Digital Photographer's Software Guide - Bertemes - Net

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The Digital Photographer's Software Guide
Ulead PhotoImpact X3
Vendor: Corel Corporation
Purpose: Image-editing suite for managing, editing, and sharing digital images
Description
Ulead PhotoImpact X3 has a very extensive set of image-editing features, including
“quick-fix” tools for rapidly fixing common photographic errors, right up to sophisticated
features for creating images with high dynamic range (HDR). To say the least, the package
is generous in the sheer quantity of extras it provides, including over a thousand
royalty-free images, more than 2,000 Web elements, more than 2,000 objects, and more
than 3,000 customizable effects. Bonus software includes Photo Explorer for transferring,
browsing, and modifying images, PhotoImpact Album with its cataloging facilities, and
Cool 360 for panorama creation.
PhotoImpact abounds with nifty features, including “dockable panels” that allow you
to lock frequently used panels and toolbars together, one-screen split-view previewing,
and intuitive image compositing using an object-based rather than layer-based approach.
An object extraction wizard lets you quickly paint around the object, and then extract
and refine it.
Output options are equally extensive: there are Web and blog page templates, an image
map tool, and even JavaScript effects with cascading menus, rollovers, and scrolling text.
The EasyPalette feature comes with DVD backgrounds, buttons, and frames for use in
DVD authoring applications.
Among the new features in PhotoImpact X3 is a complete media management suite
called Corel MediaOne Plus Digital Media Management. This not only helps you keep
track of all your photos but also lets you create video slide shows for sending to friends
and family. A new set of crop tools allows you to crop according to the “rule of thirds”
or the “golden ratio.” Finally, there is improved RAW file support for the increasing
number of photography enthusiasts who shoot in this format.
Comments
Whatever you need—red-eye removal, white balance adjustment, noise reduction,
object extraction, and so on—you are likely to find it in this product. The individual
features may not all be “best of breed,” but you can be sure they will be highly competent
in the task they claim to do. RAW support, 16-bit image support, and powerful noise
reduction with “anisotropic diffusion” help to make Ulead PhotoImpact a remarkably
upmarket product, even though it tends to get overshadowed by the vendor’s homegrown
(formerly Jasc) Paint Shop Pro Photo.
Version: Ulead PhotoImpact X3 (2008)
OS: Windows XP (SP2) Home/Pro, XP Media Center, and XP Pro x64