Image Editing Software

A potentially huge market is developing for image software with ease-of-use and affordability becoming two of the major factors driving this product category There's lots to choose from and they're getting more interesting by the day. Here's a sampling. ..

Adobe PhotoDeluxe has grown up in a big way. With last month's release of version 2.0, Adobe has taken a really good product and made it great by combining an even more impressive array of sophisticated tools and features with an incredibly user-friendly interface. Version 2.0 now offers, among other features, 30 special effects, a Smarttool that makes selecting options a snap, one-step red-eye removal, and an expanded repertoire of projects like sports cards, gift tags, and business cards. One of its unique features is Adobe Connectables - a PhotoDeluxe connection to the World Wide Web where users can access new activities every month for free! Version 2.0 for Windows will be available this month, with the Macintosh version to follow.

With the parallels between PhotoDeluxe and Photoshop, it's not all that difficult to step-up to the more powerful Adobe sibling. Granted, there are no cue cards or guided activities, but I was surprised at how easily I was able to navigate through some of the more basic functions on the first try. Version 4.0 was released last November with several interesting improvements, including the integration of PictureMarc watermarking. Now, consumers who purchase full retail copies of Adobe graphics applications (including Photoshop) will receive a free ActionPack. For Photoshop users, the three-CD set includes Extensis PhotoTools, as well as interactive instruction that's real easy to follow and is a very effective learning tool.

Although Photoshop 4.0 added 48 filters, feedback from their users indicates there can never be enough ways to produce special effects. Enter Alien Skin Software and Eye Candy 3.0 to the rescue. This set of Photoshop plug-ins (formerly known as Black Box) consists of 21 filters that create licks of flames, droplets of water, chrome and an assortment of other really cool effects that give credence to the name “Eye Candy.” They're easy to use and the software's enhanced previewing capabilities are particularly kind to a relative novice like me since I can experiment wildly without ruining hours of work.

Everyone knows how cool morphing is and with Gryphon Morph users can play special effects editor to their heart's content. I've always been a fan of flipbooks and this software is perfect for creating some real interesting little books. But what's particularly attractive about Gryphon Morph is that it's one of the very few versions of photo-manipulating software that has minimum computer requirements. It'll work on a 386 PC with only 4MB of RAM and 2MB of available hard disk space (and Mac users don't need a screamin' machine to use it either). It's pretty cool stuff!