Nik Software has announced a new version of its Color Efex Pro software filter plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Color Efex Pro 3.0 includes new and updated photo enhancements and effects, features a redesigned interface, and integrates Nik’s U Point technology for applying filters to precisely selected areas of an image and adjusting filter opacity locally.

Other notable features in the new version include a filter list organized by photography styles, a resizable window for accommodating large monitor sizes, large before-and-after image previews, a Navigator Loupe, and the ability to save favorite filter sets. The software supports Photoshop’s layer masks, and is optimized for pressure-sensitive devices such as Wacom pen tablets.

Color Efex Pro 3.0 will be available in December 2007, in Windows and Mac versions. The $299.95 Complete Edition includes more than 50 filters. The $159.95 Select Edition and $99.95 Standard Edition offer the same tools and functions as the Complete Edition, but include fewer filters. To see a comparative list of filters included in each edition, go to Nik’s Web site. Registered users of Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 and earlier can upgrade at a discounted price. Customers who purchase Nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 after October 18, 2007 will be able to upgrade to version 3.0 for free.

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