Image Editing Software

Macromedia's xRes 2.0 takes a unique approach to working with image files. Rather than loading an entire multi-megabyte image, it works with a smaller live preview. The result is a dramatic reduction--from minutes to seconds--in the lag between operations. It also handles files larger than 100MB.

The trade-off is that when you save your work, all the postponed changes are applied to the larger, original file--a process that can take many minutes (in complex cases, hours). Fortunately, it happens only when you're not working on the image. Like Painter, xRes doesn't support the CMYK color palette favored by some artists. But if you're still using a 33MHz or 50MHz 486, or you need to handle extremely large image files, this product makes a world of difference.

Final Analysis: The Best Image Editors at Affordable Prices Trick photography used to be a seldom-used special effect. Now it's such a staple of graphic design that most of us take it for granted. (Did you really think Forrest Gump shook JFK's hand?) But to achieve the kind of digital wizardry that graces the covers, ads, and posters we see daily, you've got to have capable software. Even if your needs are modest, choosing the right tools makes your job a whole lot easier.

For the graphics expert, Adobe editing software offers a powerful array of professional features. It's also available on a wide variety of platforms (though a 32-bit version designed for Windows 95 hasn't been released yet). For those who lack experience, numerous books and training materials provide a wealth of Adobe Photoshop tips and techniques. You won't find this kind of support for many other products.

Still, learning to work with an advanced image-editing program might take more time than you have or are willing to spend. It might also require more cash. Corel's Photo-Paint 6 and Micrografx's Picture Publisher 6 both go easy on the budget, but the lack of documentation in Picture Publisher won't exactly ease the learning process. This makes Photo-Paint the best solution for those with little cash or experience.

For those with little time, Ron Scott's QFX 5.2 and Macromedia's xRes 2.0 both offer significant gains in actual processing time. QFX's unorthodox approach, however, is not for the timid and requires an investment in training. xRes, on the other hand, is great if you're stuck with anemic hardware. In fact, if you have graphics files larger than 100MB, it may be the only way to go. Before choosing an image-editing package, consider what you plan to do with it and how much you can spend. If you need to perform only simple tasks, like correcting poor scans or resizing and cropping photos, you don't need to spend a lot; the most basic programs will meet your needs. But if design is your lifeblood, be prepared to spend more for a sophisticated solution.