November 3rd, 1999

[2:45 PM] New Service From Extensis Allows Image Manipulation In Your Browser
by Staff

Extensis has announced a new online service that allows users to manipulate and enhance images directly in their web browser. The service is being offered through Extensis's online magazine/resource CreativePro.com and does not require any desktop software, but instead relies on a browser plug-in. According to Extensis:

The Extensis Products Group of Creativepro.com, Inc. today unveiled Intellihance Online, the newest e-Service to join its growing library of online tools for creative professionals. Intellihance Online is the first online service that intelligently analyzes and adjusts users' images directly within a Web browser without the need to install or configure desktop software. Intellihance Online is free to creativepro.com members at www.creativepro.com/intellihance.

"Whether images come from a scanner or digital camera, Intellihance Online combines power with convenience to improve images quickly," said Bill DeRouchey, product marketing manager, Extensis Products Group. "Intellihance Online works intuitively to provide powerful results for any level user looking to enhance their images quickly and easily."

Fast Professional Image Enhancement and Color Correction on Screen Intellihance Online analyzes digital images individually, determining the optimal setting for enhancement and color correction. Users may also manipulate image attributes themselves, quickly applying and viewing the results of a wide variety of image enhancement options including contrast, brightness, saturation and sharpness. Users may also choose to remove color casts. In addition to consolidating dozens of imaging options into a single dialog, Intellihance Online allows users to zoom and pan within the image, viewing any image portion at nearly any scale.

How Intellihance Online Works

A hallmark of Extensis' e-Services is that they require no file upload. All image processing occurs locally on the customer's own computer, without the installation of any special desktop software, making Extensis e-Services both quick and convenient. This is made possible through a small Intellihance Online browser plug-in that is self-installing, self-configuring and self-updating. Because the enhancement and color correction of digital images always takes place on the customer's own machine, document security and bandwidth are not an issue; Intellihance Online does not move or copy documents to the Intellihance server at any point in the process.

System Requirements

Intellihance Online supports both Macintosh and Windows platforms and has been optimized for use with Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer 4.0. Users can enhance and save JPG, TIF and BMP files. Intellihance Online is currently free to creativepro.com members. Intellihance Pro 4.0, a Photoshop plug-in with many more features, is available for an estimated street price of US$199.95.

You can find more information on the service at CreatviePro.com.

The Mac Observer Spin: This is one of the first compelling uses of web delivered applications that we have seen. Adobe probably does not yet need to be worried about sagging Photoshop sales, but Extensis may still have a hit on their hands. We will be following developments on this service as they appear.

CreativePro.com