Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 3 for Mac and Windows, an update of the digital photography workflow solution that allows photographers to organize, enhance and showcase their images from one application.

The new version introduces a completely redesigned performance architecture that better handles growing image libraries and provides an unrivaled raw processing engine with noise reduction and sharpening tools to achieve the highest image quality, according to Kevin Connor, vice president of product management for Digital Imaging at Adobe. The 64-bit capable Lightroom 3 includes new features that optimize workflows and allow images to be shared in creative ways, including support for DSLR video files and tethered shooting on select cameras, he adds.

The import experience has been redesigned to be more intuitive, with added previews and default selections that give users quick access to sort through and find images. Helping streamline and adapt to photographers’ changing workflows, Lightroom 3 now allows users to import and manage DSLR video files, as well as take advantage of tethered shooting for select Nikon and Canon cameras.

Lightroom 3 also touts new photographic tools. Luminance and Color Noise Reduction tools help produce a clearer picture from high ISO or underexposed images while still preserving details. The Automatic Lens Correction feature can improve the results possible with any lens by allowing users to apply profiles that correct for undesirable geometric distortions, chromatic aberrations and lens vignette effects that most lenses introduce to the image. Users now also have a straighten tool to perfect vertical and horizontal perspective, additional presets for applying more photographic adjustment styles, and three new contemporary vignette styles and a Grain effect to add a more natural look with images.

Output options have also been enhanced in this release, with new capabilities to publish collections on online sharing sites. Flickr users have the ability to synch their accounts to Lightroom with one click, and integration with additional online photo sharing sites can be added via third-party plug-ins. Customizable print layouts provide more refined control over how photographers present final images. There are new watermarking features with options to modify text, size, location and style. Lightroom 3 now also includes the ability to export polished slideshows as video files with the option to add audio and title screens.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 for Mac and Windows is available now at http://www.adobe.com/store, for pre-order via Amazon.com and NewEgg.com and will be available soon at retail and online outlets such as Frys, BestBuy.com, Costco.com, Walmart.com, Staples.com, OfficeMax.com, OfficeDepot.com and select camera stores.

The estimated street price is US$299 for new users with an upgrade price of US$99 for qualified registered Lightroom users. To run it on a Mac you'll need Mac OS X 10.5 or higher on an Intel-based Mac.