News

Nik Software (www.niksoftware.com) announced its much-anticipated Color Efex Pro 4, the company’s latest version of its popular digital photographic filters for retouching and creative enhancements. Recognized for over a decade as the professional’s choice in photographic filters, the 54 total filters of Color Efex Pro 4 offers a new generation of technologies and features for creating stunning effects. Color Efex Pro 4 introduces stackable filter combinations, visual presets, filter recipes, and new filters such as Detail Extractor, Vintage Film Efex, and Image Borders. The release also includes a new History Browser, improvements to imaging algorithms, greater performance, and enhanced usability. To watch videos and join special live online preview sessions, visit www.niksoftware.com/colorefexpro.

“Creating a new generation of features and technologies for Color Efex Pro 4 was inspired by the professionals who use it,” said Michael J. Slater, President and CEO of Nik Software. “Over 400 professional photographers test and inspire our team through a lively beta group process that ultimately helps us deliver extraordinary products like Color Efex Pro 4.”

The latest evolution of Nik Software's U Point technology in Color Efex Pro 4 provides easy-to-use tools for photographers to fine-tune and stylize their images with precise selective adjustments without complicated selections and layer masks. Filter effects can be added or subtracted from images with incredible precision, using a few clicks of the mouse. Enhancements are automatically blended throughout an image for natural results. Color Efex Pro 4 also takes full advantage of the latest graphics processing units (GPUs) and multi-core processors for responsiveness and fast processing.

KEY NEW FEATURES:
· NEW: Filter Combinations—Add multiple filters at once, adjust opacity, and make selective adjustments to get the desired look

· NEW: Brand New Filters—Detail Extractor, Dark Contrast, Vintage Film Efex, Natural Image Borders, and much more

· NEW: Visual Presets—Each filter contains single-click starting points making it possible to explore creative options quickly

· NEW: Style Recipes—Customize and share filter combinations with others, using recipes

· NEW: History Browser— Facilitates intuitive comparison of previous edits and different looks

· NEW: GPU Processing and Multi-Core Optimization—GPU Processing takes full advantage of the processors found on advanced display adapters providing even faster performance

· NEW: Interface, Interaction, and Workflow—Benefit from interface and interaction improvements to filters, zoom controls, shortcut keys, and much more

Pricing and Availability
Color Efex Pro 4 will be available directly from Nik Software (www.niksoftware.com), through specialty camera retailers, and through online and national resellers in October 2011. A list of Nik Software resellers may be found at www.niksoftware.com/resellers.

Two versions of the software will be available: The Color Efex Pro 4 Complete Edition contains 54 filters with a suggested retail price of $199.95. The Color Efex Pro 4 Select Edition contains 25 filters with a suggested retail price of $99.95. Upgrades to the Complete Edition from any edition of versions 2.0 or 3.0 are $99.95. Customers who purchased Color Efex Pro or a Complete Collection bundle on or after August 7, 2011 are eligible for a free upgrade. Registered customers will be emailed instructions for accessing their free software. To pre-order Color Efex Pro 4, visit www.niksoftware.com/colorefexpro.

Color Efex Pro 4 is Windows and Mac compatible and installs as a 32-bit and 64-bit plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop® CS4 or later, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom® 2.6 or later, Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 or later, Apple® Aperture® 2.1.4 or later. For more information about Color Efex Pro 4, including video tutorials, feature lists, and special live online preview sessions, please visit: www.niksoftware.com/colorefexpro.