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Hallmark Connections Card Studio 
by Jeff and Lynne Zubricky

[Hallmark Logo] When you care enough to send the very best you send a Hallmark, right? I found Hallmark Connections Card Studio a great way to send your very best right from home. The program was well thought out and intuitive enough for even the newer computer user like my darling wife Lynne to navigate successfully in creating cards of all types, signs and certificates.

 You begin your creative experience in the Card Studio. The Card Studio is easy and flexible, it all begins here. You can see the different sections of the Studio, and they all have both form and function.

Cards, Invitations and Announcements:

You can select from the Card Rack one of over a 1000 pre- designed Cards, Invitations, and Announcements. Pick a card and customize it to fit your exact needs.

Card Finder:

You answer questions based on what type of card you wish to send, the occasion, and from whom. The program gives you a selection of cards based on that information for you to choose from.

Signs & Certificates:

Using Signs and Certificates your creations let people know what you think of them.

Studio:

In the Studio you have full control over your creation. You select from the messages, artwork, and clip art in the CD library, or even off your own computer. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination!

Event Minder:

How many times have you forgotten Aunt Sally’s Birthday, or even worse your Mother’s Birthday? Have you missed an Anniversary before? Event Minder helps you to remember all those important dates and special events. You have an Address Book of names to go with all those important people in your life. The Address Book is like a small PIM, complete with phone numbers, you will find this handy. The reminder feature automatically informs you about special events, all you have to remember is to turn on the Computer.

Screen Gallery:

Screen Gallery is a screen saver that offers a variety of art by Hallmark artist, you watch a piece of artwork being created right on your screen. Great extra feature.

My Files:

This is an interface into your computer files, it accesses your “Card Studio” files.

Installation:

Installation was a breeze with Windows 95’s Autoplay feature, just insert the CD and the Installation program comes up on your screen. You need to make a few selections during the installation process, but for me it went smoothly.

System Requirements:

Import Formats:

Personal Observations:

I installed the Card Studio and my wife wanted to try it out, so we tested it together. Studio was great, a lot of resources, for an infinite combination. The Cards section had large buttons, and was easy to navigate. Card Finder, a “Wizard” type selection system seemed to provide a limited amount of selections. One time error was when she selected a card for a “male” relative, and “feminine” card was available for selection ( OOPS!! ). Screen Gallery screen saver was pretty straight forward, I found it easy to configure. Signs & Certificate had one confusing quirk for Lynne, and me too. Lynne was trying to make a Certificate ( Movie Clapboard ) and the text needed to be edited for our purpose, usually not a problem. The text on the Clapboard was on an angle so every time she tried to edit the text, the text edit window did not line up with the text so it appeared as though the program was flawed. I tried it after Lynne tried a couple times and we came to the agreement that when the text is on an angle, the edit window will not line up. I consider this a “Bug” that needs to be addressed by Micrografx, I am forwarding a bug report to Technical Service.
 
 

Technical Support:

The technical support number is 214-234-2694. The hours are Monday-Friday, 7AM-5PM CST. Support is also available on the Internet at http://www.micrografx.com
 
 

Sales Information:

Micrografx, Inc., 1303 Arapaho Road, Richardson, Texas 75081. (214) 234-1769. http://www.micrografx.com sales: 1-800-671-0144 or e-mail sales@micrografx.com Direct Sales price $49.99 plus $10 Shipping and Handling Local street price is $49.38