11/09, 4:55pm
Also corrects litany of lesser-known bugs
Apple has at last released Mac OS X 10.6.2, a key update to Snow Leopard. The patch addresses a variety of technical problems, most notably one which would permanently delete data when logging into a main account after having just used a guest one. The bug has been known since at least early October. Other resolved account problems include unexpected logouts, and difficulty authenticating as an administrator.
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11/06, 6:10pm
New version has 51 different designs
Jumsoft has released Aperture Themes 2.0, a package of ten new themes for Apple's photography software. The new content adds to the six themes available in the previous v1.0 bundle. The styles are geared toward creating web galleries with photos via Aperture. Each of the 16 themes has up to ten different layouts for a total of 51 designs.
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10/23, 12:25pm
Leak hints at product name change
The next version of Aperture may be named Aperture X, an Amazon leak suggests. A book called Aperture X: A Workflow Guide for Digital Photographers has appeared at the Amazon website, credited to Ken McMahon and Nik Rawlinson, who previously wrote a guide for Aperture 2. The book's listing includes the warning "UNDER NDA," suggesting that it was meant to be kept hidden in a database.
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09/25, 2:35pm
Hasselblad H4D-50 and H4D-60
Hasselblad chose Friday to unveil a long-in-progress upgrade to its H System medium format cameras. The H4D is billed as one of the first cameras to have a true off-center autofocus system, known as True Focus. Where even DSLRs often have to first focus and then reposition the camera to get focus significantly away from the center, the H4D has a yaw rate sensor that can detect the horizontal and vertical movement away from the focus point and refocus the lens to compensate.
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09/22, 11:10am
Fraction of Lightroom's audience, says Adobe
Apple's Aperture workflow software is losing significant traction with professional photographers, claims Adobe. Citing data gathered by the research firm InfoTrends, Adobe notes that in a 2009 survey, only 12.5 percent of photographers with Macs reported using Aperture for RAW files; by contrast, Adobe's Lightroom software was nearly four times as popular, at 44.4 percent. The figures represent a widening gap, as in 2007, only 26.6 percent chose Lightroom and 14.3 percent chose Aperture.
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09/10, 3:40pm
Aperture gets watermarking plug-in: Impression 1.0
Blue Crowbar has launched a watermarking plug-in, Impression 1.0, for Aperture. Impression automates adding a visual watermark to photos, like a company logo, a signature or a copyright statement. The software provides a preview of what the watermark will look like on a given photo before exporting the final result. Impression supports vertical and horizontal watermarks and can adjust transparency and position within the photo.
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08/27, 7:10pm
Aperture 2.1.4 released
Apple has released v2.1.4 of its post-production photo utility, Aperture. The application is used to import, edit catalog, organize, retouch, publish, and archive images. The latest version fixes various issues involving import, web publishing, and the creation and ordering of books. The update addresses problems from the previous version that prevented the app from properly detecting and filtering duplicate photos and caused JPEG images to be compressed when uploading photos to MobileMe.
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08/27, 2:35pm
flickery 1.5 update ships
Eternal Storms has released flickery 1.5, its desktop flickr client for Mac OS X, featuring new video upload, download and playback. The software allows users to upload photos, and now video, to flickr from iPhoto or Aperture and organize the pictures into photosets or groups. flickery can also resize, crop, rotate and filter photos and it can view and search photos and videos from the flickr database.
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07/27, 7:20pm
V1.5 Blue Crowbar apps
Blue Crowbar has released v1.5 of its Twitter plug-ins, Aperture2Twitter and iPhoto2Twitter. The plug-ins are used to send tweets and photographs directly from Aperture or iPhoto. The new versions add support for posting videos and pictures to Mobypicture, which integrates with other websites including Flickr, Facebook, Tumblr, Blogger, WordPress, YouTube, and Vimeo.
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07/24, 2:40pm
Apple ProKit 5 update
In parallel with upgraded Final Cut and Logic suites, Apple has released a v5.0 update for ProKit. The software provides an underlying framework for Apple's professional-level programs, including not just Final Cut and Logic but all related apps, such as Motion and Soundtrack. The Aperture photo workflow tool is also impacted.
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07/03, 8:45am
Hasselblad CFV-39
Hasselblad took steps to drive more of its medium-format camera users to digital today by adding the CFV-39. The digital back adds a 39-megapixel sensor to any of the company's V System film cameras and brings them up to similar features found in the H3DII line. Upgraders can shoot either to CompactFlash or to a Mac or PC using FireWire tethering, and also have the same ISO 50-800 sensitivity as one of Hasselblad's fully integrated digital cameras.
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06/26, 5:00pm
Catapult Aperture plug-in
Brushed Pixel has announced Catapult, a new Aperture plug-in designed to integrate external RAW photo converters. Supported software currently includes Adobe Camera Raw, typically associated with Photoshop, and Nikon's proprietary Capture utility. Catapult automatically exports RAW files to one of the converters, and imports the resulting JPEG or TIFF files, all the while stacking versions together to keep photos organized.
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05/14, 4:10pm
Maperture Pro released
Ubermind has released a more sophisticated version of its Aperture plug-in, Maperture Pro. Both versions of Maperture are designed to infuse Aperture with data from Google Maps, associating photos with the location of their shooting. The Pro version expands on the basic toolset with features such as altitude tagging.
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05/08, 4:15pm
Photomatrix for Aperture
HDRsoft has released a new version of Photomatix, built as an Aperture plug-in. The software merges bracketed photographs into a 32-bit HDR image, displaying a greater tonal range than a conventional photo. The plug-in also gives users the ability to align handheld photographs, and reduce problems such as noise and chromatic aberrations.
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04/19, 9:55pm
WeatherOffice, Dictionary
AttendeesAlerter 1.3 ($15) is a utility that can send reminder e-mails to contacts listed within an iCal event. The application periodically checks through a user's iCal events, searches for assigned contacts and sends a reminder e-mail using Apple's Mail application. The update includes a fix for a minor bug. [Download - 5.4MB]
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04/15, 3:40pm
HSC Edit 1.7 update
HumanSoftware has released v1.7 of HSC Edit, a plug-in for Apple's Aperture workflow suite. The software lets users apply a variety of effects to photographs automatically, supplementing or bypassing regular adjustments. The v1.7 edition includes the new HyperFocal module, which simulates sharper focus through combinations of local, global or detailed contrast techniques. Users can also limit effects through masks or tone range selection, and tweak color balance and saturation.
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04/14, 5:35pm
iMovie, Aperture updates
Apple today released updates to consumer movie editing application iMovie as well its professional photography application Aperture and remote administration tools for Mac OS X Server installations. iMovie 8.02 fixes an issue with projects having a size of 0KB where attempting to open these projects would cause iMovie to quit unexpectedly at launch. According to Apple, the update also addresses a problem where full-screen mode could not be accessed on some systems. Apple's Aperture 2.1.3 update improves overall stability and addresses minor issues in a number of areas, including the display of thumbnails on import and image rotation. The free update is recommended for all users of Aperture 2.3 and is available as a 48.1MB download.
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03/18, 12:00pm
locr plug-in for Aperture
locr has posted locr for Aperture 1.0, a new plug-in designed to upload photos and albums from Apple’s Aperture workflow software. Similar to an earlier plug-in for iPhoto, the company’s new one is meant to offer professional photographers the integration of locr’s geophoto capabilities in post-production work.
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03/13, 11:50am
New Final Cut in April?
Apple is indeed on the verge of releasing a new version of Final Cut Studio, new sources are said to corroborate. Although some sources have suggested than an updated Final Cut Studio suite could be announced on March 24th, people "familiar with the company's plans" are said to indicate that Apple is timing a release around the National Association of Broadcasters expo, scheduled for late April. Apple and some other major companies are not attending NAB, but the event is known for bringing major video-related product unveilings.
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03/12, 11:15am
Hydra 2.1 update
Creaceed has released an update to Hydra, its high dynamic range (HDR) tool for the Mac. Available in stand-alone or Aperture plug-in versions, the software combines as many as 10 different photo exposures to simulate the full light sensitivity of the human eye. Source images do not have to be closely aligned, as a warping algorithm provides necessary compensation.
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03/03, 10:55pm
iLife and iPhoto updates
Apple on Tuesday released two new application updates, iLife Support 9.0.1 and iPhoto 8.0.1. iLife Support 9.0.1 is designed to improve overall stability while addressing a number of minor bugs. The new version is recommended for all users of Aperture, iLife '09, and iWork '09. The iPhoto 8.0.1 update also provides improvements to overall stability, with specific enhancements in areas such as Internet connectivity, keyword import, and slideshow export.
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03/02, 7:00pm
Apple updates
Apple has released software updates for Aperture 2, iPhoto '08 and iPhoto '09, along with a firmware update that is designed to extend the battery life of MacBooks. Owners of Nikon D3X and Epson R-D1x digital cameras will now be able to upload RAW-format images to Apple's photo software. The update also addresses compatibility issues with specific cameras and improves overall stability.
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02/17, 1:40pm
PaintGrade plugin launched
Pomfort has released PaintGrade Plugin for Aperture, offering a painting approach to color correction within Aperture. The software allows common adjustments like brightness, saturation and contrast to be painted into the picture, making adjustments to only the areas affected by the brush strokes. The plugin uses dynamic color keying, allowing interactive modifications of the keyed area and uses algorithms that smooth and soften all the manipulations within a painted area, avoiding hard edges and color clipping and engineering smooth tonal changes between original and adjusted areas within the image.
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01/06, 2:00pm
Kensington intros products
Kensington on Tuesday announced a range of new products, including a hands-free car kit for use with Bluetooth cellphones, its SlimBlade TrackBall mouse and a pair of two space- and energy-efficient notebook chargers. The Bluetooth speaker clips onto vehicle's sun visors and can pair up with three different cellphones and holds three frequently-called phone numbers for each handset. Swapping between the three handsets or dialing any of the pre-programmed numbers is done via pressing a single button. Kensington has integrated noise-cancelling technology for the device that makes calls loud and clear. Two battery packs are included, providing users with 10 hours of talk time.
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12/08, 2:35pm
Genuine Fractals 6
onOne has released the latest version of its image resizing plug-in, Genuine Fractals 6. The update now allows tiling for smaller printers and batch processing. A gallery wrap function has been added, along with support for Adobe Photoshop CS4, Elements, Lightroom 2 and Apple Aperture 2.1. The company claims that its fractal-based interpolation algorithms allow image sizes to be increased by 1000 percent without losing sharpness or detail. The utility also allows images to be cropped to fit a variety of common document sizes.
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10/23, 9:30pm
FotoMagico 2 6 update
Boinx software has released FotoMagico 2.6, the latest version of its photo presentation software. The update now supports Adobe Lightroom 2 libraries and includes a plug-in for Aperture. The new plug-in allows users to take pictures directly from Aperture and export them to FotoMagico for slideshow presentations. Alternatively, the Aperture libraries can also be accessed from the iMedia browser located within FotoMagico.
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10/23, 3:25am
App updates
DiscLabel 5.3 ($36) is an application made for designing CD/DVD labels. It works along with iTunes and iPhoto to automatically import media information that was just burned to a CD or photos. The update adds support for also importing photos from aperture along with the ability to select pictures from multiple iPhoto libraries. [Download - 12.7MB]
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10/21, 8:55am
Aperture 2.1.2 fixes print
Apple has posted an update to Aperture, its professional photography workflow software. The v2.1.2 update is a minor one, addressing the print functions of the software; specifically, it is said to improve the printing quality of books, cards and calendars ordered through Aperture's printing service. The download is 48MB, and can be accessed either through Software Update or directly from Apple's website.
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10/02, 4:55pm
HSC Edit for Aperture 1.5
Human Software has posted v1.5 of HSC Edit, its plug-in suite for Apple's Aperture photo workflow software. The extension is said to be capable of some 4,000 effects, divided between 15 different modules, including ones for noise, tones and framing, color correction and lens distortion. The v1.5 software introduces the Image Resizing module, which lets users resize a photo without leaving Aperture, and apply desired effects in order to preserve image quality.
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09/16, 8:35pm
Apple RAW update
Apple recently unveiled two new updates: Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.2, and WebObjects Update 5.4.3 for Mac OS X 10.5. The RAW update provides Aperture 2 and iPhoto 08 users compatibility with several new camera models, including the Canon Digital Rebel XS, the Nikon D700, Samsung's GX-10 and GX-20, as well as Sony's A300 and R1. Several Olympus and Kodak models are also covered in the update.
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08/14, 11:30am
Rivet 1.2 released
Cynical Peak has released a new update to Rivet, its Mac software for the Xbox 360. The app lets users stream music, photos and videos to a 360 console, which normally requires the use of a PC and Windows Media Player. Mac folder structure is reproduced in the 360's media browser, and content can be pulled not only from iTunes and iPhoto libraries, but user-specified folders.
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08/13, 12:45am
Maperture geotagging
Ubermind on Tuesday unveiled Maperture, a new geotagging plug-in for Apple's Aperture photo editing and organization application, allowing users to add GPS data to pictures for placement on a virtual map. Maperture offers connectivity with Google Maps, and can either be used to add information to one image at a time, or an entire photo library. Ubermind is offering Maperture for no charge, and requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher, with Aperture 2.0.
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08/05, 3:30pm
Noise Ninja 2 for Aperture
As promised with the release of the Aperture SDK, PictureCode has shipped a new version of Noise Ninja, now designed as an Aperture 2.1 plug-in. The software is used to smooth out noise in digital photos, generally created by using high ISO settings on a camera. The plug-in can also be used to remove grain from scanned filmstrips or slides.
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07/31, 4:10pm
Jumsoft Aperture pack
Designer Jumsoft has expanded its Aperture Web Themes pack, an add-on for Apple's photo workflow software. The pack is intended to improve the appearance of web galleries generated through Aperture, with an aim towards professional photography sites. The new version more than doubles in size with six new variants, divided between "frames," "grid" and "iPhone" schemes.
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07/29, 1:05am
Aperture 2.1.1 update
Apple on Monday released Aperture 2..1.1, an update to its photograph organization and manipulation utility for Mac OS X. The update supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is available via Mac OS X update or via the Web as a download (48MB). It requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later.
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07/23, 10:15am
Hydra 1.6 for Aperture
Creaceed says it has released the final version of Hydra, its plug-in for Aperture. The software lets users produce high dynamic range (HDR) images through Aperture, creating detail in scenes that would otherwise be over- or underexposed. The v1.6 update makes a variety of changes, such as the ability to save and load HDR presets, and process DNG files as well as those from Canon's EOS-1D camera. Pixel depth can be set to 8- or 32-bit per component, and output format can be configured for JPEG, TIFF or OpenEXR.
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07/11, 12:50pm
Nik adds Silver Efex Pro
Nik Software on Thursday unveiled a new version to its Color Efex Pro 3.0 for Capture NX 2, while also introducing Silver Efex Pro, a new plug-in for doing black-and-white images in Photoshop and Aperture. The new Capture NX filters offer DSLR users nine new filters: Bleach Bypass, Cross Balance, Film Effects, Film Grain, Glamour Glow, High Key, Low Key, Polaroid Transfer, and Tonal Enhancer. Color Efex Pro 3 is available in Select and Complete editions for $100 and $180, respectively.
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07/03, 4:50pm
Jade 1.0 for Aperture
DataMind Srl says it has released Jade Plugin 1.0, the first Aperture add-on version of its stand-alone Jade tool. The software is used to provide automatic enhancements to image batches that normally require fine tuning, whether in Aperture or elsewhere; users simply click the Enhance button, and Jade will make a variety of tweaks to improve color, contrast, and the the appearance of dynamic range.
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06/23, 6:05pm
Edit for Aperture 1.2
HumanSoftware has announced an update to HSC Edit 1.2 for Apple's Aperture 2. The plug-in suite of twelve modules now includes Edit Multiple Curves for Aperture, which adds a curves feature similar to Photoshop's Curves tool. The company claims to have improved on Photoshop's curves by adding multiple layers of curves, with each layer linking to a brush, allowing multiple color corrections within in image. The tool can work in highlights and shadows and it has a gray-point tool for color balance. The new version also adds a before and after split-screen that allows users to see applied effects before committing to them. The software is available as a suite for $300 with individual modules available for $70 per module. The new Multi-Curves module is being introduced at $30 and requires Aperture 2.1.
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05/28, 11:55am
ApertureEdit plug-ins
Human Software has released ApertureEdit, a collection of 11 plug-ins for Aperture 2.1. Among these are DeNoise, which removes sensor noise from high-ISO pictures, and AutoFocus, which tries to eliminate blur. AutoSmooth attempts automatic airbrushing, while the Grids and PhotoFixlens plug-ins let users apply or remove distortion as desired; other plug-ins apply elements like frames, textures, and over 500 different types of lighting.
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05/19, 9:35pm
Fisheye correction
Image Trends on Monday unveiled Fisheye-Hemi Plug-In for Aperture, a new plug-in designed to allow users to correct ultra-wide angle distortions in pictures, providing a straight perspective. Similar to the company's plug-in for Adobe Photoshop, Fisheye-Hemi removes spherical distortion caused by wide-angle lenses, but still retains the overall field-of-view so that details are not omitted. Image Trends is selling Fisheye-Hemi Plug-in for Aperture for $30.
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05/16, 4:00pm
Kekus LensFix for Aperture
Kekus Digital says it is shipping a new version of its LensFix plug-in, now tailored for Aperture 2.1. The software is intended to correct lens distortion for a variety of cameras and lenses; over 500 combinations are supported, and users have access to "thousands" of presets. The software further supports 16-bit quality, and rendering on Core Image-compatible video cards.
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05/14, 12:45am
New Aperture themes
Jumsoft has recently released new Aperture Web Themes and Pages Templates 2.0 for iWork, which includes 40 high-quality and professional templates. The new Aperture themes include five separate designs: The Frames Gray Theme produces pictures that have a photo frame, with shadows that imitate the real 3D look of the photo; Grid Black Theme offers a frame for each picture and the gallery appears in a table form that "evokes the image of orderliness;" the iPhone Theme, described as both "modern and calm," frames all pictures and headings together; Rounded Black Theme, similar to the Grid Black Theme, offers a Rounded Black Frame for each picture that separates it from the others; and Mental Image Theme has attractive details for the top and the bottom of your picture gallery or journal pages.
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04/26, 1:20pm
dpMatte 2.1 for Aperture
dvGarage this week released dpMatte 2.1, a greenscreen keyer for Apple's Aperture 2.1 photography solution. Based on technology used in dvGarage's existing keyer, the new background replacement tool is the first plug-in to be released using Aperture’s new SDK. It uses Apple's SDK for Aperture, which allows developers to use existing Cocoatools to develop full-featured applications inside of Aperture's existing framework; it is designed to easily remove green and blue backgrounds used in film and still photography in order to composite subjects into new backgrounds. Still photographers use the same kind of technology to add backdrops rather than commit to a specific backdrop while shooting. With dpMatte, users can select backgrounds that range from simple colors to photographs to complex 3D backgrounds.
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04/22, 8:55am
Aperture SDK, plug-ins
Apple has released the final version of the SDK for Aperture, its professional photo workflow program. The SDK allows developers to create a variety of custom plug-ins for Aperture 2.1, which introduced an open architecture and came with Apple's own Dodge & Burn plug-in. Already available are a handful of third-party plug-ins; among these are Tiffen's Dfx Digital Filter Suite, which simulates a variety of optical filter effects.
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03/28, 9:50am
Aperture 2.1 released
Apple has released a new update for Aperture, its professional photo-editing program. The v2.1 patch incorporates two major changes, among these the inclusion of a Dodge & Burn plug-in, which adds brushes not only for dodging and burning, but also contrast, saturation, sharpening and blur. These elements are often one of the primary reasons for turning to more complex editing programs, such as Photoshop.
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03/26, 5:35pm
Security 2008-002 v1.1
Apple today released a new Security Update, following closely behind last week's update, fixing a printing-related error in Aperture 2.0. Security Update 2008-002 v1.1 addresses reliability issues stemming from the "Printer Settings…" button in Aperture 2.0, and says the issue affects no other applications. Users who have installed Aperture 2.0, Mac OS X 10.5.2 Leopard, and the former security update are recommended to download this new patch.
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03/25, 8:25pm
PluginManager 1.7.3 update
Apple today unveiled PluginManager 1.7.3, an update to the plugin management service for Final Cut Pro, Motion, Aperture, Logic Studio, as well as several SDK kits. The update addresses certain problems within Final Cut Studio relating to backwards compatibility. PluginManager.framework, FxPlug.framework, ProFX.framework, and FxPlugWrapper.plugin have all been replaced with current versions to address the issue. The update is also available through Software Update, under the Apple Menu.
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03/20, 2:35pm
Apple RAW 2.0 update
Apple today unveiled Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.0 for Aperture 2 and iPhoto 7.1.2, which patches a security hole, and adds many RAW formats from several different vendors. The patch fixes a problem wherein Adobe Digital Negative files could trigger a buffer overflow condition, which could allow users to craft malicious image files with the intent of decreasing system stability, or taking control of a computer.
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03/13, 2:40pm
Ubermind Ap. 2 plug-ins
Developer Ubermind has updated three of its plug-ins for Aperture, Apple's photo-editing software. In each case the plug-ins have been upgraded to support Aperture 2.0, although they are still compatible with v1.5. UberUpload 2.0.1 is an export plug-in, designed to simplifying uploading photos to remote servers. It supports FTP, SFTP and Bonjour protocols, and boasts features such as Keychain support and an "enterprise-grade" file transfer engine. It is being priced at $25.
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