Software
Review of: |
| This
program is a delightful surprise as it is bundled with Corel Print House
Magic Premium. So you get two programs in one: a print project layout program
and a photo editing and modification program. The two work in synchronisation
so that you can modify a photo, then move it into Print House to complete
the page layout of your project.
Both programs have a similar look with a large spiral bound menu on the left side of the screen and your work space taking up the rest of the screen. Arrows move you from menu to menu depending upon the tool you are using. Unique to Photo House 3 and separating it from other low cost photo editing software programs is an image spraying tool whereby you can “paint” a pre-selected image across your photo in the work space. You can modify the images being sprayed as to image size and frequency of repetition. Here granddaughter Amber is surrounded by spray painted dolls). Another outstanding feature of the program are 49 graphic borders from Auto F/X as a plug-in. By clicking on Effects, Plug-in, Auto F/X, Photo/Graphic Edges 3.0, you are presented with 49 file names to choose from. Each creates a different edge surrounding your photo. In order to remember which filename represents which edge design, I had to create a graphic of each one, save it as a thumbnail design and then print them on two pages to make quick decisions as to which I wanted to use for a particular project. If you are visiting the Alamo PC Resource Center, look in the window to your right as you enter. Each of the approximately 32 SIG signs was produced using graphic edges from Photo House 3 and clipart from Print House 4. There are no instructions that come with Photo House 3 as it comes bundled with Corel Print House 4; if you’ve used any other photo enhancement software, most of the steps and tools will be intuitive. You will end up spending hours looking around the program, experimenting with various effects, testing colors and patterns. In the process, you will be learning to use the program efficiently. Using a photo of Amber holding her doll. I clicked on the Image Spray Painter, clicked on the image selector window and chose dolls. I first sprayed around the outer edge of Amber’s photo, then clicked once to place a single doll in some of the empty areas. If you hold down the mouse button and hold it while moving the mouse very slightly, dolls will montage on top of each other. I attempted a montage of the women in my life. I first placed Marilyn
on the page and created a vignette around her head. I had control of how
much fade to use around her face. Next I placed daughter Paige and granddaughter
Amber on the page. I wanted to blend their photos in with the original
and I thought by picking the color, using the eyedropper, surrounding Marilyn’s
photo, I could then choose the spray painter, modify the spray volume,
and spray away the white backgrounds of the smaller photos. That’s when
I ran out of time to complete this review prior to the Corel Photo House 3 comes bundled with Corel Print House Magic Premium, v 4. I bought the software package for $9.99 after discounts were taken at the register. Corel Corporation |