Shutterbug Staff

Vertus, the graphics and imaging software division of Heligon, has announced the
official launch of Fluid Mask 3 masking software. Addressing the challenge of
quickly and easily separating problem images, such as human hair and tree leaves,
Fluid Mask 3 is said to leverage a more effective edge detection system, along
with the improved "Smart Blending" capability unique to the software.
Fluid Mask 3 presents a slider that enables the user to switch between "Smart
Blending" and standard feather blending. Next, within focused areas, the
user may invoke complex edge and special hair blending algorithms, which, for
the first time, automatically cut out tricky edges and difficult hair such as
highlights and hair with wide color differences (e.g. black hair next to white
hair against a grey background).



Fluid Mask 3 boasts improvements to the initial image processing time, enabling
users who are operating multiple processors to realize increased speeds up to
40% faster than the previous versions. The result is a quicker transition from
a base image editing program, such as Adobe Photoshop, into Fluid Mask. Ultimately,
Fluid Mask significantly improves the overall efficiency of the image editing
process, from loading to the final cut-out.



In addition to new blending and loading capabilities, Vertus has improved the
intuitive workflow of Fluid Mask 3 and added new tools to the program. These new
features include:



· A new "Save Settings" option enables users to easily recall
edge detection, blending, and resolution options from previous sessions, eliminating
the need to continually reprogram these options when working with batches of pictures.



· The "Color Workspace" palette now includes a "Color
Sampler" which enables users to select specific colors from an image and
see where else within that image the same color appears. Also available in the
"Color Workspace", the new 2-D color map enables more accurate color
selection.



· A new "Patch" system allows users to make changes affecting
a selected localized region without affecting the rest of the image. "Patches"
can be easily selected with a highlighting brush tool rather than relying on a
standard box shaped patch. Once a "Patch" has been selected, users
can call up the most popular editing options with a simple right click of the
mouse.


Localized "Edge Detection" tools enable users to automatically detect
hard to find edges inside a Patch. In the same way, localized edge blending techniques
are used in Patches to overcome common problems such as masking hair and complex
colored foregrounds and backgrounds.



Fluid Mask 3 is currently available for Windows XP & Vista and Mac Intel and
Power PC 10.3.9 upwards and is priced at $239. Fluid Mask 3 will continue to function
as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3 & Elements; and for the first time
will also work in stand alone mode for image formats that accept transitions to
transparency in 8 bit RGB color -- e.g. TIFF and PNG. Users working on tablet
style computers and peripherals, such as the Wacom Tablet, should note that Fluid
Mask 3 contains a new pressure sensitivity control that can regulate brush size.



www.vertustech.com...

Rick Sammon's
new DVD -- Rick Sammon's Canon EOS Digital Rebel Personal Training Photo
Workshop -- shows viewers all the basic steps of making great images. Even
if you don't own a Digital Rebel, you'll still gain a complete understanding
of digital SLR photography.



From camera basics to exposure, white balance, lenses, sports shooting, photographing
in low light, close-up photography, people and portraits, animals and pets,
Rick breaks down complex topics into fun and interesting lessons.



In the video, Rick goes on location to Universal Studios, Orlando, FL; Jungle
World at the Bronx Zoo; the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida; Madam
Tussauds Wax Museum in New York City; and other picturesque places to entertain,
educate and inspire viewers to becoming better photographers. Sample lessons
from the DVD are posted on www.rickspixelmagic.com.
The DVD runs 1.5 hours and is available on amazon.com, bn.com and in bookstores.
List price is $19.99.

...

Wacom
Technology Corporation, with the support of Corel, has successfully developed
a 6D Art Pen that gives artists and designers six dimensions of pen control
in Corel Painter IX. Available immediately, the 6D Art Pen is supported on Wacom's
Intuos3 pen tablets and new Cintiq 21UX interactive pen display. The pen has
a suggested retail price of $69.95.

...

Wacom Technology Corp. has introduced Bamboo, an all new family of pen tablets.
Bamboo and Bamboo Fun are two distinct pen tablets that provide a natural, personal
and creative digital input experience in any home or work environment. See Bamboo
and Bamboo highlights at the www.wacom.com/wacombamboo
microsite.



Both Bamboo and Bamboo Fun sport elegant designs with increased functionality
and ease of use in mind. Four programmable ExpressKeys are situated on the tablet
surface to customize commonly used commands, such as "undo" or "copy."
A finger-sensitive Touch Ring has been positioned to allow for quick and easy
zooming and scrolling. The textured work surface of the tablet provides an intuitive
pen-on-paper feel, while the stylish and ergonomically designed pens allow users
to experience seemingly unlimited levels of pressure sensitivity, to create variations
of pen strokes, from fine lines to bold brush marks. Additionally, Bamboo and
Bamboo Fun work elegantly in both Mac and PC (including Windows 2000, Windows
XP and Windows Vista) environments.



Available to consumers immediately in two sleek sizes and four cool colors, Bamboo
Fun provides all the tools needed to have fun exploring digital creativity. Ideal
for digital photo enthusiasts or those just wanting to satiate their creative
hunger, Bamboo Fun makes it easy to enhance photos and create artwork for scrapbooks,
craft projects and slide shows.



Bamboo Fun includes valuable software applications that embrace pen support and
deliver greater control when editing photos or creating works of art. These applications
include Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 (Elements 4 for Mac users), which make it possible
to quickly and easily edit and organize digital photos. Many of the retouching
and brush strokes required in Photoshop are accomplished more accurately and rapidly
with the use of a pen. Additionally, Nik''s Color Efex Pro 2 GE filtering
software allows one to simply select and apply high-quality photographic enhancements
with the stroke of a pen. For those with an artistic flair, the natural feel of
the Bamboo Fun pen combined with the capabilities of Corel Painter Essentials
3, also included, makes creating great looking artwork easy and fun. When used
with a Bamboo Fun pen, Painter Essentials 3 can take on the look and feel of just
about any natural art tool and is perfect for creating original digital artwork
from photos.



In addition to Wacom's patented cordless, battery-free pen, the Bamboo Fun
mouse, uses the same electro-magnetic resonance technology as the pen, offering
quick response times and accuracy. Because the mouse has no ball, wires or batteries,
users discover a virtually maintenance free experience. When used alternately
with a mouse, the Bamboo pen can effectively reduce repetitive motion and increase
comfort and control.



Bamboo Fun is offered in two sizes (small and medium) each in black, silver, white
or blue.



Bamboo is a rugged and elegant pen tablet designed specifically for the mainstream
home or office computer user. Building on Wacom's extensive experience developing
pen-based input devices, the small pen tablet, in black only, provides the same
hardware features as Bamboo Fun, except for the pressure-sensitive pen eraser
and mouse.



Mac OS and Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems introduce significant pen
input features to Bamboo users for a faster, easier and more efficient computing
experience. For those on a Mac, Inkwell offers a variety of pen input features,
allowing one to enter handwritten text anywhere typed text is accepted. Bamboo
pen users working on a PC will covet the new Windows Vista-enabled note taking
resources, handwriting recognition and time-saving gesture controls. All versions
of Windows Vista (except Home Basic) provide complete pen functionality with Bamboo.
Select aspects of the Bamboo and Windows Vista pen experience include:



· Note Taking -- Microsoft Journal is an application
exclusively for the benefit of Bamboo or those working with another pen tablet,
interactive pen display or Tablet PC. Journal simulates a physical notebook, but
with all the advantages of a digital medium. The Bamboo pen can be used in Journal
to jot notes and capture quick sketches, providing valuable collaboration options
for use at home, school and work. Journal also incorporates a powerful search
engine that can even locate handwritten content.



· Handwriting Recognition -- Windows Vista introduces
intelligent handwriting recognition as a natural supplement to keyboard input.
This new recognition technology efficiently and accurately converts a wide variety
of handwriting styles into typed text. For example, during a brainstorming session,
Bamboo users can scribble down ideas and sketch concepts for collaboration with
colleagues. The user has the option to share the information in handwritten form
or convert it to typed text.



· Gestures -- There are a variety of pen gestures
available within Windows Vista that enable Bamboo users to navigate faster and
enhance the overall computing experience. Flicks offers eight customizable gestures
with actions determined by the user and Scratch Out allows pen users to delete
text automatically with a scratching motion of the pen over the targeted text.
...