ElectroNews

compiled by Richard Kilpatrick

THE BIG NEWS from Nikon is a pair of allegedly Leaf-bashing desktop slide scanners, including a much-improved Coolscan, and a 5 x 4 transparency scanner with rotation and frighteningly quick scan times. The 36-bit scanner can capture a 5 x 4" tranny at 1,000dpi in 180 seconds with a 30 second prescan. Demonstrations have been impressing people, despite the lack of carriers for some sizes, and one of the most interesting bits of kit promised is a 35mm holder which accepts nine slides simultaneously for gang scanning. UK Prices are £7,995 for the LS-4500 AF (5 x 4" at a maximum of 2000dpi, 35mm at 3000dpi, 36-bit) and £1,795 for the Super Coolscan LS-1000 (35mm only, 2750 dpi, 36-bit). Both products should be available in August.
SINCLAIR IMAGING Systems have just introduced a system to compete with AppleÕs own Internet servers. Based around an Apple Workgroup Server, NetBox can cope with 5,000 users with proven MacHTTP software. The low cost should allow companies to take full advantage of Internet by having systems which aren't entirely dependent on third parties for maintenance.
SCARLET GRAPHEXX are now shipping ToolBox 1 & 2, a pair of plug-in type programs which allows more sophisticated manipulation of color (ToolBox 2) and shapes/objects (ToolBox 1) in Adobe Illustrator, Quark XPress and other plug-in compatible programs. ToolBox 2 in particular allows the creation of Freehand colour lists in Illustrator, and calculates CMYK UCR percentages.
INSTANT ACCESS has released a CD-ROM containing Graphics and Publishing software from across the pond (this is speaking in British terms, sorry folks!). Like all instant access CDs, applications can be 'bought' by obtaining an access code from the distributors and de-encrypting the software. Demonstrations are available through a Browser to allow you to try before you buy.
EPSON have extended their range of colour printers with an A4 version of the Stylus Pro tested last month. At £729, and with the capabilities that we discovered on the A3 version, this should prove to be one of the few products that should make a difference in the computer imaging marketplace.
VIRGIN has announced the first in a range of image software from its New Media Solutions Ltd company. ImageAXS provides a computerised image database and CD authoring in Windows and Macintosh compatible environments.
WACOM's new range of graphics tablets and pens now feature an eraser, used by simply turning the pen over (like those pencils with a rubber on the end). Prices for revised UltraPads are approx 10-20% down on previous versions.

KODAK are getting personal, with a portable version of the Photo CD player which looks remarkably like a personal CD player. Of course, the P2000 will play audio CDs, but Kodak intend it to be used for presentations, including Photo-CD Portfolio II format compatability for maximum impact. The P2000 costs £320 + VAT.

POSER from Fractal Design can give you the ultimate body - at least in rendered form. Both male and female 'models' are available, with textures, lightsources and position all under human control, including the scaling of body parts. The concept is that the program will help graphic artists with the most difficult task, of drawing realistic figures. I dread to think what could happen when the more subversive members of this office get their hands on a copy, but if you can't wait Letraset and Computers Unlimited should be able to help, with an introductory price of £89. You will need Macintosh System 7.5 and at least 6Mb free on your Mac though.
COLOUR CRISP, a young Danish company, have a new digital camera in the pipeline. Based on the Loral chip used in the Leaf back, the Carnival 2000 promises multi, single and on location photography of comparable quality to the Leaf - and it should be available by September. More news as it develops.