Apple has released Aperture 1.1 (originally slated to be available by the end of March), updating their RAW workflow tool to improve RAW image rendering, speed, and a new lower price of $299. The software also runs significantly faster on newer Intel-based Macs, with image adjustments and searching up to 4x faster.
Aperture 1.1 is available immediately as a free update to current Aperture 1.0 customers. In addition, early adopters of Aperture 1.0 can claim a $200 coupon redeemable at the Apple Online Store.
Click on the headline of this story for the full press release.
Apple Releases Aperture 1.1
Apple(R) today released Aperture(TM) 1.1, a significant update to the revolutionary
all-in-one post production tool for photographers that runs natively on
both Intel- and PowerPC-based Macs. Aperture 1.1 features dramatically
improved RAW image rendering and a new set of advanced RAW adjustment
controls. Aperture 1.1 also delivers impressive speed gains on any Mac(R)
including desktop performance on a MacBook(TM) Pro* with image adjustments
and searching up to 4x faster. At a new lower price of $299, Apple is
putting Aperture within reach of anyone shooting with a digital SLR camera.
"Since Aperture launched just over four months ago, we've been
incredibly focused on improving image quality and performance, working
closely with pro photographers to get it right in 1.1," said Rob Schoeben,
Apple's vice president of Applications Marketing. "With the RAW quality and
overall speed of Aperture 1.1 and its new low price, there's never been a
better time for pros and hobbyists alike to take the art and craft of
photography to the next level."
"I love the fact that you can save RAW adjustments in Aperture 1.1 and
use those settings on future jobs," said Pulitzer Prize-winning
photographer Vincent Laforet who recently used Aperture to capture Olympic
images from Torino for The New York Times. "In the past, sending a
selection of photos to clients for approval could take hours to import,
edit down, resize, tone and deliver. With Aperture, I can do all of this in
five minutes. Aperture has become the core application for me."
"The controls for working with black and white film in Aperture 1.1 are
staggering -- much more powerful than a wet darkroom," said John Stanmeyer,
co-founding member of the VII Photo Agency and a contract photographer with
Time Magazine. "There are times when I'm working with Aperture that I'm
about to burst through my skin with excitement at its potential. There's no
doubt Aperture will become the key tool for photographers."
RAW image rendering in Aperture 1.1 is greatly improved in areas such
as noise reduction, sharpening, and highlight recovery. New RAW Fine Tuning
controls allow photographers to tweak decode settings such as boost,
sharpening and chroma blur. A new built-in color meter displays pixel
values in RGB, Lab or CMYK in the Adjustments HUD (heads up display) or in
Aperture's Loupe magnifying viewer. Enhanced export controls make it easier
to output images at specific resolutions and improve the handling of
layered Photoshop files. Aperture 1.1 offers support for the Nikon D200 and
Canon 30D, as well as dozens of reliability and performance improvements.
Aperture 1.1 delivers significant performance gains on both
PowerPC-based and the new Intel-based Macs providing photographers with
desktop level experience on the new MacBook Pro and delivering a powerful
entry-level photography workstation on the new Intel-based iMac(R).
Performance tests on a MacBook Pro have shown that common repetitive
workflow tasks such as Lift and Stamp and searching are processed up to 4x
faster on a MacBook Pro than on a PowerBook(R) G4.
Pricing & Availability
Aperture 1.1 is available immediately as a free Software Update to
current Aperture 1.0 customers. In addition, early adopters of Aperture 1.0
can claim a $200 (US) coupon redeemable at the Apple Online Store by
visiting http://www.apple.com/promo/aperture/ as a thank you for their
support. Aperture 1.1 is available to order for new customers for a
suggested retail price of $299 (US) through the Apple Store(R)
(http://www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and through Apple Authorized
Resellers.
* Performance tests on a MacBook Pro have shown that common repetitive
workflow tasks such as Lift and Stamp and searching are processed up to 4x
faster on a MacBook Pro with 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo than a 15-inch
PowerBook G4 with 1.67 GHz Power PC.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the
Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the
Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with
its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system,
and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the
digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes
online music store.
NOTE: Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Aperture, MacBook,
iMac, PowerBook and Apple Store are trademarks of Apple. Other company and
product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
