Shutterbug Staff

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) announced an update to the public
beta of Adobe Lightroom, an all-new digital imaging workflow solution for professional
photographers that allows them to import, select, develop and showcase large volumes
of images. The latest version adds features suggested by beta testers that allow
greater control over export size and resolution, refined metadata selection with
print output and RGB value readouts for greater editing precision.



New to the Develop module are Before and After preview tools and History features
that allow a photographer to quickly preview and track changes, more control over
the size and resolution of exported photos. A new dedicated Web module provides
a rich web content editing experience and live previews of HTML and Flash output.
Other features include resolution control in the Export module, an additional
Straighten tool to correct camera angle issues, Keyword import and export, the
ability to save module settings with collections or shoots. Auto Import or Hot
Folder support allows photographers to automatically add images to the Lightroom
Library from a specified directory.



"We'd like to thank our early beta testers, and encourage more user
participation in helping us build a final product that best serves photographers'
unique needs," said Dave Story, vice president of product development for
Digital Imaging at Adobe. "We will build upon the success of the public
beta program with the release of a Windows version this summer."



With its modular and task-based environment, Lightroom beta delivers tools for
a complete photography workflow. Leveraging industry-leading Adobe Camera Raw
3.4 technology, Lightroom now supports over 120 native raw file formats. New camera
models supported by this beta are Canon EOS 30D, Epson R-D1s, Leaf Aptus 65 and
Aptus 75, Olympus EVOLT E-330 and SP-320, Pentax *ist DL2 and Samsung GX-1S. Once
images are imported, they can be showcased via slideshows, complete with music,
as well as drop shadows, borders, Identity Plates and different colored backgrounds.



During Lightroom's public beta period modules and features will be added
or changed based on the necessity and priority within digital photography workflows.



Lightroom beta 3.0 for Macintosh OSX Tiger (10.4.3), a universal binary application
that runs on both Power PC and Intel Macs, is available for free download from
the Adobe Labs Web site at http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom.


Recommended system requirements are Macintosh OSX 10.4.3, 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor,
768 MB RAM and 1024x768 resolution screen. The final shipping version will be
released in late 2006. A Windows version of Lightroom beta will be available for
download this summer. Further details around pricing, system requirements and
availability have yet to be determined.
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For a limited time only, Cerious Software is offering competitive upgrades
from ACDsee, ACDsee Pro, CompuPIC, Cumulus, ImageAXS and Portfolio. For single-user
licenses, you can purchase ThumbsPlus Pro for $59.95or ThumbsPlus Standard for
$29.95. For single-user licenses, they don't even require proof, saying that
would be too much trouble for you and too much work for them. Order here: https://phlipper.cerious.com/compupg7.shtml

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X-Rite, Incorporated (Nasdaq: XRIT) has introduced MonacoQCcolor version 1.5.
This update provides significant improvements to the performance of X-Rite's
software suite for verifying and analyzing color proofs in both local and remote
proofing environments.



Among other enhancements, the new version 1.5 incorporates a custom
label designer that allows users to customize the verification label
content for extended reporting capability. The redesigned server and
database structure improve stability and speed of data transmission over
the MonacoQCcolor network.



MonacoQCcolor software allows printers to define target printing
conditions, set the tolerances they wish to operate within, and quickly
measure print results for pass/fail analysis. The software has
applications across the imaging marketplace, in printing, graphic
design, fine art reproduction, and professional photography.



Available in both desktop and network versions, MonacoQCcolor 1.5 is
ideal for internal proof validation by printers who need to maintain a
high level of color consistency, as well as for remote proofing by
customers who need to ensure that their proofs meet specifications
before forwarding them to their printing vendor.



The desktop edition provides an easy to use pass/fail client and
includes industry-standard target and tolerance values for SWOP and
GRACoL printing. Users can buy X-Rite's ColorShop X software separately
to build custom workflow references.



Enhancements incorporated within MonacoQCcolor 1.5 include:

New label designer. In response to user requests, MonacoQCcolor 1.5
includes a built-in label designer to customize proof verification
stickers. Users can customize label size, as well as choose what target
attributes, graphics and text to include.



Upgraded server and database structure. The entire server and database
structures have been redesigned to deliver greater connection stability
and faster data retrieval.



Improved interface. The application interface has a cleaner look, yet remains
functionally similar to its predecessor. Consequently, users of MonacoQCcolor
1.4 will experience an easy transition to 1.5.



New administration tools. The administration tools have been segregated
from the server so users can now administer user privileges either on
the server or from a remote location without the need for additional
software. Built-in migration tools allow version 1.4 users to transfer
data easily into 1.5.



New sample database. For desktop edition users, the system comes with
updated GRACoL and SWOP references, as well as FOGRA target references,
to provide more industry standards to verify workflow against right out
of the box. Network users may load these sample targets into their
databases using the administration tools.



MonacoQCcolor 1.5 is also included within the Pulse QC Ensemble from
X-Rite, which bundles software with the Pulse Spectrophotometer --
X-Rite`s latest technology for measuring output. The Pulse QC Ensemble
provides all the necessary tools to ensure color consistency from job to
job.



MonacoQCcolor 1.5 is a free upgrade for current users. For more information visit:
http://www.xrite.com.

A joint venture between Rolleiflex and Horseman has announced one of the widest
angle cameras on the market, the Horseman SW-D Pro, which also accepts digital
camera backs. The Horseman's new design allows users to shoot with a 24mm lens
unit with any digital back equipped with a Hasselblad V mount.

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