Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

Paint Shop Pro Photo X2
Chapter 10 ■ Image Editors 131
Vendor: Corel Corporation
Purpose: The most popular image editor other than Photoshop—and somewhat easier to learn
Description
Paint Shop Pro straddles the two worlds of graphic design and photography in much
the same way as Photoshop. It has always been the cheaper and less well-featured option,
but as time passes the gap narrows. With beefed-up facilities for photographers, Paint
Shop Pro Photo is a highly mature product, backed with massive experience and user
feedback. It offers a full range of effects for users.
Among its many features are Levels and Curves controls, an enhanced crop tool, depthof-field
effects, film and filter effects, a photo-management center, and video capabilities.
Paint Shop Pro Photo specializes in the “quick and easy” ways of achieving
acceptable results; for example, in removing distracting objects from photos, correcting
perspective, or changing the color of a subject’s costume. Its professional-level options
include 16-bits-per-channel editing and RAW file conversion. It also has an excellent
built-in Learning Center to help you get started.
Every new version of Paint Shop Pro brings a wealth of new features. Version XI introduced
new email features for sharing photos with friends and family; compatibility with
Corel Painter and Corel Painter Essentials; and Time Machine to show what photos
would look like if taken in another era.
Version X2 went further by introducing the time-saving Express Lab feature that enables
you to work quickly on several images without needing to open them. HDR PhotoMerge
adds high dynamic range features; black-and-white conversion is improved; and now
there are watermarking facilities, too.
Comments
By emphasizing the novelty features of the product, the vendor indicates that Paint Shop
Pro Photo is aimed more at the home user than the budding professional. Nonetheless,
you can produce professional-level work with it, especially for the Web. It is exceptional
value for the money.
Version: Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 (2008)
OS: Windows XP SP2, 2000 SP4, and Vista
RAM: 512MB recommended
Supported file formats: Over 50 file formats, including RAW and video
Price level: Approx. $80
Address: Corel Corporation, 1600 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1Z 8R7
www.corel.com