CARLSBAD, CA. (JUNE 9, 2003)- A Lowly Apprentice Production, Inc., (ALAP), announced today the release of an updated version of it's popular effects creation XTension for QuarkXPress, ShadowCaster 3.1. This version is a maintenance update which resolves a number of customer reported issues and contains some new features. New features include the ability to add noise to both shadow and glow effects. Also added is a "Place" action button at the bottom of the Create and Preview palettes making it more convenient to apply ShadowCaster effects to your QuarkXPress document more quickly. ShadowCaster provides the ability to create quick and easy drop shadows with just one click, adding 6 types of effects to QuarkXPress. These effects can be applied to any QuarkXPress item, including text and images with full control over opacity, blur, intensity, color, and blend modes. ShadowCaster also combines QuarkXPress layouts with transparency, offering a tool with such power it will cause your layouts to come to life. Create amazing results in a fraction of the time with ShadowCaster and get the competitive edge you need to make your designs stand out from all the rest! "ShadowCaster 3.1 is another great update to an already fantastic XTension. The new noise attribute not only increases the variety of effects I can apply to my designs but it also decreases banding that sometimes occurs with larger shadows and glows. The new Place button in the Create and Preview palettes is quite a time-saver. It's always exciting to see ShadowCaster get better and better." -Michael Hayes, Art Director, American Academy of Pediatrics About ShadowCaster With a new feature list, ShadowCaster saves designers valuable time and money by eliminating the need to switch back and forth between programs just to enhance an image. Not just for shadows anymore, ShadowCaster now gives you the ability to create layers for selected QuarkXPress items, apply special effects for layers and change the blending and opacity among layers. If you accidentally apply an effect to the wrong layer, or you simply want to use the same effect on another layer, you can cut, copy and paste effects to other layers. You can even remove effects from layers and start over. Special effects include Bevel/Emboss, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow and Drop Shadows. These effects will add depth to your designs by adding highlights, lowlights, shadows, glows, recesses and transparency for 3D results. Additional features include a real time Preview Palette and Effect Styles. The Preview Palette displays the layers you are working on from your current QuarkXPress page or spread. This allows you to see what your effects look like before you apply them to your document. The Styles feature lets you save your frequently used effect settings for quick, easy and consistent results. Styles also can be shared between documents and other users. With the ability to enhance QuarkXPress with special effects and transparency, ShadowCaster is receiving much applause. Pricing and Availability ShadowCaster 3.1 is currently available for Apple Macintosh PowerPC System 8.6 or later using QuarkXPress 4.1 or later and Microsoft Windows 98 or later using QuarkXPress 4.1 or later. ShadowCaster 3.1 is priced at $99.99 (USD). Upgrades from version 1.x are $79.99 and upgrades from version 2.x are $49.99. ShadowCaster is available in English and French. To purchase, contact ALAP, Inc. by phone at (888) 818-5790 or on the web at http://store.alap.com Updates for existing ShadowCaster 3.x users are available free of charge by downloading ShadowCaster 3.1 and entering their existing serial number during installation. For more information regarding ShadowCaster 3.1 or other ALAP products, please visit the company website, www.alap.com. Review copies of ALAP software are available to the press by calling Rachel Keenan at (760) 438-5790 ext. 100 or email to [email protected].