DxO Optics Pro v.4

DxO Labs has taken the wraps off the next version of its DxO Optics Pro software, an application that improves the image quality of digital SLR cameras. The version, due out in September 2006 on both Mac and Windows platforms, includes a new "Colour Engine" adjustment toolbox, a new DxO "Optics Engine," and several performance and workflow optimizations.

Click on the headline of this article for complete details in the DxO Labs press release.

DxO Optics Pro version 4

DxO Labs today revealed details of the next version of its flagship application DxO Optics Pro software which improves the image quality of Digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras and advanced digicams. DxO Optics Pro is the award-winning digital image enhancement tool incorporating revolutionary optics, noise and exposure corrections in an easy-to-use, feature rich application for Mac and PC users.

"In just two years, photographers worldwide have come to expect breakthrough solutions to image enhancement challenges from DxO Labs," said Luc Marin, vice president of the Photography Business Unit at DxO Labs. "DxO Optics Pro v4 brings a wealth of true innovations to photographers in search of ultimate image quality solutions."

DxO Optics Pro v4, slated to be available on Macintosh and Windows platforms in September 2006, includes four main areas of exciting new functionality:

Unique DxO Colour Engine
Thanks to the new DxO Colour Engine, DxO Optics Pro v4 provides photographers a complete colour adjustment toolbox including two revolutionary features:
New unique Multi-Point Colour Balance tool to easily perform optimal colour balance for a given scene.
New Colour Rendition feature offering multiple colour renderings and modes for images. In particular, the Colour Rendition profile of one camera can be applied to images taken with another camera.
Many other colour features are included and in particular the ability to import third party ICC colour rendition profiles.

Third generation DxO Optics Engine
Now in its third release, DxO Optics Engine, a core component of DxO Optics Pro, expands functionality to include horizon adjustment (rotation), keystoning (perspective) correction as well as a new exclusive Volume Anamorphosis correction feature. This groundbreaking feature automatically brings three-dimensional objects that appear deformed by ultra-wide angle lenses back to their correct proportions. The effect of this unique correction is particularly dramatic for images including human beings. As with previous versions, DxO Optics Engine automatically corrects lens distortion, vignetting, lens softness and chromatic aberrations including purple fringing.

Improved Performance and Optimized Workflow
Remaining focused on providing automatic image enhancement, DxO Optics Pro v4 marks a radical overhaul of the application's ergonomics as well as many important enhancements to the workflow. Both image adjustment and image processing speed have been key priorities in the development of DxO Optics Pro v4 resulting in speed increases of up to 500% compared to the previous version. DxO Optics Pro v4 will also be optimized for Intel Mac processors.

Core DxO image enhancement features to be available as Adobe Photoshop Plug-In
Now, DxO Optics Pro features will always be available within the most popular photo-retouching application. Once installed in Photoshop, the new DxO Optics Pro Plug-in will allow users to directly access core DxO image correction features when opening RAW or JPEG images.

Availability and upgrade policy
DxO Optics Pro v4 is planned to be available for Windows, Intel Mac and Macintosh in September 2006. All purchasers of DxO Optics Pro v3.55 after June 20, 2006 are eligible for a free upgrade. Pricing of upgrades and full versions of DxO Optics Pro v4 will be announced at a later date.