Apple has released the first major update to its popular Aperture raw conversion, photo editing and management software with new features to make it faster, easier to use and more powerful.

 

February 13, 2008: Apple has released the first major update to its popular Aperture raw conversion, photo editing and management software with new features to make it faster, easier to use and more powerful.
Aperture 2 introduces a more streamlined user interface and entirely new raw image processing engine. It also introduces new imaging tools covering functions such as highlight recovery, colour vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching and vignetting. Tools are also provided for removing sensor dust specks and repairing images by subtle cloning. Vibrancy adjustments let users boost saturation subtly without making skin appear blotchy.
The new interface allows users to navigate between Viewer and Browser modes with a single key command. Screen real estate is maximised for images with a heads up display that allows users to toggle between library, metadata and adjustment controls in a single tabbed inspector. The All Projects view, modelled after iPhoto’s Events view, provides a poster photo for every project and the ability to quickly skim through the photos it contains. An integrated iPhoto Browser offers direct access to all the events and images in the iPhoto library.
Embedded previews let photographers caption, keyword and rate images as they are being imported. The ability to export images in the background lets photographers continue working while images are processed to JPEG, TIFF, PNG and PSD file formats. Quick Preview allows users to browse RAW images in rapid succession without having to wait for files to load, and the Aperture library database has been re-built to provide fast project switching and near instantaneous search results, even when working with extremely large libraries of 500,000 images or more.
One radical new feature is the addition of architecture that will allow third-party developers to create editing plug-ins for Aperture 2. A software development kit (SDK) has yet to be released to support this feature. Users will be able to post their portfolios directly on the .Mac Web Gallery for viewing on the web, iPod touch and Apple TV. Aperture 2 works seamlessly with Mac OS X, iLife, iWork, .Mac and Apple print products. It is available immediately for A$268 (inc. GST) through the Apple Store () and Apple Authorised Resellers. Owners of previous versions of Aperture can upgrade to Aperture 2 for just A$129. Full system requirements and more information on Aperture 2 can be found at .