PORTLAND, Ore., June 16, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- onOne Software, Inc., a leading developer of innovative, timesaving solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers, today introduced that Perfect Layers 1.0 is now available. Perfect Layers gives photographers the ability to easily create and work with layered files in their workflow application of choice. Perfect Layers supports the creation of layered files that can be opened and edited by Adobe® Photoshop® software and can be used directly from within Adobe Photoshop Lightroom® software, Adobe Bridge and Apple Aperture.
"We have been delighted at the positive response we have received from the Perfect Layers Public Preview and are excited to make Perfect Layers 1 available immediately," said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. "Since the launch of the Preview, we have heard from photographers that they appreciate the elegant and streamlined experience Perfect Layers provides for creating and working with layers directly from Photoshop Lightroom and Apple Aperture. Because Perfect Layers has been designed to fit seamlessly into the photographer's workflow of choice and to provide an uncluttered and focused user experience, we are confident that it will become an indispensable part of the digital photographers toolkit. "
Top Features in Perfect Layers:
Create layered files from within Lightroom and Aperture: The ability to have multiple layers in a single file is a great benefit and provides unlimited creative options when enhancing an image. With Perfect Layers 1.0 photographers can create or open layered files from directly within Lightroom and Aperture. This means photographers can combine multiple images managed by Lightroom or Aperture into a single image. They can also open existing layered Photoshop (PSD) documents from within Lightroom and Aperture. Some examples of how Perfect Layers can be used include:
- Merging two or more exposures of the same scene into a single image and masking in the desired portion of each exposure.
- Compositing multiple images, such as action shots, becomes a simple task with Perfect Layers.
- Blending images together with blending modes. Blending layers together is a great way to stylize and enhance a photo as well as to retouch a portrait.
Files that have been created with Perfect Layers can be opened with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements for additional editing, if desired.
MaskingBrush: Control how much of each layer is visible by using the MaskingBrush created originally for PhotoTools 2.6 and FocalPoint 2. Similar to using a layer mask, the MaskingBrush can be used to reveal or hide selected areas of a layer. The layer masks created by the MaskingBrush are non-destructive and can even be re-edited with Photoshop.
MaskingBug: Create gradient masks for making vignettes and graduated filter effects with the MaskingBug from PhotoTools 2.6. As with the MaskingBrush, the MaskingBug is non-destructive and can even be re-edited with Photoshop or Photoshop Elements later if desired. If you use a Wacom pressure sensitive tablet, you can even control the brush size or opacity by how hard you press while painting the mask.
Blending Modes: Perfect Layers not only brings the power and creativity of blending modes to Lightroom and Aperture, but also provides real-time previews of each blending mode before applying it to the selected layer! Blending modes determine how two layers interact with each other. For example, you can blend a black and white version of an image with a color version to get a very dramatic and stylized look or you can duplicate a single image and change the blend mode to make the colors pop. Perfect Layers includes the following blending modes: Normal; Lighten; Darken; Screen; Multiply; Overlay; Soft Light; Hard Light and Color.
Color Fill Layer: Create new layers filled with a solid color. Perfect Layers includes presets that simulate common color correction and black and white conversion filters. The built-in masking tools can be used to selectively place and control the strength of these color fill effects. Additionally, the Color blend mode is especially useful with Color Fill Layers to give images a special effect.
Adjust Layers: The streamlined interface in Perfect Layers contains all the controls needed to size, align and reorder layers. A number of useful blending modes offer the ability to dramatically alter images by changing the brightness, altering the color or even creating special effects. All the adjustments can be easily modified. Perhaps the most understated feature is that Perfect Layers does not try to be a full-fledged replacement image editor. The simplicity of Perfect Layers and the tools provided allow photographers to be able to quickly do what they want to without having to wade through dozens of tools they'll never use.
Availability
Perfect Layers 1.0 is available immediately at http://www.ononesoftware.com/perfectlayers/. Perfect Layers 1.0 is available as a standalone product at the special introductory price of $99.95 until June 30th. From July 1, 2011, Perfect Layers will be available for $129.95 and included as part of the Perfect Photo Suite 5.5. Owners of Plug-In Suite 5 can upgrade to Perfect Photo Suite 5.5, which will include Perfect Layers, at no additional cost.
About onOne Software
onOne Software, Inc. a leading developer of innovative software tools for photographers, develops timesaving software solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers. onOne Software solutions have been created to help photographers spend more of their time behind the camera taking pictures instead of the computer workstation. Such solutions include a wide range of easy-to-use applications and plug-in enhancements for Adobe® Photoshop®, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Lightroom, Apple Aperture, iPhone and iPad applications. Founded in 2005, onOne Software is a privately held company located in Portland, Oregon. For additional information, visit http://www.ononesoftware.com/ or call 1-888-968-1468.
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