camera formats otherwise inaccessible in these older versions of Photoshop. Bibble Pro also remains the fastest RAW converter in existence. Bibble 4 is available in both “Pro” ($129.95) and “Lite” ($69.95) versions for Windows, Macintosh (PPC/Intel as a Universal Binary) and Linux. Visit http://www.bibblelabs.com for further details and to download.

AKVIS Frame Suite 2.6

AKVIS Frame Suite is an impressing collection of edge effects. Thanks to its 12 effects and a rich Pattern Library, the software can generate an endless number of photo frame versions (from classic to most fancy ones).
For the upcoming holidays, new Christmas decorations have been added to the Pattern Library. Screenshots of the program’s features are available at http://akvis.com/en/frame-suite/screenshots-photo-framing.php. Whether you plan to upload holiday photos on a web-site to share with your friends or you wish to decorate a personalized Christmas greeting card, you can rely on AKVIS Frame Suite – it will add elegance and style to any photo.
The program is available in two versions  as an independent program (standalone) and as a plug-in to a photo editor.
AKVIS Frame Suite Plugin is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter, Corel Photo-Paint, and Paint Shop Pro, ACD FotoCanvas, and Ulead PhotoImpact.

Microsoft HD Photo Plug-In for Adobe Photoshop

The Microsoft HD Photo Plug-In allows you to open and save any HD Photo file (.wdp or possibly .hdp) in Adobe Photoshop. The HD Photo plug-in supports a wide range of pixel formats (including high dynamic range, wide gamut formats) and numerous advanced HD Photo features. HD Photo is also known as Windows Media Photo. This plug-in is designed for use with the CS2 or CS3 versions of Adobe Photoshop software running under Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista or Mac OS X.
Download for Windows
Download for Mac

Sigma Photo Pro 2.3

Sigma Photo Pro 2.3 includes new image processing code, which provides better auto white balance performance. Sigma Photo Pro is an exclusive software package for displaying and manipulating your Sigma digital camera images on your computer. Available for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems, Sigma Photo Pro 2.3 can be downloaded now.

Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1

Camera Raw 4.3.1 for both Windows and Mac platforms Version 4.3.1 includes the following changes:
- Compressed raw files from the Nikon D100 were read incorrectly in Camera Raw 4.3
- A possible artifact in Camera Raw 4.3 raw file support for the Olympus E-3 has been corrected
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 (Windows)
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 and DNG Converter (Windows)
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 (MAC)
Adobe Camera Raw 4.3.1 and DNG Converter (MAC)

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom1.3.1

The update will provide corrections for the following issues:

-The Lightroom 1.3 Print Module could previously cause the application to crash on either OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1 during template usage.
-On Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1, the import process from a card reader or other device into Lightroom could fail to import all or a portion of the selected images.
-A decrease in Develop slider responsiveness introduced in Lightroom 1.3 has been corrected.
-The Lightroom 1.3 Develop module could cause the application to crash if adjustments were made in quick succession.
-Compressed raw files from the Nikon D100 were read incorrectly in Lightroom 1.3.
-A possible artifact in raw file support for the Olympus E-3 has been corrected.
-The Lightroom FTP Plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK did not function properly if the password was not saved with the selected FTP preset.
-Editing or creating a new FTP preset immediately prior to using the FTP plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK would cause the FTP process to fail.
-Using the Export as Previous option did not work with the FTP plug-in provided as sample code with the Export SDK.

JAlbum 7.4

Jalbum.net has been lacking visual ways of sharing published albums, but, the new browse album page is the first step in enabling the users to share their albums on our site. See the page by clicking on a featured album thumbnail on: http://jalbum.net. Other new features include password protecting albums hosted on myjalbum.net, support for Windows Vista and a sharing function. JAlbum is a free service.
- User interface redesigned to be more workflow-logical. These changes have been performed after analyzing user behaviour on a test group. We strongly believe this change will help a lot of new users to get a long with the UI resulting in a lot more published albums.
- Password protecting albums hosted on myjalbum.net. This has been one of the most requested features.
- Windows Vista support.
- New sharing function: JAlbum can now help users telling about their new albums after publishing them via email and web.

StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus

H&M System Software is now offering StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus, a feature-rich update to its multiple award winning image editing and archiving software StudioLine Photo Classic. The update is available immediately at http://www.StudioLine.biz and is free for registered users of StudioLine Photo Classic 3. StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus costs £42 for a download version or £49 for a CD version. The “Christmas Special” of £21 or £28 will apply until December 31, 2007.
StudioLine Photo Classic 3 Plus features:
Clear User Interface and Optimized Workflow
Rapid Keywording and Description
Efficient Search Functions
RAW Support
Professional Tools for Image Editing
High Quality, Flexible Printing
Film Strips for Rapid Export Preview
Add-on Module DigitalXpress for Exchanging Large Numbers of Pictures

Image Doctor 2

With Image Doctor, you can restore old shots and retouch new shots. This Photoshop plug-in from Alien Skin Software is capable of:
Removing unwanted objects. Image Doctor’s powerful Smart Fill feature removes large, unwanted objects from photos, such as trash items from foregrounds and undesirable guests from party photos. Smart Fill can automatically replace these areas with an intelligent sampling of the nearby background pattern or the user can specify the location of the background samples.
Repairing low-quality JPEG images. Use Image Doctor’s JPEG Repair to fix blocky areas and ragged edges in over-compressed JPEG images. Select an area for repair or use it on your entire photo.
For examples, illustrations of the powerful photo repairs you can make with Image Doctor 2:
http://www.alienskin.com/imagedoctor/idoc_filters.html
Upgrade: Registered users of Image Doctor 1 can buy Image Doctor 2 at a discounted price (Image Doctor 2 is available now for $199, or $99 to upgrade from a previous version).
https://www.alienskin.com/ecomm/s2_deliv_type.asp?prod=57&buy_now=212

This is about firmware but not the usual one.

Whappo sent me an email to let me know about an open-source program called CHDK, which can be used to update the software for your Digital Camera. – Chris Pirillo

Still, this is only available for Canon Cameras…

DxO Optics Pro 5

Headlining the new features in DxO Optics Pro v5 is a brand new RAW conversion engine including a breakthrough demosaicing algorithm which produces images with much more detail and fewer unwanted artifacts. In a second major breakthrough, DxO Optics Pro v5 now applies its noise reduction techniques prior to demosaicing—before noise has a chance to be amplified by the RAW conversion process and become obtrusive.
DxO Optics Pro v5 also includes a “click once, clean many” dust/blemish removal tool as well a completely reorganized user interface to improve workflow and ease of use.
Previously unannounced, a handful of additional new features make DxO Optics Pro v5 even more of a time saver.
• Compatibility between DxO Optics Pro v5 and Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® has been deepened. DxO Optics Pro v5 can now read from and interact with image libraries from Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, providing a more fluid workflow between these two popular applications.
• Using the new ‘Snapshot” feature; users can create several ‘virtual versions’ of an image to which they can apply different DxO Optics Pro corrections for processing.
With DxO Optics Pro v5, the library of camera bodies and lens correction modules expands to include the recently released Canon EOS 40D and selected lenses. In the coming months, the Canon 1Ds MKIII, Nikon D300 and Nikon D3 DSLR camera bodies will also be added to the more than 600 correction modules currently available.

Essentials 2 for Adobe Photoshop Elements

This updated version of onOne Software’s popular software suite includes technology from onOne Software’s newly acquired PhotoTune color correction software, and onOne Software’s Mask Pro, PhotoFrame, and Genuine Fractals software products fine-tuned specifically for Adobe Photoshop Elements.Essentials 2 for Adobe Photoshop Elements supports Adobe Photoshop Elements versions 4, 5 and 6 for Windows and Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 and 4 for Macintosh. onOne Software’s Essentials 2 is available as a free upgrade for all current users of Essentials for Adobe Photoshop Elements. Upgrade is available through the user’s automatic update upon launch of the program. It is also available for $59.95 for new users from onOne Software authorized distributors and resellers, or direct from onOne Software at http://www.onOnesoftware.com. In addition, for current users of Essentials, this free upgrade will not replace the previous Make it Better! tool featuring onOne Software’s Intellihance Pro, rather it will add a Make it Better 2! module using the technology found in PhotoTune to the user’s available plug-ins.

Serif PhotoPlus X2 Studio Pack

PhotoPlus X2 Studio Pack is the new Microsoft Windows Vista™ certified version of Serif’s award winning digital imaging powerhouse. This release brings even greater breadth to the photo fixing, image editing and creative power of PhotoPlus X2 while making the task of improving photos even easier thanks to impressive new automated helpers. Managing and sharing burgeoning image collections takes a step forward, too, with AlbumPlus SE Pro’s improved organising and search capabilities, attractive new printed projects, superb slideshows for sharing with friends and family, plus the option to purchase photo prints and gifts.
Top new PhotoPlus X2 Studio Pack features include:
• Automated Makeover Studio – Let PhotoPlus X2 help remove imperfections from portraits
• New Image Fixing Power – Improve photos with enhanced QuickFix Studio and new tools
• New Artistic Effects – Image effects such as Comic Book, Textures, and Vignette
• Slideshows and Photo Discs – Share photos and artwork with friends, family, and colleagues
• Photo Prints and Gifts – Order photo prints, canvases, or personalised photo gifts

The latest version of this professional photo slide show maker (version 3.2) brings exciting improvements.

With Version 3.2 photographers can share their slide shows in virtually any format and on any device making it easy to connect with clients or co-workers at home or on-the-go. There are no complicated format conversions, the fully-integrated system has dozens of device sharing options including playback on the latest iPod®, Blackberry® and ZuneTM devices. These options are in addition to the popular DVD, PC and Web format options already available in ProShow.

Outputting slide shows to a device is a simple streamlined process. Once a device is chosen for output, Producer generates a version of the slide show that is designed exactly for the type of device chosen; eliminating any complicated formatting and file conversions.

Devices Include:
* Media Players: iPod®, ZuneTM, Creative® Zen and more.
* Mobile Phones: Blackberry®, Apple iPhoneTM, Palm® TreoTM and more.
* Game Consoles: Xbox®, Nintendo® WiiTM and more.
* Set-Top-Boxes: Apple TVTMand Tivo®.

Also new to ProShow Producer 3.2 is the ability to use any PowerPoint remote to navigate through a live ProShow presentation. Using the new Keyboard Control feature, ProShow Producer lets users set custom keystrokes to specify the keyboard shortcuts used in PC Playback. Keyboard shortcuts can be synced with any PowerPoint remote to control a live presentation.
ProShow Producer 3.2 is available immediately from http://www.photodex.com for $249.95. Upgrades to the new version 3.2 are available for $89.95 and include an additional year of free upgrades. A free 15-day trial version of the software is available for download.

Douglas Software understood that there are allot of geeks out there who would like to calculate the exact value of some photographic parameters (useful for camera comparison and understanding the photo technology). Therefore, they released Camera Module for Windows. This software calculates various optical equations such as depth of field or hyperfocal distance to let photographers make more effective use of photographic equipment.

This software provides a photographer with instant assistance in solving many day-to-day optical equations such as angle of view for selected lens and film format combination, depth of field, including near focus, far focus, total depth of field and hyperfocal distance as well as image width and height. The Camera module covers 37 digital formats including 9 digital backs and 12 conventional film formats. With Camera module for Windows, both amateur photographers and professionals will be able to make a more effective use of their photographic equipment while leaving the complexity of optical calculations and formula in the background.

Example:
Let us say, for example, you want to know what the depth of the field is with a 35mm camera with a 100mm lens at a distance of 2 metres and a resolution of 5 lines per mm at an aperture of f8. Using the module, you specify the 35mm film format, select the resolution of 5 lines per mm. Then you should specify a focal length of 100mm, an aperture of f8 and the Manual option for Distance and enter 2. The programme will immediately respond with a calculated figure. The best thing in this software is that all your efforts are restricted to a few simple clicks when selecting the calculation options.

http://www.photo-software.com/downloads.htm

Adobe made a major update by adding new features to more than one product under their license. I’m talking about the widely used Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and Camera Raw.

One of the reasons for this update is the fact that the new versions, Lightroom 1.3 and Camera Raw 4.3 include raw file support for seven additional digital cameras including the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, Canon PowerShot G9, Nikon D3, Nikon D300, Olympus E-3, Olympus SP-560 UZ, and Panasonic DMC-L10. Lightroom 1.3 provides improved support for Apple Leopard Mac OS X 10.5, fixing known compatibility issues.

Further, the Lightroom 1.3 update provides added support for Apple(r) Leopard(tm) Mac OS X 10.5 and includes a technology preview of the Lightroom Export SDK, available as a separate download on the Adobe Labs site. Lightroom Export SDK preview allows for the development of third-party plug-ins that will enable communication from the Lightroom 1.3 Export Dialog to third party tools, Web sites or devices.

NEED TO KNOW:
The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.3 update is available as a free download for existing customers here. The Photoshop Lightroom Export SDK technology preview is available as a separate download on the Adobe Labs site. Photoshop Lightroom can be purchased in the United States and Canada through the Adobe Store at the Adobe Store and at major photo and software retailers for a price of US $299.

Tags: adobe, adobe lightroom, adobe camera raw, adobe lightroom 1.3, lightroom 1.3

Plugin Galaxy 2 is a plugin for creating special effects and enhancing images with the help of more than 160 basic effects. Compatible with dozens of graphics applications including Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop Elements, PhotoPlus, Photo-Paint, IrfanView and PhotoImpact, it provides filters for transparency manipulation, blurring, texture and pattern generation, noise creation, mirroring and warping. It also includes metal, chrome, neon, pop art, glass, page curl, rainbow, sunshine, sunset and star effects and lets you enhance, colorize, add edges to your photos and even encrypt them. There are also effects like feedbacks, grids or zooming. Additionally Plugin Galaxy includes presets for creating fire, rain, snow, water surface, metallic text, contrast and frame effects as well as rendering cosmic scenes.

Plugin Galaxy 2 offers four modes for adjusting the effects from the simple Novice Mode to the sophisticated Expert Mode. The Classic Mode is very similar to the previous version of Plugin Galaxy and the Manual Mode makes all essential controls available without switching between tab sheets. You can also apply the same effect to a large number of images by batch processing them in Cloak Mode and the effects are accessible from a single dialog.

The Play button generates random animations in the preview for exploring the possibilities of the 160+ main effects and the Jump button produces random filter settings.
With the Layers feature you can also apply multiple effects to the image without leaving the Plugin Galaxy dialog.
Additionally you can save filter settings as preset files and open them for later use. 400 presets are already included with Plugin Galaxy. Many Plugin Galaxy effects also affect the transparency of image layers, which offers further possibilities.

Version 2 of Plugin Galaxy is only available for Windows at the moment (also compatible with Windows Vista), while the Version 2 for MacOS X is planned. Price: $69.95 (Regular License) or $39.95 (Academic/Educational License). It can be purchased at http://www.thepluginsite.com/products/plugingalaxy/. A demo version with a few free effects is available for users to try out.

Tags: photoshop plugin, plugin galaxy, paint shop pro plugin, IrfanView plugin, photo plugin, photo effects, photo filters

Microsoft Corp. launched this week the next generation of Windows Live with a new set of tools and services.
Now you can share your media data with anyone, from anywhere, who have Web access across multiple devices. This release was based on a Harris Interactive Inc. study commissioned by Microsoft, a study that came out with the fact that more than two out of three online consumers (67 percent) agree that they would use an all-in-one service with a single username and password for organizing and managing everything they do online.
Chris Jones, corporate vice president of Windows Live Experience Program Management at Microsoft, gives a quit excerpt of the impact of upgrading to the new Windows Life version: “This new generation of Windows Live brings great enhancements to popular services like Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces while introducing new, fun experiences with digital photos, planning and sharing events, publishing to the Web, and keeping in touch with friends that we think our customers will really enjoy.”

The Windows Live set of services is composed of several free PC applications connected to services delivered over the Internet. Windows Live is available in one simple download experience that enables consumers to choose any or all of the Windows Live applications they want, and keep their software and services up to date as Microsoft and the rest of the industry continue to deliver new innovations over time.
http://www.windowslive.com

Communicate. Stay close and connected how you want, wherever you are.
• Windows Live Mail. This desktop mail application provides users with easy access to their Hotmail account, the ability to aggregate multiple inboxes from other accounts such as AOL and Gmail and combine multiple contact lists into one, and simple access using a mobile phone. With the new @live.com e-mail address space, consumers have an opportunity for a new, cool e-mail address.
• Windows Live Messenger. Next-generation instant messaging with sharing, video calling and voice over Internet protocol capabilities makes communication easier, more personal and more fun.**
• Windows Live Spaces. Users can make memories with family and friends by creating photo albums, blogs, lists of favorites and links to personal videos.

Safety. Enjoy a worry-free computing experience with built-in safety features.
• Windows Live OneCare Family Safety. This provides tools to help parents protect children from inappropriate online content and contacts.

Tags: windows life, share, photo share