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Notable New Product News - Tuesday, February 8, 2005
•Software News •Comments •Tell-a-Friend
Press Releases Edited By Applelinks Contributing Editor Charles W. Moore
Adobe Updates Camera Raw Plug-in and DNG Converter for Photographers
icWord 3.2 opens/views/converts Word, PowerPoint, AppleWorks files
OneClickConvert 1.2 File Converter For Microsoft Office & AppleWorks
icExcel 2.1 Opens/Views MS Excel & AppleWorks Spreadsheet Files
VueScan 8.1.30 Scanner Software For Flatbed & Film Scanners [/url]
Plextor Adds MPEG-4 Capture to PVR for Macintosh Computer
Reelhouse goes HD With One Of The Most Affordable HD Video Libraries In The World
Numerical Algorithms Group Extends Its Library Of Numerical Algorithms To Make It The Largest Currently Available[/url]
Adobe Updates Camera Raw Plug-in and DNG Converter for Photographers
Adobe Systems Incorporated has announced availability of an updated Adobe Camera Raw plug-in that adds compatibility for six new camera models, bringing the total number of raw camera formats supported within Adobe Photoshop(R) CS and Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 to more than 70. In addition, Adobe announced expanded capabilities for the DNG Converter, which translates disparate raw photo formats into a single universal format, or digital negative, for long-term archiving.
With the new plug-in Adobe now provides raw file support for camera models from 14 top manufacturers including Canon, Contax, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Olympus and Sigma. The raw file allows photographers to manipulate the original data captured by the camera sensor before a final JPEG or TIFF has been generated. These raw files give photographers much greater control in applying corrections and adjustments without compromising image quality.
The free Adobe DNG Converter, which translates all Photoshop-supported raw photo formats into the new universal .DNG file format, gives photographers a single unified file format for archiving raw files. Today many raw files are stored in proprietary, undocumented formats that vary not only from manufacturer to manufacturer but also from camera to camera. The updated DNG Converter adds support for the six new cameras now added to Adobe Camera Raw, stores larger previews and provides the option to store the original, proprietary files within the translated DNG, so that all versions of image data are preserved.
"The use of raw files has spread beyond professional users into the hobbyist market and because of that both Photoshop Elements 3.0 and Photoshop CS support our latest Camera Raw plug-in," said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Video Products at Adobe. "Adobe pioneered raw file integration within its products and today the Photoshop line is the industry standard for no-compromise, high-quality raw workflows."
The new cameras supported by Adobe Camera Raw plug-in and DNG Converter include: Canon EOS 20D, Canon PowerShot S70, Canon PowerShot G6, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II, Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200 and Konica Minolta MAXXUM 7D.
System requirements:
The Adobe Camera Raw plug-in and Adobe DNG Converter require Mac OS X 10.2.4 or higher, Works with Both Photoshop CS and Photoshop Elements 3.0
The Adobe Camera Raw plug-in also requires Photoshop CS or Photoshop Elements 3.0 and can be downloaded for free by going to the Adobe Web site at http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html
The updated Adobe DNG Converter is available today as a free download at:
http://www.adobe.com/dng
icWord 3.2 opens/views/converts Word, PowerPoint, AppleWorks files
icWord enables you to open, view, convert and print MS Word '.doc' files, PC or Mac created, with the original formatting preserved. View original documents' fonts, paragraphs, tabs, tables, footnotes and graphics. Easy WYSIWYG functionality lets you search text, scale viewing, and copy and drag text to other applications.icWord opens and decompresses files created in 6 versions of MS Word.
New in this version:
• Integration with MacLinkPlus DeLuxe
• Easier installation in Mac OS X
• Better viewing of tables
• Better Printing
• Fixed bugs reported by our users
System requirements:
• Mac OS 8.6 - OS X
icWord sells for$19.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.icword.com/
OneClickConvert 1.2 File Converter For Microsoft Office & AppleWorks
Do you want to get the best and more complete AppleWorks word processor translation?
Do you want to convert dozens of files between various word processors?
Do you want to automate conversion, viewing and filing process when you receive an attachment?
. . . OneClickConvert will let you do all this in a single click.
With OneClickConvert you can:
• Save time and eliminate mistakes by automating your conversion process.
• Benefit from the best conversion between Microsoft Word and AppleWorks (see Conversion comparison).
• Convert in batch folders containing a large number of files.
• Receive word processor attachments that will be decompressed, converted, filed and opened in one step according to your preferences.
With OneClickConvert you can convert between the following word processor formats:
• Microsoft Word Mac and PC (versions 2,4*,5*,6,7,97,98,2000,2001,XP)
• AppleWorks (versions 5 and 6).
• NisusWriter (versions 3,4,5, 6 and 6.5)
• Rich Text Format (RTF)
• Text
• Unicode
(*) For Word 4 and 5 the conversion is text only
OneClickConvert sells for $29.95
System requirements:
• Mac OS 9.x
• Mac OS X version 10.2 and 10.3
For more information, visit:
http://www.panergy-software.com/products/OneClickConvert/index.html
icExcel 2.1 Opens/Views MS Excel & AppleWorks Spreadsheet Files
icExcel: The Perfect Mac Utility for Viewing Microsoft Excel files
Admit it. There are times when you need to be Microsoft Excel compatible. It gets frustrating trying to open those ".xls" files. Now you can - with icExcel!
icExcel is for any Mac user who wants to:
• Gain access to Microsoft Excel files (PC or Mac created)
• Download Excel files from the Internet
• Open email attachments from PC-centric friends and colleagues
• View on screen and print Excel spreadsheets with their original formatting preserved
without buying and installing Microsoft Excel.
System requirements:
• System 7.1 or higher
or
• Mac OS X 10.0 or higher
icExcel sells for $19.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.icexcel.com/faq.html#1.1
VueScan 8.1.30 Scanner Software For Flatbed & Film Scanners
VueScan is a powerful scanning program that works with most scanners. Photographers, home users, scanning services and corporations around the world use VueScan for a wide range of scanning needs. VueScan gives you improved color accuracy and color balance, increases your productivity and saves you money: VueScan can make your existing scanner work as well as a brand new scanner.
VueScan supports more than 400 scanners and takes about 5 minutes to download and install. VueScan
VueScan changes nothing on your system, installs nothing in your operating system and all other scanner software will continue to function. The VueScan User's Guide is available in PDF or HTML format.
New in this version:
• Added support for single-pass multi-scanning on:
SprintScan 120
ArtixScan 120tf
ScanMaker 9800XL
ScanMaker i700
ScanMaker i900
• Fixed problems with several Microtek scanners 50)
• Fixed problem with Epson GT-9000 / ES-1200C
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher
• Supported scanner
VueScan sells for$49.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.hamrick.com/vsm.html
Plextor Adds MPEG-4 Capture to PVR for Macintosh Computer
Plextor Corp. has announced the availability of Elgato EyeTV 1.7 software for the ConvertX Personal Video Recorder for the Macintosh. EyeTV 1.7 allows users to take advantage of the ConvertX PVR's built-in MPEG-4 hardware video compression capability in addition to previously available MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 formats. Other new features of the software include a more robust ability to search and sort recorded videos, making it easier for users to find the recording they want to watch. EyeTV 1.7 is a free update for current ConvertX PVR for the Mac owners, and is available for download from:
http://www.elgato.com
While the MPEG-2 format is perfectly suited for making DVDs to play in standard consumer DVD players, the files are too large to easily archive them on hard disk or transfer them over wireless networks. MPEG-4 compression allows users to store approximately three times as much video in the same amount of hard disk space without losing quality. This can free up considerable hard disk space to record more video and makes it easier to transfer video files across standard home wireless networks.
"ConvertX devices have always included a hardware MPEG-4 encoder, and with the release of EyeTV 1.7 software, Macintosh users now can take advantage of it," said Dirk Peters, director of marketing, Plextor. "MPEG-4 opens up so many new applications for video on the Mac, and it's a free update for Plextor users."
Plextor also announced a new $49 software upgrade that enables ConvertX PVR for the Mac users to install and use the device on a PC in addition to a Mac. This makes ConvertX the first personal video recorder with cross-platform compatibility, a valuable feature for users with both PCs and Macs in a single household, school, or business.
System requirements:
Apple OS X Compatible Mac CPU; Apple OS X 10.1.5 or above operating system; 20 MB free space for software installation; Apple QuickTime 6; USB connection. Roxio Toast 6 Titanium is recommended for CD or DVD creation.
Plextor's ConvertX Personal Video Recorder for Mac is shipping immediately with Elgato EyeTV 1.7 software. ConvertX PVR for Mac has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $229.99 USD. EyeTV 1.7 is a free update for current ConvertX PVR for the Mac owners, and is available for download from:
http://www.elgato.com
For more information, visit:
http://www.plextor.com
Reelhouse goes HD With One Of The Most Affordable HD Video Libraries In The World
(Reelhouse, the newest royalty-free footage and video FX producer, announced today the release of their first High Definition video background library SIGNAL FX HD. Priced this month at only $399, the SIGNAL FX HD kit is one of the most affordable yet breathtaking HD video libraries in the world -and contains 41 exceptional quality, seamless background animations built for Final Cut / DVD Studio Pro users. Thats three times as many films than most HD libraries at half the price. The SIGNAL FX HD kit is also offered in network quality NTSC and PAL resolutions "AMBIENT FX" for only $299 this month.
The SIGNAL FX HD library was designed by our newest Reelhouse Artist - Dethel Mateo. "The SIGNAL FX HD library offers both video enthusiasts' and seasoned professionals the ultimate way to get into HD video now and to produce amazing HD edits in seconds while saving huge amounts of time, effort and money." states Adam Roe, Reelhouse President.
"HD is here, and our goal is always to empower anyone even remotely interested in video to be able to quickly produce professional quality edits and designs and at a fraction of the cost." states Adam Roe, Reelhouse's President. "Ultimately, it's all about saving time, but these days it should be about saving money too." Reelhouse products are all Royalty-Free and were designed to easily be dropped directly into ANY Video or DVD timeline to enhance your own footage or alone for backgrounds, transitions, masks, and effects. As the clips are pre-rendered movies, not plugin effects, you save tons of heavy render time.
All this month, every Reelhouse clip from every library is now downloadable for only $50 each (Yes .. HD included). Reelhouse members save $79 per clip this month with our introductory download price. Thats one third the price of Getty or Artbeats which means you get 3 times as many films to use in your edit.
The Reelhouse team offers free overnight shipping.
For more information or to download full resolution free samples visit:
http://www.reelhouse.com
Numerical Algorithms Group Extends Its Library Of Numerical Algorithms To Make It The Largest Currently Available
The latest version of the NAG Fortran Library now includes over 300 new functions, taking the total number of routines in Mark 21 to 1500. As the world‚s leading provider of mathematical and statistical algorithms, NAG can also boast the largest collection of quality numerical algorithms available today. Unrivaled functionality from the 1500 routines in the globally renowned NAG Library covers the world‚s most widely used numerical and statistical algorithms.
New functions include a complete chapter covering mesh generation that incorporates routines for generating 2-D meshes together with a number of associated utility routines. Extensions have been included in the areas of zeros of polynomials, partial differential equations, eigenvalue problems (LAPACK), sparse linear algebra, and a significant expansion of the G05 (Random Number Generation) function. This includes a new random number generator, the generation of univariate GARCH, asymmetric GARCH and EGARCH processes, quasi-random number generators and generators for further distributors.
Provision for thread safe versions of existing routines has been extended to aid users developing multiheaded applications. Thread safe libraries for several platforms are now available for C05 (Roots of One or More Transcendental Equations), D03 (Partial Differential Equations), E04 (Optimization) and G05 (Random Number Generators).
The new mesh generation routines will be of particular relevance to those working with multi-dimensional partial differential equations, particularly using Finite Element or Finite Volume methods. Both research scientists and engineers working in mechanical, chemical, aeronautical, civil or electrical engineering will benefit from these routines and can download a free viewer for the meshes generated from the NAG website, http://www.nag.com/numeric/fl/viewer/viewer.html
Other important additions to the library include routines for finding the roots of real and complex cubic and quartic equations, and for solving Black-Scholes equations. Parameter estimation and forecasting for univariate regression GARCH, asymmetric GARCH and EGARCH processes have been added to G13 (Time Series Analysis) while real and complex Jacobi preconditioners are now included in F11 (Sparse Linear Algebra). S (Approximations of Special Functions) has new routines for polygamma functions, zeros of Bessel functions, Jacobian functions, elliptic integrals and associations Legendre functions.
Mark 21 of the NAG Fortran Library continues to provide a high degree of flexibility so that components can be easily used on their own or incorporated into other packages. Software partners including AMD, PeopleSoft and Maplesoft embed NAG functionality into their own packages to take advantages of the quality, reduction in maintenance and short time to market afforded by NAG algorithms.
Covering Windows, Linux and major Unix platforms, the NAG Fortran Library is available in implementations ranging from PCs to supercomputers. Not restricted to a single environment, NAG customers can also benefit from the Library‚s design which allows algorithms to be called from other languages such as Microsoft Visual C++, Visual Basic, Excel and Java. Technical help for anyone subscribing to NAG‚s Customer Support Service is available from the experts responsible for the relevant software.
Commenting on the new release, Rob Meyer, CEO, NAG Group, said: "With this latest release of the NAG Fortran Library, we are able to offer our customers the largest collection of quality numerical algorithms currently available. By using the NAG Fortran Library, software developers will not only reduce the time spent in producing individual routines, but will have the reassurance of a tried and tested algorithm that is fully compatible with their own program."
NAG ( http://www.nag.com ) is a 30-year-old company dedicated to making cross-platform mathematical, statistical, data mining components and tools for developers as well as 3D visualization application development environments. It operates worldwide with hubs in Chicago (Downers Grove), UK (Oxford), and Tokyo. Today it serves over 10,000 sites worldwide in finance, engineering, and scientific research as well as commercial software firms such as PeopleSoft, IBM/Informix, Intel, and many others.
Charles W. Moore •Software News •Comments •Tell-a-Friend
Article URL:
http://www.applelinks.com/index.php/more/3319
Next Article: New On MacOpinion - What Will The Next Generation iBooks Be Like?
Previous Article: Shareware Beat - Tuesday, February 8, 2005
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Print this page is sponsored by www.MyMacStore.com For all your iPod, iPhone and Mac Gear |
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