Released today, Aperture 2.1 introduces an open plug-in architecture that lets photographers use specialized third-party imaging software from right within Aperture. In fact, customers downloading the Aperture 2.1 update will receive the new Dodge & Burn plug-in. Developed by Apple, it adds brush-based tools for dodge (lighten), burn (darken), contrast, saturation, sharpen and blur. Aperture 2 customers can download the free Aperture 2.1 Update by visiting the Aperture download site or by running the software update.
Apple is working closely with key developers to bring the most requested plug-ins to Aperture such as:
- Nik Software’s Viveza plug-in, powered by U Point technology, which provides a powerful, precise and easy way for photographers to selectively control and adjust color and light in their digital images;
- PictureCode’s Noise Ninja plug-in that delivers advanced high ISO noise analysis and reduction;
- Digital Film Tools’ Power Stroke plug-in that features a simple, stroke-based interface to quickly mask and intuitively perform targeted adjustments;
- The Tiffen Company's Dfx plug-in that provides an expansive suite of creative filters and effects;
- dvGarage’s dpMatte plug-in, which is a high performance chroma key tool for creating seamless composites, and the HDRtoner plug-in that enables the selection of multiple photos to create a single high dynamic range (HDR) image; and
- Image Trends’ plug-ins that include Fisheye-Hemi to quickly and effortlessly correct fisheye lens distortion, ShineOff which automatically removes shine from faces and PearlyWhites that automatically whitens and brightens teeth.
On Friday, Mar 28
Man, this is insane! I have been teetering between Lightroom (which I have used for a little over a year) and Aperture 2 (which I bought when it hit the shelves). Just when I was leaning back towards Lightroom, I get bit by a nasty DNG date/time issue in Lightroom, and then Apple goes and does something crazy like release a big update to a brand new (version 2) program!
These are fascinating times...
On Friday, Mar 28
Oops... should have added that the only other complaints I have at the moments are:
1. Better file naming on import. Take a clue from Lightroom on this one. I want dates with no dashes, time with no colons, and user selectable padding on indexes.
2. Better IPTC handling. Also take a clue from Lightroom on this one. Of course, if they don't want to look at Lightroom, then look at Photoshop, or iView MediaPro...
3. Global development presets. I love that I can have presets for white balance, as an example, but give me Lightroom styled global development presets as well.
That's about it. With so many references to Lightroom, it might seem like I should just stick with Lightroom, but Aperture 2 has such a nicer interface with a nicer workflow... come on Apple, I know you can do it!
On Friday, Mar 28
Hi Ian.
This is a big update indeed.
I think we've chatted before about number 2 on your list. Number 3 is a big one too that I think we would all like to see. I have a feeling Apple is listening on these (let's hope).
Your number one can be achieved by creating a new preset for import to rename your images.
On Friday, Mar 28
Yes, we spoke in the past regarding #2. Thanks for that effort, by the way.
However, regarding #1, the options for DATE work fine (I can have YYYYMMDD in that format, for example), but the options for TIME do not work fine. My only option for TIME is HH-MM-SS, which is not the format I want. I would rather have HHMMSS with no dashes, etc. Can't be done in Aperture currently.
Additionally, I want the images numbered with a four digit padded number. For example, the first image might be 20080328 124624 0001, and the second would be 20080328 124703 0002, etc. If I use INDEX, there is no padding, and if there is only one image to import, it doesn't get the INDEX number at all.
Other than that, Aperture 2 is a fantastic program, and this update really makes it even better!