Paint Shop Pro 6 Review
July 14, 2000
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If you're using Paint Shop Pro 5 it's time to upgrade, if you're still
stuck in PSP4 it's definitely time to get your life back on track and
move forward with what may well be the best graphics program available
for the money.
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Whether it be web graphics, digital cameras/photo enhancement or
a drawing package, Paint Shop Pro 6 can fill the bill. With it's
latest release, Jasc Software has taken a giant leap forward in
the graphics software industry.
With it's easy learning curve, Paint Shop Pro 6 is perfect for the
beginner yet it is robust enough for the experienced graphic artist.
There are enough advanced features incorporated into the program that
Jasc will release the next version before you've explored all there
is to offer.
New features in this version of Paint Shop Pro include:
Vector tools and layers for using Paint Shop Pro as a drawing program
Jasc secured their future with the addition of Layers in PSP5; now
they have taken it a step farther by introducing Vector Layers and
Tools. The addition of vector layers completes PSP's advent into the
world of drawing programs. The advanced Node Edit makes it easy
to change the shape of vector objects as many times as you please,
until the object is converted to a raster object. Once you convert
the object your only option to re-edit is to undo until the
object is once again a vector object. (Moral of the story: don't
convert to a raster layer until you're sure).
A Multicolor Gradient tool
If the pre-installed gradients don't meet your needs the
Multicolor Gradient Tool allows you to import, edit or
create your own gradients. I've not tried importing a gradient,
probably because I don't have one to import, but creating a
new one is as easy as can be.
Editable text that you can place on paths
This is probably one of the best features of PSP6. Not only can
you create text on a curve, but you can go back and edit that
text at any time, (as long as you keep it as a vector layer and
don't convert it to a raster layer). If you're like me and like
to add a drop shadow to everything, just hang in there and be
patient. When you're positive you won't be changing that text
any more, convert it to a raster layer and add drop shadows to
your hearts content!
Digital watermarking for embedding copyright information
Jasc has teamed with Digimarc to give their users the ability to
digitally watermark their work. You'll need to
register
an ID with Digimarc, but it's free for up to 99 images. Images
that carry the watermark display a copyright symbol in the image
titlebar when opened in PSP. The copyright information is
accessed by selecting Image |Watermarking |ReadWatermark from
the menu bar.
Adjustment Layers
The Adjustment Layers are a cool new feature to PSP6. In times past
we had the 'undo' feature for testing out our effects. Apply a
shadow, adjust the contrast, change the color... and undo between
each effect. Or, we could create a duplicate (more like multiple
duplicates) to test the different effects that tickled our fancy.
Pretty soon the desktop was so full of windows you'd be losing
things. This tedious procedure is a thing of the past. Adjustment
layers allow you to adjust brightness/contrast, colors, hue, and
much more without affecting the original image. Put different
adjustments on separate layers and you can turn them on and off
quickly and easily!
New Special Effects
Jasc has incorporated several new special effects and
deformations into this new release. If you've never tried the
various PhotoShop Plugins with PSP, the new effects will give
you a taste of what you've been missing. Included in the
effects are Blinds, Feedback, Sculpture, Texture, Pencil and other
drawing/sketching effects, plus many more!
For those of you who have struggled to create a picture frame,
your trials are over. A selection of pre-installed picture frames
is now available at the click of a button. Oval and round frames
will even set the transparency for you! The effect does leave a one
pixel wide line on the right and bottom of the window, but that's
easily cropped out. (I didn't crop the line out so that you
could see what I'm talking about).
Direct support for over 120 digital cameras
While Kodak digital cameras are internally supported, other
brands require a download from
Digital Camera Support.
I was a bit disappointed to find my Sony was not on the list.
Does it write the HTML for you? Not yet, but who knows what the
future will bring! And until that day, PSP 6 is still well worth
your time. If you're still not convinced, Animation Shop 2 comes
free with PSP6!
What is it again? Paint Shop Pro 6
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Who makes it? Jasc Software
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Where can I get it?
http://www.jasc.com/catalog.asp?
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What does it cost? boxed: $109.00 online: $99.00
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Can I try it out first? Yes, there's a 30-day
trial
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How big is the download? 14,929,800 bytes
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