Apple StoreOn the same day that Apple posted the Software Development Kit (SDK) that third-party developers can use to create image editing plug-ins for Aperture 2.1, the first image editing plug-ins from third-party developers have arrived and several others are expected to appear shortly.

Apple’s Aperture 2 includes a powerful plug-in architecture for the seamless integration of popular third-party image editing software.

Editing plug-ins are already available for Aperture 2.1 and include the Dfx Digital Filter Suite from the Tiffen Company and Power Stroke, Light!, and Ozone from Digital Film Tools. Plug-ins from several other developers, including Nik Software (Viveza), dvGarage (dpMatte and HDRtoner), Image Trends (Fisheye-Hemi), and PictureCode (Noise Ninja) are expected soon.

Aperture 2.1 also includes an Apple-developed plug-in, Dodge & Burn, that provides tools for making selective edits of images with Dodge (lighten), Burn (darken), Blur, Sharpen, and Saturation effects.

The free Imaging Plug-in Software Development Kit (SDK) for Aperture is now available through the Apple Developer Connection (ADC). Interested developers should visit the ADC website and download the SDK.

More information here.