Aperture 2.1 released, now with image processing plugins, numerous interface tweaks [updated x2]
by moose
So, Apple really DOES listen to its pro users, and has just released Aperture 2.1, a mere 6 weeks after 2.0 and two weeks after 2.0.1.
Let’s see what the 48MB update does for you:
[UPDATE: I noticed something: on my MacBook Pro, Aperture 2.1 now launches in like a couple dock bounces, it's almost instantaneous!]
[UPDATE 2: in depth analysis of the image-editing plug-in architecture by Rob Galbraith. I'm a bit disappointed plug-ins actually work like regular external applications, meaning that they are a destructive process rather than a non-destructive one, like Aperture adjustments]
Aperture 2.1 updates various features of the application and addresses issues related to performance and overall stability. The updates include the following:
Dodge & Burn plug-in
A sample plug-in is preinstalled, taking advantage of the Edit API introduced in Aperture 2.0. The plug-in adds brush-based tools for Dodge (Lighten), Burn (Darken), Contrast, Saturation, Sharpen, and Blur.
If you remember, I attracted your attention a few weeks ago on the fact that Aperture 2 supported image processing plugins, but that none shipped with the software and that there were no available details on the APIs. Well, now we have a sample plugin and Apple is working its virtual ass off to bring the news to third parties.
Customizing the default adjustment set
You can now specify which adjustments appear by default in the Adjustments inspector or the Adjustments pane of the Inspector HUD.Updated Crop tool
A simplified user interface makes it easier to preserve an image’s original aspect ratio, match the aspect ratio of your display, or use one of the standard preset aspect ratios.Sorting in All Projects view
A shortcut menu allows you to sort projects in All Projects view in ascending or descending date order.Show on Map
A shortcut menu allows you to choose the Show on Map command by right-clicking (or Control-clicking) an image that contains GPS data.Access to the toolbar on a second display
When using multiple displays in Full Screen view, the Full Screen view toolbar is now accessible on a second display.
Ahhhhhhh! That was one of my major gripes about the new GUI: when you had two displays and used the primary one to show thumbnails and the secondary one to show fullscreen images, the toolbar was gone, which means you couldn’t access some of the tools via their icons, you had to invoke the Adjustment inspector and add, say, a “Crop” adjustment. Well, now the toolbar is back on the secondary display. Cool!
Snapshots book theme
This additional theme includes new “photo border” frames in which to place images.Flipping images
You can now flip images horizontally or vertically within Aperture.
I actually never thought of that, but it seems like a serious oversight not to include this in Aperture in the first place.
Vignette
The range of gamma and exposure settings available has been expanded.Saving books as JPEG or TIFF images
Automator actions have been added to the Save as PDF pop-up menu in the Print Book window to automatically generate JPEG or TIFF images from book pages.Update EXIF From Master
This command allows Aperture to reread EXIF information from master images after they have been imported.Extended AppleScript support
The “Reveal” verb in the AppleScript dictionary has been extended to include containers such as projects and albums.The update includes fixes that impact a number of areas, including:
• Image import
• Image migration
• Erasing memory cards after import
• Quick Preview
• Batch Change
• Auto-stacking
• All Projects view
• Tooltips
• Smart Albums
• Tethering
• Adjustments inspector
• Viewer
• Loupe
• White Balance
• Definition
• Lift & Stamp
• Handling of externally edited images
• Reconnecting referenced files
• Keyboard customization
• Deleting images
• Metadata presets
• Book themes
• Borderless printing
• Webpage/web journal export
• Exporting versions
• Export plug-in support
• AppleScript support
And that’s quite a nice batch of fixes… It’s good to see that Apple has decided to work on Aperture on a more regular basis, rather than leaving pro users in the dark for monthes on. Keep the pace!
For further information about this update, see Late-Breaking News About Aperture 2, available at http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_2.0_lbn_z.pdf.
Aperture 2.1 is recommended for all Aperture 2 users.
