1/31/2012

Microsoft Word 2010 Review

Microsoft Word 2010
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I had tried the Beta version but uninstalled that and went back to Word 2002, which I swore by. I decided to try the final release and was pleasantly surprised. I am working on a brand new book, and now I can find reference material with one mouse click. I have had no headaches at all with this fresh release. I am not impressed with the upgraded "find" feature but other than that once you learn how to navigate it is smooth sailing. Even changing template size on a document was easier than before. If there is any drawback to this latest version it is the new file format. Most publishers still ask for doc. files, which means using compatibility mode or saving as a doc file. They do suggest not saving old doc files in the new mode and they are correct. The formatting is ruined when you try that. There are also some new features that you cannot use while working in compatibility mode. I am finding Word 2010 to be quite an improvement over all. Two things I will share from experience. You have to entirely remove the Beta version to install from CD. It is also best to open Word first and then select your old doc file. Sometimes when you just click on a doc file it will open in read-only mode.

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Product Description:
Microsoft Word 2010 offers the best of all worlds: enhanced features to create professional-quality documents, easier ways to work together with people, and almost-anywhere access to your files.Designed to give you the finest document-formatting tools, Word 2010 also helps you easily organize and write your documents more efficiently, and stay within reach so you can capture your best ideas whenever and wherever they occur.
Create visually compelling documents more easily than ever
Word 2010 provides an array of new and improved tools that help you look like a design pro and make your important content stand out.

    Add impressive formatting effects--such as gradient fills and reflections--directly to the text in your document. You can now apply many of the same effects to text and shapes that you might already use for pictures, charts, and SmartArt graphics.


    Use new and improved picture editing tools--including versatile artistic effects and advanced correction, color, and cropping tools--to fine-tune every picture in your document to look its absolute best.


    Choose from more customizable Office themes to coordinate colors, fonts, and graphic formatting effects throughout your documents. Customize themes to use your own personal or business branding. The same Office themes are available in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel 2010, so it's easy to give all your documents a consistent, professional look.
    Make a statement with a wide selection of SmartArt graphics--including many new layouts for organization charts and picture diagrams--to create impressive graphics as easily as typing a bulleted list. SmartArt graphics automatically coordinate with your chosen document theme, so great-looking formatting for all your document content is just a couple of clicks away.

Save time and simplify your work
Word 2010 provides tools that save time and simplify your work.

    Find your way with the improved Navigation Pane and Find tools. These new enhancements make it easier than ever to browse, search, and even reorganize document content right from a single, easy-to-use pane.


    Recover draft versions of files that you closed without saving. That's right. The version recovery feature is just one of many new features available from the new Microsoft Office Backstage view. Backstage view replaces the traditional File menu in all Office 2010 applications to provide a centralized, organized space for all document management tasks.
    Easily customize the improved Ribbon to make the commands you need most accessible. Create custom tabs or even customize built-in tabs.

Work together more successfully
If you work with others on documents and projects, Word 2010 has the tools you need.

    Using new co-authoring capabilities, you can now edit the same document, at the same time, as other team members in other locations. You can even communicate instantly as you work, directly from Word.1, 2


    If you work for a company running SharePoint Foundation 2010 this functionality can be used within the firewall. With Office Communicator now integrated throughout several Office 2010 programs, you can view presence information that shows the availability of other authors and initiate instant messaging or voice calls directly from Word.
    If you're in a small company or use Word 2010 for your home or school work, you can take advantage of co-authoring features though Windows Live. All you need is a free Windows Live ID to simultaneously edit documents with others. An instant messenger account (such as the free Windows Live Messenger) is required to view presence of authors and start an instant messaging conversation.

Access your information from more places
Your ideas, deadlines, projects, and work emergencies don't always occur conveniently when you are at your desk. Fortunately, you now have the power to get things done when and where you need to, from the Web or even from your smartphone.3

    Microsoft Word Web App is an online companion to Microsoft Word that enables you to extend your Word experience to the browser. View a high fidelity version of your documents and make light edits as well. Access some of the same formatting and editing tools that are in Word 2010, and work in a familiar editing environment, from almost any computer with a Web browser.2
    Microsoft Word Mobile 2010 gives you a lightweight editor for your documents that's especially designed for easy use on your Windows phone.4

Whether you're writing that career-making report, working with a team on the next big pitch, drafting your resume, or getting work done on the run, Word 2010 makes it easier to get what you need done more quickly, with more flexibility, and with better results.
1 Instant messaging and presence requires one of the following: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 with Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2; Windows Live Messenger, or another instant messaging application that supports IMessenger. Voice calls require Office Communications Server 2007 R2 with Office Communicator 2007 R2 or an instant messaging application that supports IMessengerAdvanced.
2 Requires Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 or a Windows Live ID.

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1/30/2012

Serif PhotoPlus X4 Review

Serif PhotoPlus X4
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I read somewhere that this was labelled a "Poor Mans" Photoshop, which is a little unfair, considering what one can actually do with this program.
That said, you had better know what you are doing, or have at least some experience with advanced photo editing.
The box reads - " Digital Photo Editing editing made easy" but if you are only using a simple program like Picasa, or a bundled camera software to crop, brighten and sharpen, this may be over your head.
There are way too many features to write about in one review, most are covered in the Amazon description above, and I would rather talk about how easy, or difficult the software is to actually just load up and use.
For my limited needs, once you get used to it, it's relatively straightforward, and very nice to see large on screen editing before saving copies or printing.
As I already said, there is also a lot of stuff for semi, and even pro editors.
Considering it's about 1/10th the price of the current Adobe, if you want a place to start, this is probably one of the better budget programs out there.

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Product Description:

With PhotoPlus X4, anyone can turn good photos into great pictures. This photo editing software makes advanced tasks, like editing RAW files and HDR imaging, straightforward while common fixes like red eye removal, spot repair, and cropping are always at your fingertips. Fix old and damaged photos using powerful restoration tools or get creative with filters, effects and brushes. PhotoPlus X4 makes editing and enhancing your digital pictures easy.

Make portraits look perfect.

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1/29/2012

The Print Shop 2.0 Deluxe Review

The Print Shop 2.0 Deluxe
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this to replace version 23 thinking that it would be an improvement on some of the problem areas (such as the database function). Boy, was I mistaken. When I received the disk, it had scratches and could not be read in any of my computers. After polishing the disk I finally got it to read. After installing it I realized that none of the old projects will work with the new version. That was a bummer, just by itself, but the real problem with this new version is that it doesn't do half the things the older one did.

The first project I needed to use it for became a real challenge. I wanted to make address labels for set of cards I was sending out family about my parents move. First, there is no internal database feature at all in the new version. It used extracts from your email program in a format that my email doesn't support. After doing a lot of research, I was finally able to get around that problem and then found that the only way it will print labels is to print a full page of them. I thought I must be doing something wrong so I went to the help which is almost useless. Then I tried the Broderbund website support section which was no help because there are no tips generated for this product yet. I finally put in trouble request. This was something I was familiar with because I had already put in a trouble request concerning my unreadable disk. The email reply that comes as a result of this, tells you that you will receive a reply within 48 hours, but that if your question has already been asked and there is a tip on it they will not reply at all.

As I am writing this, about 2 weeks have passed since I submitted these trouble tickets. I have not received a reply to either one and there are no FAQs that answer them. My guess is that they are so inundated by trouble tickets on this product that they have decided to just ignore them all. Shame on you Broderbund. After being a loyal customer for years, I will not be purchasing any more Broderbund products until they decide to actually start providing support.

Some may ask why I just used email to contact them. The answer is simple, the only telephone number they offer for support is long distance (no toll free) and it is listed with a warning to expect hold times averaging 30 minutes or more. I really couldn't see dumping more money into the hole called The Print Shop 2.0 Deluxe.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Print Shop 2.0 Deluxe

Product Description:
It's easier than ever before to create sophisticated print projects in minutes. Start with the brand new Wizard Design tool or choose from an enormous gallery of ready-made templates and contemporary images to design, print and share a wide variety of projects, including greeting cards, invitations, labels, signs and more. The Print Shop has been redesigned from the ground up, making it quicker and easier to use by combining intuitive design tools with contemporary content to give you the ultimate in creative freedom. Design personalized projects in minutes that are perfect for home, work and school.


Drag-and-drop photos, text and design elements with incredible ease and quickness. Click to enlarge.
Create and print over 100 custom projects, each in under 5 minutes. Click to enlarge.

The All New Way to Create Sophisticated Design


New Easy to Use Software
Drag-and-drop photos, text and design elements with incredible ease and quickness.
Windows 7 & Windows Vista Compatible
The Print Shop was designed to work on the latest PC operating systems
Wizard Design Tools
Create and print over 100 custom projects, each in under 5 minutes.
Streamlined Workspace
With a sleek new workspace, it's easy to find and switch between the various tools quickly.
Integrated Photo Editing
One-click photo tools allow for common photo editing like cropping, red-eye removal and color correction.
New Templates & Clip Art
Choose from an enormous gallery of contemporary ready-made templates and clip art images that are sure to complement any project
Color Match
Find the right color for any project using the eye-dropper tool, or select from ten designer color palettes that are sure complement your work.
Advanced Design Tools
Slider tools allow you to create custom gradients, transparency and drop shadows for a professional effect.
Easy to Share
Print at home, email or publish your latest creation on the web to share with friends and family.

Advanced Page and Layout Tools


Layer Management
Easily move art, text and objects between foreground and background. Show and hide layers for the ultimate in precision.
Columns & Text Wrap
Flow text across columns to improve readability. Plus, you can easily flow text around graphic and other objects to create a professional finish.
Advanced Color Tools
You now have three ways to pick the right color: the eye-dropper tool for precision color matching, professionally-designed color palettes and a color selector.
Drop Shadows & Dynamic Gradients
Add a professional touch to any design with easy drop shadow tools. Dynamic gradients allow you to specify multiple gradient stops.
Image Management
Edit photo tags and mark your favorites so that you can easily find the right photo for any project. Add your image to the Image Tray for easy drag and drop.
Impressive Headlines
The Print Shop now offers the easiest solution for creating headlines with impact. Simply choose from an array of impressive options and customize to make it perfect.


Choose Your Version
Find the right Print Shop version for you using the chart below.



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1/28/2012

Photo Explosion Deluxe 4.0 Review

Photo Explosion Deluxe 4.0
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I used 3.0 all the time to open up a photo, add some quick text for a logo on top of my photo. I would then add a frame around the photo (there were several different options of cool effects), to block out some of the background stuff in the photo.

The new version, does not have a simple Insert Text feature like 3.0 did. 3.0 allowed you to insert text, and grab the selection bar windows to easily move it around, rotate it, make the text bigger, etc.
With 4.0, you first have to select the text tool, then increase your font (and change it if you wish). If you want to move the text, you have to then select the move tool (another step). If you want to rotate it, you then have to go to the menu, and go through a couple of steps before you manually have to put in what degree angle you want to rotate it.It was much simpler and easier in the old version because you could do it all from one place.

I used the magic effects and frame features all the time in 3.0, there was alot of cool black and white effects that you can make a pic look really elegant (I'm a cake decorator so I used it to block out the background so the cake would be focused better). In 4.0, you can't do it in the Image Editor.
The step in 4.O:
1.Create a new project in Project Studio
2.Add your photo.
3.Add your border (which are horrible,theres no magic effects anymore, and no elegant black and white effects to place around your pic).
4.If you find one you like, you then have to save your project.
5.Then you have to export it to a jpg.

I'm really surprised they took out some functionality of 3.0 and made everything more difficult. I'm now searching for a software that will allow me to quickly add text and some elegant photo effects around the edges.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Photo Explosion Deluxe 4.0

Product Description:
Photo Explosion Deluxe made history as the first software of its kind to deliver powerful editing features, spectacular special effects and professional-quality photo projects - all together in one program. Now Photo Explosion Deluxe 4.0 makes digital photography even easier. And it's packed with exciting new features, all designed to let you get the most out of your digital camera.

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1/27/2012

Corel Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle Review

Corel Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Check online reviews also. No improvement over X2's slow performance. Lot's of crashes, eats up system resources. Corel very slow in responding with fixes. This is another "not ready for prime time " release.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Corel Photo and Video Pro X3 Bundle

Product Description:
Get the total photo- and video-editing solution with Corel's Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle. With incredible power and ease of use, it includes everything you need to create professional-quality photos and videos, including PaintShop Photo Pro X3 and VideoStudio Pro X3, plus valuable extras like Painter Photo Essentials 4, DVD Movie Factory Pro 2010 and Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4--all for a great value.


Get the total photo- and video-editing solution with Corel's Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle.

Overview

The new Photo & Video Pro X3 Bundle brings photo, video, DVD and Blu-ray authoring software together so you can create your best-ever photos and videos--all in one place. Easily organize and manage your photo and video collections. Make your photos look extraordinary, then show them off in photo books, HD slideshows, cards and more. Create polished movies with studio-quality effects, titles, transitions and sound, then share them everywhere, from YouTube to Blu-ray Disc and everything in between. The bundle also includes a variety of powerful and creative plug-ins, templates and extras, giving you the complete photo and video package.

    Organize your entire photo and video collection
    Fix photos and videos fast or go deep with advanced editing
    Create HD slideshows, photo books, cards and more
    Produce polished movies with studio-quality effects
    Share everywhere--print, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, mobile device and more

What's Included


PaintShop Photo Pro X3:Advanced Photo-Editing

    Enhanced--Photo Organizer
    New--Camera RAW Lab
    New--Easy batch processing
    Enhanced--Express and Advanced editing modes
    New--Integrated photo projects
    Enhanced--Online sharing and easy backup
    VideoStudio Pro X3

VideoStudio Pro X3:Powerful Video-Editing Software

    New--Faster HD editing and rendering
    New--Professional HD-quality templates
    New--Studio-quality effects and filters
    New--Express and Advanced editing modes
    New--Blu-ray authoring and burning
    Enhanced--Online and mobile sharing

Valuable Extras

    Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4
    DVD Movie Factory 2010
    Over $500 worth of RevoStock templates
    NewBlueFX filters
    KPT plug-in filters
    Royalty-free music from SmartSound

The Organizer simplifies photo management. Click to enlarge.
The Express Lab has tools for the most common digital photography problems. Click to enlarge.
PaintShop Photo Pro X3 simplifies creating great-looking photo books. Click to enlarge.
The Project Creator has a variety of slide show options. Click to enlarge.

PaintShop Photo Pro X3


Simplify your digital workflow

Enhanced--Photo Organizer
Load, find, view and edit photos faster with the integrated Organizer. New photo management capabilities let you customize your workflow with tools for rating, tagging, locating and quickly touching up image files. Select photos fast using both thumbnails and previews.
New--Easy Batch Processing
Capture changes made to one image and easily apply those edits to multiple photos, removing the tedium of making the same changes over and over again.
Enhanced--Express Lab
Quickly access the most-used photo-editing tools all in one place and make quick fixes to common flaws. The Express Lab now includes Color Balance, Local Tone Mapping, Contrast/Brightness, Sharpen and One Step Noise Removal.
Camera RAW Support
Make RAW adjustments during the loading process and work with the latest RAW camera formats.
Do more with advanced photo-editing tools

New--Smart Carver
Achieve impressive results quickly by seamlessly and realistically removing objects and scaling without distorting the image.
New--Vibrancy
Boost color in the least saturated areas of a photo without affecting the rest of the image.
New--Object Extractor
The integrated Object Extractor isolates an object--even challenging cases such as flyaway hair and fuzzy pet fur--so it can be copied to a new background or a new background can be pasted behind it.
Depth of Field Effect
Create effects that you can't do with a camera lense alone. Draw attention to a specific area of an image by focusing on one region and applying an out-of-focus blur to the rest of the image.
New--On-Image Text Editing
Adjust font, color, placement, position, size and wrapping of the text on an image. Reselect the text on the image and continue typing, or apply text on a path.
HDR Photo Merge
Quickly merge photos of the same scene taken at different exposures, or with different brightness and contrast settings, to create a final image that features the full range of detail in the highlights and the shadows.
Layers and Adjustment Layers
Adjust the color or tone of your images without actually modifying the pixels on each layer.
Adjust Levels & Curves
Precisely adjust tone, color balance and exposure with exceptional control.
Fix it fast in Express Lab

Learning Center
The award-winning Learning Center empowers anyone to harness the power of advanced photo editing, helping you complete tasks within seconds of launching PaintShop Pro Photo.
Makeover Tools
Make sure the people in your photos look their best with tools that are fun and easy to use. Help your subjects look thinner in seconds, whiten bloodshot eyes, smooth wrinkles and more.
Enhanced--Remove Digital Camera Noise
Remove noise artifacts that interfere with the clarity of your digital image--faster than ever!
Get creative with projects and photo sharing

Enhanced--Built-in Creative Projects
The new Project Creator is a fast and simple way to make a great-looking photo book, collages, cards and more--all in addition to PaintShop's easy online sharing options.
New--Easy Photo Sharing
Share photos and videos where and how you want, using email, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube. Print at home, order prints online*, email or quickly burn a DVD to enjoy on your TV.
Layer Styles
Easily apply artistic effects to individual layers, such as drop shadows, embossing and reflections.

The Media Organizer in VideoStudio Express puts movie production on the fast track. Click to enlarge.
Express Edit is great for quick video modifications. Click to enlarge.
You can share directly to Vimeo from VideoStudio Pro X3. Click to enlarge.

VideoStudio Pro X3


More speed across the board

New--Launcher
From one convenient location, start express editing, more advanced video editing, DV-to-DVD conversion, or launch DVD Movie Factory 2010.
New--GPU and CPU Acceleration
Dramatically speed up your entire movie making process with NVIDIA CUDA and Intel Core i7 optimization.
New--VideoStudio Express
Make quick edits, and combine video clips, photos, music and voiceover to create a professional-looking movie in just minutes.
Enhanced--User Interface
The redesigned interface keeps all your tools within easy reach so you never have to interrupt your creative flow.
New--High-Speed Filters
Accelerate the video-editing process by previewing your effects in real time. Less time waiting means more time creating!
Smart Proxy Editing
Edit HD content faster, even on basic PCs. Smart Proxy lets you work quickly in a lower resolution until you're ready to render your project in HD.
Studio-quality templates and effects

New--Movie Templates
VideoStudio Pro X3 includes over $500 US worth of high-quality templates from RevoStock. Turn video clips into polished movies in an instant, with Hollywood-style titles, transitions, pans and zooms, credits and more.
New--RotoSketch
Transform videos, video frames and photos into animated clips and hand-sketched drawings in a few clicks.
Enhanced--Title Effects
Create stunning titles in seconds by adding multiple title tracks and effects, then customize your work to get the perfect look.
New--Multi-track Overlay Effects
Apply filters on overlay tracks, including titles and images.
New--NewBlueFX Filters
The NewBlueFX Pack includes a variety of animated effects, including the Detail Enhancer for strengthening edges and bringing out detail in a dull or foggy scene, and the Active Camera for simulating every variety of camera jitter.
New--Mood Music from SmartSound
Load a multi-layered audio track as background to a video, then fine-tune individual instruments to ensure that the music complements your movie, not distracts from it. Add even more music and sound effects with two new audio tracks.
End-to-end HD video production

Enhanced--HD Capture and Import
Import HD video from anywhere, including HDV, AVCHD, Blu-ray Disc and JVC HD camcorders. Import standard video from DV, analog camcorders, the Web, USB and still image cameras.
Enhanced--Blu-ray Authoring and Burning
Create your own Blu-ray titles, and author menus for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, including BD-J menus.
New--H.264 Compression
Get HD quality in smaller files by creating HD MPEG-4 files with the H.264 codec.
Unlimited video sharing

Enhanced--Online sharing
Upload your videos and slideshows directly to YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Flickr.
Enhanced--Format Flexibility
Save movies to AVI, FLV, MP3 encode, AC3 5.1, AVCHD, HD MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and more.
Enhanced--Copy, Convert and Burn
Copy movies to your device of choice, including iPod, iPhone, MP3 players (USB) and PlayStation Portable (PSP). Burn CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray and AVCHD discs.

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1/26/2012

Serif PagePlus X5 Review

Serif PagePlus X5
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is really good desk top publishing software, It has great reviews on the internet and I really shopped around with different products before I finally bit the bullet and bought one -- this one.

As I'm on a budget I fought with Scribus first, (an Open Source DTP alternative) but decided the useability was too much of a problem. I didnt have the budget for InDesign, and wasnt interested anyway in paying so much for a set of features I will never even use anyone. I need to get up and runnign fast and not have to pay out for courses and class rooms in books because InDesigns price tag is only justified by feature bloat.

This has all of the features you need for professional publishing, at a fraction of the price of IDesign, and is great for amateurs as well as professionals. On forums I hear a lot designers say, it's not the "professional's choice" - the argument being that professionl print shops expect InDesign files and Indesign integrates well with other Adobe products. Its like saying that Adobe products are better because most peopel use Adboe. Great circular reasoning, but not an argument against this software.

This product has good tutorials, vidoes, and easy to learn common features. I learned it in one day, and could do things I'd wanted to do for ages but couldnt be bothered to read up on a manual to learn-- Its really amazing how quick you can learn it. Its obvious the developers really tested it against users.

I'm looking to use it for my marketing and communications job, as well as home use, and it has great resources, templates, for professional brochures, posters, creates pdfs, does color schemes, professional printing and is quick to understand, fast, and powerful software.

for me this is a no contest winner against InDesign. InDesign captures the premium market niche becuase, well, they're marketing is effective. But the reality is, you have all you need here for professional work, at a fraction of the cost.

About the only one drawback I've seen a reviewer say, is that there isnt a baseline for font that works across columns of text. Doesnt seem to be a handicap for me.

I'd also like to see more advanced tutorials on their web, but hey, you can get the info you need from any book.

I'm truly chuffed and pleased with this software.

Its incomparably great value, why pay so much for software you can get that has all the key features, for a fraction of the price is is even easier to use?

Sounds like a no brainer, it is. Go buy!

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Product Description:

Professional Desktop Publishing Made Easy


Create professional-quality advertising, sophisticated print designs and electronic documents with PagePlus X5, the best-in-class desktop publisher. From brochures to books, menus to magazines, flyers to forms and professional printing to PDF editing, PagePlus X5 does it all quickly and easily--like having a design agency at your desk.

Design Documents Fast

Customizable templates and intuitive tools for fast results.

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1/25/2012

Business Card Factory Deluxe 3.0 Review

Business Card Factory Deluxe 3.0
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is really nothing more than a highly specialized desktop publishing program - and it works very well for its limited purpose. It doesn't do anything you can't do with a myriad of other programs, but it does make it all a little more convenient and a little user.

Plenty of templates to work with, plenty of clip art images and fonts. For the low price, it's a competent program and, frankly, a lot of fun to work with.

Can't go wrong with this one.

Jerry

Click Here to see more reviews about: Business Card Factory Deluxe 3.0

Product Description:
With Art Explosion Business Card Factory Deluxe 3.0, you can create customized, professional business cards in just minutes. Guaranteed. This incredibly easy-to-use software allows you to choose from more than 4,200 customizable designs for virtually every type of business. Or, if you prefer, create your own designs using more than 41,000 clip art images including 750 logo elements. You can even create matching letterhead and envelopes for a consistent and professional company look. Once you have your design in place, you can print you professional-quality business cards on micro-perforated card stock available from Avery and other manufacturers.Features: 4,200+ Easy-to-customize designs, 41,000+ Clip art images, and 600+ Professional fonts.

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1/24/2012

The Print Shop 2.0 Professional Review

The Print Shop 2.0 Professional
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I was using The Print Shop 22 De Luxe on a Vista computer. I installed Windows 7 and found 22 would not work. Broderbund said they were working on a totally new version (oddly called 2.0). When it became available, I purchased 2.0 DeLuxe through Amazon, and was very disappointed. It worked with Windows 7, but lacked many of the features that 22 DeLuxe had (eg headlines,fixing flaws in photos,and cropping photos in shapes other than rectangles).I returned it to Amazon and bought (at extra cost) Version 2.0 Professional, hoping it would have the missing features. If they are there, I can't find them. The menus appear to be the same as the DeLuxe version. The Help manual is very superficial and appears to be the same whatever version you buy.In desperation I emailed Broderbund for help but they didn't bother replying. To add to my woes the program frquently crashes and needs restarting.I returned this one to Amazon too.

Then I saw a small note on Broderbund's website, saying that Print Shop 23 (the last of the versions of the old program before they totally redid it) would work on Windows 7. I bought it (from Amazon) and it works, and is just marvellous!

Summary. Avoid all versions of The Print Shop 2.0.Buy The Print Shop 23 instead. This is still available from Broderbund or Amazon.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Print Shop 2.0 Professional

Product Description:
It's easier than ever before to create impressive print projects with the ultimate design solution for all your home & business needs. Start with the brand new Wizard Design tool or choose from a vast gallery of ready-made templates and contemporary images to design, print and share a wide variety of projects, including greeting cards, invitations, labels, signs and more. The Print Shop Professional has been redesigned from the ground up, making it quicker and easier to use by combining intuitive design tools with contemporary content to give you the ultimate in creative freedom. Design impressive projects in minutes that are perfect for your home, school, organization or business.


Drag-and-drop photos, text and design elements with incredible ease and quickness. Click to enlarge.
Create and print over 150 custom projects, each in under 5 minutes. Click to enlarge.

The All New Way to Create Sophisticated Design


New Easy to Use Software
Drag-and-drop photos, text and design elements with incredible ease and quickness.
Windows 7 & Windows Vista Compatible
The Print Shop was designed to work on the latest PC operating systems.
Wizard Design Tools
Create and print over 150 custom projects, each in under 5 minutes.
Streamlined Workspace
With a sleek new workspace, it's easy to find and switch between the various tools quickly.
Advanced Photo Editing
Slider tools allow you to select the exact degree of effect, including red-eye, brightness and contrast.
New Templates & Clip Art
Choose from an enormous gallery of contemporary ready-made templates and clip art images that are sure to complement any project.
Advanced Design Tools
Slider tools allow you to create custom gradients, transparency and drop shadows for a professional effect
Advanced Page Layout Tools
Flow text around objects and across columns, use mail merge to personalize and select custom paper stocks.
Easy to Share
Print at home, email or publish your latest creation on the web to share with friends and family.

Advanced Page and Layout Tools


Layer Management
Easily move art, text and objects between foreground and background. Show and hide layers for the ultimate in precision.
Columns & Text Wrap
Flow text across columns to improve readability. Plus, you can easily flow text around graphic and other objects to create a professional finish.
Advanced Color Tools
You now have three ways to pick the right color: the eye-dropper tool for precision color matching, professionally-designed color palettes and a color selector.
Drop Shadows & Dynamic Gradients
Add a professional touch to any design with easy drop shadow tools. Dynamic gradients allow you to specify multiple gradient stops.
Image Management
Edit photo tags and mark your favorites so that you can easily find the right photo for any project. Add your image to the Image Tray for easy drag and drop.
Impressive Headlines
The Print Shop now offers the easiest solution for creating headlines with impact. Simply choose from an array of impressive options and customize to make it perfect.


Choose Your Version
Find the right Print Shop version for you using the chart below.



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1/23/2012

PDF Converter Professional 5.0 Review

PDF Converter Professional 5.0
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Scansoft products used to be decent products with strong support. That was before Nuance bought them out. Since capturing a basic monopoly on Voice to text, Text to Voice, scan to text, and PDF conversion, the company has grown arrogant, and less customer oriented than Microsoft at their worst.As one reviewer wrote, they charge you for customer support. The process goes something like this.

You visit the web page, and if you product is the current generation, or one prior, (it doesn't matter, current gen get treated no better)you have to enter in your license/product code, enter in your credit card number, and agree to be charged $9.95 for a totally useless email experience that only allows you access to their support page when you get a reply. My most recent experience involves Omnipage Pro, which has PDF converter and Creator built in.Omnipage Pro is such a slow and practicality useless program, that I uninstalled it after a week. However, a need came up where I needed a PDF converter, so I thought I'd load that part of the software.

I ran set up, used custom, had PDF creator and Converter installed leaving out the scanner software, entered in my key code, started the program, was asked if I wanted to activate the software, I did, however it wouldn't let me, telling me the license code was not valid.I attempted to find the problem/solution in their knowledge base, but don't bother, there is little if anything in there other than contact technical support.

So off to techincal support I went, only to discover that even for an installation problem, I had to pay. I did, after two days I got a response, telling me they needed my license code. As I'd had to enter it to get to the support page, this was irritating but I went to the webpage since they do no allow you to just hit respond. Entered in the key and two days later got another message telling me that my key code was for Omnipage Pro, not PDF converter.Gee, thanks for telling me that since I had to go to the Omnipage section to begin my initial inquiry.

I tried rewording my request, stating I have OmniPage pro, with comes with PDF creater and PDF Converter, and only wanted Converter to install, however it rejects my key code.Another two days pass, I get an emailed response telling me I don't have the proper code for PDF converter, mine is for Omnipage Pro. Again, I was grateful for the insight.

Back to the website, asked if there was anyway I could just install the portion of Omnipage that had the separate PDF.After more than a week passed, I get an email, telling me that I must install the entire program,register it, activate it, than I can uninstall the Omnipage pro leaving the PDF converter.

Following the instruction, I load the entire program, activate it, test PDF converter which works, go to add and remove, PDF creater and converter are listed separate from Omnipage,so I uninstall it per the directions of the last email. I go to use the PDF converter, it asks me if I want to activate it, (which I'd already done, but what the heck)it asks me for my key code, which I enter, only to get back a reply the key code I've entered is not valid.

Back to the website, explain the problem, and surprise, the response after two days is "your key code is not valid for PDF converter, only for Omnipage".

I give up, decide I'll just load the entire program and live with Omnipage taking up room. I install the entire program, enter the key code, asked to activate, which I do, only to get a message the key code is not valid as I've already installed Omnipage previously.Back to the webpage. set out the problem. A week goes by, I get a response asking me for the key code, and a screen shot, and a copy of the receipt.I supplied all, and am still waiting for a response.

My advice, stay away from all nuance programs. I've spent close to two hundred dollars for a Pro version of a product, received no free customer support, and after wasting more than two weeks, still have no product to run.

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Product Description:
Item #: Q45230. PDF Converter Professional 5, the only complete PDF solution designed specifically for business users, delivers everything you need to create, convert, and edit PDF files. Now you can create 100% industry-standard PDF files from any PC application, or convert PDFs into fully-formatted MicrosoftWord, Excel, PowerPoint, XPS, and Corel WordPerfect files.Additionally, you can fill and save online PDF forms with one click, or secure your PDF files by applying digital signatures or using drag and drop security settings. Using the intuitive interface, which places commonly-used functionality at your fingertips, you'll be a PDF expert in no time. PDF Converter Professional 5 truly delivers better PDF for your business. Product Description: ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional - ( v. 5 ) - complete package
Category: Utilities
Subcategory: Utilities - encoders / format converters
Version: 5
License Type: Complete package
License Qty: 1 user
License Pricing: Standard
Language(s): English
Localization: United States
Platform: Windows
Distribution Media: CD-ROM
Package Type: Retail
OS Required: Microsoft Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit versions)
Customers also search for: Discount ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional - ( V. 5 ) - Complete Package, Buy ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional - ( V. 5 ) - Complete Package, Wholesale ScanSoft PDF Converter Professional - ( V. 5 ) - Complete Package, 0780420118034, M109A-G00-5.0, Data Management Software

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1/22/2012

Microsoft Publisher 2010 Review

Microsoft Publisher 2010
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have been using Publisher for about 10 years and have come to rely on it, primarily for business documents such as training guides and promotional items for my software business. I think that the 2010 Version of Publisher is a worthwhile upgrade from previous versions.

I happen to be one of the people who like the "Ribbon" interface that was introduced in MS Word 2007 and has now been extended to Publisher. I can easily find most common tools and features on the ribbon and customize it as required if there is a ribbon element missing from those I use frequently. There is a much improved "File" tab (or "Backstage View" as MS calls it) with easier access to various printing, saving and sending options. Unlike another review I read here, I had no problems whatsoever printing both paper and .PDF versions of my Publisher documents on both my Xerox and Epson printers with zero configuration*. In fact, printing is improved as there is now top-level control over things such as duplexing (double-siding- if your printer supports it) without having to set a default printer for a document and then go into the Printer Properties to select features. There is also a great new, accurate and large print preview right next to all of the Publisher printer controls.

Other improvements include better font previews including support for OpenType fonts. I find that the layout tools are improved too, with better accuracy and display of the alignment of various document elements. There are some great new templates and more available online. Photo/graphic editing tools are also improved, and the whole program just seems easier to work with while it works better for me. I also find that more web services than ever (Internet faxing and printing services) accept the upload of Publisher documents in their native format, without the need to export them into .PDF or other formats.

I am impressed with the 2010 version of Publisher and recommend it as a worthwhile upgrade or as an excellent new product for desktop publishing for everything from postcards and training manuals to greeting cards and signs. I bought mine as part of MS Office 2010 Professional Suite as opposed to buying it as a standalone item, but I think it's worthwhile either way.

Publisher is easily one of my favorite pieces of software (and I use a lot of software). I wholeheartedly recommend it if you have need of a great desktop publishing app.

*(As an aside, I sell and support a specialized piece of law software. We have thousands of users who have no printing issues, but I know of a handful who cannot print .PDFs with our built-in .PDF add-on, no matter what we have tried. We usually then have them install a different, free PDF printer software. I believe that such quirks are a result of some corruption of the installation and/or of a corruption of the Windows operating system. Let's face it, if the user base is many thousands- and for a product like Publisher, many hundreds of thousands, and a few people can't print, what do you blame- the software or the environment it is installed into?)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Publisher 2010

Product Description:
With Publisher 2010, you can easily communicate your message in a variety of publication types, saving you time and money. Whether you are creating brochures, newsletters, postcards, greeting cards, or e-mail newsletters, you can deliver high-quality results without having graphic design experience.


Get the job done right the first time with Publisher 2010. Click to enlarge.
Easily fine-tune every picture to help your publication look its absolute best. Click to enlarge.
Give your text the appearance of expert typesetting with new OpenType typography. Click to enlarge.
Get the job done right the first time with Publisher 2010.
Create visually compelling publications
Publisher 2010 provides a broad range of new and improved tools that help you look like a design genius and create content that's sure to impress.

    Use improved picture-editing tools--including the ability to pan, zoom, and crop your images and picture placeholders--that make it a snap to replace images while preserving the layout of your page. Easily fine-tune every picture to help your publication look its absolute best.
    Design and reorganize pages like a pro with new object alignment technology. This technology provides visual guides to help you effortlessly align and position your content, but it always leaves the final layout up to you.
    Create dynamic publications in very little time when you insert and customize prebuilt building blocks of content, both built-in and from the Publisher community, directly from Publisher 2010. Choose from an array of page parts--such as sidebars and stories--as well as calendars, borders, advertisements, and more.
    Give your text the appearance of expert typesetting with new OpenType typography. Publisher 2010 provides support for the ligatures, stylistic sets, and other professional typography features available in many OpenType fonts. Use built-in or custom OpenType fonts to create text as impactful as images with just a couple of clicks.1

Manage your publications better with easy-to-use tools
It's much easier to create and manage your publications when you can work the way you want.

    The extraordinary new integrated print experience in Publisher 2010 enables you to view a full-page print preview with a host of page layout tools and adjustable print settings. The new print experience is just one of many features available from the new Microsoft Office Backstage view. Backstage view replaces the traditional File menu to provide a centralized, organized space for all of your publication management tasks.
    The improved, customizable Ribbon is now available in Publisher to make easily accessible the commands you need most. Create custom tabs or even customize built-in tabs. With Publisher 2010, you're in control.

Share your publications with confidence
When it's time to share your publication, Publisher 2010 leaves nothing to guesswork.

    Compile, edit, and manage your customer or contacts list directly in Publisher, using the easy and efficient Mailings tab on the Publisher 2010 Ribbon.
    Access the Design Checker from the new Backstage view to automatically review your publication for many common errors before you share it. Get options for fixing them quickly and easily. Then, return to Backstage view when the publication is ready to go and save it to whatever format you need for easy sharing--from PDF or XPS to a range of image formats, such as JPEG or PNG.

Whether you're working on your monthly newsletter, designing a new postcard, creating greeting cards, or developing a marketing campaign for your business, Publisher 2010 helps you create the content you need more quickly, with more flexibility, and with better results.
1 The new typography tools may be used only with OpenType fonts that have the ability to support them, such as Gabriola, Candara, Cambria, Calibri, and others.

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1/21/2012

Hallmark Blank Greeting Cards Half-fold Matte Premium 20 Count Review

Hallmark Blank Greeting Cards Half-fold Matte Premium 20 Count
Average Reviews:

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I had been searching for a replacement for the Hewlett-Packard card stock, which is no longer available, and decided to try the Hallmark brand, expecting to be disappointed because I didn't think I'd find any product I liked as well as the Hewlett-Packard Linen card stock.I was very pleased to find that I was able to make beautiful cards with the Hallmark card stock.I'm very pleased with the quality and have actually reordered since my original order.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hallmark Blank Greeting Cards Half-fold Matte Premium 20 Count

Product Description:
HALLMARK® HALF-FOLD MATTE PREMIUM BLANK GREETING CARDS
Insist on Hallmark Premium Greeting Cards for truly spectacular results.
Easy!
Print customized greeting cards for any event or occasion.
High-Quality!
Heavyweight card stock, coated for better color and crisper text
Compatible!
Works with all software programs and inkjet printers from Lexmark, Epson, HP and Canon
Hallmark® Card Studio® Trial Edition FREE
PERSONALIZED GREETING CARDS IN 3 EASY STEPS:
1. Create
Use any software program to create custom greeting cards, announcements, invitations and more.
2. Print
Perfect results are guaranteed with inkjet printers from Lexmark, Epson, HP and Canon.
3. Share
Delight family and friends with your personalized creation.
INCLUDES:
-20 Sheets of Blank White Greeting Card Stock
8 ½" x 11" (216 x 279 mm)
Scored to fold to 5 ½" x 8 ½" (139.5 x 216 mm)
-20 Envelopes
6" x 9" (152.5 x 229 mm)
Surface:Matte Coated
Color:White
Weight:85lb.

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1/20/2012

Apple iWork '08 Review

Apple iWork '08
Average Reviews:

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Earlier this year I bought my first Mac. I was using Office 2004 with it and eagerly awaited it's predecessor, only to discover the release date had been pushed back. I'm not a rigid office suite user, just a casual one but I do work with word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations and wanted something that will also allow me to get creative. I got my hands on a copy of iWork 05 which only had Pages and Keynote 2. I played around with it but I felt it wasn't up to speed with Office. Then I got the trial version of iWork 06 and felt it was somewhat of an improvement but still too basic. I decided to take a chance with iWork 08 and I'm so glad I did. Pages now has a word processor mode similar to Word but more simple. Something it should have had from the beginning. Keynote, now in its 4th incarnation has some awesome new animation and graphic tools that blow Powerpoint right out of the water. And I can now make spreadsheets...with graphics! For email, I just use the Mail client that comes with Tiger and voila! An entire office suite at about $200 less than the standard version of Office. So for the casual desktop publisher, or publisher on the go, this is the best deal. The price is right, and it won't eat up all your system resources.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple iWork '08

Product Description:
With iWork '08, you get three easy-to-use applications in one package. Pages offers powerful word processing and page layout with 140 Apple-designed templates--and all the writing and graphics tools you need to create beautiful documents. Keynote lets you effortlessly create stunning presentations, complete with Apple-designed themes, cinema-quality animations, and voiceover narration. The innovative new Numbers makes it easier than ever to create compelling spreadsheets for everything from family budgets and event planning to invoices and complex financial reports. And all three applications give you import and export compatibility with Microsoft Office. So whatever you need to communicate, do it beautifully with iWork �08.

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1/19/2012

Movie Magic Screenwriter Version 6 Review

Movie Magic Screenwriter Version 6
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
If you write scripts for film or TV, there's really no need for a review of this product. Screenwriter 6 is what you're going to use. There's a competing product called Final Draft, but from what I hear, writers in film and TV are now flocking to this.

But I'm here to report that Screenwriter 6 is not simply for film and TV writers. I do some script work, but I'm primarily a fiction writer. I started using Screenwriter 2000 (this program's predecessor) about a year ago, and after a couple of weeks I converted all my work-in-progress to it and never looked back. Now, with the new features in v. 6, it's even better. I'm writing short stories and a novel in Screenwriter, and having a better experience than with any other software I've tried.

For one thing, I've been waiting more than 20 years for somebody to get document outlining right. Screenwriter 6 nails it. You can see and navigate the structure of even long, complex projects quite easily -- by chapters, scenes, or any other element you choose, including notes. You can have as many types of notes as you want -- to-dos, action summaries, research queries, whatever you use notes for. You can insert bookmarks. You can see your scenes as index cards that you can drag around. You could write "War and Peace" in this thing and not get lost. That's the main reason many fiction writers will want to start using this.

But the program is also much smoother and much less obtrusive than most other writing software. It stays out of your way while you're working, yet it automatically does what you need it to do. Screenwriter is a formatting program. Fiction writers have far fewer formatting concerns than scriptwriters, but they have some, and they want to set up a manuscript and stop thinking about it. When a chapter or a section begins or ends, a certain thing should happen. It might be a page break, or some white space, or an indentation change, or whatever. With Screenwriter, it happens. You don't think about it.

In more than 20 years on the Macintosh, I've used (or at least tried) every piece of writing software on the market -- commercial, shareware, freeware. None of them was entirely satisfying. I was never really happy. Today, I'm happy. If you plan to spend a lot of your life in front of a laptop creating dramatic or narrative work of one sort or another, the price of this software (especially with the Amazon discount) is a ridiculous bargain.

Note: Screenwriter is NOT the sort of program that attempts to help you write "formula" work by suggesting story-structures, plot developments, character conflicts, story "problems," etc. The creators of Screenwriter have a program for that, called Dramatica. I don't use such things. If you want that, you can go buy it. Note also that Screenwriter is not for academic writers who need footnotes, citations, etc. For the Macintosh only, there's a great and inexpensive program for that kind of writing called Mellel.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Movie Magic Screenwriter Version 6

Product Description:
Movie Magic Screenwriter is the best selling screenplay formatting software and the choice of Hollywood professionals. Screenwriter automatically formats while you write so you can focus on what you're writing, not where it goes on the page. It also formats for television, stage, novels and comic book scripts so you've got an all in one package for any story you want to write. With a massive set of features designed to make the rewriting process fast and simple you can get from FADE IN: to FADE OUT effortlessly. Create outlines, insert notes and create various note categories, online collaboration, the ability to compare drafts of screenplays and the most comprehensive production features of any screenwriting software all make Movie Magic Screenwriter the clear choice for getting your stories from concept to screen.

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1/18/2012

Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Review

Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I'm an avid Photoshop/Lightroom user, but I like to examine other products that can improve my workflow and digital retouching.Photoshop is a great program, but simple changes are often time-consuming.Lightroom, while great 95% of the time, does not do everything for me.With that, when I saw that Corel released PSP X3, I was compelled to examine the product.

I've tried PSP in the past with mixed results, but thought I would try the new X3 version through the 30-day free trial available on Corel.I immediately had several problems.My machine is a workhorse (8GB, Phenom II X4), and while loading pictures into the catalog during initial startup, the software completely crashed multiple times on me.Okay, not off on a good foot, but I finally got my pictures loaded and began playing with some of the editing features.The menus were a little obtuse, and sometimes it is not easy to find editing options through the Full Editor.The Express Editor, while a little bit better, also had settings that were a little too deep in the menus.This is not really a flaw, though, since with a little bit of use I got fairly comfortable with the options.

I noticed that the presets in PSP X3 were really good and that I can really make a photo look good with less work (time) than I would need in Photoshop for the equivalent output.However, my gripes are as follows:

*Buttons for commands are really outdated and look rushed.They don't flow well with the rest of the program and they are somewhat hard to click consistently.
*Product clearly wasn't tested with any level of depth.On any given hour, PSP X3 will crash at least once, which is unacceptable, especially given that I've run this on such a powerful machine.
*The histogram isn't what you'd expect to see if you're used to Photoshop or looking at your camera's histogram.It could use some improvement.
*In one case, the white balance in "Express Editor" is completely inverted.While the function works, it registers 2000 as "warm" and "7500" as cold, when it should be reversed.This isn't a big gripe and can easily be fixed, but demonstrates the lack of testing.
*No LAB color mode.This isn't a big surprise, since PSP has never supported this, and truthfully, only a small fraction of people probably use LAB, but I'd like to see it eventually since it is a big part of my workflow.
*MY BIGGEST GRIPE:When you edit a photo and go back to the library (Organizer) view, it always puts your cursor back to the first photo of the library.For example, you have 250 photos from your kid's birthday party. You look at them in the bottom organizer panel and pick #115 to edit.If you close #115 and go back to Organizer, it will not remember your place, so the view will start from photo #1.

There is really a lot of potential here that could easily shine with a patch update.However, given Corel's history with X2 and X2-Ultimate, I don't expect them to address these issues anytime soon.If they fix a majority of these problems (name product stability and the Organizer issue), then I'd recommend it, especially for the price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3

Product Description:
If creating great pictures is your passion, Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 is the photo-editing program for you. Featuring a brand-new RAW Lab and easy batch photo processing, it's the only advanced photo-editing software to combine photo management, creative projects, photo sharing and even HD video slideshows in one package. It's everything you need to get professional-looking results you'll be proud to share. Ideal for DSLR cameras.


If creating great pictures is your passion, Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 is the photo-editing program for you.
The Organizer simplifies photo management. Click to enlarge.
The Express Lab has tools for the most common digital photography problems. Click to enlarge.
Smart Carver lets you remove objects and change the aspect ratio. Click to enlarge.
The Depth of Field effect focuses attention on a specific image area.
PaintShop Photo Pro X3 simplifies creating great-looking photo books. Click to enlarge.
HDR Photo Merge.
Perspective Correction Tool.
The Project Creator has a variety of slide show options. Click to enlarge.

Overview

PaintShop Photo Pro X3 is the most rewarding way to enhance your photos and create professional-looking images. Now with a complete RAW workflow, this photo-editing program lets you manage, adjust, edit and share your digital photos--all in one place. Accelerate the way you organize, rate, tag and sort with new photo management tools. Make automatic fixes in the enhanced Express Lab, or go deep with a full set of advanced editing tools. Then upload to Flickr, Facebook and YouTube, create high-quality photo books and projects, print, email or back up photos on disc. It's your entire photo workflow in one high-performance package.

    New--RAW Lab--manually adjust groups of RAW photos during the loading process
    Enhanced--Express Lab--quickly fix common flaws in this speed-editing mode
    New--Advanced editing tools--edit fast with Smart Carver, Vibrancy and more
    New--HD photo and video--import and export HD video
    New--Integrated projects--create photo books, HD slideshows, cards and more
    Enhanced--Photo sharing--email, print online or at home, and send directly to Facebook, YouTube and Flickr
    Bonus--Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4--Turn photos into paintings in three easy steps!

What's New

This is a must-have upgrade for PaintShop users and DSLR camera owners! The fastest version yet, this photo-editing software features exciting new professional-quality features, like the Smart Carver, a new RAW Lab, easy batch processing, and a photo Organizer. Learn how to speed up your entire workflow and get the best-quality results.
Improved Digital Workflow

Enhanced--Photo Organizer
Customize your digital workflow with new photo management capabilities. Use multiple views, including thumbnails and image previews, to quickly select photos.
New--RAW Lab, Image Quality and Control
Make RAW adjustments during the loading process and work with even more RAW camera formats--faster than ever before.
New--Easy Batch Processing
Make adjustments to one photo, then easily apply the same changes to multiple other photos right in the enhanced Organizer.
Enhanced--Speed and Performance
Get more speed and editing horsepower with more multi-threading support for multi-core processors.
Enhanced--Express Lab
Apply common edits in just one click. Remove noise, sharpen images, and quickly adjust contrast, local tone mapping and more.
New Advanced Photo-Editing Tools

New--Smart Carver
Seamlessly remove objects from an image with professional quality. The Smart Carver also lets you expand or contract objects without distortion.
New--Vibrancy
Boost color in the least saturated areas of a photo without affecting the rest of the image.
New--Object Extractor
The integrated Object Extractor isolates an object--even challenging cases such as flyaway hair and fuzzy pet fur--so it can be copied to a new background or a new background can be pasted behind it.
New--On-Image Text Editing
With the updated text engine, it's easier, faster and more natural to apply text to an image. Adjust font, color, placement, position, size and wrapping of the text in context of the image. Reselect the text on the image and continue typing, or apply text on a path.
New--HD Video Slideshows
As an increasing number of DSLR cameras capture HD video, PaintShop Photo Pro now offers tools that let you combine photo and video projects. Create HD slideshows and movies of your photos and videos, all with the same tool.
New--Windows 7 Compatibility
PaintShop Photo Pro X3 is fully compatible with Windows 7, as well as Windows XP and Windows Vista. Take advantage of new Windows 7 speed and performance to experience a whole new level of creativity.
Bonus--Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4
This fun program lets you turn a photo into a unique work of art in just 3 easy steps:

    Choose a photo and the painting style you want to apply.
    Let the Smart Stroke painting technology create a stunning painting.
    Touch up your masterpiece by hand if desired.

Bonus--KPT Plug-in Filters
A natural addition to your photo-editing software, KPT plug-in filters help you quickly create remarkable image transformations and original effects. PaintShop Photo Pro X3 includes KPT Goo, KPT LensFlare, KPT Projector and KPT Equalizer.
Built-In Photo Projects and Sharing

Easy Photo Sharing
Quickly share photos and videos directly on Flickr, Facebook and YouTube. You can also email, print at home or order prints online*.
Built-in Photo Projects
Using the new Project Creator, its fast and simple to make great-looking photo books, HD slideshows, collages, cards and more

What's included?


Main application
Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3: Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3 gives you the power to easily organize, edit, and share professional-quality photos. Make photo improvements faster in the enhanced Express Lab, or go further with powerful new editing tools. Create amazing photo books and projects, upload to Flickr, Facebook or YouTube, print or share by e-mail. Combining single and multi-photo editing tools, online sharing and simple HD video integration, your entire digital workflow is now available in one high-performance package.
Supporting applications
Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4: If you want to do more than just edit and print photos, Corel Painter Photo Essentials 4 is the ideal way to get started with digital art. Using the unique Auto-Painting palette, you can create a stunningly realistic work of art from a photo in just three easy steps. (English only)
Corel Instant Viewer: This component provides a quick, direct way to view photos on a PC, allowing you to scroll through your photos and send them to PaintShop Photo Pro X3 for editing. (English only)

Simplify your digital workflow


Enhanced--Photo Organizer
Customize your digital workflow with new photo management capabilities in PaintShop Photo Pro X3's Photo Organizer. Use thumbnails and image previews to quickly select your photos.
New--Easy Batch Processing
Make adjustments to one photo, then easily apply the same changes to multiple other photos. Edit one, apply to many, right from the Organizer.
Enhanced--Express Lab
The new interface makes photo editing faster than ever. Preview photos and videos or make changes in this speed-editing mode. Quickly adjust contrast, apply local tone mapping, remove noise and sharpen images. You can also adjust levels, clarity and white balance, batch-edit multiple photos and more.

Do more with advanced photo-editing tools


New--Smart Carver
Seamlessly remove objects from an image with professional quality. Smart Carver also lets you expand or contract objects without distortion.
New--Vibrancy
Boost color in the least saturated areas of a photo without affecting the rest of the image.
New--Object Extractor
The integrated Object Extractor isolates an object--even challenging cases such as flyaway hair and fuzzy pet fur--so it can be copied to a new background or a new background can be pasted behind it.

Fix it fast in Express Lab

Don't let the small stuff slow you down! Enjoy one-click access to common photo fixes.
Learning Center
The award-winning Learning Center empowers anyone to harness the power of advanced photo editing, regardless of your previous software experience. It builds your confidence and makes it easier to develop your skills by helping you complete tasks within seconds of launching PaintShop Pro Photo.
Makeover Tools
Make sure the people in your photos look their best with tools that are fun and easy to use. Help your subjects look thinner in seconds, whiten bloodshot eyes, smooth wrinkles, paint on a tan and remove blemishes.
Enhanced--Remove Digital Camera Noise
Remove "noise" artifacts that interfere with the clarity of your digital image--faster than ever! One-Step Noise Removal smooths photos with a single click. Digital Camera Noise Removal gives you precise control over how these corrections are applied.

Get creative with projects and photo sharing


Enhanced--Built-in Creative Projects
PaintShop Photo Pro X3 is the only pro-quality photo enthusiast software package to so closely integrate creative projects with photo editing. The new Project Creator is a fast and simple way to make a great-looking photo book, collages, cards and more--all in addition to PaintShop's easy online sharing options.
New--Easy Photo Sharing
Share photos and videos where and how you want, using email, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube. Print at home, order prints online, email or quickly burn a DVD to enjoy on your TV.
Layer Styles
Easily apply artistic effects to individual layers, such as drop shadows, embossing and reflections.

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1/17/2012

The Print Shop 23 Deluxe Review

The Print Shop 23 Deluxe
Average Reviews:

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After hearing that Print Shop 22 was not compatible with Windows Vista, I waited and recently purchased Print Shop 23 Deluxe.Pay attention to the operating system requirements.You must have either Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1.The installation discs are DVD-ROMs, NOT CDs, so you must have a DVD drive.

Unlike previous user reports of long delivery times, damaged discs and corrupt installs, my package arrived from Amazon in two days and included two shiny unblemished discs and a half inch thick user manual.

The setup was painless and took just under 25 minutes for a complete installation including registration and a short optional survey.A full install including artwork stored on the hard drive will take up close to 8GB.

The program launched flawlessly right after installation (no Restart required) and the features worked just fine.It will take several seconds for Print Shop to initialize (as did prior versions) but a little patience will be rewarded.

Print Shop has always been a great application and this new version follows that tradition!

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Product Description:
It-s easy to create impressive print projects. Design from scratch or choose from 21,000+ professionally designed templates for a wide variety of projects, including greeting cards, invitations, labels, matching stationery sets, signs, banners and more. Customize your design in seconds with the easiest design tools around. You can add your own text, photos, graphics and word art. Comes with 370,000+ high quality clip art images, photos, borders, frames and embellishments. Plus, EASY photo editing tools like red-eye removal, crop and flip to make your photos perfect. It-s so easy to create and print your projects with everything you need for incredible design in the palm of your hands.

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1/16/2012

Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 2011 Upgrade Review

Autodesk Sketchbook Pro 2011 Upgrade
Average Reviews:

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I won't go into much details about the already existing solid features of Sketchbook Pro; rather the new features of the 2011 version:

- Better layer management: Transparency slider exists right on the layer slot in the Layers palette. No more separate transparency dialog box. (New) Basic layer blend modes are also a big plus.

- Toolbar also makes feature access much better.

- (Editable) Text layer (great new addition)

- Shape tools: circle, square, polyline.

- Basic image adjustment - saturation, contrast, etc.

- new custom brush settings like spacing jitter (I do wish they made the custom brush settings dialog scrollable, instead of having to close segments if the lower segments extend below the screen).

All in all, solid improvements (so far stable with no crashes or hiccups). SBP is vital, I think, for any digital artist. At $79 for full version, quite a deal; at $39 upgrade for 2010 owners, I think it is very worth the price.

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Product Description:

Relied on by professionals, adored by everyone who loves to draw... SketchBook Pro translates sophisticated technology and professional functionality into a natural drawing experience; use it anywhere you would traditionally use paper and pen!



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1/15/2012

AutoCAD LT 2011 Review

AutoCAD LT 2011
Average Reviews:

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I have been using AutoCAD for over 22 years and by far this is the worst release that Autodesk has ever produced.First of all it runs slow.I am running it on a Core i7, 8 GB Memory, 1 GB Graphics, Windows 7.I also have AutoCAD 2010 running at lighting speed on the same computer.2011 is infested with bugs and Autodesk so called enhancements in 2011 are just blowing smoke and mirrors.They have all but destroyed the Hatch command with graphic crap that takes three to four more steps to hatch an object in your drawing, if you can get the hatch pattern to even work.There are many, many more commands that they have also slowed down just for the WOW factor and has nothing to do with productivity or speed.And why did they changed some of the icon to "mickey mouse" looking icons.Skip this release and wait till next March when 2012 comes out.If you are on Autodesk Subscription (highly recommended) then keep 2010 and do not install 2011.

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Product Description:
AutoCAD LT 2D drafting and detailing software is the professional choice because we focus on boosting your productivity. A comprehensive set of tools enables you to accurately and efficiently create, document, and share your drawings. Creating in the genuine DWGTM file format provides stability and compatibility when you communicate with clients and colleagues. And, with varied menu and user interface options, you can optimize the software for the way you work. Packed with powerful features, AutoCAD LT is built for professional drafting.


Use a complete set of 2D drafting and detailing tools to produce precise technical drawings--accurately and efficiently. Click to enlarge.
Electronically publish and distribute drawing sets in a single DWF or PDF file for fast, secure collaboration. Click to enlarge.
Optimize your work environment by tailoring the location and appearance of commands to meet your needs and company standards. Click to enlarge.

Take Control


AutoCAD LT 2D drafting and detailing software is the professional choice for productivity, reliability, and compatibility.
Extend your competitive advantage by using industry-standard AutoCAD LT software for 2D drafting and detailing. Create drawings in the genuine DWG file format for enhanced stability and compatibility when communicating with clients and colleagues. And get even better performance by optimizing your software for the way you work. Packed with powerful features, AutoCAD LT is built for professional drafting.
Document
Use a complete set of 2D drafting and detailing tools to produce precise technical drawings--accurately and efficiently.

    Document in 2D
    Create simple or complex drawings from standard shapes such as lines, arcs, and circles. Modify existing geometry with commands such as stretch, copy, rotate, and scale. Add annotations--including text, dimensions, and tables--to help convey your ideas.Be More Productive
    AutoCAD LT is designed with one goal in mind: increasing your productivity. Each release of AutoCAD LT includes feature enhancements and additions that introduce new ways to promote drafting efficiency.

Collaborate
Work easily and effectively with clients and colleagues.

    Get Industry-leading Reliability and Stability
    Create drawings in the genuine DWG file format and have confidence in data integrity when sharing your work. Maximize productivity by reducing time lost tackling corrupted or incompatible data.


    Enjoy AutoCAD Compatibility
    AutoCAD LT is fully integrated with other Autodesk software products, making it easy for you to share data with others or expand your capabilities.


    Incorporate External Files
    Reuse data and create richer documents by referencing external information from colleagues or clients--such as DWG files, JPG and TIF images, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and DWF and PDF underlays--in your drawings.Share Files Electronically
    Electronically publish and distribute drawing sets in a single DWF or PDF file for fast, secure collaboration.

Optimize
Improve efficiency by making AutoCAD LT work the way you do with a variety of user interface options.


    Standardize Drawings
    Save time and standardize drawings by using blocks, adding dynamic properties to accommodate multiple sizes or views in a single block. Get quick access to frequently used content, such as blocks, hatches, and commands with tool palettes.Tailor Your Environment
    Quickly find your way around the screen with tools to locate commands, view all open drawings, and navigate between different areas in an open drawing. Optimize your work environment by tailoring the location and appearance of commands to meet your needs and company standards.


Several tools previously available only in AutoCAD software are accessible in AutoCAD LT software.
The External References palette supports the use of PDF, DWF, DGN, and image files (JPG, TIF, etc.) as underlays in DWG files, in addition to the traditional DWG references.
Faster viewing of layer properties changes and clearer drawings with fewer layers thanks to improved layer management.

Top Reasons to Buy AutoCAD LT 2011 Software


Improved Drafting Tools
Continual enhancements to 2D tools in AutoCAD LT software help make drafting easier and more productive. In AutoCAD LT 2011, new grips for polyline and hatch editing enable you to more easily add or remove vertices or convert line segments to arcs, and vice versa. A new Hatch contextual user interface enables you to change a hatch's scale, angle, or origin on the fly. Text in linetypes always stays readable, regardless of the line's direction. When rotating a viewport, you can use one command to choose whether the view shown will maintain its original orientation or rotate along with the viewport.
Better Communication of Design Intent
Publish high-quality PDFs directly from AutoCAD LT to easily share information. Objects and layers in AutoCAD LT 2011 can be made transparent, so you can see through them. Transparency affects both plotting and on-screen appearance, giving you more options for identifying phases of work, highlighting areas of a drawing, and more. The new Hide and Isolate Objects tools enable you to display only the objects you need, regardless of their layer.
Windows 7 Certification
AutoCAD LT 2011 is the first AutoCAD LT version to be Microsoft Windows 7 certified. Upgrade your hardware and operating system with the knowledge that both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of AutoCAD LT 2011 software are compatible with--and are supported on--all available Microsoft operating systems, including Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
Additional AutoCAD Functionality
Several tools previously available only in AutoCAD software are accessible in AutoCAD LT software. In AutoCAD LT 2011, the new Quick Dimension tool enables you to more easily create a series of dimensions for selected objects. Create irregular boundaries or trace over objects with the Sketch command. Add colors and patterns to your drawings with gradient fills. Use the Align command to move, rotate, and scale objects to line up with other objects. Non-rectangular viewports are also supported, enabling you to create a viewport in any shape you need.
File Format Compatibility
AutoCAD LT software enables you to open DWG files received from colleagues and clients, regardless of the version of AutoCAD software used to create them. Save your own work to a variety of file formats, as far back as R14-compatible DWG files and R12-compatible DXF files.
Powerful External Reference Tools
The External References palette supports the use of PDF, DWF, DGN, and image files (JPG, TIF, etc.) as underlays in DWG files, in addition to the traditional DWG references. Use object snaps with vector-based PDF or DWG files to locate new objects relative to geometry in the underlay. Open externally referenced files of any format with a simple mouse click, or edit DWG references in-place to make changes while continuing to view the host drawing's geometry. Use the Clip External Reference command to show only the relevant portions of a referenced file.
Dynamic Blocks
The flexibility of Dynamic Blocks provides a powerful alternative to bloated block libraries containing multiple variations of similar block definitions. Dynamic Blocks enable you to modify a block's geometry without editing the block definition or erasing it and inserting a different block. With the Synchronize Attributes command, you can easily add or remove attributes from existing block definitions.
Flexible Annotation Tools
Significant improvements in recent releases of AutoCAD LT to text, dimensions, multileader, and tables enable you to create and edit annotations faster and with more flexibility. Tables can be easily split into columns to fit into the available space. Misspelled words are automatically indicated with a dashed red underline. Add jog lines to dimensions, control the linetype of extension lines, and break extension lines around objects. Use multileaders to align notes, group similar keynotes, and associate multiple leader lines with one symbol or note. The Annotation Scaling feature automatically calculates text and dimension sizes, as well as block and hatch pattern scales, based on the drawing scale.
Better Layer Management
Modifications you make in the Layer Properties Manager are instantly applied to the drawing, enabling you to immediately see the effects of your changes. The same layer can have different properties, such as color or linetype, in different viewports, so you can easily highlight specific information in each viewport. Layer management tools also let you select objects in the drawing in order to freeze, turn off, isolate, or lock their layer.
Streamlined User Interface and Online Help
The AutoCAD LT user interface helps increase drafting productivity by presenting commands in a concise visual format that responds to both active commands and object selection. Quick View Layouts and Quick View Drawings provide fast and visual methods for activating a layout in an open drawing. The Quick Access toolbar provides constant one-click access to frequently used tools and commands. The new Online Help system in AutoCAD LT 2011 includes access to regularly updated content. You can link from a help topic directly to related information in the online AutoCAD Knowledge Base, discussion groups, and the AutoCAD Exchange community site to save time searching and navigating.

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