Alien Skin Updating Blow Up

Theresa Stone

On September 21, 2009, Alien Skin Software will release Blow Up 2.0.3, the new version of its photo resizing plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Blow Up 2.0.3 is a free update for owners of Blow Up 2.0.0 or later. Simply installing the latest demo of Blow Up from the Alien Skin Software Web site will upgrade an existing installation of Blow Up 2 to version 2.0.3.
“The small increase in version number is deceptive. This update is a big step forward,” said Tom Welsh, designer and lead programmer of Blow Up 2. “Blow Up was already easy to use, but version 2.0.3 appears in the Filter menu and uses Photoshop CS4 panels to make common tasks just a click away.”
Startup Panel
Blow Up 2.0.3 comes with two Photoshop CS4 panels that are accessed in the Window->Extensions menu. These panels can be moved and docked just like Photoshop’s built-in panels, such as the Layers palette. The first of these is the Startup Panel which makes common output sizes and paper types available with a single click. The Startup Panel can also start Blow Up’s full interface with a single click rather than navigating into Photoshop’s menus.
Gallery Wrap Panel
The other Photoshop CS4 panel installed with Blow Up 2.0.3 is the Gallery Wrap Panel. This panel prepares images for printing on canvas that is stretched around the outside of a wood frame. This popular mounting technique requires extending an image to cover the sides of the frame, which can be a confusing and tedious process. The Gallery Wrap Panel provides full control over this process while taking care of all the technical details. The resulting image is ready to send to professional printing companies such as APC (https://artisticphotocanvas.com).
Filter Menu
Blow Up 2.0.0 appeared in the File->Automation menu rather than the Filter menu, which confused some users. Version 2.0.3 now also appears at the bottom of the Filter menu.
Performance Slider
A slider is now available in Blow Up’s preferences panel that controls whether Blow Up 2.0.3 optimizes its processing for speed or memory use. It is rare for Blow Up to run out of memory, but if it does then this slider can solve the problem. If memory is not an issue then this slider can give Blow Up a slight speed increase.
European Paper Sizes
Blow Up 2.0.3 now includes ISO paper sizes commonly used in most of the world, such as A4. Many of these output sizes are available through a single click in the Startup Panel mentioned above.
Pricing and Availability
Blow Up 2.0.3 is a free update for owners of Blow Up 2.0.0 or later. Simply installing the latest demo of Blow Up from the Alien Skin Software Web site will upgrade an existing installation of Blow Up 2 to version 2.0.3, regardless of whether the original installation is in retail or demo mode.
Blow Up 2 sells for $249 USD with an upgrade price of $99 USD for registered users of Blow Up 1. Online or physical delivery is available through the Alien Skin website at www.alienskin.com. A real live human (imagine that!) can take orders or answer questions at 888-921-SKIN (7546). Blow Up 2 is also available worldwide through stores, catalogs, and resellers.
Host Requirements
Blow Up 2 is a plug-in and requires one of the following: Adobe Photoshop CS2 9.0.2 or later, Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0.1 or later (Macintosh), or Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 or later (Windows).
System Requirements
Microsoft Windows users must have at least a Pentium 4 processor or compatible and Windows XP or later. Apple Macintosh users must have a PowerPC G5 or Intel processor and Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later. A monitor with 1024×768 resolution or greater is required.