Iconfactory’s Flare version 1.2 has just dropped in the Mac App Store and with it comes a very handy new feature - external editing support. Flare can now be configured to be your Mac’s external editor for Aperture, iPhoto and Lightroom. All you have to do is designate Flare as your external editor in one of the apps, edit your photos from within Flare, then jump back to that app when you’re done.

For any of these new apps that support external photo editing, all you have to do is open iPhoto, Aperture or Lightroom and open the preferences tab and make Flare your new default image editor. There are more specific details on the Flare page.

See iPhoto.app preference setting after break.

Flare made a small improvement to the “More Presets…” button; it’s now located in the Preset tab where it belongs. Flickr uploading will now remember your Friends & Family checkbox settings, and this new update also has a few bug fixes. For a complete rundown of Flare’s version history, check the app’s history page.

Back in June, Flare 1.1 added even more presets and textures. With this 1.2 update, Flare is proving that it’s an excellent photo editor for anyone that wants to have fun with their photos from amateur to professional.

Flare is still on sale in the Mac App Store for $9.99 (regularly $19.99) and if you need a great photo editor but don’t have the time and experience to use Photoshop, give Flare a shot!