DVD Copy 6 Review

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(More customer reviews)This product does not say that it removes DRM protection. If you want something to remove the copy protection on your dvd's, you want something like "anydvd" by slyfox. You will need a program like that to remove the protection so you can copy YOUR dvd's that YOU OWN.
After you have that out of the way, you're ready to convert your video (many formats, just read the description) to other formats. People who know about this stuff will figure it out pretty quick. Others may need to experiment. I've used previous versions of this app, and just wanted to put it in there that this program does what it says it does, and nothing more, which is a lot. But is doesn't remove DMR.

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Item #: 41322F. DVD Copy 6 makes it easy to copy DVDs and create DVD video and DivX discs. Enjoy quick one-click DVD copying, or compile your video clips on to a disc to watch on your DVD player. Easy, fast and reliable, DVD Copy 6 is your hassle-free video copying tool.
Product DescriptionCorel DVD Copy ( v. 6 ) - complete packageCategory: UtilitiesSubcategory: Utilities - CD / DVD recordingVersion: 6License Type: Complete packageLicense Qty: 1 licenseLanguage(s): EnglishPlatform: WindowsOS Required: Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista Customers also search for: Discount Corel DVD Copy - (V. 6) - Complete Package - 1 License - Win - English, Buy Corel DVD Copy - (V. 6) - Complete Package - 1 License - Win - English Wholesale Corel DVD Copy - (V. 6) - Complete Package - 1 License - Win - English, 0735163116472, DC6ENPC, Software Suites

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Photo Objects 50,000 Vol 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)If you think that the claims made by the manufacturer actually come through and you are purchasing high quality images, think again. Although they offer a money back guarantee if you don't like the collection (shipping is on you), all too many images are blurred by an "artistic" coating that makes them unusable. Then they show you the real image in tiny slides. If you really want the "good" picture, you have to go to their web site and buy it... There are some images you can actually use in the package, but not nearly as many as they claim! I found some 350 variations of ONE picture (1 easter egg). The search engine is really buggy, but they offer an update online.

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Give your projects more life and variety with Hemera Photo-Objects 50,000 Volume II, the follow-up application that contains more than 50,000 new royalty-free photo objects in more than 90 categories. This new collection of photographic objects can easily be inserted into many graphics, Web, presentation, and word processor applications, giving projects a professional edge. The product features an easy-to-use search engine and drag-and-drop export to simplify finding and using the photo objects you need.
Premasked photo objects are useful design tools because you do not have to create transparencies; the images are precut from their original context, making it easier to drag and drop the images into any design in seconds. Since the object is professionally masked from the initial rectangular background, the photo object maintains the quality of a photo but has the flexibility of clip art. In addition to the 50,000 new photo objects, also included in the package are more than 200 new PhotoFont textures accessible in PhotoFont Maker. PhotoFont Maker allows users to instantly fill their fonts with photo-realistic textures.

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Adobe Audition 2.0 Upgrade Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using the software for better than a year and love working with it. I am a owner/producer of a on-line recording studio and it works flawless. I have worked with many audio programs and I think its on top of the rest.
Thanks for a great product Adobe!
J.R. Marshall/ATTIC Recording Studio

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Record, mix, edit, and master digital audio files with powerful tools that bring flexibility and control to your desktop studio. Easily create music, produce radio spots, and restore imperfect recordings. Bring audio and video together using smart integration with Adobe video applications. Get professional results in real time with Adobe Audition 2.0 software--the all-in-one toolset for professional audio production for music, radio, and video. Record and mix Low-latency mixing with unlimited tracks Enjoy rapid response as you record and mix with a new, powerful low-latency mixing engine. ASIO, VST, DirectX, and ReWire support Easily integrate Adobe Audition 2.0 into your workflow, thanks to broad support for industry formats and standards, including ASIO, VST, DirectX, and ReWire. More than 50 audio effects and DSP tools Work with more than 50 real-time audio effects including echo, flange, reverb, and more.

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eMedia GuitarPro 5.1 Win/Mac Review

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(More customer reviews)This review is written from the prospect of using Guitar Pro for Classical Guitar purposes. I have tried many notation programs for classical guitar. None are perfect. I've concluded that you need a high end music notation program for professional looking scores and another program for doing transcriptions for personal use or sharing.
On the high end, the choices are Finale, Sibelius, or Lilypond. I chose Finale for this purpose. You can do anything with it, but there is a steep price to pay. It is not intuitive at all, and it's expensive. The interface is a cluster of years of buildup. One wouldn't design a user interface like this from scratch. If I didn't already own Finale, I'd might go with Lilypond, or look more carefully into Musecore.
But I decided that I needed a notation program for simple transcriptions. Here are the ones that I tried in increasing order of my preference:
1) TablEdit - seen some decent scores for this one on the web. Deal breaker the UI is confusing. I'd just as well use Finale for everything.
2) Power Tab - interface OK, free, lots of features. Deal breaker most of the focus is on the tab representation, very little on standard notation.
3) Tux Guitar - nice interface, very similar to Guitar Pro, free. Deal breaker can't add fingerings. This program may eventually catch Guitar Pro.
4) Guitar Pro - nice interface, will do just about everything necessary easily. Can display/print standard notation only, tab notation, or both. Output is very good. ASCII import. Drawbacks for standard notation are that fingering are unconventional in location and labeling, bar can only be specified though text input, crescendo specified through volume control which is tied to a track(s).
In the end, the decision was an easy one. It just took a while to download all of the programs and try them out. Hopefully, I just saved you a little time.
Update 11-04-2010:
Since I wrote this review, I've switched from Finale to Lilypond. Even though I am a programmer, I was intimidated by Lilypond until I discovered using Frescobaldi (available on Linux only) as a front end. This system is just a pleasure to use and way easier than Finale. Lilypond doesn't do tab very well at the moment, so I'll likely continue using Guitar Pro when I need tab.

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Guitar Pro 5.1 has all the tools you need to improve, compose and accompany yourself on the guitar. It's got a multitrack tablature editor for guitar, banjo, bass and other stringed instruments. Scale tools and a chord diagram editor lets you create the perfect score and the guitar composition you've always wanted.

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Corel Painter IX.5 Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are an artist who works with "wet media"--oils, watercolor, magic markers, pen and ink or if you are a digital artist who creates only with pixels of light on a computer, you should seriously look at Painter IX. This is without a doubt, digital art software at its very best.
I've used a form of Painter since its very first version, which was called Sketcher. This was back before 1990, I am pretty sure, and Sketcher, which was a Fractal Designs product, came in a snazzy cigar box (because many sketch artists keep their charcoals in this handy container.) The software did grey-scale renderings of drawings into charcoal, pencil or ink and it could be used to sketch on graphics tablets.
After Sketcher came Painter, which was sold amusingly in a paint can and did color rendering of oil, watercolor, pencil and inks. Eventually, Painter was sold to Corel, who had the expertise in graphics design software to take Painter to a whole new level. While previous versions of Painter had some idiosyncrasies, Painter IX has been revised to match current graphics capabilities of computers, and has been debugged to the point that it is a pure pleasure to use. As a result, professional designers of everything from brochures to fast cars use Painter instead of real media or in conjunction with art media to create some stunning digital creations. In addition, wet media artists now routinely use digital art software to visualize, compose and test designs before doing them by hand. I do this myself; I take photos or sketches and try out palettes to see how a certain color scheme works. Or I cut and paste elements of a composition to visualize the painting before I sketch it on paper. My own medium is watercolor, and I find it a lot more comforting to have a plan of attack before I hit that scary white (and pricey) piece of watercolor paper. Visualizing my composition on the PC screen is a very useful tool.
If you had tried Painter before and were less than thrilled, you should take a look again. If you have never used a digital arts package and want to be serious about digital art, I can't think of another product I'd recommend.
So, let's get a detailed look into Painter IX and see what it does:
Art Media:
1. Literally 100's of brushes that can be modified in size and quality (hairness, spray direction, stroke depth, and "taught" your personal stroke on the graphics tablet.) You can create brushes, and even make "image hoses"--a way to spray a graphic and paint with say, berries, leaves, architectural elements. You can make your own image nozzle out of any graphic element and even have it shaded with a drop shadow. The image hose is a lot of fun--scrapbookers can find a lot of uses for it as it's rather like a digital rubber stamp.
2. 30 plus media, like oil, impasto, charcoal, crayon, ink, gouache, watercolor, airbrush, oil and chalk pastel, pencil, photo filters, and even woodcut and sumi-e. They are realistic to the point where you can smear the oil around--the only thing is you don't smell the turpentine. The texture of canvas or paper comes through under the media according to the amount you choose, and you can light the finished work to highlight texture and shine.
3. Textured papers like canvas and watercolor. You can input your own textures to make a customized paper. There are pattern fills like cloth and pebbles, and you can make patterns to use as background fill. Any image can be captured to make a texture or pattern.
4. Wet media --like ink, wet oils, watercolor. A wet layer allows you to push the paint around as if the surface were wet. It can be "dried."
5. A mixing palette to mix paints as one would on a real palette.
6. Cloning--copying a picture and then rendering it as if you had a tracing paper over top a real picture. You can grab portions of the picture with your tablet stylus and brush them into oils, watercolors, chalk. You can auto-clone and create a sketch from a photo.
7. Photo filters: a good set of filters used to modify digital photos and scans are included.
8. Typical adjustment features to modify color, remove color, change contrast and light/dark.
9. Animation tools and web design tools. Many graphics software packages have these (Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Fireworks) but these allow you to create web graphics with a handpainted or handdrawn look. For anime artists, this could be a huge plus.
10. A scripting engine that lets you record your own operations and play them back with one click to automate your work or create movies. Scripts are automatically saved --meaning you can recover work if your PC crashes.
The major improvements in Painter IX are noteworthy:
1. A 175 page printed spiral-bound manual to get you started and an online help that looks like a spiral-bound manual with everything from online videos, art examples to inspire you and recipes. The tutorial movies from Lynda.com are included in the license. The learning tools are amazing; the spiral bound manual stays open and is easy to navigate. The online tools are lavish and very helpful, because Painter is powerful and there IS a learning curve to get into the most advanced features.
2. Kai's Power Tools (filters for photography) are included. This popular standalone package of photo adjustment tools has Gel, Goo, LensFlare, Lightning, Pyramid Paint, Reaction, and ShapeShifter.
3. There are many new shortcuts, most welcome of which is Quick Clone, reducing the number of steps needed to clone a picture down to a single click.
4. Mixing oils on a palette is more like real media.
5. The watercolor has been sped up to lightning-fast; it was rather slow in previous versions.
6. I found far fewer bugs or crashes--my graphics card is not particularly new and could be bumped up a bit (I have onboard graphics and I could do with adding a better video card) but I still found Painter IX faster and far easier to use than Painter 8.0. The watercolor function was about 10 times faster, at least.
Summary: If you think you'd like to do digital art, this is the one package I'd recommend.
Minimum computer requirements:
· Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher, 500 MHz, 128 MB RAM (256 recommended), 1024x768 monitor resolution, 395 MB disk space.
· Windows: Windows 2000 or XP, 500 MHz Pentium II (or higher), 128 MB RAM (256 recommended), 1024x768 monitor resolution, 380 MB disk space.
Recommended:
A graphics tablet is a must--you can use a mouse, but you won't get the benefits of real media feel without a tablet. The package can use various tablets, but is optimized for the Intuos (WACOM) line of tablets.
Update your graphics card and graphics memory if you have an older PC.



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For more than 13 years, Painter has been the world's pre-eminent Natural-Media painting and illustration software. Corel Painter IX offers the same breathtaking brushes and features that Painter artists have grown to love--but with significantly enhanced speed and performance. All brushes now operate at an average of twice their former speed, and some brushes are 10 times faster. Corel Painter IX also unveils the brand-new Artists' Oils Painting System, a revolutionary Natural-Media painting technology that enables you to sample multiple colors from the Mixer palette and apply them as wet oily paint to your canvas.

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QuarkXpress 4.1 Review

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(More customer reviews)It took me a few months, but I finally stopped complaining that they'd screwed up XPress. Version 4.1 is light years beyond version 3.3. And, it's a whole lot better than 4.0. The new features make this program a pleasure to work with. The user interface is more intuitive than ever. And, it still beats PageMaker and InDesign by a mile.

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QuarkXPress software gives you powerful design command over every aspect of your document, from conception to output. QuarkXPress lets you create a wide variety of materials quickly and efficiently from within an intuitive, standards-based environment. This premier electronic page-layout application provides you with software solutions to meet your publishing needs. Building on existing tools to facilitate digital workflow and multipurpose publishing, QuarkXPress 4.1 includes improved support for PDF, scripting, and Internet publishing. Some of the new features include PDF Import QuarkXTensions software (import pages from PDF files created with Adobe Acrobat Distiller 4.0 into QuarkXPress picture boxes and print high-resolution output, as you would any other graphic); PDF Export QuarkXTensions software (output PostScript files optimized for use with Adobe Acrobat Distiller 4.0, with the option of distilling your file immediately or saving it as a PostScript file that can be distilled later); and HTML Text Import QuarkXTensions software (import HTML text into QuarkXPress text boxes, the same as other text formats). You can also author XML content easily and efficiently; generate high-resolution image previews; use the new Scissors tool to cut text and picture boxes, lines, and text paths; use custom bleeds to specify a bleed value for each side of a document; and more.

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Print Artist 4.0 Version PLATINUM Review

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(More customer reviews)I use PrintShop, Print Master and Print Artist. Print Artist has, by far, the best art gallery of any of my graphic programs.
The interfaces are quite similar so it is easy to move back and forth among them, depending on what I want to do. I often copy and paste art work from Print Artist into the other programs.
I also love Print Artist's Pre-Designed Project gallery. It has everything from gift bags and boxes to place cards, place mats and coasters.


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SIERRA HOME TOTAL 4 CD ROM'S

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Print Artist Print Kit GoldEdition 2003 Review

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(More customer reviews)I had the Print Artist 4.0 and decided it was time to update. I recieved my new program today and it is super! The photo editing is just what I was looking for. I can now do so much with my photos in this program. The art images are out of this world! The best ever is the "Freedom" art collection they have included. No need for a different program to make CD labels as this program has it all! As always Sierra has come out with an easy to use program. When they say "No Experience Necessay" they mean it! Super program, you can't go wrong with this one!

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Whether you need a newsletter, greeting card, or business stationery, no experience is necessary to create, personalize, and print your unique project in minutes. PrintArtist features over 150,000 quality graphics, 10,000 fun layouts, QuickStart Reference Card, bonus Holidayand Freedom Art Collections, and Integrated Photo Editing. Find all of the tools you need to create high-quality print projects in minutes.

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SnagIt Version 9.1 Review

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(More customer reviews)I loved Snagit 7 and 8. I've always been a fan of this product, and working in technical support, I can honestly say I use this software every day - for troubleshooting and documentation. I upgraded to version 9 after I used the trial version for a week. The trial version was very slow, but I assumed that was due to it being "trial". I assumed the paid version would be much faster. I was wrong. Press the "Print Screen" key, and sit back. Versions 7 & 8 were instantaneous. Version 9 takes a full two seconds to begin capturing, and then another two seconds to launch the "Editor". Also, in version 8, all my captures saved as JPG. In 9, they save as PNG. Why isn't there a setting to allow users to set the default file type? Finally, the "capture history" feature might be useful for some folks, but I find it very annoying, and wish there was some way to disable it. I would honestly wait until version 9.1 or until Techsmith works on the speed issues at least.

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SnagIt-Capture your digital lifestyle.Capture anything you see on the screen.Edit and combine those captures. Share them via your favorite applications.Organize and find them again later. SnagIt makes it easy.Add arrows and effects to turn a simple screenshot into a powerful information graphic. Capture a funny image and send it to a friend. Make a visual wish list. Organize your receipts.SnagIt is versatile, yet surprisingly simple!Maybe that's why millions of peopleworldwide love using SnagIt, in a milliondifferent ways.

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Print Shop Deluxe 11.0 Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought Print Shop because I wanted to make labels-book plates for our personal home library. It does that and so much more. So far I've made the book labels, plus adorable return address labels for me and my new husband, a couple of cards, and soon I'll be making business cards and letterhead for my new home business. I purchased it at an office supply store for a little less, but either way, it was definately a worthwhile purchase. I'll find lots of uses for it. There is even the option of designing from scratch or using quick-start templates for creativity-challenged days. There's more clip art than you can shake a stick at, and enough fonts to cause a mountain of indecision over which one to use. I remember when Print Shop was just a dinky little dot-matrix banner and four-fold card generator on two disks for the Apple IIe. It's definately come a long way.

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Creating impressive projects in print and on the Web is easier than you might think. Print Shop Deluxe 11 puts all the design tools you need right at your fingertips in an easy-to-use format that ensures professional results. With more than 10,000 professionally designed quick-start templates and thousands of graphics, art images, and prewritten sentiments to choose from, it's easy to customize every project to reflect your personal style. Plus, with new streamlined Web-publishing capabilities, creating your own Web page is as easy as any other project. Perfect your skills with new multimedia tutorials in the Design Center, which also includes printable hints and tips. There are many more features in this product, including the new word-processing import feature, the built-in spell checker and thesaurus, and the ability to create and send exciting 3-D animated greetings via e-mail. You can even include photos or your own recorded voice.

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Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not much difference between version 8 and version 7. Version 7 was a leap forward from 6, but don't expect any such change between 7 and 8. If you don't own Paint Shop Pro 7, then go ahead and buy 8. If you already have 7, stick with it...there is almost no difference between what you already own and version 8. (I suspect some of the reviews on this and other products are by people associated with the companies that make them). PSP is a very good photo/paint program and a lot faster to use than the more well known (and incomprehensibly expensive) Adobe Photoshop. PSP has lots of ways to edit just about every aspect of an image (lots of ways you probably never knew about) and the features can be combined many, many ways so that even after using it for years you can still find new effects through experimentation. Best buy for the money, but again, if you already own 7, you pretty much already own most of 8. If you own any version earlier than 7, or if you don't own PSP at all, then by all means I would suggest PSP 8 over the competition.

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With a unique combination of automatic and precision tools for photo editing and graphic design, Paint Shop Pro is one of the most complete, easy-to-use professional digital imaging software packages available. And with version 8, you get all of the painting, drawing, and text options and tools of Paint Shop Pro 7, plus a full set of new creative choices to help streamline your tasks.
Transform snapshots into beautiful photographs with automatic enhancement tools, professional correction filters, and powerful retouching brushes. Design graphics from scratch or use preset shapes and effects to enhance your presentations or Web pages. Record common tasks as automatic scripts for easy image editing. Print photos in a variety of sizes and layout templates. Use the integrated learning system to help you deliver superior results with power and ease.

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Comic Book Creator 2.0 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Comic Book Creator 2.0 has a ton of stuff for those of us who want to put together our projects. But it has one huge flaw...
its Activation Key expires after 3 install uses. So if you have to reinstall, and you probably will, the database seems to trunch itself every so often, causing you to either constantly repath every folder each time you want to find something, or reinstall to fix it, after the third time, your lovely Activation Key... no longer registers through their servers. There are a lot of ways they could have done this to prevent pirating or people using your key too much, but they took the low road and after 3 installiations and registrations with that Key, your $40 software from Planet Wide Media is worthless.
If this thing hadn't been given to me as a gift, I would be all over them like flies to.. you know... but it's not worth it now.
Anyone who buys this product, BE WARNED! 3 Registrations with that Key, and you'll be REBUYING this just to use it again! They don't give replacement Keys out for free, they charge 39.99 for a new one! No Exceptions!

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TELL YOUR STORY . . . YOUR WAY. DRAG AND DROP PICTURES, MUSIC AND VIDEO FROM JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE-EVEN THE INTERNET!If you've been looking for the best tool to mix your favorite media, look no further! Easy-to-use drag-and-drop software and photo, video, and audio editors give you everything you need to tell your story your way. Create personalized comics!Add video to comic books, set your pictures to music, or blend original art with sound effects to make action-packed comics. An ideal tool for creative peopleComic Book Creator 2.0 is a dream toolkit for self-publishing, whether you're making photo comics or classic comics from your scanned artwork or video game screenshots.Make amazing photo comicsComic Book Creator 2.0 makes photo comics better than ever! Imagine adding the video of your helicopter tour to the photo comic of your Hawaiian vacation, or making a birthday comic with the video of your child blowing out the candles. You can even use the audio tool to record your own unforgettable voiceovers, use the audio editor to mix songs, and edit photos with PD Particles.Perfect for classic comicsKABOOM! Play an explosion or crash at the thrilling climax of traditional comics made with your scanned artwork, or use fight sound effects in comics made from screenshots of your favorite PC video game. It doesn't get any easier!You'll be amazed how professional your comic books look with Comic Book Creator 2.0. Just choose a design for each new page, drag and drop backgrounds, audio, videos and balloons onto each page, fill in your dialogue and you're ready to publish!INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIREDFOR ACTIVATIONSystem RequirementsWindows 2000 or XPInternet Explorer 6 or higher500 MHz Pentium or compatible256 MB RAM1 GB hard disk spaceCD-ROM drive1024 X 768 display

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Picture Publisher 8.0 Review

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(More customer reviews)Actually, I'm Diane's husband. I own and operate all of the "easy format" programs such as Photo Suite II, Picture It, Adobe Photoshop Deluxe 3.0 etc. After often being frustrated by the inability to manipulate something in a personal way, I decided upon returning to a package that I had sampled years ago. Apparently, MicroGrafix has decided to compete with the low end products but has offered a high end product for the same price. It doesn't take you by the hand, but the basics are easily accessable. You won't find greeting card projects or collages but you will find an incredible amount of flexibility and special effects not found in the other $50 packages. If you really want to be creative, this package deserves a look. It has it all and for the price, it's a steal.

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Micrografx Picture Publisher 8 makes creating graphics fast and easy with exclusive cutting-edge features and comprehensive functionality for professional image editing. Picture Publisher 8 improves on the previous version by further incorporating Microsoft Office 97's compatible interface, automated wizards, tutorials, and tool presets. The addition of substantial new Web functionality helps address the complexities of Internet graphics, including Web-style templates, an integrated animated GIF editor, progressively rendered JPEGs, advanced palette control features, and the Web Output Wizard.
Features of Picture Publisher 8 include 10,000 royalty-free stock photos and clip-art images; 500 seamless Internet textures; 250 TrueType fonts; 140 effects, filters, and prerecorded creative macros; 55 import/export file formats; 40 Web-page templates; and 30 interactive wizards and online tutorials. This application is recommended for use on Windows 95 or NT.

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Corel Paint Shop Pro X Review

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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QuarkXpress 5.0 Review

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(More customer reviews)Pay no attention to the catty doom-sayers: QuarkXPress is here to stay. Quark is too firmly entrenched in the collective consciousness of the computer community at large, and has too many diehard loyalists, to go quietly into that good night, just because a certain monopolistic competitor is banging loudly at the gate. The demand for Version 6, released in June, is phenomenally high. The reason is elementary: Quark is the best LAYOUT program - an all-important distinction - available, period, and has been since the dawn of desktop publishing.
My personal experience with Quark goes back to 1993, when I started a home-based advertising agency specializing in Yellow Page advertising. Quark was the first program I loaded on my then-formidable Macintosh Centris 610 (which nowadays sits on a couple of cement blocks out in the yard). I had never touched a computer in my life before then, but I felt an instant rapport with Quark, whose logical interface brilliantly exemplified the "your computer is your desktop" metaphor. (I might add, before starting my business, I had been a "paste-up artist" for nearly ten years, working with X-acto knives, layout boards, art wax, etc. It was easy for me to make a seamless transition from these tactile tools to Quark's virtual workspace.) To those who find Quark "non-intuitive," "non-user friendly," "frustrating" and "difficult," I politely suggest, perhaps you are in the wrong business. I've found Quark to be the polar opposite of these pejoratives.
For ten years now, Quark has been my primary program AND my favorite one. No exaggeration: I could not have survived the text-intensive world of the Yellow Pages without Quark's peerless typographical capabilities. I use Quark not only for my bread-and-butter YP work, but for virtually every print need imaginable: forms, labels, brochures, newsletters, calendars, greeting cards - you name it. For business correspondence and for creative or leisure writing (including all my Amazon reviews), Quark is also my chosen collaborator. After ten years, we're inseparable.
Sure, Quark has its quirks - I defy you to name an application that doesn't. (For instance, whenever I collapse a window in Illustrator, my G-4 freezes. I've never been able to figure that one out.) Considering the myriad of GREAT things about Quark, I prefer to think of its occasional lapses as the entertaining skulduggery of cyber-gremlins, no doubt playing pool with all those ones and zeroes. I never get bent out of shape over Quark's idiosyncrasies, because these, too, shall pass with a little sweet-talk, patience and tinkering.
I will never throw Quark over for Adobe InDesign for several reasons. One, I am too fond of and too loyal to Quark ever to betray my trust in the product. Two, I have nothing but admiration for the maverick Quark company, which has steadfastly resisted encroachments on its territory. And three, I have enough Adobe products already, thank you very much. I like them well enough, but I will not put any more money in the coffers of a humongous company that enjoys quite enough dominance already and has no business trying to rope and tie my favorite maverick.
It's important for desktop publishers and other professionals to have choices that don't include Adobe in their titles. For me, the only choice is QuarkXPress.

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QuarkXPress 5.0's new and enhanced tool suite produces professional print and electronic media publications more efficiently than ever before. Design Web pages and entire Web sites using the same palettes and tools you use to publish print documents. And because QuarkXPress 5.0 conforms to open standards, your Web pages can be opened and edited in standards-based HTML development tools, such as Dreamweaver. The 5.0 release also boasts an XML export tool that lets you extract content from QuarkXPress documents and store it in XML format.
QuarkXPress 5.0 streamlines print, Web, and PDF workflows by importing and exporting documents in dozens of file formats, including HTML and PDF, as well as XML format. The software's new tables tool sports typographic and image controls that create graphically rich tables in no time. QuarkXPress 5.0 also adds a new layers tool that isolates items within documents, letting you manage hundreds of document variants and making it an ideal tool for separating multiple design elements within a document.
With version 5.0, the QuarkXPress design environment gets Web savvy. Add drop-down lists, rollovers, hyperlinks, image maps, and metatags to your Web page designs. The product's powerful XTensions interface lets developers enhance QuarkXPress to meet the needs of unique publishing workflows, while its new License Administrator benefits publishers with multiple-seat installations by helping larger organizations share the use of a smaller number of licenses.

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Quarkxpress 8 Upgrade for mac/win with int Designer Xpert Tools Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using QuarkXPress since 1994 and I would not be able to do a good job as a graphic designer without it. It is part of my layout arsenal including Illustrator and Photoshop.
I know that InDesign is also a great program but since I started with Quark, I'm staying with Quark as long as they continue to deliver a great piece of software.
The truth is, I looked into getting an Adobe Suite but Adobe did not make it easy or inexpensive to do so. I own 5 other Adobe products that are already included in the suites but I would have had to pay full price (minus $100) to buy a suite. $100 was the only break Adobe would give me as a loyal customer. So for a minimum of $1300 I could buy the basic suite. It just wasn't worth it since the only thing I didn't have was InDesign.
So, getting back to Quark 8.0 upgrade. I upgraded from Quark 7 because I purchased a new computer running Windows 7 64 bit. I wasn't sure if Quark 7 would be compatible but I decided it was just easier to upgrade and be done with it. I've had no problems running on 64 bit Windows 7.
There are some great new features (that really should have been part of the program to begin with).
1.) When you import a picture into a picture box and that picture is larger than the picture box, you can see the rest of the picture faded back (when you unselect the picture box, it goes away). This really helps in positioning a picture. Additionally, you can rotate and scale by grabbing picture corners.
2.) The tools/measurements have more options. For example, the measurements box now gives shortcut access to just about anything like alignments, tabs, runarounds, drop shadows, etc.
3.) Font choices in the measurements box actually displays a sample of the font.
4.) You can create a plain box. Not a picture box, not a text box, just a box to be used for fill or whatever. That box can later be defined as either text or picture.
5.) The object alignment options are now the same as Illustrator, flush left, flush right, center, flush top, flush bottom, distribute evenly both horizontally or vertically, etc. and are easy to get to in the measurement box.
6.) You can import native Illustrator (.ai) and Photoshop (.PSD) files although I try not to do this since I eventually go back to make them flattened files before publishing.
7.) It is much easier to edit shapes with the expanded Bezier tool options.
8.) Just about every tool has been enhanced with more options or more common options and shortcuts from other programs.
There are really too many changes to keep listing but Quark's website has a lot of detail as well. I'll try to come back and update as I come across new things or crash issues.
I have had just a couple of crashes in the two months I've been using it. They seemed to be related to text reflow and table editing -- two things that I had trouble with in previous Quark versions.
Other than that, I have had no trouble in setting up new projects, editing previous versions, exporting for print or navigable PDF's for online posting.
The thing that keeps Quark as an industry leader in publishing is the ability to manipulate type so precisely. That and the detail and flexibility in style sheets, master pages and 'find and replace' options.
I really think that Quark has taken a good product and brought it well up to speed with competitors in the industry. It is worth every penny to upgrade.

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QuarkXPress 8 complements the way creative professionals work. Strive to do better and constantly improve, employing this state-of-the-art page-layout and design software developed to help get you there. Work faster and design more with fewer clicks using the modern, intuitive interface of QuarkXPress 8. Create stunning text and achieve the effects you want with designer-driven typography. Share your print content across media with built-in Web and Flash authoring tools. Inspired by the designer's passion for perfection, QuarkXPress is a superior page-layout and design software that creative and production professionals depend on to deliver print, Web, and Flash output.Common Illustrator and Photoshop keyboard controls Flip between QuarkXPress, Photoshop, and Illustrator without having to change the way you switch tools or manipulate objects, reduce your learning curve Easily move text and pictures between QuarkXPress and any applications that support drag and drop System Requirement -Microsoft Windows XP (service pack 2 or 3) or Windows Vista 1.0 (certified on Windows Vista), Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), G5 PowerPC processor or Intel processor (G4 minimum), 256MB RAM minimum, 500MB free space, DVD-ROM drive, and Internet connection for activation

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BBE Sonic Maximizer Plugin Software Review

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(More customer reviews)Several months ago I saw someone post at another websight about this software that is just 'adds distortion.' (?) I can understand why he said that if when he initially tried to use it and didn't have any idea how the settings work. It could if not used properly.
This software is very 'interesting' it what it may be able to do for you in different applications. With a little patients on your part, you may indeed get some very impressive results in finer distinction and clarity with some of your favorite music tracks. I've tried it on many things the last few days after I bought it, from bad recordings to even 'remasters.' (Some of the 'remasters' are just plain poor. Listen for yourself instead of being caught up by this vague 'buzz word.')
Being a musician and working in sound for many years, I don't believe there's any 'one click fix' to any sound problem you might encounter. But what I've found so far with the BBE Sonic Maximizer is that it can be a very useful tool, adjusted properly, and help a great deal in adding clarity, detail, presence and/or depth to music that seems 'flat' or 'lifeless.'
Does it add 'distortion' as I was led to believe at first? It could if not adjusted correctly. (An obvious thing to check is to make sure your 'output level' in the BBE software is not pushing your host application into clipping (distorting). You might not need this kind of application at all and be trying to use it to "fix" (or 'adjust') for an entirely different 'problem.' (It might just be a matter of personal taste and isn't 'a problem' to begin with.)
I wished I had initially taken my own advise and reminded myself to 'go listen for yourself.' I might not need this software all the time, but I'm certainly glad I have it now. Using it on some of my sound projects is going to be very helpful. It is giving me some audio clarity and detail I was not able to get at times. It is a MUST HAVE for me.

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The BBE Sonic Maximizer Plugin Software brings the secret weapon of performers, producers, DJs and engineers to a computer near you. The Sonic Maximizer restores the high frequency definition and detail while focusing bass frequencies for any sound source.The new D82 Sonic Maximizer delivers the full capabilities of BBE's 882i and 482i hardware Sonic Maximizer processors with the convenience of digital. The BBE Sonic Maximizer plugin will add brilliance, depth, detail and definition to your music in many PC and Mac audio software applications that accept VST, AU and RTAS plugins, from multi-track recording to sampling to remixing. The BBE Sonic Maximizer plug-in works superbly with these and other host applications: Pro Tools Logic Cubase Digital Performer Cakewalk and many more professional audio applications BBE's best sonic quality with plug-in convenience Owning the Sonic Maximizer Plug-in is the equivalent of having a rack full of BBE 882i units with automation, just the thing for processing multiple tracks simultaneously. The most important thing in developing the Sonic Maximizer algorithm was to accurately capture the quality of BBE's fourth generation Sonic Maximizer processor featured in BBE's 482i and 882i products. The most encouraging comment BBE hears from users is that the Sonic Maximizer plug-in is true to the rack mount 482i and 882i units they've come to depend on, retaining all of the warmth, punch and clarity for which BBE's analog processors are renowned. AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of BBE products.

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