News

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Version 5.0 firmware for PocketWizard’s MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 brings the very latest features to both new and current PocketWizard owners. It offers two important features for Canon DSLR photographers. Its unique Rear Curtain Sync automatically engages to delay flash until the absolute end of the exposure with either on-camera or remote Canon speedlights as well as flashes triggered by standard PocketWizard radios or any studio flash with built-in PocketWizard receiver. Exclusive Pre-Flash Boost automatically increases preflash power to provide enhanced and more stable E-TTL performance for bounce flash, when using flash diffusers and for flash fill in bright daylight conditions.

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Vertus and Imagenomic announced a new series of software bundles that will provide
photographers and creative professionals with unique, award-winning solutions
for image extractions and creative enhancements. From August 13 to September
30, 2008, Imagenomic's entire plug-in suite -- Noiseware Pro, Portraiture,
and RealGrain -- will be bundled with Vertus' Fluid Mask 3 at a 20% discount.
Photographers, graphic designers and image editors alike will be able to incorporate
these industry leading tools into their creative and production workflows at
a significant reduction in cost.

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Vertus, the graphics and imaging software division of Heligon, a technology
business specializing in image data interpretation, today announced the launch
of Fluid Mask 3 Public BETA. This latest version of Vertus' image editing
software is for rapid, powerful and intuitive masking and high-quality image
blending.



With improvements to the initial image processing time, Fluid Mask 3 users who
are operating multiple processors will realize increased speeds up to 40% faster
than the previous versions,. The result is a quicker transition from a base
image editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop, into Fluid Mask. Ultimately,
Fluid Mask significantly improves the overall efficiency of the image editing
process, from loading to the final cut-out.



With a more effective edge detection system, along with the improved "Smart
Blending" capability unique to Fluid Mask, this latest version makes separating
problem images, such as human hair and tree leaves, quick and easy. First there
is a slider, which allows the user to seamlessly switch between "Smart
Blending" and standard feather blending. Second, within focused areas,
the user may invoke special hair blending algorithms, which for the first time
automatically cuts out tricky hair such as highlights and hair with wide color
differences (e.g. black hair next to white hair against a grey background).



In addition to new blending and loading capabilities, Vertus has improved the
intuitive workflow of Fluid Mask 3 and added additional tools to the program.
These new features include:



· A new "Save Settings" option enables users to easily recall
edge detection, blending, and resolution options from previous sessions, eliminating
the need to continually reprogram these options when working with batches of
pictures;

· The "Color Work Space" palette now includes a "Color
Sampler" which enables users to select specific colors from an image and
see where else within that image the same color appears. Also available in the
"Color Work Space", the new 2-D color map enables more accurate
color selection;

· Several new brush tools and the improved "Localized Edge Detection
System" enable users to perform more detailed edge finding and more refined
blending;

· A new "Patch" system allows users to make changes affecting
a selected localized region without affecting the rest of the image.

· "Patches" can be easily selected with a highlighting brush
tool rather than relying on a standard box shaped patch. Once a "Patch"
has been selected, users can call up the most popular editing options with a
simple right click of the mouse.

· Users are now able to launch a test rendering of the localized patch,
and toggle between the working image and a rendering of the final mask;

· Improved intuitive help features such as "Best of Breed Help"
offers XML help files and direct links to Fluid Mask tutorials, enabling easy
access to hands-on demonstrations.



Fluid Mask 3 Public BETA is currently available for Windows XP & Vista;
a Mac version will follow shortly. Fluid Mask 3 will continue to function as
a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3 & Elements; and for the first time
will also work in stand alone mode for image formats that accept transitions
to transparency in 8 bit RGB color -- e.g. TIFF and PNG. Users working
on tablet style computers and peripherals, such as the Wacom Tablet, should
note that Fluid Mask 3 contains a new pressure sensitivity control that can
regulate brush size.



Users can download a free 30 Day Trial of Fluid Mask 3 BETA by visiting the
Vertus website at http://www.vertustech.com.
During the BETA phase, Fluid Mask 3 will be available for $199 US.

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Outdoor photographers regularly make Vibrance and Saturation adjustments when editing their images to accentuate colors in a scene. But do you really understand the difference between these tools and how to use them for maximum advantage? Read on.

Yesterday we shared a comprehensive guide to editing colors in Lightroom, with an overview of the most basic techniques. Today we’ll take a more detailed look at two tools that often create confusion because of their similarity, and explain when one works better than the other.