28 March 2008 @ 9:15Apple releases Aperture 2.1 with plug-in architecture

Today, Apple released Aperture 2.1 with a new plug-in archetecture which will allow greater functionality to be added to Aperture. With this new architecture, third-party developers will be able to create filters and effects that were not previously available for Aperture. Some plug-ins that are currently available are:

Nik Software’s Viveza plug-in, powered by U Point technology, which provides a powerful, precise and easy way for photographers to selectively control and adjust color and light in their digital images;
PictureCode’s Noise Ninja plug-in that delivers advanced high ISO noise analysis and reduction;
Digital Film Tools’ Power Stroke plug-in that features a simple, stroke-based interface to quickly mask and intuitively perform targeted adjustments;
The Tiffen Company’s Dfx plug-in that provides an expansive suite of creative filters and effects;
dvGarage’s dpMatte plug-in, which is a high performance chroma key tool for creating seamless composites, and the HDRtoner plug-in that enables the selection of multiple photos to create a single high dynamic range (HDR) image; and
Image Trends’ plug-ins that include Fisheye-Hemi to quickly and effortlessly correct fisheye lens distortion, ShineOff which automatically removes shine from faces and PearlyWhites that automatically whitens and brightens teeth.

Aperture 2.1 is available immediately as a free software update to current Aperture 2.0 users or the full version can be purchased here: Aperture 2