Apple has released Aperture 2.1, which introduces an "open plug-in architecture" that means photographers will be able to use specialised third party imaging software right from within Aperture.

Available today as a free software update, Aperture 2.1 includes the Apple-developed plug-in, "Dodge & Burn", which adds brush-based tools for dodge, burn, contrast, saturation, sharpen and blur.

Third party software developers will deliver image editing plug-ins for localised editing, filters and effects, noise analysis and reduction, fisheye lens correction and more, that will become available over the coming months.

Aperture 2.1 is available immediately as a free software update to current Aperture 2.0 users.

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