Perfectly Clear automatic photo correction software, found in a variety of imaging software products, online fulfillment sites and editing systems, currently installed in more than 50,000 retail photo kiosks, several thousand minilabs, multiple online photo sites and labs, will soon be available as a Photoshop plugin for use by pro photographers. Athentech Imaging Inc., based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is currently in the final stages of the software's development, which it hopes to retail for about $200, with a standalone version and eventually a "lite" version to follow. First out of the gate, Perfectly Clear Pro will have RAW support and the ability to batch process all images in a folder, with individual image fine tuning capability as needed.

  Nik Software Inc., San Diego, Calif., brought to PMA 09 the latest version of its popular Sharpener Pro photographic plug-in for use with Adobe Photoshop and Apple Aperture. Sharpener Pro 3.0 enables photographers to selectively sharpen objects within their images. U Point powered Control Points are easy to use and offer precise control over sharpening intensity without the need to create complicated selections and layer masks.

  Kubota Image Tools, Bend, Ore., has Lightspeed Workflow: Kubota RAW Workflow for Lightroom 2, an update to its Kubota RAW Workflow for Lightroom DVD tutorial, featuring teaching technique which streamlines the process of working with RAW files in Lightroom.

  A beta version of Silkypix Developer Studio PRO from Shortcut Software International Inc., Irvine, Calif., was demonstrated at PMA 09. Aimed at pros who want smooth results for RAW image processing, the software works in both Mac and PC environments, and new functions include auto dodging, spot removal, watermarking, improved batch processing, and improved cropping control.

  ACD Systems International Inc., Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is in public beta testing mode for ACDSee Pro 3, featuring four activity modes: manage, view, process and online - to optimize photo workflow. The company also has opened public beta testing of its first version of Pro Photo Manager software for Macs.

-- By Don Long

PMA Senior Editor