Photo Club

Vue 7 Infinite is one of the professional versions of E-on Software’s Vue 3D product line. Vue is the software product line which is used to create realistic 3D environments. In total, there are seven versions of Vue. Pioneer is the entry-level version for newcomers to 3D graphics. Esprit is designed for artists and illustrators. Pro Studio is geared for the advanced artist, and Complete is for the small studio. Vue Infinite is designed for the professional 3D animator and production studio. Finally, xStream is the integrated solution; this is a version of Infinite that can integrate directly into other 3D applications such as Maya, 3DS, Lightwave, and Cinema 4D. There is also a product called Ozone 3.0 which is an atmospheric plug-in that is used to create skies and atmospheres in a variety of 3D product. To see all of the differences, you can check out the comparative matrix from E-on Software.

Vue Infinite contains all of the features that the other product lines contain; the main difference between Vue 7 Infinite and xStream is that Vue 7 Infinite is meant to run as a standalone product and xStream is built to run in other products.  Other than that difference, the features are the same.

Vue 7 Infinite runs on Windows (2000 or greater), or Mac (OS X 10.4 or later) with 2 GHz or faster processor recommended, 1 GB RAM (2 GB or more recommended), an OpenGL enabled graphics card is not required but highly recommended with 1024×768 in 65K colors/16 bits (24+ bits recommended), and 200 MB free hard-disk space. Multi-processor rendering is only available on all multi-processor OS X, 2000, XP Pro and Vista systems.

E-on Software was founded in 1997 with the release of Vue d'Esprit 2. Embraced initially by artists and animators, it has now become a staple in Hollywood and has been used to create scenes in such movies as Pirates of the Caribbean II and The Spiderwick Chronicles as well as for television shows produced by the Discovery Channel. It is also finding its way into advertising and the fine art industry.

So, what's new with Vue 7 Infinite?

• EcoSystem Generation III is the third generation of E-on's technology for creating landscape images. The creation of real world natural environments is extremely complex. With this latest incarnation of EcoSystem, Vue has made it even easier to populate your scenes with millions of plants, trees and other objects to achieve a new level of natural complexity and detail. With automated Smart Scattering and Dynamic Population, you get better detail along with a more natural look. The EcoSystem painter lets you paint over your objects with four different kinds of painting tools. What's more is that you can save your creations and build a whole library that can be used for other scenes and objects.

Boinx showed version 2.6 of its Mac-only slideshow software FotoMagico at Photo Plus Expo this year. The new version includes a free plug-in for Aperture, which allows users to export images to the slideshow application. Images can also be accessed from—or sent to—Aperture libraries from the application’s iMedia Browser. The Pro version of FotoMagico 2.6 also provides Lightroom 2 support.

Version 2.6 is a free update for current FotoMagico 2.x users. FotoMagico Express 2.6 costs $49; the Pro version is available for $129.

For more info, check out their website.

FotoTime has released a new version of its photo management and editing software, FotoAlbum. Version 6 offers geocoding with integrated Google maps, XMP metadata support, and improved media management tools through implementation of a standard SQLite database.

Among the new features made possible by the database implementation and other enhancements are faster performance, improved support for multiple users on a network, and an increased ability to handle very large image collections. Interface improvements include a revamped layout intended to make using the software more efficient, skinnable themes that allow users to customize the look of the program, the ability to mark images as hidden, and flexible thumbnail sizing. There are also more flexible photo search tools and an improved import wizard with more options for renaming and adding metadata to images. Photos are associated with an import batch in FotoAlbum Pro 6 to facilitate searching for photos by import date.

FotoAlbum Pro 6 is available from FotoTime’s Web site for $39.95 or as a $19.95 upgrade for owners of previous versions. A free edition of the software with a more limited set of features is also available, and subscribers to FotoTime’s online gallery service can purchase FotoAlbum Pro 6 for $29.95 or use a free edition that offers a few more features than the standard free edition. For a comparison of the available editions, click here.

Every day here at Buy-n-Shoot.com we search the net constantly for the latest news items. However, in our day-to-day surfing we quite often come across links to various free software that could be quite useful to our visitors. So we’ve decided to create a quick list of them.

Before publishing links to the software we had a few simple criteria they had to pass:

1. Must be totally free to download

2. Must not have any adware, spyware or other program bundled with it

3. Must not be trial or demo software

4. Must in no way generate revenue for its makers

The list of free software is true to the above 4 points at the time of publishing: 09-02-2008. Should any of the free software below be updated and fall outside of the criteria please notify us and we will remove the software from the list. 

PLEASE NOTE:

— The list of software published below is not an endorsement for any product

— Buy-n-Shoot.com does not receive any payments or freebies by the companies listed

— Any software downloaded is done so at your own discretion

#1 AVAST – ANTIVIRUS

avast! Home Edition is now free of charge for HOME users for NON-COMMERCIAL use. It is available in many different languages and can be set to be complete automatic, from downloading the latest virus definitions to updating the program software as it becomes available.

Get it at: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

#2 OPEN OFFICE

An excellent alternative to Microsoft Office and is 100% totally free to download, use and distribute. OpenOffice is a multiplatform, multilingual office suite, an open-source project and compatible with all other major office suites.

Get it at: http://www.openoffice.org

#3 THUNDERBIRD

Thunderbird is Mozilla’s next generation e-mail client. A fantastic alternative to Outlook, that looks just like Outlook and matches it in pretty much every way. Thunderbird also allows the user to apply ‘themes’ to change the look completely.

Get it at: http://en.www.mozilla.com/en/thunderbird/

#4 THE GIMP

GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It can perform tasks such as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer or an image format converter.

Get it at: http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/

#5 PICASA

Picasa is a free software download from Google that helps you locate and organise all the photos on your computer. It can perform simple edits and add effects to your photos with a few simple clicks.

Get it at: http://picasa.google.com/

#6 PRIMO PDF

Pretty much converts any file you have open (that can be printed) into a PDF document. This is not a program you can ‘run’ from the ‘Start Menu’, but a handy application that works by selecting to print what ever item you have open, then selecting ‘PrimoPDF’ in your printer options. From there you can save the document as a PDF in any location on your computer.

Get it at: http://www.primopdf.com/  

#7 AM-DEADLINK

Detects dead links and duplicates in browser bookmarks and text files. If a bookmark has become unavailable you can verify and delete it permanently. Additionally you can download FavIcons for all your Favorites and Bookmarks.

Get it at: http://www.aignes.com/deadlink.htm

If you have any further software recommendations that fit our criteria please email them through for assessment. If we believe it is a good product the software will be listed.

Capture NX software : Nikon UK is pleased to announce that for the first time its new professional Digital SLR cameras, the Nikon D3 and D300, will be accompanied by Capture NX, Nikon’s award winning software package. The latest version of the software, Capture NXv1.3 will give professional photographers the creative freedom to develop and enhance shots, particularly when shooting in RAW format. Initial shipments of the new cameras will come with a product key that will unlock a downloaded trial version of NX available from the web site. A CD ROM version will be bundled with D300 and D3 from December. The Nikon D300 and the D3 digital SLR cameras will be available at the end of November 2007.
The new Nikon D300 digital single lens reflex (D-SLR) sets new standards of compact professional performance. The easy-to-use DX-format D300 offers outstanding image quality, multi-functional technologies and fast response. With class-leading 12.3 Megapixel resolution, speedy 6 fps frame advance, self-cleaning sensor unit and high definition 3-inch VGA LCD display, combined with Nikon’s legendary durability, the Nikon D300 is a breakthrough solution for photographers searching for an advanced compact SLR.

Capture NX RAW software – Development and Feedback
The Nikon D3 D-SLR camera, the result of years of development and feedback from professional photographers, combines many innovative Nikon technologies. These include an exclusive 12.1 effective megapixel FX format (36.0×23.9mm) image sensor with 12-channel read out, a blazing-fast 9 fps frame rate, expandable ISO settings from 200-6400, a completely new 51-Point autofocus system, a 3-inch VGA LCD screen with Live View and a cutting-edge image processing system.

Nikon
Nikon Corporation, a world leader in cameras, imaging and optics, was founded on July 25th, 1917, in Tokyo, Japan. Beginning as an optical firm, Nikon manufactured microscopes, telescopes, surveying equipment and optical measuring devices. Nikkor was adopted as the brand name for the company’s line of photographic lenses in the 1930s. In 1946, the company began producing a 35mm rangefinder camera with an interchangeable lens, the first Nikon camera. The success of the Nikon Rangefinder was followed by the introduction of the classic Nikon F single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera in 1959, built with the technology leadership and precision that characterizes Nikon products. Nikon has continued its leadership into the 21st century with its popular and critically acclaimed film and digital cameras, from the Coolpix consumer line to advanced professional digital SLRs. As a milestone, production figures for the Nikkor interchangeable lenses surpassed the 40 million in August 2007. From its industry-leading cameras to lenses, optics, accessories and software, Nikon is the choice of professional and amateur photographers alike.

Click photo to see more images of the Sony Alpha 700.

Sony has updated the firmware for Alpha 700 digital SLRs sold through early October 2007 with version 1 firmware installed. The company has also made some minor upgrades to the Image Data Converter SR and Image Data Lightbox SR software programs that come with the camera. According to Sony, the new version 2 firmware improves sharpness in low-contrast images, reduces noise in photos taken at ISO 3200, and improves flash control with subjects closer than 1 meter when using a non-ADI control lens. The software upgrades correct image display and file type indication bugs.

Cameras sold after early October with version 2 of the firmware installed do not need to be upgraded. (To check the firmware version in your camera, press the Menu and Display buttons together.) Alpha 700 owners can go to Sony’s support Web site to download the firmware upgrade to either a Mac or a Windows PC and to download Mac and Windows versions of the software updates.

onOne Software have released over 100 free customized presets for Adobe Camera RAW 4.1. Created by Photoshop Guru and Instructor Jack Davis, the presets are designed to help ACR users quickly and efficiently process their RAW digital camera files. onOne Software’s customized presets for Adobe Camera RAW 4.1 are available for download now.

onOne Software Press Release

Visit onOne Software at Photoshop World Booth #515

onOne Software Announces Availability of More Than 100 Free PhotoPresets for AdobeВ® Camera RAW

Free presets created by Photoshop Guru and Instructor Jack Davis

Las Vegas, NV – September 6, 2007 – onOne Software, Inc., announces today the availability of over 100 free customized presets for Adobe Camera RAW 4.1 (ACR) created by Photoshop Guru and Instructor Jack Davis for onOne Software. Just like the 85 presets previously released by onOne Software for Adobe PhotoshopВ® Lightroomв„ў, these new Adobe Camera RAW presets are designed to help ACR users quickly and efficiently process their RAW digital camera files.

“We are pleased to offer this collection of easy-to-use presets for Adobe Camera RAW users in conjunction with Jack Davis,” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “We’ve received hundreds of emails from users of Adobe Camera RAW asking us to make the same Photoshop Lightroom presets available for them. Thanks to Jack, not only do we have the same presets but there are some additional ones as well that are sure to enhance their production workflow.”

About PhotoPresets for Adobe Camera RAW
Jack Davis is a Photoshop educator, designer, photographer and author of the award-winning and best-selling series The Photoshop Wow! Books. This groundbreaking book was the second book ever written for Adobe Photoshop users and has over a million and a half copies in print worldwide in 12 different languages. Jack has spent over 20 years perfecting and streamlining his Photoshop technique and workflow and these presets are just an example of the work Jack has done.

The new ACR Presets are organized in a way that most users approach the development process. First White Balance, then Tone Control (including over 20 options for fine tuning the customization of setting the Black and White points), Vibrance, Custom Hue/Saturation/Luminosity adjustments, Black & White conversion, Enhancing – which includes Split Toning, Vignetting and Antiquing; and finally Sharpening.

Just as with the previously available onOne Software Lightroom presets, when the user comes up with a combination that they like, they can fine tune it themselves and save it off as their own preset for future use, synchronize the adjustments to other images within ACR, or copy and paste the develop settings right from within Adobe Bridge to as many images as desired – without even opening Adobe Camera RAW again.

onOne Software’s customized presets for Adobe Camera RAW 4.1 are available for download at http://www.ononesoftware.com/ACR .

About onOne Software
onOne Software develops time-saving software solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers. onOne Software solutions have been created to help photographers spend more time behind the camera taking pictures instead of the computer workstation. Such solutions include a wide range of easy-to-use plug-ins for AdobeВ® PhotoshopВ®, Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Lightroom.

onOne Software delivers the highest quality software products to users by working with a broad range of industry experts and continue to develop in-house technologies for the photographic industry on both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. 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.