Topaz Fusion Express is changing the way that photographers process their images. Fusion Express brings the simplicity and vibrancy of Topaz plug-ins and fuses them with Aperture, giving photographers total control over their workflow. “Previously, Aperture users have not been able to use Topaz plug-ins, or have had to go through the process of exporting images into Photoshop to edit them, then import them back into Aperture,” says Eric Yang, Marketing Manager of Topaz Labs. “With Fusion Express, Aperture users can now run their Topaz plug-ins in Aperture without interrupting their workflow.”

Topaz Fusion Express provides users with direct access to the Photoshop bundle plug-ins: Adjust, DeNoise, Simplify, Clean 2 and DeJPEG, in a convenient and efficient form. Fusion Express is available free of charge to all Topaz users. For more information visit the Topaz Fusion webpage at www.topazlabs.com/fusion.

Over the past ten years, the BenVista PhotoZoom series has competed at the highest level of image enlarging, thanks to its patentend S-Spline technology. With PhotoZoom Pro 3, BenVista introduces the latest generation of their technology, called S-Spline Max. BenVista’s statements are promising.

Says D.S. Schoolwerth, CEO at BenVista: “Just compare the enlargement results with those of any other solution on the market, and you will find that PhotoZoom Pro 3 gives the highest quality”.

Besides the new S-Spline Max technology, PhotoZoom Pro 3 offers various other substantial improvements. Multi-processor support is added to increase speed, and PhotoZoom Pro 3 can be used not only as a standalone application, but also as an Adobe Photoshop compatible Automation plug-in and Export plug-in. Schoolwerth: “By offering choice, we ensure that PhotoZoom Pro 3 fits into anybody’s workflow efficiently”.

BenVista PhotoZoom Pro 3 offers batch processing, cropping, and convenient presets. A very wide range of image file formats, various types of metadata, and Raw as well as HDR images are supported. Similar to BenVista’s existing S-Spline technologies, S-Spline Max can be fine-tuned. The new Film Grain feature adds a refined kind of grain that was specifically designed to complement the S-Spline Max technology. All customized settings can be saved to be used again later.

Free demo versions of PhotoZoom Pro 3, for both Mac and Windows platforms, can be downloaded directly from the BenVista website: www.benvista.com. An inviting upgrade offer is available for registered users of PhotoZoom Pro and PhotoZoom Pro 2.

Catapult automates the process of exporting RAW files for editing and importing converted JPEG or TIFF files, while stacking the versions together to keep projects organized. To support non-destructive editing, when importing Catapult can archive the associated XMP sidecar file produced by Adobe Camera Raw, or a settings file exported from Nikon Capture. When users edit an imported JPEG/TIFF with Catapult, Catapult will locate and export the original RAW file with the archived settings so users can continue editing where they left off.

Batch Workflows
Catapult’s support for batch workflows streamlines processing gigabytes of images after a photo shoot. Users can export several RAW files at once and batch convert them using their RAW converter. With a single button press, users can import the converted images, automatically stack them with the RAW versions in their Aperture library, and archive the corresponding sidecar settings files for later use.

Pricing and Availability
Catapult is now available for $49 CAD, and a trial version can be downloaded from Brushed Pixel’s web site. Visit brushedpixel.com to download or make a purchase.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 includes unique Portrait Filters that improve skin color, eliminate wrinkles and skin blemishes, enhance eyes, lips and hair and reshape facial features to accentuate natural attributes. New lens filters simulate graduated filters and polarizers. New sharpening filters provide amazing detail and clarity in images unachievable using traditional filters available in Photoshop. New HDR filters enrich the colors, saturation and tonal depth of photos in unique and eye-appealing ways.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 uses an intuitive brush-on / brush-off methodology to give the user precise control over the results. Dynamic rendering allows the user to combine an unlimited number of filter combinations to enhance their images in a non-destructive environment that fosters creative exploration and experimentation without the need for all the layers, masking and techniques necessary in Photoshop.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 also includes over 300 instant effect presets that give the user a rapid start to perfecting the look of their images. The workflow for adding enhancements to images is made easier by the intuitive onscreen previewing system and robust selection of tools and brushes that apply the effect with precise results. New effects like Afternoon Sun, Moon Glow, Color Tone, Soft Sepia and High Key Blast give the photographer a powerful repertoire of choices.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 includes 60 new effects:

Antique Photo
Afternoon Sun
Black and White
Color Bleach
Color Contrast
Cool Colors
Color Mixer
Color Tone
Green Foliage
HSB Adjust
Moon Glow
RGB Adjust
Saturate Colors
Sepia
Warm Colors
Vitality
Blue Sky
Hand Tinting
Gradient Tinting
Under Color
Cool Gray
Warm Gray
Dark Contrast
Darken Colors
Deepen Tones
Enriched Black
High Key Blast
Level Adjustments
Multiply Darks
Over Exposed
Darken and Sharpen
Under Exposed
Washed Out
Polarizer Filter
Graduated Filters
Sharp Posterize
Lighten and Sharpen
Sharp Contrast
Sharpen Details
Image Brush
Soft Sepia
Soft Black and White
Soft Contrast
Hard Posterize
Soft Posterize
Soften Details
Smooth Depth
Smooth Range
Smooth Skin
Skin Color
Flesh Tone
Enhance Eyes
Enhance Hair
Enhance Lips
Reshape
Enlarge / Reduce
HDR Color Pop
HDR Contrast
HDR Darken
HDR Black and White