Live Picture gets new lease on life

Live Picture Inc. next week will add new life to Live Picture, its image-editing and compositing package.

The company will introduce Live Picture 2.6.1, which it said solves performance issues that hampered Version 2.6 when it shipped in June. In addition, Live Picture slashed the price of the software to $349, down from $649.

The upgrade features support for the company's online FlashPix format, new texture-generation and blending capabilities, and an enhanced plug-in architecture, Live Picture said.

Via Live Picture 2.6's TextureWorld feature, users can apply preset or custom resolution-independent textures to the current layer of a Live Picture image, adjusting its size, opacity, lighting and other parameters. The PowerBlends tool lets users define the shape, color and opacity of blends, then save and re-use them.

Other image-editing capabilities in Version 2.6 include an enhanced vector-based path feature that lets users copy and paste paths between Live Picture and Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as an edge-detection and silhouetting tool.

Live Picture said the software's revised plug-in architecture allows users to capture images directly from a scanner or digital camera, apply Photoshop plug-ins and use a filter on individual layers of an image. Users can also print directly from the application, the company said.

Upgrades to Version 2.6.1 will be sent free to registered users of Version 2.6; others can purchase the upgrade for $149.

Live Picture Inc. of Scotts Valley, Calif., can be reached at (408) 438-9610 or (800) 724-7900; fax (408) 438-9604; sales@livepicture.com; http://www.livepicture.com.