Today, Nik Software released its Viveza plug-in out into the wild for Apple’s Aperture 2.1. The Viveza plug-in is the first big step into localized image editing directly to RAW images. Previously, users of programs like Aperture and Lightroom were forced to make full image edits in the RAW editor and then export a TIFF or other format to Photoshop for localized image edits. Aperture 2.1 has allowed photographers to take RAW editing to this next level.
The Viveza plug-in works seamlessly within Aperture’s organizing and editing environment. Users place Viveza’s U Point powered Control Points directly on colors or objects such as sky, skin or grass to make targeted adjustments to an image within Aperture. Sliders make it easy to adjust brightness, contrast or color with just a few mouse clicks. Viveza automatically selects objects and seamlessly creates masks based on where the photographer places a Control Point. By working directly on the image, powerful selective enhancements can be accomplished in a fraction of the time needed by using other methods.
Viveza is now available for electronic delivery directly from Nik Software at www.niksoftware.com. Boxed versions will be available from Nik Software and through specialty camera retailers throughout North America and the world by June 1, 2008. Viveza runs $295 retail. A 15-day full feature trial version is also available.
just to add: the aperture 2.1 plugin architecture always generates a psd file from the version image and handles all plugin adjustments on that file. so in fact we aren’t working directly on our RAW-files when using the various editing plugins. All image editing within the plugins is destructive.
maybe you’re interested in my overview article about the other 10 plugins. some of them are already available too and were released before Viveza:
First overview: Aperture 2.1 adjustment plugins have arrived
@kremalicious – That’s a good point you make regarding the psd files. I’m a Lightroom user, so I’m not too familiar with Aperture’s file architecture. It makes sense though.
Thanks for sharing your link. That’s a solid resource for Aperture plugins. The noise ninja plugin looks very promising. Perhaps I should consider adding Aperture to my arsenal? Hmmm…