After the Beta version was released back in December 2007, Adobe have now unveiled the official launch date for Adobe Creative Suite 3. March 27th 2007 is the date to add to your calendars. Adobe will be celebrating the global launch at an event in New York City that will be webcast live at 8.30 pm UK time on that date. On March 27th, Adobe will reveal in detail the features and suite configurations that make this the largest software release in Adobe’s 25 year history. As with major new product launches recently (or so it seems), Adobe have posted a promotional CS3 YouTube video, which doesn’t give too much away…

An article by CNET News claims that Adobe will introduce a simplified, online version of Photoshop within the next 6 months. The free service will be similar to the Adobe Remix web-based video application, and Adobe plans to expand in the hosted services area. Google’s Picasa software is an obvious target for Adobe (although that is a desktop program, not hosted).

AKVIS Retoucher plug-in v.2.5 for Windows and Macintosh restores damaged photographs to optimal condition with minimal effort and amazing results. Version 2.5 includes compatibility with Windows Vista and Adobe Photoshop CS3 beta, and a new installation and activation method on Macintosh. AKVIS Retoucher sells for $87 USD and there’s a free trial version available.

Beginning in March, the full version of Corel Paint Shop Pro X will be available free with purchases of select Lexar Professional flash memory cards. The full version of Corel Snapfire Plus will be available for free download with purchases of select Lexar Platinum II and Standard flash memory cards. “Both organizations are committed to delivering the best digital imaging solutions to customers, and working together, we’re able to offer a valuable and comprehensive digital photography package that will surely improve their digital imaging experience.” commented Blaine Mathieu, General Manager of Corel’s Digital Media Business.

FotoTime introduces version 5.5 of its FotoAlbum Pro software, featuring support for the new Vista operating system and RAW file formats from all leading camera manufacturers. FotoAlbum 5.5 is available now as a free upgrade for current customers and at $29.95 for new customers.

Image Rescue 3 new version of Lexar’s award-winning image recovery software. New features include a redesigned interface and a live online customer support chat link. Image Rescue 3 is available for download free of charge with purchase of all Lexar Professional and Platinum II cards. It will also be available at photo stores and for easy download at http://lexar.com/software/image_rescue.html for $29.95.

Want to know if your digital camera will play nicely with Windows Vista? The head over to DCViews, who have provided a handy overview of the camera manufacturers’ statements about Vista compatibility.

Website: DCViews - Digital camera compatibility with Windows Vista overview

Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 and Capture One PRO are being offered together at $499 for new users, representing a saving of $329. In addition, existing customers of both companies can benefit from this special offer. Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 customers get Capture One PRO at a 25% discount, whilst Capture One PRO customers get Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 at a 25% discount.

iView Multimedia has released a free update, v3.1.3, to iView MediaPro. This latest release, iView MediaPro 3.1.3 delivers Windows Vista compatibility as well as added support for the Nikon D80 and other minor fixes.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is now available to order from the Adobe website for a special introductory price of £125 (ex VAT) / $199. There’s also a 30-day trial version available if you want to find out exactly what Lightroom can do for your photography. The Beta version of Adobe Lightroom will expire on February 28, 2007.

Website: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

The Plugin Site has released the MacOS X version of B/W Styler, a Photoshop plugin for B&W conversion. B/W Styler offers a whole range of black and white tools and related effects in a single plugin. B/W Styler costs $49.95.

Version 3.1.0 of Image Genius Professional incorporates enhancements aimed at improving the speed and ease of use and some additional functionality. Image Genius Professional is available at http://www.pixeldragons.com . A trial version is available and a one-user licence costs £59.99.

Adobe have released Camera Raw 3.7 for both Windows and Mac platforms. Support for the Nikon D40 and Pentax K10D DSLR cameras has been added in this update.

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 3.7 (Windows)

Website: Adobe Camera Raw 3.7 (MAC)

Nikon have announced a new, improved version of Capture NX, its main image editing application. Nikon Capture NX 1.1 now includes increased performance, full support for Intel-based Mac OS X computers, optimization for Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system, plus a simpler user interface. Nikon Capture NX 1.1 can be purchased for $149.95 as a full boxed version or downloadable key.

Capture One PRO and iView MediaPro are now available together as a special offer for $549, $149 off the total price if each application were purchased separately. Purchase now and you will be eligible for free upgrades to Capture One PRO version 4 and Microsoft Expression Media (the next generation products). A free guide detailing how the two programs can be used together is also available for download.

AKVIS Sketch plug-in v.3.0 for Windows and Macintosh converts your photos into pencil sketches and watercolor drawings. Version 3 allows you to save user presets for subsequent use and adds compatibility with Windows Vista. AKVIS Sketch sells for $72, and there’s also a free trial with 10 days of fully functional use.

Imagenomic plugins, which include Noiseware Standard and Pro, Portraiture and RealGrain, have been updated to support the latest software applications, hardware platforms and O/S releases from Adobe, Apple and Microsoft. Imagenomic’s latest plug-in releases are available as free upgrades to existing customers.

It seems that all is not well with Windows Vista and metadata produced by digital cameras. CNET are reporting that if you edit a photo’s metadata through Vista or Microsoft Photo Info, then your digicam’s software may no longer recognise the metadata, or even worse, the photo itself. So far, Nikon, Sony and Olympus have issued Vista RAW codecs to solve this issue. I’m still using good old Windows XP, so have you installed Vista and ran across this problem?

Website: CNET - Metadata mangling in Windows Vista

Website: Microsoft Photoblog

PMA 2007: Athentech Perfectly Clear Pro is a new 16-bit image correction software package specifically aimed at professional photographers. The pro photographer version of Perfectly Clear is based on the same algorithms previously available only under license to digital imaging manufacturers and software firms. Support for more than 80 raw file formats, a unique “soft” portrait setting, a vivid color setting and powerful noise reduction controls are included. Athentech have spent the last year working closely with some of the leading pro photographers in North America.

DxO Optics Pro, the software application for automatic digital image enhancement, and onOne Software’s Genuine Fractals, a Photoshop plug-in that produces high-quality enlargements from digital image files, are now available together for a limited time at significant savings.

DxO Starter + onOne Software’s Genuine Fractals ? $179 instead of $239 (£93 instead of £129)
DxO Optics Pro v4.1 Standard + onOne Software’s Genuine Fractals ? $199 instead of $309 (£109 instead of £171)
DxO Optics Pro v4.1 Elite + onOne Software’s Genuine Fractals ? $349 instead of $459 (£195 instead of £256)
(All prices are ex. VAT and sales taxes).