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| They say that image is everything, and if that is the case Jasc
Software, Inc. has a real winner in its latest release, Paint Shop
Pro 5.0.
This versatile design program contains the tools you will need to paint, edit, and retouch your images, and a browser to help manage your files. Its extensive user guide (336 pages) offers 12 chapters and 8 tutorial lessons on just about anything you want to know about graphic design and image manipulation. From simple resizing to more involved layer overlays and color separations, Paint Shop Pro really dazzles the eye and makes images come alive. And as a special bonus, this classy program comes with a powerful GIF animation program called Animation Shop. Now I have to admit that I was first attracted to Paint Shop Pro because of its animation feature. In my small printing business, I had used Corel's Photo Paint and had edited and tweaked photos and graphics, but animation was new to me. I was curious to see how I could generate movement in still images. Besides, I had been looking for software that would help me create animated images for the Web site that I am in the process of building. Paint Shop Pro 5.0 seemed like a choice that wouldn't disappoint. But before I relate my "moving experience" (excuse the pun), I should note the many improvements to this new and enhanced version of Paint Shop Pro. Since I cannot count myself among those who have used Paint Shop 4.0, I don't feel I can adequately evaluate the differences. So instead, I thought I'd simply list the new features. The list is impressive. Paint Shop Pro 5.0 is more powerful that previous versions and now supports:
I could readily see that the real power of Paint Shop Pro 5.0 came from its many image design features; however, I had to see Pro's animation program in operation. I spent about an hour using Animation Shop's user's guide to practice and become acquainted with its features. Then it was time to put it to the test. For my home page, I had decided I wanted an American flag that some how moved. So first I went Paint Shop Pro's browser feature to find the right kind of flag. After previewing dozens of thumbnail images from files on my "C" drive, I knew I'd have to look elsewhere. I popped in my Corel graphics disk, and within a couple minutes I had my flag. It didn't matter that the image was a .CMX metafile; Pro easily handles many different types of files. I didn't need to edit or retouch any parts of the graphic, so I proceeded to save it, choosing the GIF format since Animation Shop only works with GIFs. Then I opened Animation Shop and went the quick and easy route by selecting the Animation Wizard. After answering a couple simple questions, I arrived at the box where you get to select the image or images to be loaded as frames. Clicking the Add button opened a browser. I located my recently saved flag GIF, clicked Open, and it appeared in the list box. I clicked OK, Finish, and my flag became a single frame of movie-like film. The other frames were blank, but not for long. The real magic was about to take place. I went to Effects in the menu bar to select the type of animation I wanted. I clicked on Image Transitions and was presented with 28 animation options: blinds, clock, compress, curtains, dissolve, double split, explode, fade, fade to grey, Gaussian blur, mosaic, motion blur, pinch, pixelate, posterize, rotate, rotate colors, Shaky cam, shear, slats, spin, spiral, split, stretch, twist, wave, wipe, and zoom. Naturally, I had to try each one of them. With one click on each option I could preview my flag being chopped, quartered, blurred, shaken up, flipped, and wrenched, going through numerous distortions. I thought, hey, that's not nice to treat the flag those awful ways! I needed a dignified motion, and believe it or not, "wave" was not it. I found out that the wave motion only moved horizontally. I needed a vertical wave which the program didn't have. So instead I choose "spiral," which made the flag's lines and bars bend as it spun like a slow moving pinwheel. When I clicked Ok, the program created 11 frames that I could view as still frames (and edit) or play in continuous motion. I then saved my flag animation, used the Copy feature, went to my developing Web page, and pasted it in. I now had a working animation which I had created from one still image. In my book, Paint Shop Pro is a treasure. With its two powerful image programs, designer level editing and easy animation creation, PSP is great for the professional or those just starting to work with images. The user guides are written in easy to follow steps that offer information for the beginner and the more advanced. So when you have the need for a good graphics editor or animator, keep this program in mind. It can improve your images! Systems Requirements: 486 or faster processor, Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0, 12 MB of RAM, 10 MB of available hard disk space, 256 color display adapter. Recommended System: Pentium processor with MMX technology, Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0, 32 MB or more of RAM, 40 MB or more of available hard disk space, 24-bit color display adapter at 1024x768 resolution, pressure-sensitive tablet. Paint Shop Pro 5.0 sells for $99 if ordered from the company, $80 from CompUSA, and $62 from Computer City. Neither CompUSA nor Computer City said they had it in stock; it would have to be ordered. To order directly from the company, write them at Jasc Software Inc., P.O. Box 44997, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2697 or check out their Web site, http://www.jasc.com. Their toll free number is (800) 622-2793. FAX (612) 930-9172. E-mail: orders @jasc.com Terry Flannery has taught English in San Antonio schools for 21 years. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Palo Alto College. Also, he is owner of a small printing business specializing in foil print. He has worked with computers for about 15 years, and his interests include graphics and Web based programs. |