AKVIS has upgraded its paint simulation software, releasing AKVIS ArtWork 3.0. Version 3.0 adds a new technique, Pen & Ink, and updates Oil Painting and Comics effect.

AKVIS has upgraded its paint simulation software, releasing AKVIS ArtWork 3.0. The software, available as a standalone application or as a plug-in to software like Photoshop and Corel's Photo-Paint, applies paint effects to digital photos, now with three painting techniques available. Version 3.0 adds a new technique, Pen & Ink, which simulates drawings made in ink on paper styling, with customizable ink and background colors.

Oil Painting is updated in v3.0, with new ready-to-use presets added to the software, and Comics effect has been rebuilt to give better results - it converts a photo into a comic-strip representation. ArtWork 3.0 also adds a new interface and supports exporting and importing presets.

Version 3.0 runs on Mac OS X 10.4 or higher, including Snow Leopard. Both the stand-alone and plug-in versions sell for $72, as well as being available in AKVIS's Alchemy bundle package for $325.