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nik multimedia, Inc. has announced that nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is now available through the nik multimedia retail Web site (www.nikmultimedia.com) and specialty camera stores. nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is said to provide the easiest way for photographers and digital artists to optimally sharpen their digital images and achieve the best possible detail in their final prints. As a plug-in to Adobe Photoshop and other image editing applications, nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is the perfect addition to a photographer's digital workflow.

New features in nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 include 16-bit compatibility for sharpening 16-bit images, a larger preview area to allow users to see how the sharpening alters their images, and new tools offering more control of where sharpening is applied to the image.

nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 applies optimal sharpening to an image based on image resolution, viewing distance, paper type, and printer resolution rather than the traditional radius, amount, and threshold values used by other sharpening software. Many digital photographers do not know how to correctly select the optimal radius, amount, and threshold for sharpening their digital images and frequently over- or under-sharpen them. nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 removes the guesswork and provides controls that photographers understand. The software then does the work of calculating and applying the optimal sharpening for an image.

When preparing an image for printing, it is important to consider the printing process before sharpening the image. Each type of printing process has its own image rendering characteristics that influence the sharpness of detail in the print. nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is designed to address the image rendering characteristics of different printing processes (traditional halftone, dye sublimation, inkjet, and digital photographic) and even differences between inkjet printer manufacturers (Canon, Epson, HP, and Lexmark).

nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 also features a new RAW Presharpening filter. With the increased popularity of digital cameras offering the RAW file format, there is a growing need to presharpen digital photos from digital cameras. Presharpening is different from sharpening for final print. The RAW Presharpening filter is designed to enhance the detail in digital images that are converted from a RAW file format. The RAW Presharpening filter is controlled with a simple slider and a preview area. Although most digital cameras offer some presharpening, the nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 RAW Presharpening filter enables users to see and control the amount of presharpening in real time.

Two Editions
nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is offered in two editions: nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Inkjet Edition and nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Complete Edition. The Inkjet Edition is designed for professional photographers and photography enthusiasts that only use inkjet printers to print their photographs. The Complete Edition is designed for professional photographers that work with photo labs, dye sublimation printers, traditional halftone printers, or a Fuji Pictrography printer in addition to inkjet printers. Both editions contain the RAW Presharpening filter and the Display filter. The Display filter is designed to sharpen images that will be viewed on a computer monitor, plasma screen, LCD display, television, or projection screen.

nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is now available in North America through specialty camera stores and the nik multimedia retail Web site (www.nikmultimedia.com). International versions are expected to be available in Europe on August 1st, 2005. The nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Inkjet Edition is available for $169.95, and the nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Complete Edition is available for $329.95. Registered owners of nik Sharpener Pro 1.0 qualify for special upgrade pricing. For more information about the two editions and upgrade pricing, call toll free (U.S. only) 1-888-284-4085 (Monday -- Friday 8:30 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m. PST) or visit the company's Web site at: www.nikmultimedia.com.