Adobe have submitted the DNG RAW file format to the ISO as a proposed new standard, according to Adobe’s John Nack. Adobe DNG was first released a couple of years ago, but has struggled to gain real traction with most camera manufacturers, who continue to use their own proprietary formats.

“When we came out with the first camera RAW plug-in, we were supporting around 25 cameras. We’re now supporting more than 175 cameras—in other words, more than 175 different file formats. And when you’re talking about images, people don’t want to keep those images for just five or 10 years. Professional photographers want to know those images will be fine for 50 years—100 years—from now. If you think about the rate of new-camera introductions, how many new file formats will there be?”

Nack also revealed that a DNG-viewing codec for Windows Vista will be released very soon, allowing DNG files to be viewed within the operating system.

Website: John Nack on Adobe - DNG submitted to the ISO

CyberLink PowerDirector 7 allows users to turn their captured videos into professional-looking movies with ease. PowerDirector 7 provides high-definition video support throughout, from capturing, editing and production, to disc authoring. “With the wide availability of high-definition camcorders, video enthusiasts are looking for powerful tools that can create the kind of masterpieces they expect for their high-quality video content,” said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. “CyberLink PowerDirector 7 combines its popular automated editing and video enhancements tools with more advanced editing options, for pro-like results.” CyberLink PowerDirector 7 is now available for $69.95 / 59.99 Euros.

Microsoft Pro Photo Tools is a free program that makes geotagging available for all photographers. Microsoft have also released Expression Media 2, a new version of its digital asset management software. The Pro Photo Tools and Expression Media 2 are designed to work together to help photographers better manage their digital image collections with new comprehensive digital asset management functionality including geotagging. “These two products really simplify the process of geotagging and organizing digital photos by location, even without a GPS device,” said Josh Weisberg, director of the Rich Media Group at Microsoft. “We’ll continue to look for ways to simplify features like geotagging that help keep photographers organized.”

Movie Edit Pro 14 now ships with a free copy of Reallusion Crazy Talk 4 worth £29.99. Movie Edit Pro 14 is an all-round video solution for users with high demands. Crazy Talk 4 allows you to create a virtual cast of live talking characters from just a single photograph. Movie Edit Pro 14 with Crazy Talk 4 is available in the UK from 1st May for £59.99.

The first-ever Photodex ProShow Conference is being held in Austin, Texas from August 16-18. This conference and training event will focus on the popular ProShow slide show product line. “The idea for the ProShow Conference grew from an overwhelmingly positive response from our ProShow training seminars over the past year. This three-day conference is a chance for us to meet our users’ requests and provide them with an annual forum to meet, share ideas and explore new ways of creating slide shows together,” said Paul Schmidt, President of Photodex Corporation. Early registration discounts are available until July 16th, 2008 and offer $100 off the price of attending.

AKVIS Sketch 7 converts photos to realistic pencil and watercolor drawings. Version 7 offers special effects that make the final photo more impressive, including creating a blend of the final drawing and the original image. AKVIS Sketch 7 is available as a stand-alone application, as well as a plugin to a photo editor. AKVIS Sketch 7 Home License costs $72 USD / 55 Euros.

DSLR Remote Pro v1.7 for controlling Canon EOS cameras and PSRemote v1.6 for controlling Canon PowerShot cameras are now available. Both applications feature Photo booth mode, which allows sitters to see themselves pose in front of the camera. Support for the Canon EOS 450D/Rebel XSi, including remote live view display with auto-focus, has been added to DSLR Remote Pro v1.7. DSLR Remote Pro costs US $95 and costs PSRemote 1.6 costs US $49.

DxO Optics Pro v5.0 now supports the Samsung GX-20 DSLR camera. Support for the GX-20 camera body and an initial selection of lenses has been added. DxO have also implemented 22 additional DxO Correction Modules for a variety of Nikon lenses, including the 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 and 80-200mm f/2.8. DxO Optics Pro v5 is available in Standard and Elite versions for £99 and £199 respectively.

The RAW converter software Silkypix Developer Studio 3.0 now supports the Canon Digital Rebel XSi / EOS 450D, Pentax K20D and Sony A350 DSLRs. Version 3.0.18.3 also records ens information into the JPEG/TIFF file using the XMP standard, which was standardized by Adobe. Silkypix Developer Studio 3.0 costs $149.00 and a free trial version is available.

Website: Silkypix Developer Studio 3.0.18.3

Version 11.1 of Leaf Capture image workflow software features a a brand new Compare View function. Leaf Capture also features an all-new Lens Calibration File Wizard and automatic firmware updates. Leaf Capture 11.1 software supports all of Leaf’s camera systems and is available for an unlimited number of users.

Microsoft has updated Expression Media with a post-SP1 rollup of bug fixes. Microsoft Expression Media (formerly known as iView MediaPro) is now up to version 1.0.9058. Expression Media Post-SP Rollup for Microsoft Windows fixes the following issues from Expression Media Service Pack 1:

- Nikon D3/D300 NEF RAW files crash Expression Media
- Custom fields have garbage characters appended to the end of the fields when opened in Expression Media Service Pack 1
- After upgrading to Apple QuickTime 7.4, files/folders added to a Catalog that previously existed are duplicated in the Catalog Folder pane and uses 8.3 naming instead of long file names.

Website: Microsoft Expression Media Post-SP1 Rollup (Windows)
Website: Microsoft Expression Media Post-SP1 Rollup (Mac)

Nikon have released a new version, 1.3.3, of Capture NX. Version 1.3.3 includes support for RAW images captured with the D3 and the Vignette Control option has been added.

Website: Nikon Capture NX 1.3.3 (Windows)
Website: Nikon Capture NX 1.3.3 (Mac)

Nikon have released a new version of ViewNX, a file browser which ensures quick access to images for instant viewing. Version 1.0.4 of Nikon ViewNX includes support for RAW images captured with the D3 and the Vignette Control option has been added.

Website: Nikon ViewNX 1.0.4 (Windows)
Website: Nikon ViewNX 1.0.4 (MAC)

A beta version of DxO Optics Pro v5 for the Apple Macintosh platform is now available. The free public beta, available in English only, will run for several weeks. “Although both the Mac and PC versions are identical in terms of functionalities, Mac users will be especially pleased with the consistency of DxO Optics Pro v5 in the Mac environment,” says Cyrille de La Chesnais, Sales & Marketing Director of the Photography Business at DxO Labs. “For instance, the palette and tab icons follow Mac OS X toolbar guidelines and the select tab reproduces the three viewing modes that Mac users are accustomed to using.” DxO Optics Pro v5 is available in Standard and Elite editions for $169 and $299 respectively.

The latest update to Filter Forge has added support for Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 and Corel Photo-Paint X4. Filter Forge is a Photoshop plugin that allows users to create their own filters. Version 1.012 also includes fixes for a number of bugs. This update is free for registered users.

iCorrect Online is a new a web-based color correction and color editing application from PictoColor. The initial launch of iCorrect Online features PictoColor’s OneClick Color technology, which automatically removes any color cast, corrects the tonal range, and adjusts the overall brightness and saturation with a single mouse click. “By seamlessly integrating iCorrect Online with photo sharing communities, social networking sites and a growing list of web-based photo services, we intend to offer users around the world the fastest and easiest approach to improving their digital photos.” said Craig Huelskoetter, president of PictoColor.

TechCrunch have revealed that a Mac version of Google’s desktop photo editing software Picasa will be launched later this year. Picasa 2.1 for Windows is currently available as a free download.

“After explaining that I’d been told by their colleague that Picasa for Mac was coming and all I wanted now was the release date, they said that they wouldn’t confirm or deny the fact, saying that the use of the logo was part of a promotion for Picasa Web Albums, but said all of this whilst smiling like Cheshire cats.”

Website: TechCrunch - Google Developing Mac Version Of Picasa, Due To Be Released This Year

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.4.1 and Camera Raw 4.4.1 are now available immediately as free upgrades for existing users. Lightroom Product Manager Tom Hogarty has announced the release, which corrects problems found in Lightroom 1.4 and Camera Raw 4.4.

Filter Forge Freepack 3 - Frames is a free plugin comprised of seven effect filters, each capable of framing any photo in a creative way. For example, Painting Frame generates realistic wooden frames with paint flaking off, and Film Frame produces a black film-like vignette. Additionally, starting on April 12th 2008, a 20% discount is available for all editions of Filter Forge.

Version 6 of AKVIS Noise Buster offers a new improved algorithm for noise suppression. A new Microdetail parameter has been added, which reveals small detail without bringing back the suppressed noise, and there’s a new Unsharp Mask option. The Macintosh version of Noise Buster is now compatible with Photoshop Elements 6. AKVIS Noise Buster sells for $49 USD. Registered users can upgrade to version 6 for free.