Software Review of:
PhotoImpact 
Version 5 

My experience with graphic software is limited at best so learning how to use this software took a little work. Unfortunately, the review package didn’t include any printed documentation so I relied on the PhotoImpact web site for help in getting started. The help menu connected me directly to Ulead’s PhotoImpact’s web site. The first thing I learned about PhotoImpact 5 was that it was already obsolete since Ulead had already released PhotoImpact 6. Luckily they still provided strong support for version 5 including downloadable patches, tutorials, and a wealth of help information.

In addition to the standard help table of contents and index, the help page included several special features including Using PhotoImpact, References, and Tutorials. Being a novice user, I appreciated the Using PhotoImpact help section that offered detailed instructions on completing single tasks. This section covered 11 major subjects including painting & cloning, 3D objects, and special effects. These easy to follow topics provided step by step instructions for completing various tasks. After checking out the help I was ready to dig into the program and have some fun.

PhotoImpact has many special effects filters and other graphic tools to help with editing. I used several effects to add a professional touch to a digital photo of my grandson. When you have found a setting you particularly like, the customizable EasyPalette allows it to be saved for future use on other images. This feature is neat because I never can remember the exact commands or keystrokes needed to get something done the same way twice.

Trying to figure out the best type of photo file extension to use with a project can be difficult but with PhotoImpact you can visually see what the output JPEG, GIF or PNG file will look like. Just save the file to JPEG, GIF or PNG format and the use the “Invoke Options dialog box” option to see what the final results will be. When working with objects it’s sometimes difficult to make them the size you need. With PhotoImpact there are several ways that make it easy to change the size of an object. I created some great looking frames for my pictures and resized them for printing. 

When I’m editing pictures I always try different effects until I get the desired effect. PhotoImpact encourages changes and experimentation. Until a change is accepted, each one is preserved as an independent item (object) that can be further modified without affecting any other part of the image. This offers better control of finished projects because I can decide at any time when to accept changes.

If you’re interested in creating and editing Web graphics there is a “Web Component Designer” to create images for the Web. There are over 800 pre-designed samples to choose from. To create an image map you simply define each spot as an object, and then use object properties to enter the URL for each spot. Select these objects and use Web Image Map Assistant to output the HTML document. Another nice feature is the Web Background Designer that creates unique textured backgrounds ideally suited for use as backgrounds for Web pages. Finally, if you’re not into writing HTML code, the HTML Assistant may be just what the doctor ordered. This feature quickly generates HTML code for Web pages. For example, once the attributes have been selected for the background color or image, click To Clipboard to copy the HTML code. Switch to the HTML author and simply paste in the code.

The installation of PhotoImpact was simple and completed without a hitch. I had it loaded and running within a matter of minutes. The minimum system requirements are Intel Pentium or above compatible system, Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT4.0, (or above.) 32MB of RAM, 180 MB of available hard disk space, CD-ROM Drive, True Color or High Color display and monitor, Mouse or WinTab compatible pressure-sensitive graphics tablet. My IBM Aptiva with 96MB of RAM handled this program fine but I still grew impatient when some editing work took more than several minutes to render. The basic rule of thumb when working with graphics is the more RAM the better. 

The bottom line is PhotoImpact is an effective object-oriented image editing program that is fun to use, fairly easy to learn, and priced right. Registered owners of PhotoImpact 5 can upgrade to PhotoImpact 6 the Box Edition for $59.95 or the Download version for $49.95 at the www.ulead.com Web site. You can take a free test drive of PhtoImpact6 by downloading a 30-day trial at http://www.ulead.com/pi/trial.htm. Have fun and enjoy the ride!