NS Newsletter 020: 1 November 2010
this issue
- softener 2: 10x faster, 16-bit support and more
- future platform support survey
- plaid lite & autochromatic minor bugfixes
- kenny translator for lua 5.1 and purebasic 4.41
- kiva walk across america
- listening booth
softener 2: 10x faster, 16-bit & CMYK support and lots more
It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here - Softener 2, the latest update to our soft focus Photoshop plugin. You can download it from the Softener webpage here:
Softener Photoshop plug-in webpage
It's still great for making dreamy & romantic photos, and now it's been dramatically improved over Softener 1. New features include:
- Runs superfast: 10x faster than Softener 1.32
- More colors: supports 16-bit image modes
- Better for print: support for CMYK & LaB modes
- Go large: works fine with large images (eg 26 Megapixels)
- See more of your work: much larger preview window
- Autoinstaller: installer now detects most popular image editors
- Stay current: can let you know of updates automatically
- Photoshop-free: includes a standalone version if you need it
Softener 2 also includes the new namesuppressed Photo Editor, a fast, slimmed-down image editor for working with namesuppressed effects. It starts 10x faster than the big bulky image editors. If you just want to resize or rotate a photo without waiting for Photoshop or PSP to load, it could be just what you're looking for.
There's a 20% discount on Softener 2 ($19.99 instead of $24.99) if you use the discount code below and buy Softener 2 before the end of November:
Discount code: [Sorry! Discount for email subscribers only!]
Expires: November 30, 2010
If you already own Softener 1.xx, there's a 50% upgrade discount (just $12.50) or if you bought Softener this year, it's free! Check for your discount/freebie here:
https://www.namesuppressed.com/support/upgradelookup.shtml
Softener 2 has been in development for a long time, so I really hope you like it. I look forward to hearing your feedback!
future platform support survey
The technology landscape has changed a lot since namesuppressed first started nearly 10 years ago (has it really been that long?) The world is no longer as Windows-centric as it used to be. So if you have a couple of minutes spare, it would be a big help if you can answer the multiple-choice survey below to let us know which computer devices you'd most like to see new software for.
survey: [Sorry! Survey no longer available!]
plaid lite & autochromatic minor bugfixes
Plaid Lite has been updated to v1.23 and Autochromatic to v2.09 to fix some small bugs. If you've been experiencing occasional crashes when using the plugins, these new versions might help. As always, it's a free update if you've bought the plugins previously. You can download them here:
downloads: https://www.namesuppressed.com/design/downloads.shtml
kenny translator for lua 5.1 and purebasic 4.41
Over on the Kenny Translator website, Bas Groothedde from Imagine Programming has updated his source code for Lua to work with Lua 5.1, and also contributed some new Kenny Translator code in PureBasic. If you're a programmer and like to learn new languages, the Kenny Translator source code is a great way to start - it's now available in 11 different programming languages!
kenny: https://www.namesuppressed.com/kenny/
kiva walk across america
Jonathon Stalls is nearing the end of his walk across America, raising money for Kiva.org. Kiva is a microcredit organization that helps people around the world start their own businesses, lift themselves out of poverty and become self sufficient, from loans as small as $25. So far Jonathon has helped raise $389,000 for Kiva, and is just 2 weeks away from completing his journey. Check out his website, and if you think you'd like to help out, click thru to his Kiva Lending Team & help him reach $400K to help others.
kiva walk: http://www.kivawalk.com/ [link no longer works]
kiva team: https://www.kiva.org/team/kiva_walk
listening booth
Softener 2 has been in development for a long time, but there's been one song that was playing throughout that whole period - the Nine Inch Nails song The Hand That Feeds. Aside from being one of their biggest hits and a modern rock anthem, it has strong lyrics too. The chorus in particular has been a driving force behind Softener 2 (as well as other projects still in progress behind the scenes). It's an industrial/hard-rock song, so it won't be to everyone's taste... but if you give it a listen, I do hope you like it.
nin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwhBRJStz7w
.just how deep do you believe.
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