Alien Skin Software has announced the immediate availability of Blow Up 2.0.3, the new version of its photo resizing plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.  Blow Up 2.0.3 is a free update for owners of Blow Up 2.0.0 or later.  Simply installing the latest demo of Blow Up from the Alien Skin Software Web site will upgrade an existing installation of Blow Up 2 to version 2.0.3.

Blow Up 2.0.3 comes with two Photoshop CS4 panels that are accessed in the Window->Extensions menu.  These panels can be moved and docked just like Photoshop’s built-in panels, such as the Layers palette.  The first of these is the Startup Panel which makes common output sizes and paper types available with a single click.  The Startup Panel can also start Blow Up’s full interface with a single click rather than navigating into Photoshop’s menus.

The other Photoshop CS4 panel installed with Blow Up 2.0.3 is the Gallery Wrap Panel.  This panel prepares images for printing on canvas that is stretched around the outside of a wood frame.  This popular mounting technique requires extending an image to cover the sides of the frame, which can be a confusing and tedious process.  The Gallery Wrap Panel provides full control over this process while taking care of all the technical details.  The resulting image is ready to send to professional printing companies such as APC (http://artisticphotocanvas.com).

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When Andrew Lu entered the Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship contest, he had two goals: To evoke emotion with his black-and-white imagery and to take home the grand prize. Today, the camera and lens manufacturer announced that Lu has successfully accomplished both of those objectives. The Yorktown Heights, NY, native has been announced as the winner of the second annual Sigma Corporation of America Scholarship Contest, for which he will receive a prize of $5,000 in cash and a $1,000 credit toward Sigma products of his choosing.

Apple has announced a major update to Apple 3. Visit Support at www.apple.com for more information and download. This update improves overall stability and performance, and also includes the following specific fixes.

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AquaTech, Inc. introduces Soft Wraps, a recently added line of protective coverings designed to shield cameras and accessories against the abuse that can sometimes accompany location photography. They’re designed to fit snugly, yet allow instant access.

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