Macenstein

We’re big fans of Vertus’ Fluid Mask Photoshop plug-in (Macenstein rated 9 out of 10 read review) for cutting out complex subjects from their backgrounds, so we were quite excited to see that Fluid Mask 3 has finally shipped for the Mac. (For the past couple months, Fluid Mask 3 was a Windows Vista-only beta, but now people who will actually use it (meaning Mac users) can now give it a test drive).

New features in Version 3 include:

• A new “Save Settings” option enables users to easily recall edge detection, blending, and resolution options from previous sessions, eliminating the need to continually reprogram these options when working with batches of pictures

• The “Color Workspace” palette now includes a “Color Sampler” which enables users to select specific colors from an image and see where else within that image the same color appears. Also available in the “Color Workspace”, the new 2-D color map enables more accurate color selection

• A new “Patch” system allows users to make changes affecting a selected localized region without affecting the rest of the image.

• “Patches” can be easily selected with a highlighting brush tool rather than relying on a standard box shaped patch. Once a “Patch” has been selected, users can call up the most popular editing options with a simple right click of the mouse.

• Localized “Edge Detection” tools enable users to automatically detect hard to find edges inside a Patch (In the same way, localized edge blending techniques are used in Patches to overcome common problems such as masking hair and complex colored foregrounds and backgrounds)

• Users are now able to launch a test render of the localized Patch (a “mini” mask) and toggle between the working image and a rendering of the final mask;

• Improved intuitive help features such as “Best of Breed Help” offers XML help files and direct links to Fluid Mask tutorials, enabling easy access to hands-on demonstrations.

You can download a free trial of Fluid Mask here, although you might as well just go ahead and fork over the $239 now and get it over with (upgrade pricing not yet available).