Whats the best software package to edit the digital shots for printing? I am using Kodak picture easy, Photo editor, at the present. Anyone have suggestion for better ??

-- jess russell (jar@hpnc.com), April 22, 1999

Answers

I like Photoshop 5. The features are sometimes a bit hard to find, but it's a professional program that renders excellent results. Programs like Picture Easy, Picture It, etc I have found to be too "sequential" for me. There's an inherent assumption that you always edit pictures via a step-by-step process (do this first, then do that, next do this). While you can "jump around" in these programs they are clearly designed around the step-be-step process. You may like that, I don't. I like the Photoshop paradigm - which is pretty much just a big bucket-o-tools and you grab whichever one inspires you at the moment and use it. They could do some things better, their rotation is good, but clumsy to use.

Don't judge Photoshop by the other Adobe photo editors - they're different beasts. Visit a friend with Photoshop 4x or 5x and try it out - remember that it may take a little time to cozy up to.

I've played with Corel, but find that it's non-intuitive for Windows users (just an opinion folks - don't jump on me too hard). It is, however, amazingly powerful.

Once you get going I'd also recommend a Wacom Intuos tablet. You can use the tools in a way you're hand has learned to work for the past years. The back of the "pen" works just like an eraser too. It's just too much fun.

For Photoshop info you can go to http://www.adobe.com

For Wacom information go to http://www.wacom.com

Des

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), April 23, 1999.

Jess,

For a low cost, easy to use and highly functional package you might give MGI PhotoSuite II a try. It retails for $40 to $50. MGI's website is www.mgisoft.com. I've tried the latest release of Microsoft Picture-It! (Picture-It 99), but I like PhotoSuite II much better. Of course, if budget is not a concern, Adobe Photoshop is in a class of it's own. It'll probably set you back about $500, or so. But keep in mind, Photoshop has a very steep learning curve if you expect to make use of extremely wide array of functions.

-- Tony DeMore (tdemore@hotmail.com), April 23, 1999.

Hi, Photoshop is, hands down, the most powerful, most accurate tool available. Nothing else even comes close. About the cost, IF you are a student, you can buy Photoshop for about $295 rather than the $500. They sell an 'educational version' on most campuses for that amount. Also, some vendors will sell you that version as well. It's identical to the regular version.

Regards, Howard

-- Howard (hposner1@swarthmore.edu), April 24, 1999.

Paint Shop Pro is about as close as you can come to PhotoShop but for $440-$500 less. It has some very good tools, works with layers, and is super for someone on a leaner budget than the PhotoShop guys (don't get me wrong, I'd love to have PhotoShop but it's too expensive). I use it all the time and find it very valuable.......

-- Ralph (kanman@sound.net), May 03, 1999.