Category: Software
Watermark Software free giveaway
If you post photos on internet sites, like Facebook for ex, you should watermark each image.
I have recently seen a local Toronto free newspaper feature a Facebook posted image on it’s front page and again on the article page. It was all about someone doing a highlining stunt – walking on a rope between two highrise towers being constructed. The photo credit below the article photo stated “Facebook photo”. They did specify the actual photog’s name in the text about the highlining stunt. The way the photo was printed looked like it was computer screen capture.
Sure you can add watermarks using Photoshop.
Another way would be to use software specifically built to add watermarks. The benefit of such software is that all sorts of special effects can easily be applied and you can do a batch run to apply watermarks to many photos in one shot.
Click on this line to visit the giveaway page, for a free download of Watermark Software for Business. On that page just click on the “Get it Free box”. Their offer is stated to be valid till Dec 31 2014.
Posted by Vincent Banial
Disclaimer: always make sure that your computer has been backed up, before adding any new software. Also make sure that your antivirus and anti-malware software is active and updated before installing any new software. It also would not hurt to create a recovery point, before installing any new software. Do your own due diligence. You download and install software from the internet “at your own risk”. Also a good idea to have your computer connected to a UPS system in case the power goes off during the software install. This post may contain unintentional errors. Any Trademarks mentioned in this post are the property of the Trademark owners. Any offers mentioned in this post are subject to change without notice, This post is also subject to change without notice.
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe software Giveaway. Get and activate the Free License Key by Dec 04 2014
Digiarty, the creators of the WINX DVD Video Converter Deluxe are having special Holiday Offer.
You can get a Free single user License Key. You will not be able to get any future updates with this free version.
Note that the version which includes Updates, usually costs $59.95. That Full version is also available for a special price of $29.95.
This offer is time limited. You need to D/L and activate the Free License Key by Dec 04 2014
The following is a description (from the digiarty web page) of some of the capabilities of the WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe software: “All-in-one video converter, video editor and YouTube downloader. Support 320+ output formats. Convert AVI, MP4, H.264, 4K, 1080p multi-track HD video, etc. Built with 410+ profiles. Convert video to iPhone, iPad, Android. Edit, merge, crop video and add subtitle”.
Other “Combo” packs of Digiarty software, are also available at greatly discounted prices.
Click on this line to visit the Digiarty Holiday Specials web page.
Posted by: Vincent Banial
Disclaimer: Any Trademarks mentioned in this post are owned by the respective Trademark owner. There could be unintentional errors or omissions in this post. Always refer to the official sites to confirm details and any ongoing changes or updates. This post and any offer mentioned in it is also subject to change without notice.
Always ensure that your Antivirus and Firewall software are updated.
Before installing any new software it might be a good idea to create a Windows Restore Point, should something go awry. Since you have free will and act independently, you should always do your own due diligence before you do anything.
Photoshop on Chromebooks ? Photoshop on Linux ?
Adobe is developing a streaming version of Photoshop which will run on Chromebooks.
Adobe calls this new version: “Project Photoshop Streaming”.
Since Streaming Photoshop will reside on remote Adobe Servers, your typical Chromebook will be able to use it.
Photoshop will stream from the Adobe’s Cloud Service and will “not” take up any space on your Chromebook. Processing Power will also be provided by Adobe’s Servers, again allowing your (comparatively low powered) Chromebook to run Photoshop.
As a bonus, all Photoshop updates will be automatic.
What about the actual photo files, which you will edit? They will “not” be stored on your Chromebook, taking up tons of storage space. Your photo files will reside on Google Drive. The edited versions will also be stored to Google Drive.
So processing power will n0t be an issue. Theoretically you could also have unlimited storage space on your comparatively low powered, light and very portable Chromebook. Running Photoshop Streaming will also “not dramatically drain” your Chromebook’s battery, because all processing will be performed on Adobe’s Servers.
Since Project Photoshop Streaming will be streamed to the Chrome Web Browser on your Chromebook, guess what, it possibly could also stream to your Chrome Web Browser running under Linux. Once out of BETA, this could become the first version of Photoshop to run in a native Linux environment!!!
Oh, this Streamed version of Photoshop will also work on any Windows based laptop (or desktop) which is running Google’s Chrome Web Browser.
So are you interested yet???
As I stated earlier, this Streamed version of Photoshop is still in BETA. To gain access to this BETA you will need to meet Adobe’s “eligibility requirements” which include being in North America and having both a paid Creative Cloud subscription and also being a Adobe Education Customer.
Posted by: Vincent Banial
Disclaimer: Any Trademarks mentioned in this post are owned by the respective Trademark owner. There could be unintentional errors or omissions in this post. Always refer to the official sites to confirm details and any ongoing changes or updates. This post is also subject to change without notice.
Smart Deblur 2.0 beta windows program – free trial download
Sometimes small developers can help solve a problem. Trying to recover blurred photos is something which is not often tackled by developers of photo editing software. I suspect that is because it requires specialized math knowledge and an understanding of deconvolution theory.
Smart Deblur is the result of the collaboration between Vladimir Yuzhikov and Chengxi Ye. Source files are available under a GPL v3 license.
You can download the v2 beta by clicking the following link to visit their site: Smart Deblur beta for Windows
The sample photos which they show on their site seem to indicate that their approach to removing blur from photos, leaves fewer artifacts than other such pgms which I had tried in the past.
This will be one site which I will try to follow as they continue their work on Smart Deblur.
UPDATE Sept 22 2013: It’s been a while since I visited that page. Seems that the program is out of Beta. They do have a Free Trial version which can be downloaded. You can purchase the release version for $49.95 Canadian Dollars. I also changed the title of this post to now read: free trial download instead of free download.
UPDATE Jan 21 2014: Smart Deblur v2.2 is out, with a new User Interface. So is a version for Apple Macs running OSX 10.4 (Tiger) or higher. Free trials of both versions, are available for download from the Smart Deblur website.
Disclaimer: Always make sure that your antivirus and firewall software has been updated and is running, before visiting any website on the internet. Always run a virus scan on all software which you download. Downloading and using software from the internet is done at your own risk. Vladimir Yuzhikov and Chengxi Ye are not affiliated with this blog, nor do they endorse it. I am not being paid to mentioned Smart Deblur on this blog. Everything in this post is subject to change without notice.
Adobe Camera Raw 8.3 released along with DNG Convertor 8.3
Adobe has released the final 8.3 version of their Camera Raw and also their DNG Convertor 8.3.Support is now included in Camera Raw for the following new cameras:
Canon – Canon EOS M2 and Canon PowerShot S120
Fuji – Fujifilm XQ1 and Fujifilm X-E2
Nikon – Nikon 1 AW1, Coolpix P7800, Nikon Df, Nikon D610, Nikon D5300
Olympus – Olympus OM-D E-M1
Panasonic – Panasonic DMC-GM1
Pentax – Pentax K-3
Phase One – Phase One IQ260 and Phase One IQ280
Sony – Sony A7 (ILCE-7), Sony A7R (ILCE-7R) and Sony DSC-RX10
The above is just a partial list. Please check Adobe’s site for a complete list of supported cameras.
Click on the following link to visit the Camera Raw 8.3 Download page for Windows based PCs.
Click on the following link to visit the Camera Raw 8.3 Download page for Apple Macs.
Adobe Camera Raw 8.3 Release Candidate download is now available
Adobe has released the latest Camera Raw 8.3 as a Release candidate.
Adobe Camera Raw now has support for 15 new cameras. The Nikon 610, Sony a7 and Sony a7R and Phase One IQ280 Medium Format digital back among others.
Click on the following for details about which new cameras are now supported by Camera Raw 8.3 RC.
Click on the following to visit Adobe Labs and find the Download link to Adobe Camera Raw 8.3 Release Candidate for both Windows and Apple Mac operating systems.
Please note that there now two separate versions of Camera Raw for Photoshop CS6 and for Photoshop Creative Cloud. Make sure that you download the correct version.
Adobe Lightroom 5.3 Release Candidate download is now available
Adobe has released the latest “Release Candidate” of Lightroom version 5.3 for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Click on the following link to visit Adobe Labs and the downloads links for Lightroom 5.3 Release Candidate.
Google Nik Collection has been updated. New Analog Efex Pro has also been added
Apple has released OS X Mavericks as a Free Upgrade for Mac owners running Snow Leopard or newer
Apple’s OS X is their Mac operating system. The latest and greatest version has now been released. This new version of Apple OS X is called Mavericks.
Apple Mac owners can upgrade to OS X Mavericks for “free” if they already have OS X Snow Leopard (10.6.8), Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8).
For those still running OS X Leopard then you have to upgrade to Snow Leopard and then you will be able to get the latest OS X Mavericks upgrade for free.
Click on the following to get details about Apple’s OS X Mavericks.
Click on the following for details about system requirements to be able to upgrade to OS X Mavericks.
Making your Wacom Graphics Tablet work on Windows
Click on the following link to view his Vimeo video titled Make your Wacom Tablet work on Windows.
Pefect Photo Suite 8 Public Beta is now available
onOne Software is diligently working on their new Perfect Photo Suite 8.
Perfect Photo Suite 8 has now reached the Beta stage.
Perfect Photo Suite 8 can work as a stand alone program. It supports powerful photo editing features such as layers, so could replace the need for a separate photo editor.
Perfect Photo Suite 8 can also work as plugins, adding functionality to versions of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
Click on the following link to visit onOne Software’s download page for the Perfect Photo Suite 8 Public Beta.
UPDATE Oct 15: You need to be running Windows 7 or 8.
Disclaimer: The above post is subject to change without notice.
Adobe Camera Raw 8.2 works in Photoshop Elements 11
I manually installed version 8.2 of Adobe Camera Raw into Photoshop Elements version 11.
Again, the install was done manually.
I first downloaded the new Adobe Camera Raw 8.2 from Adobe’s site. I then extracted the Camera Raw file and renamed the 1003 file to Camera Raw.8bi.
Since PS Elements 11 is 32bit, I used the 32bit version of Camera Raw.
I DID NOT DELETE the original PS Elements 11 camera raw file. I saved it, by moving it to another BUP folder which I had created. I copied the Camera Raw 8.2 version to where the old one had been.
Started up Elements 11 and loaded a RAW file. That opened up Adobe Camera Raw 8.2 (displayed ACR 8.2 in the top left corner) and it converted the RAW file.
NOTE: you do not get any of the extra Camera Raw functionality that you would get if you had used PS CS6 or PS CC.
The converted file was sent into the Photoshop Elements 11 Editor. The Elements Editor recognized the file and I was able to edit and save it.
There was no noticeable difference in processing speed between using the ACR 8.2 and the version of ACR which installed with Photoshop Elements 11.
How did I learn of this being possible?
As I have often posted, Google is your Friend.
Topaz Labs ReMask on sale for $34.99 till Oct 31 2013
This month Topaz Labs has their masking plugin called ReMask, sale priced at $34.99 till Oct 31 2013. Don’t forget to use their discount code “octremask” at checkout.
With Topaz Labs, you can also download a free 30-day trial of their software.
Photoshop Elements 12 review published by The Verge
The Verge has published their review of the new Photoshop Elements 12.
Just click on the following link to: visit The Verge and read their review of Elements 12
YouTube launches Audio Library with Royalty Free Music for Video Creators
YouTube just launched their Audio Library.
The Audio Library is filled with music which can be used to create videos. The videos can then be shared on YouTube or elsewhere.
Adobe free Upgrade Policy
If I now buy Photoshop Elements 11, “after” Photoshop Elements 12 has been announced (Sept 24 became available on Adobe’s website), would I qualify for a free upgrade to Photoshop Elements 12 ? Continue reading
Adobe video on Content-Aware move in their Learn Photoshop Elements 12 folder
On that Adobe help page, scroll down near the bottom and find a link titled Video on content-aware move. Click on that link.
Check the web address, when that linked page opens. You will find that this video is in the Learn Photoshop Elements 12 folder.
Could this video be about a new feature in Photoshop Elements 12, like maybe Content-Aware Fill?
From this I assume that there might be a Photoshop Elements 12 released in the near future.
Disclaimer: The above was found by Google’s Search Engine. The search results are provided to the public by Google. I am just sharing what Google had found and makes available to the general public.
Photoshop Elements 12
Adobe, in the past, has released their updated version of Photoshop Elements around this time of year.
I was reminded of that, by the latest set of weekly retail flyers. There was a flyer from Staples Canada.
Guess what software is on sale from Sept 18 till Sept 24th?
Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 is on sale for $59.96. The combo of Photoshop Elements 11 plus Premier Elements 11 is sale priced at $99.96.
That type of sale indicates to me that inventory is possibly being cleared to make room.
To make room for a possibly upcoming Photoshop Elements 12 and Premier Elements 12.
Softwarevoucher.com has a table of Adobe Photoshop Elements release dates from 2006. A new version of Photoshop Elements has been released every year since 2006, in either September or October.
The current Staples sales price on Photoshop Elements 11 in Canada is like a Heads Up for me to watch for the release date of an updated Photoshop Elements 12.
A number of people on forums keep bringing up that PS Elements 11 is only 8 bits for editing. Some other parts are 16 bit.
At 8bits, PS Elements 11 can produce approx 16 Millions colours. 16 bit processing, used in the full version of Photoshop CS6, can produce Trillions of colours.
The human eye can only differentiate around 10 Million colours.
Females in Asia can differentiate the most number of colours, but cannot reach anywhere near the 16 Million colours. So 8 bit editing is nothing to sneeze at.
Humans eyes cannot tell the difference between 8 bit and 16 bit editing. The computer can tell, because it has to deal with much more data. That is one reason why PS Elements 11 can still be run from WIndows XP (or 32 bit Vista) and it runs well on older and slower machines.
I’ll use myself as an example. Instead of upgrading my PS CS5 to CS6 or the Creative Cloud offering, I had decided to buy PS Elements 11.
Pretty much what I used in PS CS, is there in PS Elements 11. Some things are moved around. So I never upgraded to PS CS6.
It also runs very fast. Almost all the plugins that I have work. One Plugin from Nik requires 64 bit, if my memory is correct. I don’t use that particular plugin, as a I prefer the one from Topaz Labs.
All the Topaz plugins work just fine. Almost all of the Nik Plugins work. The On One plugin set which I use, works.
There are no Smart layers, so if you use that feature then you need PS CS6 or newer.
When Photoshop Elements 12 is released, I’ll buy a new copy when it goes on some preChristmas special.
It would be nice if Photoshop Elements 12 would bring in compatibility with 64 bit operating systems. That would allow the use of more memory.
Right now version 11 only works on 32 bits operating systems. In contrast Photoshop CS6 I believe will not work under Windows XP or VIsta. Photoshop CS6 needs Windows Vers7 or 8.
So keep your eyes open. If history repeats itself, we could see the release date for Photoshop Elements 12 and Premier Elements 12 before the end of October.
UPDATE Sept 23 2013:
PC World’s website has a new post by Lesa Snider which apparently reviews Photoshop Elements 12.
They have a link to Adobe’s site which they claim to be for Elements 12, but it still features the Elements 11 page.
This review by PC Word reads more like a feature overview.
A couple of things struck a cord – content aware fill and Restore Old Photos Guided edit.
I have tried to restore old photos and it takes lots of time and patience. If Photoshop Elements 12 can help automate or guide a user that could save lots of time and frustration and also give way better results.
I’m not sure why PC World has that post online, because the Photoshop Elements 12 release date has not yet arrived. One thing it does do is confirm to me that Photoshop Elements 12 could become available soon (see above about historic release dates since 2006).
Another UPDATE Sept 23 2013:
MacWorld is also running the same Photoshop Elements 12 review that was posted on PC World’s website. Click on the following link to read; the Elements 12 review on MacWorld.
Disclaimer: Anything posted above is subject to change without notice. Always confirm any sale price with the vendor offering said sale price. In this case I have included a link to the Staples.ca webpage which details the sale which is listed to end Sept 24.
Topaz Labs Adjust half price sale till end of September
Topaz Labs makes some amazing plugins.
Not long ago I had posted about a great deal they had on their Bundle of all their plugins. That deal is over, but now Topaz Labs has a 50% off deal on their Adjust plugin until the end of September 2013.
Click on the following to read their blog post describing the Top 10 Features in Topaz Adjust.
You can download a trial copy of Adjust from the Topaz Labs website. Just remember that the 50% off deal on Adjust ends at the end of Sept 2013.
The 50% off Coupon Code is septadjust
Disclaimer: Everything posted above is subject to change without notice.
Adobe DNG Convertor 8.2 released. Supports new cameras
Just click on the following link to Download Adobe’s DNG Convertor 8.2.
Adobe Lightroom 5.2 released. Supports Canon 70D, Sony A3000 and other new cameras
Adobe has just released the latest Adobe Lightroom v5.2.
New cameras such as the Canon 70D and Canon G16, are now supported.
Other cameras such as the Sony A3000, the Pentax K50, the Pentax K500 and some of the newest cameras from Leica, Fujifilm, Olympus and Panasonic are also now supported.
You can read more info about about Lightroom v5.2 and find download links at Adobe’s Lightroom Journal.
Topaz Labs Bundle of ten plugins on sale for $199 till Jul 07 2013
The Topaz Labs Suite is a bundle of their ten plugins. I purchased the bundle a number of years ago. Some of the best money that I had spent.
The plugins are extremely useful. Topaz Denoise works wonders, for example. Topaz Labs also has supported it’s buyers. I have been able to get upgrades to the plugins from my bundle at no charge.
The Topaz Bundle normally would cost you at least $299, to get the discounted $199 price you need to use the coupon code “july4” at checkout.
To get more details about the Topaz Labs plugins plse visit their website by clicking on the following link: TOPAZ LABS.
Click on the following link to get to the order page with the discounted price: Topaz Labs Bundle for $199.
If interested, do not delay as the discount is only good till July 07 2013.
Real Word Review of Magic Lantern on a Canon DSLR.
Photo of the Canon EOS 50D Digital, from the back. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Magic Lantern is a open (GPL) platform to extend the capability of Canon DSLR firmware. It was originally targeted at improving video, but now includes improvements for both Still Photo and Video enthusiasts.
Magic Lantern does not replace the Canon DSLR firmware. It run along with the official firmware, while adding capability. Continue reading
Phil Harvey has posted an update to his ExifTool. Now at ver 9.28.
The free ExifTool by Phil Harvey is a handy piece of software. For example, it allows one to change the Exif data from a Nikon D7100 Photo, to read that it is from a Nikon D5200. Doing that little change allows older version of the Adobe camera Raw to open Nikon D7100 files, without having to buy the latest version of Photoshop with Camera Raw support for the Nikon D7100.
A new version of ExifTool (v9.28) was posted by Phil Harvey this weekend. You can download the latest version by clicking on the following link: ExitTool by Phil Harvey
UPDATE Sept 22 2013: Phil Harvey’s ExifTool is now up to version 9.37
Adobe Lightroom 5 BETA Download available from Adobe Labs
Adobe Lightroom 5 Beta is now available. You can try the Beta program out to see the new features, which Adobe added. Like an Advanced Healing Brush, Off Center Vignettes and an auto Perspective Correction Tool, among other new features. The Off Center Vignettes has me interested.
You can get more info and also video of some of the new features in action by clicking the following link: Photoshop.com Blog – Lightroom 5 Beta Now Available.
You can download the Lightroom 5 Beta by clicking the following link: Adobe Labs Downloads.
You can also visit the Lightroom Journal by clicking on the following link: Lightroom Journal post about Lighthroom 5 Beta.
Adobe Lightroom v4.4 Final released with support for Nikon D7100, Canon 1DC and Sony A58
Adobe has released Final Candidate of Adobe Lightroom v4.4 with support for RAW files from the new Nikon D7100, the Canon 1DC and the new Sony A58 among other digital cameras.
Adobe Camera Raw v7.4 Final, includes support for the Nikon D7100 and Sony A58
Adobe has released Final Candidate of Adobe Camera Raw v7.4 and also DNG Converter. Surprisingly fast was the inclusion of RAW file support for the new Nikon D7100, Canon 1DC and the new Sony A58 among others.
To download Adobe Camera Raw v7.4 you need to use the update feature from within Photoshop CS6. The download below is for the DNG Converter v7.4 only.
By using the DNG Converter v7.4, you can then open say Nikon D7100 RAW files in the older versions of Camera Raw.
Also not sure if using the Update within Photoshop Elements v11 would get you the updated Camera Raw. Might still have to use the DNG Converter and then open the DNG files in your older version of Camera Raw.
If your PC which runs Photoshop CS6 is not connected to the Internet, then contact Adobe Support to find out how you are supposed to be able to update your Camera Raw.
Thanks Google. I received my copy of the the Nik Collection by Google. Very high quality and powerful plugins.
Spartacus by Artisanal Chopper, at the National Motorcycle Show in 2012. Created using Nik Silver Efex. Photo credit ccvic.zenfolio.com
Google released the latest version of the Nik Collection. What they have done, has amazed me. If you have never used a Nik plugin, the you can buy all six of the great Nik plugins, as the Nik Collection, and for only $149.00 US.
I previously purchased the Nik Silver Efex plugin. I had also gotten into the habit of not bothering to register any new software. Registered owners of Nik plugins, purchased within the past five years apparently (plse confim with Nik Software) may qualify for a no charge license to the full Nik Plugin suite called Nik Collection. Continue reading
Nik Plugin Collection by Google, available for $149.00.
The following Nik Plugins, are included in the Nik Collection by Google: : HDR Efex Pro 2, Silver Efex Pro 2, Color Efex Pro 4, Sharpener Pro 3, Dfine 2 and Viveza 2. Google had purchased Nik Software. This new Google version of the Nik Collection, is available for only $149.00 US. Continue reading
Nikon D7100 Raw files. How to make Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom read Nikon D7100 RAW files
The new Nikon D7100 can be purchased. Raw shooters may have some issues with their workflow. Adobe Camera Raw does not yet support the Nikon D7100. View NX2 does support the D7100. Some say that the release candidate of Adobe Camera Raw does support the D7100. While others say that it does not, but the final release could.
One way around this situation, might be to change the exif data to state that the NEF files was created by a Nikon D5200 instead of the D7100. Both cameras seems to use a similar sensor. This suggestion might be a temporary workaround. The way that Adobe Camera Raw will finally handle a D7100 RAW file, may be quite different from a D5200 RAW file. Continue reading
Unique F-Stop 