Apple has updated its ground-breaking post production software application to include several key enhancements and improvements. Top of the list of new features in Aperture 1.5 is a new open library system that generates high resolution previews of images stored not only on the hard disc but remotely, on CDs, DVDs and external drives, so that users can review and organise their entire collection of images, and take it out on the road without needing the original source files. Previews can be made in a range of sizes and quality levels.
Other key features of the Mac-platform application include the ability to create pre-filled IPTC metadata presets, which can be added to files, singly or in batches, either at the time of import or retrospectively (dramatically speeding up the captioning process) and full integration with iLife and iWork applications (which include iDVD, iMovie, iTunes, iWeb and Keynote .
New editing enhancements include a luminance based Edge Sharpen Filter, a Color Tuning tool which lets photographers make fine adjustments to individual colour ranges within each image, and Adjustment Presets, which enable a set of adjustments and settings to be saved and quickly applied to batches of images. The loupe has also been enhanced, with a new set of on-screen controls, smooth zooming up to 1600% and the ability to detatch it from the cursor.
A new export API plug-in architecture enables third party developers to produce plug-ins that seamlessly integrate Aperture with complementary applications and services. Plug-ins for users of Flickr, Getty Images and iStockPhoto are among those already available.
Aperture 1.5 will be available from the Apple website and from authorised resellers within the next few days. Price is set to be around £200, but will be free for existing Aperture users. For more information visit www.apple.com/aperture.