14 DAY TRIAL // Soon after releasing Aperture 3, the next version of Apple's powerful software aimed at photographers using a Mac, the company headquartered in Cupertino, California issued a couple of software updates to further assist experts in editing and enhancing their libraries. Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.0 and Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.0 are now available as free downloads from Apple’s Downloads section, as well as via the Mac OS X Software Update mechanism and, finally, Softpedia.
According to Apple’s description of the Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.0 , it extends RAW image compatibility for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '09 for a number of cameras and formats. Those include: Canon PowerShot S90, Canon sRAW, Canon mRAW, Leica D-LUX 4, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1, and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3.
As for the Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.0, “This update addresses an issue affecting the playback of video clips used in Aperture 3 slideshows on Snow Leopard,” according to the Mac maker. Apple evidently recommends the update to all early adopters of Aperture 3. There are over 200 new features to be experienced in Aperture 3, yet Apple has managed to cram the key additions inside a list of main features. Typical to this new version of the software are the following new features:
- Organize photos by the people in them using Faces. - Use Places to find photos based on where they were taken. - Perfect images with nondestructive, edge-aware brushes. - Use adjustment presets to apply imaging effects. - Browse your entire library with the new, full-screen Browser. - Create stunning multimedia slideshows that weave together HD video, audio tracks, and custom titles.
Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.0 requires Mac OS X 10.5.8 or Mac OS X 10.6.2, whereas Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.0 only works with Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6.2). The two updates are available for free download using the links below.