News

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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DxO FilmPack, a software application that automatically gives digital images
the style of the most celebrated conventional films -- the colors and the
grain of over 20 film types, and onOne Software's new Plug-In Suite 3
for Photoshop® that combines full versions of four essential software tools
-- Genuine Fractals 5, PhotoFrame Pro 3.1, Mask Pro 4.1 and Intellihance
Pro 4.2, are now available together for a limited time at a significant savings
exclusively from the online store of onOne Software (www.ononesoftware.com).

...

Westcott is offering their Photo Basics by Westcott customers the chance to
have their photos published in Shutterbug Magazine. Contestants must use a Photo
Basics lighting kit to create an image then submit it for the chance to win
one of three prizes offered in the contest. The grand prize winner will have
their photo published in Shutterbug Magazine. Second place earns the photographer
recognition of their imagery on the www.photobasics.net
web site. All three prize winners will gain a free one-year subscription to
the Shutterbug publication. The deadline for submissions is July 30, 2007. Details
are available and submissions can be made on the Photo Basics web site.

...

The legendary photographs by Art Wolfe are a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty
of the undisturbed remote corners of the Earth, painted by an artist that illuminates
surreal colors that are otherwise invisible to untrained eye. Canon is presenting
viewers the opportunity to experience the world through Art's lens for a
truly interactive experience at the Canon Digital Learning Center Web site http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=HomePageAct,
and go behind the scenes on the new Canon sponsored television series, Travels
to the Edge with Art Wolfe.
...

Koelnmesse will launch the first specialized imaging and photography show in South-East-Asia
and The Pacific region -- Imaging Expo Singapore incorporating P.I.X - Photo
Imaging X-change 2007. The event will be held 2-4 November 2007 and acts as a
trade and educational platform that merges artwith the technology of imaging and
photography.


With the focus on communicating the latest trends and technology in imaging and
photography for the region, Imaging Expo Singapore is a trade fair comprising
of 8,000 sqm of exhibition space at Suntec International Convention and Exhibition
Centre. The trade fair will provide a launching pad for major brands into South-East-Asia
and The Pacific. Visitors for the exhibition include trade visitors, dealers,
studio owners, publishing professionals, professional photographers, and photography
and
videography enthusiasts.



P.I.X - Photo Imaging X-change is comprised of conferences, seminars and classes
for anyone interested in imaging and photography. The multi-tracked conference
features business-related seminars with key members of the photo and imaging industries,
classes by renowned photographers, photography workshops tailored for different
skill levels and niches, photo safaris to iconic spots in Singapore, photo competitions,
photo salons and photographer awards. There will also be a Photo Editors &
Chief Photographers Summit where world-renowned photographers will be on-hand
to share their expertise and experience. Visitors will get an overview of the
imaging market with a chance to learn and use the latest equipment as well as
receive customized information on business improvement and professional photography
techniques.



This event is modeled after photokina in Cologne, Germany, the world's most
important imaging and photography trade fair which showcased 1,579 exhibitors
and drew over 162,000 visitors from 157 countries last year. The big names from
the imaging and photography sector were all present at the trade fair, including
Casio, Canon, Epson, Fuji, Hewlett Packard, Kodak, Leica, Nikon, Nokia, Olympus,
Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung and Sony. Among the major first-time exhibitors were
Apple and CeWe Color, Europe's largest photofinisher.



www.imaging-exposingapore.com...

onOne Software, Inc. has announced the immediate availability of all Photoshop
CS3 compatible updates to their Photoshop plug-ins Intellihance Pro, Mask Pro,
Genuine Fractals and PhotoFrame Pro software. Free upgrades are available for
registered owners of Intellihance Pro 4, Mask Pro 4 and PhotoFrame Pro 3 software
products. Users who purchased Genuine Fractals 4.1 or Genuine Fractals Print Pro
4.1 on or after December 18, 2006 qualify for a free upgrade to Genuine Fractals
5 and Genuine Fractals Print Pro 5 respectively. In addition, all Photoshop CS3
compatible plug-ins will be available for purchase in the new onOne Software Plug-In
Suite 3 which will be shipping May 10, 2007.

Lexar
Media, Inc. Has announced its new ExpressCard SSD with auto-backup software.
Roughly half the size of current PC Card solutions, the Lexar ExpressCard SSD
is a high-capacity removable solid state drive (SSD) that delivers high-performance,
lower-cost storage expansion to notebook computers. The Lexar ExpressCard SSD
comes bundled with auto-backup software, an innovative solution for protecting
laptop computer files and data that allows for automatic regular (daily, weekly,
or monthly) backup without user intervention after the initial setup. During
this setup, the user will be able to set the folder and specific file types
to be included or excluded from the backup process. In addition, this automatic
backup software can also support multiple computers by recognizing the computer
name and the appropriate backup setting for each computer.



The Lexar ExpressCard SSD is also ideal for use with Windows Vista as it is
enhanced for use with ReadyBoost, a Vista feature that improves your system
performance without having to add DRAM to your computer. The ExpressCard SSD
serves as an additional memory cache, which is a reserve section of memory that
the computer can access faster than if it were accessing data from the hard
disk drive. Additionally, the ExpressCard SSD interface supports a direct connection
to the chipset, allowing users to enjoy all of its extensive backup and ReadyBoost
capabilities without having to unplug the card after every use; users simply
keep their ExpressCard SSD in the slot as external storage.



The Lexar ExpressCard SSD is shipping in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities.



www.lexar.com

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