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OuterNotes: Graphics Programs
http://www.jasc.com/ Paint Shop Pro carved out a market niche (and devoted following) as an inexpensive, easy-to-use alternative to Adobe's PhotoShop, but the latest release is starting to show some growing pains. Version 7.0 has changed the entire user process; both new and experienced users will have a hard time using and navigating it without constantly referring to the manual. Instead of the usual photo album found in most design programs, this one offers a content view mode like Microsoft's PhotoDraw. And while this update does offer a wider selection of image editing tools, too many options are menu driven, which cuts down on design time. I found it too bothersome to use this program for actual designing, especially compared to other programs I've used. I will spend the $30.00 to purchase the upgrade (new users can download the program for $99.00 or order a boxed copy for $109.00), but only because the animation creator is in my opinion still the best around. --Peggy LeTrent ...But Ulead's Photo Impact is a Direct Hit http://www.ulead.com/ Chosen as one the top 100 products for 2000 by Computing Magazine, Ulead's PhotoImpact 6 Web Studio Pro is the first image editor to address Web page creation. But don't let the inexpensive $100.00 price tag fool you; this powerhouse alternative to Photoshop includes a complete set of image editing and painting tools, vector 2D and 3D graphics, over 60 special effects and filters, an animation creator, tons of templates and a photo album. The easy-to-use interface leaves you navigating and creating in no time flat with little need for the included tutorial. By clicking on the thumbprints in the editing options menu, you can see the immediate design as you create it. This program is outstanding and the more I use it, the less I use any other design programs I own. I am usually reluctant to spend money on new design software (the $20.00 rebate for Photoshop, Corel Draw, Paint Shop Pro, Macromedia Fireworks, and MS PhotoDraw users certainly helps), but this one is a definite winner; whether you are a novice or a professional artist; it's impossible not to create something unique. --Peggy LeTrent SmartDraw: A No-Brainer Graphics Star http://www.smartdraw.com/ Windows 95/98 and NT users with no artistic talent still have a chance to create polished results. SmartDraw Software's SmartDraw 4.3 ranks among the best programs around for creating flow charts, business forms, maps, floor plans, flyers, invitations, certificates, and other technical drawings. You can create freehand graphics or drag and drop from the symbol libraries (1000 symbols included and 30,000 more available online free) and prebuilt templates organized by category. The standard $49.00 program is sophisticated and user-friendly enough for both the professional and novice; the $99.00-professional version integrates with Microsoft Office, includes a spell-checker (in nine languages) and offers import/export filters. But you most likely won't use the extensive help aids or online tutorial because this program is so easy to use and navigate. Out of all the software programs I have tried over the years, this truly is the easiest one I have ever used; within minutes of completing the download, I was designing. Once word spreads, I believe this program will give other major drawing programs a run for their money. --Peggy LeTrent OuterNotes is produced using the OuterForce Platform, which allows publishers to easily recruit and manage remote and freelance content creation and export it into their publishing platform of choice. For more information, see http://www.outerforce.com. Copyright 2000 by OuterNotes and Trotta Media, Inc. All rights reserved. OuterNotes is a trademark of OuterForce Systems, Inc.Return to OuterNotes Home |