Aperture3
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RAW compatibility update for iPhoto and Aperture 3
An update was released this week for Aperture 3 and iPhoto, providing really nothing more than RAW compatibility to a bunch of new cameras. For the most part, those concerned with RAW support in software are those who do professional-grade photo editing or are intent on saving uncompressed versions of photos, either for posterity's sake or because disk space is so cheap these days. The casual digital photographer wouldn't likely care about the RAW format. Added to the list of cameras now supported in these applications: Canon PowerShot SX1 IS, Olympus E-PL1, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10, Samsung NX10, Sony Alpha DSLR-A390, Sony Alpha NEX-3, Sony Alpha NEX-5.
Apple releases Aperture 3.0.3 update
Apple has released an update to Aperture 3, its professional imaging software. The 3.0.3 update improves overall stability and fixes issues in a number of areas, including: Applying adjustments such as Retouch or Chromatic Aberration Creating and using Raw Fine Tuning presets Viewing, adding and removing detected faces Switching target printers and paper sizes when printing Duplicating Smart Albums Repairing and rebuilding Aperture libraries Reconnecting referenced files Working with GPS track files in Places Searching for keywords in the Query HUD or Keyword Controls The Aperture 3.0.3 update weighs in at 69.4MB and requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later, or Mac OS X 10.6.2 or later. The full release notes can be found here.
Aperture 3 gets a bushel of fixes with update 3.0.2
Apple has pushed out an update to Aperture 3 that appears to fix a slew of little irritants users had been reporting, including upgrading from previous Aperture library versions, adding names and matches in Faces, adjustments using the Curve, Straighten and Retouching tools, and a number of other bug and stability fixes. iMovie has also been bumped up to 8.0.6, primarily to give it better compatibility with Aperture. You should check your Software Update under your Apple menu, or go here to grab the fixes. Detailed information on the changes is available at this Apple support page. [Thanks Eric!]
Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.1 released
Apple has released its third fix for Aperture 3 since launching a little over four weeks ago. The update addresses an issue affecting the playback of HD video clips used in Aperture 3 slideshows on Snow Leopard. Audio and video tracks now remain properly synced in video clips that have been trimmed. The update weighs in at 3.29MB and is recommended for all Aperture 3 users. Mac OS X 10.6.2 is required.
Aperture 3 already updated
I didn't even have dust on the box yet, but Aperture 3 has scored an update within a few days of its release. The update, according to Apple, "...addresses an issue affecting the playback of video clips used in Aperture 3 slideshows on Snow Leopard." The update is 65.2 megs to download. If it hasn't popped up for you yet, you can force it from the Apple Menu by selecting 'Software Update.' I can't tell you it's a great fix because I haven't tried any video in my slideshows yet, but Apple suggests all users get the update. I other words, be there, or be square. [Thanks to Andrew for the tip]
Apple ships latest version of Aperture for photo professionals
It certainly caused a lot of excitement when the Apple web store went down this morning. No, it wasn't an updated MacBook Pro line but Aperture 3, Apple's high-end photo editing and image management software. The latest version is U.S. $199.00, and upgrades are available for any existing Aperture users for $99.00. Apple says Aperture 3 has "more than 200 new features", including Faces and Places, brought over from iPhoto '09. There is an enhanced tool called Brushes, which allows photographers to paint adjustments and filters directly onto their images using new enhanced edge detection. This latest version of Aperture runs in 64 bit on Snow Leopard and 64 bit processors. Aperture has been in a long features war with Adobe Lightroom, a similar and very popular application. Aperture was last updated in February, 2008. We'll have a close look at Aperture 3 when we get our hands on it. Apple has a free 30 day download for people who want an advance look, but as of this writing download links haven't yet been provided. Aperture 3 needs an intel-based Mac, so older machines like the G5 are out of luck.
Apple Store down globally, let the speculation begin (updated)
Sometimes it's nothing, but often, especially when it's a Tuesday and we're sitting on a stack of overdue rumors, an Apple Store outage is a tell that new products are due. Especially when the store goes down on a global basis as it has just now. So take a moment to reflect on the latest rumors and chime in with your predictions in the comments. Our guess? Refreshed MacBook Pros... or iPonies, either or. Then check back at 08:30 ET (as is the norm) to see who got it right. Update: 64-bit Aperture 3 with faces and places tagging announced. Store's back up. Even after the NVIDIA Optimus announcement we're still left waiting for those elusive Core i5 and Core i7 MacBook Pros. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Rumor: Aperture 3 release imminent?
Here's another possible item for Apple to announce at the January 27th event (if there is an event...). Photography pros have been waiting for a new version of Apple's Aperture for way too long. A Google search of the term "Aperture 3" shows that as long as a year ago, there were many impatient photographers who were hoping for a new release of Apple's pro photography application. The existing version, Aperture 2, was released on February 12, 2008 and last updated to version 2.1.4 on August 27, 2009. According to a post on Dutch website One More Thing, the wait might be over soon. Several Dutch photography sites are listing a book about Aperture 3 with mid-February availability dates. Aperture 3, by author Johan Elzenga, is a Dutch-language book and is listed for availability on February 15th. A quick search of Amazon.com and other U.S. booksellers showed no similar texts in the works for the near future, but the Dutch discovery may mean that the long wait for a new release of Aperture is nearing its end. Thanks to Tim for the tip!
