Ulead PhotoImpact

I purchased this product as a replacement for the manufacturer's software that came with my camera as I found it to be very basic with too few tools. I do not consider myself incapable with computers or software and hold an advanced degree but when it came to using this product I was left dumbfounded. Ulead basically provides no instructions and there is no useful help resource. They provide you with a toll number and a wait time in excess of ten minutes! The help menu is very superficial in explanation and the interface, menus, etc. appear far too foreign. There is no logical connection between the album and editing portions of the software. The list goes on and on and on. I'm going to buy photoshop album. I don't see how anyone could like this product!

The price is very reasonable for both an album and an editor

You have to be a software designer to actually use it.

photoshop

unavailable

I have been using Ulead PhotoImpact 5.0 for approximately 2 weeks now. I am finding that I love the program more and more as I use it. The bundling of features inside of the interface will please just about anyone with out having to go outside for extra filters. I have made stunning pictures to use on the internet that I could have made in Photoshop 5.0, but it would have taken a considerable effort on my part to do so. This program is alot of bang for the buck in my opinion and worth the money. Im sold. Ifyou have used other products and are familiar with the tools you will find this to be easy to use. A novice could learn it. I still use PS 5.0 for some things, but I might be weaned off of it in time.

Easy to use GUI. Buttons are easy to find, very customizable for options on just about everything. Contrast, brightness and color adjustments are right on the front where you can get to them and see the instant results. Modifications are shown as a choice window of about 9 windows. Pulling in from the scanner and peripheral devices is great as its right on the top of the GUI. I love the text tool. Find out for yourself. Last good thing I haven't gotten into is the tools for the web...looks very exciting! Picture optimizer is awesome!

Sometimes like resizing an image can be a pain to remember where the action is located. Other actions as well can be hard to find and so you spend time searching.

Photoshop 4.0/5.0 and PaintShop Pro.

Haven't used it so I can't comment.

As you can see from the title I have been a long time PhotoImpact user. This fairly inexpensive photo editing/graphics application is the best product I have used. Not only does it provide photo editing capabilities comparable to Adobe Photoshop at a much lower price it makes designing graphics and photos for the web a snap. We features such as a button builder, Image Smartsaver, and graphic file batch processing you can't beat this product. Everything you need to produce great photos and graphics for the web is included in this program. My only recommendation for a new user to PhotoImpact is give it time. The user interface is not bad just different than some other programs and may take a while to become familar with. But once you are the full power of this product will be at your fingertips. And just recently Ulead is giving away Photo Explorer 6.0 (a wonderful thumbnail, slideshow, sharing utility) for free to PhotoImpact users.

Web specific utilities including Smartsaver, Gif Animator, Java Rollover and Button Designer. Power at a fraction of the cost. Compatibility with Adobe Plug-Ins. Automatic and Manual photo re-touching. Multiple effects filters

Learning curve for new user

MS Picture It 2000, Adobe Photo Shop, MS Image Composer, Micrografx Picture Publisher, Corel Draw 7

Great message board

An excellent Photo Imaging program. Also excellent for Animated Gif's. Includes great 3D effects for images, text, objects. The paint part of the program is also excellent. Java Rollovers are also included with templetes or self designed buttons. Seperators and icons. The program has endless possibilities. It compares with Abodes Photo Shop at 1/10 of the cost. And they have a new message board where you can contact the technical stall at ULEAD at www.ulead.com--Message board. All of the aspects of this program are set up to speed up results and for ease of use.

Great imaging. Great Animated Gifs. Great Paint Program. Great Java Rollovers. And great text program. Easier to use and better results.

Haven't found any. Very unusual for this type of program.

Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Photo Shop, Microsoft Picture It 99--2,000. All the Windows programs.

Now that Ulead has a message board that responds almost immediately--I'd say they're about the best for service!