PhotoTools 2 is a new Photoshop CS4 plugin that provides a wide range of imaging tools including effects, corrections and production automation in a full-featured interface. Available in January 2009, version 2 offers an expanded range of photographic effects and a significantly improved user experience through a new effects library and additional new features. PhotoTools 2 offers an easier way to search for, access and preview over 270 included photographic effects. PhotoTools 2 is available in a Professional Edition and a Standard Edition for $259.95 and $159.95 respectively.

Plug-In Suite 4.5 from onOne Software includes new versions of PhotoFrame, PhotoTools and Genuine Fractals, plus Mask Pro 4, PhotoTune 2.2, and FocalPoint 1.0. “In addition to brand new versions of PhotoFrame 4, PhotoTools 2 and Genuine Fractals 6, the new Plug-In Suite 4.5 adds support for Photoshop CS4, Lightroom 2 and Aperture 2.1 so users can seamlessly integrate these valuable products into their existing workflow.” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. Plug-In Suite 4.5 will be available in January 2009 to new users for $499.95 - a savings of $799.75 if purchased separately.

The Kubota Image Tools Dashboard is a new quick-launch interface for more than 280 Kubota Photoshop Actions. Users can now quickly and easily launch and apply selected Kubota Actions. “For me,” says Kevin Kubota “the most exciting feature of the new, more powerful Dashboard is that it is intuitive. For example, some images I want to appear ‘romantic’, others, ‘edgy’ or ‘funky’. I can type these words into the search bar of the Dashboard and a list of Kubota Actions will show up that will enhance my image to create the feeling I wanted to capture when I took that photograph.” Each individual Kubota Action Pak, with approximately 50 Actions each, is sold separately for $179.

The Digimarc for Images plug-in has been enhanced to coincide with the release of Adobe Creative Suite 4. Digimarc for Images enables content owners to place a persistent, invisible digital watermark into photographs and other images. It then reports to image owners on both authorized and unauthorized use of images online. New features include the addition of seven new languages, improved search and better image format transformations, resizing and compression. Digimarc will offer a free Webcast on November 13th for users interested in learning more about digitally watermarking their images.

Adobe has added RAW file support for 15 digital cameras to Lightroom 2.1 and Camera Raw 5.1, including the Nikon D90 and Canon EOS 50D. The Lightroom 2.1 update also includes improvements to Photoshop integration, Web module stability for Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit operating systems, performance with 64-bit Mac OS X 10.5 Macintosh computers, and Keyword migration from Lightroom. In addition, Adobe has released a new set of camera profiles available on Adobe Labs.

DxO Optics Pro v5.3 is a major new release of the automatic image quality enhancement solution for digital SLR and compact camera users. DxO Optics Pro 5.3 adds more RAW support, 64-bit Windows compatibility, support for Adobe Lightroom 2, and new DxO Optics Correction Modules. “The noise removal technology for RAW images featured in DxO Optics Pro 5.3 opens up exciting options to photographers providing them with up to a 2-stop gain at photo capture, as if digital grain never really existed,” says Cyrille de La Chesnais, director of the photography business at DxO Labs. “This translates into a dramatic increase in capture flexibility.”

Apple has just updated Aperture, its pro photo management and RAW conversion application. The Aperture 2.1.2 update improves the printing quality of books, cards and calendars ordered through the Aperture printing service. The update is recommended for all customers using Aperture 2.

Website: Apple Aperture 2.1.2 Update

The SilverFast Archive Suite allows for fast and easy archiving of slides, negatives and reflective originals. Two programs, SilverFast Ai IT8 Studio and SilverFast HDR Studio, are included in the SilverFast Archive Suite. An integrated Color Management System which meets professional standards completes the package.

lynda.com has just launched its CS4 University online training courses. 28 training courses are available now with over 100 hours of instructional videos. lynda.com is also the exclusive in-the-box video training provider for Adobe Creative Suite 4. Lynda Weinman, co-founder of lynda.com, said, “As the software landscape continually evolves, a lynda.com Online Training Library subscription remains the most comprehensive and efficient way for designers, instructors, students, and hobbyists to keep their skill sets up to date.”

Adobe Camera Raw 5 is now available as part of Photoshop CS4. Camera Raw 5 has a number of new features:

  * Local adjustment brush
  * Graduated Filter
  * “Post Crop” Vignetting
  * Opacity for the cloning/healing tool
  * Improved Auto Adjustment
  * Support for the new Camera Profiles that are still in beta form

Website: Photoshop CS4 with Camera Raw 5 Now Shipping

The RAW workflow software Capture One 4 Pro is now available. Capture One 4 Pro has been designed to enhance the image quality of professional digital captures. “Phase One supports pro photographers who prefer straightforward, responsive, effective options to meet uncompromising standards of quality,” said British fashion photographer Drew Gardner. “So you find in Capture One 4 PRO an experience more consistent with what photography is all about.” Phase One’s Capture One 4 Pro costs $399 and 299 Euros.

Adobe Creative Suite 4 is now available. There are six new versions - Design Premium, Design Standard, Web Premium, Web Standard, Production Premium and Master Collection - plus 13 stand-alone programs, including Photoshop CS4. Pricing for the collections starts from $1699 in the US. Take a look at our Photoshop CS4 review to find out what’s new.

Adobe have released the final versions of Camera Raw 4.6 and DNG Converter 4.6 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Newly supported camera models in Version 4.6 include:

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

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 (Windows)
Website: Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 (Mac)

Acronis True Image Home 2009 is a new disk imaging and backup software application for home users. True Image protects users’ PCs and allows them to recover quickly from the impact of threats such as viruses, unstable software downloads and failed hard drives. New features in the 2009 edition include a Vista-like user interface, one-step protection and powerful search tools. Acronis True Image Home provides both full image and file-based backups. Acronis Tue Image Home 2009 is available now for £39.95.

AKVIS Sketch 8 converts photos to realistic pencil and watercolor drawings. Version 8 offers includes a Quick Preview window that saves you time when fine-tuning the settings, and adds Exif and IPTC data support. AKVIS Sketch 8 is available as a stand-alone application, as well as a plugin to a photo editor. AKVIS Sketch 8 Home License costs $72 USD / 55 Euros.

XDepth Raw is a new file format that functions as both a JPEG and a RAW image. XDepth Raw images are recognized as JPEGs by any software application, but when they’re opened with XDepth-enabled software, the same files are opened as RAW images instead. XDepth Raw claims a 7:1 compression ratio compared to the uncompressed Raw file, which translates into 200Kb for each megapixel of resolution. This new file format can also store up to 72bits/pixel at full high dynamic range. XDepth Raw will make its official debut at the PDN PhotoPlus expo at the end of October.

Version 1.9 of BreezeBrowser Pro adds RAW support for the Nikon D700, Nikon D60 and Canon EOS 1000D/Rebel XS camera, and extends GPS data support. BreezeBrowser Pro 1.9 allows you to geo-tag batches of raw or JPEG images with latitude, longitude and altitude data from a GPS receiver. It can also pinpoint geo-tagged images using online map services. Downloader Pro v2.2 includes the ability to geo-tag images and lookup place names as photographs are downloaded from the camera. BreezeBrowser Pro is available for US $69.95 or US $89.90 when purchased as a bundle with Downloader Pro.

Abbyy FotoReader turns photographed text into a computer file to store or edit on the PC. FotoReader converts the image of the text in the photo into Microsoft Word, Excel, PDF and other file formats. “ABBYY FotoReader takes the evolution of the camera and the photo one step further.  Cameras and photos become devices for capturing not just images but also important texts and documents, and in doing so, become a productivity tool.” explained Jupp Stoepetie, CEO of ABBYY Europe. Abbyy FotoReader is available now for £39.99.

Adobe is touring the UK to showcase its new Creative Suite 4 product line-up. With four different sessions to choose from – CS4 Design Premium, CS4 Web Premium, CS4 Production Premium and CS4 Master Collection – Adobe will be revealing hundreds of enhancements and new capabilities. Launching at CreativePro Expo on October 23 and running until November 27, 2008, the Creative Suite 4 Tour visits 7 other cities in England, Scotland and Ireland. There is no charge to attend the CS4 Tour 2008.

ACDSee Photo Manager 2009 features new tools to help you keep your photos organized and ready for sharing. The new Import tool allows you to rename, back up, categorize and add keywords to images as they are acquired from a camera, card reader, CD/DVD or other storage device. ACDSee Photo Manager automatically saves and preserves the original image file when it is first opened for editing within the software. You can now add a custom border, drop shadow or edge effect, then share favorite images with quick uploaders to online tools like flickr. ACDSee Photo Manager 2009 is available for a free 30-day trial and for purchase for $49.99.