Showing posts with label digital scrapbooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label digital scrapbooking. Show all posts

Corel Paint Shop Pro X Review

Corel Paint Shop Pro X
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have used Paint Shop Pro in each incarnation from 7.04 Anniversary Edition onwards as well as Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0.
I must say that while the latest version is very user friendly especially to a new user, if you've got Version 8 or 9 on your computer I don't think the upgrade is worth the money. The new browser is particularly horrible if you're used to the older versions of Paint Shop Pro. You have to resort to manual tinkering to get it to look like the earlier versions if you want to which is a fairly involved procedure. Even then it doesn't behave like the earlier version but acts like a permanently docked window. In the default it displays Windows folders as little pictures of folders in a row and I find it quite difficult to use as a navigation mechanism.
The Learning Center is a useful addition especially to begin with when you're figuring out where everything is because even if you've had PSP8 and/or 9 on your computer Corel have changed round the positions of some of the tools in the toolbar and there are quite a few tweaks in the menus and photo tools. I do like the noise removal tool which functions better than it did in PSP9 and I also like the Smart Photo Fix. Overall however I felt that the new edition wasn't really worth shelling out over £40 for when I already had older versions on my computer.
In addition, the Paint Shop Photo Album (which is included for free) has refused to function correctly on my computer and I am still waiting for Corel's programmers to come back to me after working with a technician for over three weeks and not resolving the issue. A free Album Creator program is included which is for ordering photo albums online; I found that this gave me error messages until I went online and then launched it. I don't have a RAW image function on my digital camera so have not used that software which is also included on the disk.
You will need a large amount of RAM - at least 1 GB and preferably more, as well as a big hard drive and a fast computer to run this software. I would also recommend a large monitor because of the over-crowded interface - when you have the browser up and running it refuses to allow the image to overlap it as the older versions did, and behaves like the edge of the workspace.
Corel have essentially concentrated on photo editing in this version of Paint Shop Pro although the graphics tools are still there. If you have PSP 8 or 9 and do graphics rather than photo work I would stay with that software for now but if you're a new user I think you'll find this version of Paint Shop Pro is well worth the money.

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Corel Paint Shop Pro is the all-in-one solution for photo editing, organizing, sharing, and creativity. You will get tools for making your photos look just the way you want, organizing them so they are always at your fingertips, and making photo postcards, calendars, and more--advanced enough for a pro and easiest enough for a beginner. Version X is the best Paint Shop yet, with run times 50% faster than previous versions, more teaching resources (more than two hours of tutorials) for you to easily get the most out of the program, and 500 special effects.
See the Corel Paint Shop Pro X product tour
Fix brightness, color, and photo flawsNow you can have sharp photos filled with brilliant colors. You don't have to be a photo-editing whiz to get fabulous photos. Paint Shop Pro is filled with easy one-step fixes and advanced ultra-precise controls so no matter what, everyone can have the photos they always dreamed of.
Cover All the BasicsEverything you need to complete the most common photo tasks. Quickly rotate, resize, and crop photos to get the exact composition and size you need.
Fix Any PhotoSmart Photo Fix is the best way to correct color, exposure, and lighting problems. With a single click, Paint Shop Pro analyzes your photo and makes suggested corrections. With this powerful, flexible tool, you can change the corrections to suit your tastes.
Improve Photos in One Step Most digital cameras produce some sort of noise and, in photos of high-contrast, a purple fringe can appear. We know these are common problems that plague everyone, no matter how great a photographer they are. With the One Step Noise Removal and One Step Purple Fringe Removal, Paint Shop Pro quickly gets rid of these pesky problems.
Instant MakeoverLooking great has never been so easy. None of us are perfect, but with Paint Shop Pro X's Makeover Tools everyone can look like they are. With this handy set of tools you can remove blemishes, whiten teeth, brush on a suntan, and remove wrinkles. It's so fun and easy that you'll just have to try it for yourself.
Get the Red OutRed eye is probably the most common problem facing photos. With Paint Shop Pro X you get a One-click Red-Eye Remover that even works on pets, or you can use Advanced Red-Eye Removal for the most accurate corrections.
Remove DistractionsWith the Clone Tool and the Object Remover you can get rid of distractions in your photos by just clicking and dragging.
Adjust in an Instant When the photo you have doesn't look like the photo you thought you took, you can easily Adjust Perspective and Straighten crooked photos to get the look you were after.
Restore Old PhotosTears, holes, and fading are no match for Paint Shop Pro's photo restoration tools. With Scratch Remover, Fade Correction, Hand-tinting brushes, and High-pass Sharpen you can repair and restore any old or damaged photo.
Add a Creative TouchPaint Shop Pro X includes all new Picture Frames and photo Edges for when you want to give your photos a little something extra. Plus, there are NEW Picture Tubes, this popular feature is the easiest way for you to add ready-made art elements to your photo and graphics projects.
Photo albums and moreOnce you've used Paint Shop Pro to make your photos look their best, you can jump to Corel Photo Album 6 - Standard Edition included FREE, to create fun Greeting Cards and E-Cards. With the drag & drop simplicity of Photo Album you can create and send cards for every occasion.
Turn photos into elegant projectsOnce you have fabulous photos, don't let them sit there on your hard drive doing nothing. With Paint Shop Pro you have all the tools you need to create everything from fun greeting cards to breath-taking collages.
Turn Ordinary Photos into Something SpecialCreating beautiful Scrapbook Album Pages and sophisticated multi-picture Collages is a cinch. Now you can just drag your photos into professionally designed templates and have stunning photo keepsakes in moments.
Fun Projects You Can Complete in MinutesEnjoy your photos all year long by using them to create your own Calendars. Or show the people in your life how much they mean to you by featuring them on Magazine Covers or Award Certificates. Plus you can print multiple images on a single sheet of paper using Print Layouts and create your own CD Labels.
Remove BackgroundsYou can cut people out of photos and drop them onto new backgrounds easily with the Background Eraser. This handy tool makes combining multiple photos a breeze.
The Selection is Yours With so many selections to choose from you're sure to find just the tool you need in Paint Shop Pro X. Use Freehand/Smart Edge Selection to find your edge or select it yourself, the Shape Selection to square, rectangle, circle, or elliptical shaped selections, or the Magic Wand Selection to make selections based on color, hue, or more.
See What You're Working OnLayers are the building blocks of any collage and now you can see exactly what you're using in your collage. With just a glance at the All-New Layer Palette you can see all the layers in your image and what each layer contains.
You Get to PickMove and resize elements of your image on the fly. The Pick Tool is the easiest way to make adjustments to layers without having to re-select them.
Give photos a unique, exciting look Your photos can be so much more than just ordinary pictures. Using Paint Shop Pro's graphics and effects tools you can transform photos into paintings, add words, create crazy caricatures, and so much more. With so many effects to use, you can have hours of fun just experimenting.
Say What You Mean Add Vertical or horizontal text to photos or even have text follow a path. With the Text Tool, you can choose how you want your message to appear.
Turn Your Photos into PaintingsWith real-life Art Media Tools you can turn your ordinary photos into masterpieces. With an easy Trace option you can trace your photos using Oil, Chalk, Pastel, and more. Plus, you can choose from different brushes and canvas types.
Draw with PrecisionAdding arrows, talk bubbles, stars, and other interesting shapes to your photos couldn't be easier. With the Symmetric Shape Tool, Pen Tool, and Preset Shapes you can add all kinds of fun to your photos without any work at all.
Create a Classic in an InstantNo darkroom is required to transform your digital photos into black and white masterpieces. With the B&W Infrared Filter and B&W Conversion Filter you get more options than ever before.
Transform Photos in a Few ClicksAdd special lighting effects, color pencil, or emboss your photos. With over 500 Special Effects Filters there is no end to the fun you can have with your photos.
Warp & Twist PhotosGive the people and pets in your photos big bulging eyes and huge goofy smiles with the Warp Brush. Just click and drag your mouse around your photo to create these fun and easy caricatures.
It's All a BlurAdd professional-looking blur effects to your photos. You can choose between Gaussian, Motion, Radial Blur, and more.
Find photos fast & share memories Paint Shop Pro X now includes Corel Photo Album 6 - Standard Edition. With this smart and simple software you can organize and share your photos easier than ever before. And with two applications at your disposal you'll be more productive than ever.
Your Photos Were Meant to be Shared Show off your photos using over 40 Print templates, create Slide Shows you can e-mail, send photos automatically resized for E-mail and Cell Phones, or Burn a CD of your best shots in just two clicks. No additional burning software required.
Photo Album Does the Work for YouAs soon as you plug in your camera, Photo Album's Photo Downloader gets to work downloading and rotating your photos, then asking you what you'd like to do next. If you like, you can jump right to Paint Shop Pro with a couple of keystrokes. The Photo Finder automatically finds and organizes your photo collection by the date you took the picture, and Photo Trays are a virtual photo to-do list - helping you remember to e-mail or print photos.
Find What You NeedYou can organize your photos by Collection, Folder, Favorite Photo, and Keyword to ensure that you can always find your photos fast. Plus, when you use Keywords, you can Search your entire using those keywords.
What's in the box: Photo software on CD-ROM, instruction booklet.

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 Review

Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This product finally gets it right. From start to finish, it really works.
Connect a camera or card reader, and it automatically finds it and imports your photos. Then do a quick review using your full-screen so you can really see the image, not just thumbnails. Cull out the lame photos really fast, then tag the ones you want to keep. Even hit Ctrl-1 through 5 to put 1-5 stars on an image.
Then once you have your best shots, use the cool "smart fix" tool to do some amazing stuff to fix the exposure and colors in just one click....much smarter than the other products I've tried (and I've tried a lot over the last 3 months, including microsoft's and magix and ulead and nero....etc.)
Then use the one-click redeye remover to click near an eye and have the redeye automagically removed. It really works! Cool!
Use the Healing Brush to remove blemishes and paint out annoying details (like the cars in the background, or a blemish on someone's forehead) without having to know anything special or hold down a control-shift-alt key combination.
Wonderful organization tools, plus the world's best image editing, all packaged in a UI that starts simple and builds as you explore it.
Adobe really got this one right. Don't bother looking at the other packages (lord knows I spent enough time for us all. :)

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Adobe Elements 3.0 Image Edit Software for Windows is the third version of this amazingly popular digital image and photo editing application. It's no wonder really. Adobe's Photoshop Elements series is geared to you, the casual user, seeking access to image enhancement tools that are simple and easy. While ease-of-use is the key, PE3 adds more power. Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 software now provides powerful photo editing functionality plus intuitive organizing and sharing capabilities. Make quick fixes when you need to or use advanced editing options when you want more control. Organize the way you want and show off your creativity with new dynamic slide shows, themed photo e-mail, and more. Make compelling slide shows with transitions, captions, music, and narration Send your photos displayed within your e-mail instead of as attachments, and include decorative backgrounds and frames in a variety of themes Make the most of your valuable photo paper by printing high-quality pages in any layout you want individual or multiple photos

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 Premiere Elements 3.0 Bundle Review

Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 Premiere Elements 3.0 Bundle
Average Reviews:

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This is quality software.
- It has the right feature set. No superfluous stuff like backup software and DVD duplication software, as is the case with Roxio MyDVD9.
- The user interface is simple and intuitive enough that I was able to start creating a DVD from multiple video clips of our baby that I had scattered around. I didn't use the help file, I just installed it and started. I only referred to the manual for advanced functions.
- And advanced functions it certainly has. I like the ability to create multiple audio and video tracks separately and blend them together. I like using Photoshop Elements to create slide shows in my DVDs by porting them to Premiere Elements with a click - it's simple, cleaner and quicker than any other product.
- The output stage where one encodes a DVD is simple and reliable. I have a relatively slow PC, and certainly didn't want any error messages coming up several hours into an encoding job for creating an hour-long DVD.
- The integration between Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements goes more than skin deep. They share the same user interface, and one can send pictures and videos from one package to the other.
- It has never crashed, even in Windows.

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 plus Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 software combines two powerful yet easyto- use products to deliver the most complete photo and video editing solution. Jazz up photo slide shows with cinematic effects and transitions; use freeze frames to add a dramatic pause to your video or to make professional-looking DVD covers and labels; create personalized DVDs; and easily share on the web. Now telling your stories with photos and videos is easier than ever.

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Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Deluxe Review

Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Deluxe
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I'm a huge scrapbooker, and - much to my husband's dismay - I seem to buy anything and everything that contains the word "Scrapbook." But, I've got to tell you, Creating Keepsakes really let me down.
Turns out that most of the truly good templates depicted on the box reside in something called the "Idea Vault." That is not a happy place because it amounts to a series of PDF thumbnails that are completely uneditable and completely unusable in the software. And the templates that are available are pretty crummy.
I'm sorry, but it's just not fair to include designs on the box - much less boast of the idea vault as a "feature" (gimme a break) - when they're just not available to people who buy the software. I can't recommend Creating Keepsakes. But I do own Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 2.0 (of course ... it has the word "Scrapbook" in it :-) and that I can heartily endorse.

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Take scrapbooking to the next level!Get inspired -- Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer Deluxe invites you to explore brand-new creative possibilities. Use the program's handy design tools and beautiful artwork to make your own greeting cards, calendars, journals- even gift tags.Preserve precious memories in just three easy steps!

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Nova Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 3.0 Review

Nova Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 3.0
Average Reviews:

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I was given an inexpensive digital scrapbooking software program last year and found it was a nice quick way to get caught up on my scrapbooking. However the software was inexpensive and had many limitations so I decided to invest in a better program. I found this software had received the highest rating from a group reviewing multiple scrapbooking programs. I was sorely disappointed in the result. It is no better than my very inexpensive version. I was happy to see that there is a 90 day money back guarentee but so far I have not heard back from the manufacturers as to where I am to send the product for refunding.
Within minutes of using the program, I was making a list of things that needed to be corrected or improved for any reasonable use. Things like:
1) It will not let you see the image/object you are resizing while resizing it. You just get a box outlining the object. This isn't very helpful if the object you are moving or resizing is anything other than square or rectangle. Can't line up a round rivit to a curved area when all I see is an outline of a square.
2) When you select multiple objects to space evenly over an area, it will rearrange the order they are in. This is annoying when trying to equally space graphics of letters across the top of your page to spell say "Hello" for instance and it will equally space the letters but now it reads "eollH". It also rearranged photos that I had placed in a sequence.
3) It does not allow for the new standard of 8" x 8" paper.
4) I also can't seem to find a way to lay out a double page layout so that I see both pages at once.
5)Once you pick a text "effect" to see what it looks like, you can not remove it. You must start over.
6) No search capabilities to find objects/graphics by keywords.
7) Can't load multiple images onto a page at a time. Must select and load images one at a time.
8) I found it ran quite slowly.
9) If you add a border to an image and then want to delete the border, it also deletes your image as well.
10) Borders don't fit tight to the image so background shows inbetween image and border.
11) Once you start the application, you can't exit it until you select a project and walk thru some basic selections first.
I found these and actually a couple more minor complants after literally a couple of hours of playing with the software. I edited one premade template and attempted to lay out a page from scratch. I got so frustrated I gave up before completing it.
I will say this program has phenominal art/graphic clipart items although they are often difficult to find the one you want since you can
t use keywords to search for them.
If you only want to use premade templates and just drop in your own pictures, this program would be pretty good. If you like to have creative control, I would look elsewhere.

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Nova Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 3.0 will turn your memories into unforgettable scrapbooks and keepsake projects that will bring a smile to your face for years to come. With over 5000 designs, 40,000 images, 1000 fonts, 2500 unique projects, and amazingly easy-to-use features, Factory Deluxe 3.0 sets the standard for scrapbooking software. Whether you want to embellish your digital photos for posterity, create your own slide show to view on your television, or make that special gift for your loved one, this software is for you. Three Easy Steps to Scrapbooking With Factory Deluxe 3.0, preserving your favorite memories is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply choose a category from the easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. Then select an event, occasion or theme from more than 5000 designs that are provided. You can choose from literally thousands of elements from the "scraps gallery" to drag and drop right onto your scrapbook page, including ribbons, words, alphabets, buttons, corners, borders, and more. Add your photos, captions, and personalized greetings, and simply print your results to any color printer for instant results. You can also export your project to a PDF file and share it instantly with friends and family around the world. It's that easy.Thousands of Fonts, Images and Designs Are you looking to capture the beauty of your wedding? The excitement of your child's first lost tooth? Or maybe the first swing of tee-ball season? No matter what the occasion, you can be assured that with Factory Deluxe 3.0 you'll have what you need to create beautiful and professional looking projects. With over 1000 sensational fonts, 5000 unique designs, and 40,000 professionally created images to choose from, you can create the precise look and feel to reflect the mood of your subject. From the whimsical and fanciful, to the formal and serious, Factory Deluxe 3.0 can give you everything you need.Taking Your Photographic Memories Digital You can take your digital scrapbooking skills to new heights with Factory Deluxe 3.0. With just a few clicks, you can import your photos or images from your digital camera, CD or scanner. A built-in photo editor will then let you add special effects, remove red-eye, and even crop, flip, rotate and resize your photos. Once you have the effects you want, you can create slide shows from your photos and view them on TV. You can also burn CD photo scrapbooks with your own music, and replay them on most home DVD players. No matter what level of photographic skills you have, you'll be the envy of your friends and family when they sit back and watch the amazing projects that you've created. Perfect Gifts for Everyone Factory Deluxe 3.0 isn't just for preserving your memories. You can also create the perfect gift for your friends and family. Design a calendar for your parents with photos to remind them of their children's birthdays and special events. Make your grandfather a sweatshirt with an iron-on of your favorite baby picture on the front. With Factory Deluxe 3.0, you'll have dozens of ways to make the perfect gift for everyone in your life.

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Corel Painter Essentials 4 (Win/Mac) Review

Corel Painter Essentials 4 (Win/Mac)
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I have children 14, 11, and 9, and I was looking for software that would appeal to their creative side. I am a fairly sophisticated software user, and used to do some programming myself, but had never really ventured into these type of painting/art programs.
Bottom Line: I was blown away by this program, totally impressed!!
Why?
#1 It's easy to use out of the box--- many of the controls are easy enough to figure out just by using them, it installs easy on both Mac and PC systems (I installed the program on both an old eMac and a low end Vista laptop successfully).
#2 It's really powerful--- once you really get into the software, it's amazing all the different brushes and textures and effects that you can do to make really impressive art.
#3 The tutorials are first rate--- A thick instruction manual that actually is well written, and actually teaches you about basic principles of art and painting. There are also a whole series of video tutorials included free. You can tell that a lot of hard work and frankly a lot of love went into this, which is a rarity for computer software these days.
#4 It's a great value--- For all you get, the price is very reasonable. And check the company's website, if you're still not sold they were at the time of this writing offering a 60 day free downloadable trial.
One more tip: Get even a low-price graphics tablet to go along with the software--- you'll be glad you did!

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 Review

Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0
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I have purchased and used every version of Adobe Photoshop Elements since the product was first released - and most recently I upgraded to Photoshop Elements 5.O. I read another review posted here on Amazon in which the reviewer states that a lot of important features are missing from this newest version. Specifically, he says that Elements 5.0 omits two important features - selection brushes and sharpening filters. That is just not true. These features are in the new 5.0 version, so I'm not sure why the reviewer would have said that (unless he is not really familiar with this product).
In my opinion, this is the BEST editing software on the market for the money. I don't know of any other product that offers anywhere near power or flexibility for a similar price. I think the upgrade to Elements 5.0 is worth it - "color curves" are a great new feature, as are the new artwork and effects that were added to this version. These are a lot of fun and very useful particularly if you enjoy creating scrapbooks.
And yes, despite what the prior reviewer says - you CAN adjust the color curve in the Elements 5.0. You may not be able to adjust them to the extent that you can if you were using Photoshop CS2 - but then Photoshop CS2 costs about $500 more than Photoshop Elements 5.0. Besides, its a lot easier to learn how to use color curve in Elements.
I know that many people rely on reviews here at Amazon to help them decide whether to buy a product - I know that I do. I think it is unfortunate that an earlier reviewer made claims about this product that are just plain wrong. I encourage anyone considering Elements 5.0 to research the product and not be mislead by inaccurate information as to its content. Personally, I am very happy with it and I do recommend it.
Roberta

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 software combines power and simplicity so you can do more with your photos. Instantly fix flaws or use new advanced tools for more precise control over color and lighting. Quickly put your photos into fun, flexible layouts that you can edit, rearrange, and resize. Show off your creativity by sharing photos in new lipbooks, dynamic slide shows, and web photo galleries created using Flash technology. And with your collection organized the way that works best for you, you can find any photo orvideo clip instantly.

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Adobe Photoshop 6.0 Review

Adobe Photoshop 6.0
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There are certain software packages that I skip versions of as I don't feel they're worth the upgrade: Photoshop has always been an exception. This is the number 1 app I use in my work and with each new version it gets easier to accomplish that work.
With the release of Photoshop 6, Adobe has made a number of interface changes and/or enhancements. Most notably is the context-sensitive toolbar at the top of the screen. It might take some time to get used to but I feel it's one of those things that most users won't want to get rid of once they've experienced it. Other features include new selection tools, more color palettes and choices, better layer management and the ostensibly useless Liquify effect. I'm sure someone out there will find a way to abuse this feature.
One overlooked feature that seems to have gone unnoticed by most previous beta reviews is the annotation tool. In my work, this will come in handy for jotting down design notes such as what typefaces and colors were used to create an image, etc. It's similiar to a little Post-It™ Note that you can attach to your images. Overall, Photoshop 6 is a great product and worth upgrading to.

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Adobe Photoshop 6.0 software introduces the next generation of image editing with powerful new features that offer something for every user. Delivering a broad and productive tool set, Photoshop helps you explore your creativity, work at peak efficency, and achieve the highest quality results across all media. Combine vector drawing tools and new layer design features that greatly enhance your creative options, output razor-sharp text and shapes from Photoshop, and take advantage of an expanded web tool kit that includes the new ImageReady 3.0 software for advanced web processing. Use text warping and image distortion tools to manipulate and experiment. Photoshop's time-saving features help you break new ground and still beat your deadlines. Master the power of Photoshop faster with user-interface enhancements that help you to get to work quickly and make it easy to take full advantage of the comprehensive tool set.

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Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 4.0 Review

Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 4.0
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I wanted to get started with digital scrapbooking, but most websites I read focused on Photoshop Elements, and purchasing digital paper and elements individually. I wasn't sure that I wanted to spend that kind of time and money, so I decided to give Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 4.0 a try. I've been using this software for several months now, and I really like it! It comes with lots of ready-made templates, which really are completed layouts--just add pictures. The templates are fully editable, though, so you can still add, delete, resize, or move any element or picture. You can also start from scratch, and build your page using the wide variety of backrounds and elements that they provide. If you aren't satisfied with their offerings, you can use any papers or elements that you can find on various websites--the program recognizes most regular file types (such as .jpg, .gif, and .png). Though some of the provided graphics are typical clipart, and not really what most scrappers would use, they still offer quite a lot of backgrounds and embellishments that are wonderful. (And contrary to another reviewer, you CAN change the color--right click the item, choose "edit photo", then the "adjust color" tab.) The software also comes with a pretty good user's manual--that seems rare for software these days! Very useful for getting an idea of all the different things you can do with this software. You can also save completed pages as a .jpg or .pdf file for printing or to give to other people.
There are a few things I'd like to see improved. 1. I'd like a better tool for finding and importing the photos. 2. I'd like more templates in the landscape format. 3. I'd like a viewer that would show 2 pages side-by-side.
**Important Note** Read the system requirements carefully! The entire program gets loaded onto the hard drive, and takes over 3 Gbytes. It's also a resource-hog when running; if your computer is too old, you will NOT have fun trying to run it!
All in all, this program is easy to learn and use. It gives you as much or as little control over the layout as you want. And with all of the various graphics that are included, it's an incredible bargain!

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With the Nova Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 4.0 you can preserve precious memories with version 4.0 of America's #1 best-selling scrapbook software. Scrapbook Factory Deluxe 4.0 offers the ultimate collection of 6,000+ exclusive templates as well as 60,000+ beautiful graphics and 5000+ photorealistic embellishments sure to capture the excitement of any occasion. You'll also be able to create spectacular CD Photo Scrapbooks you can watch on TV, and as an added bonus, personalized photo calendars!

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 Review

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6
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I'm a user of Photoshop Elements all the way back to the first edition. This is, in my opinion, one of the best graphics programs out there--all the power of the great Photoshop full professional program minus the printing CMYK functions you'd need to do professional layouts. So for most users, the great features of Photoshop are there and the price is oh-so-much-more-affordable.
The Version 6 has some significant changes. The interface looks quite different, though I only had some trouble finding my favorite functions. The loading is significantly faster than the previous versions, which was one of my chief annoyances with Photoshop Elements. Version 6.0 loads very quickly, and this is a big improvement.
Changes:
Smart Albums: built-in picture organization. No need to use a separate organizer program.
Darkened Interface: The picture interface (where you load your photos) is darkened to make a better contrast on screen. At first, I did not like this, but it is easier on the eyes so I got used to it and like it now.
Selections: With this new technology, you use a brush to mark out your selection, and then use sliders to make the adjustment blend into the background. Very easy to use. Major change.
Enhanced Clone Tool: Cloning lets you take an inocuous background selection and copy it over an offending area of a picture (mailbox, person, unwanted pole.)
Enhanced Spot Healing Brush: Very easy to use brush to haze out areas, I used to use the smear brush, this is easier and less difficult. The later versions of Elements have a check/cancel button in the corner of your work area, so you can back out of the changes without altering your work.
Enhanced Black and White: Contrast function built in to convert color to pretty decent b&w.
Photo Blending: Much better function to mix photos. Now you can create unrealistic pictures of yourself by putting in your best bits with someone else's better bits, post it on Match.com and disappoint people who meet you in the flesh.
Enhanced Photo Books: available only in North America and Japan. Kind of a way to make your own catalogs.
Enhanced Sharing: Sharing Center burns cds and sends to email as well.
Enhanced Interactive Sharing: Adobe Flash Technology is employed to make animated web galleries. Very cool.
Smart Albums: You can sort by 10 criteria, such as date of shoot, etc, and make an album of only those pictures to work on.
The computers that run Photoshop Elements 6.0? Right now, it's just PC's, and it supports both XP and Vista, though I've heard reports that Vista can be problematical. I do not use Vista, so I can't report on this.
MAC version is due out in early 2008.
For PC's, here's your system requirements:
1.3GHz, or better CPU
256 MB RAM (512 recommended, really)
16-bit Color display with 1024x768 resolution at 96DPI or less.
CD-Rom
1.5 GB hard disk space minimum available
I'd add that a good video card is advisable; if your system is more than 3 years old, it may bog down if you don't have enough video memory on board and I can't speak to what is required, as this is not given as a spec. If you find the processing of pictures slow on your system, adding more video memory may be more useful than more RAM on the main board.

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