Editing file mp3

Easy-to-Use Image Editing

PhotoSuite's reputation for ease of use has made it a market leader in entry-level image editing. PhotoSuite 4.0 Platinum Edition ($49.95 list) adds a new dimension: sharing pictures on the Web.

Based on browser code, PhotoSuite looks as familiar as a typical Web page. The Navigation Bar links the various modes (Get, Prepare, Compose, Organize, Share, Print, or Browse), and a toolbar displays only those tools that are available in the current mode. An Activity Panel shows options, commands, or step-by-step guides, according to the selected mode or tool.

Although the new Web page templates are limited, you can animate text, use a variety of special effects, and add animated GIFs. But editing your Web page is awkward and nonintuitive. On the other hand, PhotoSuite's sophisticated Panorama controls have been extended, so you can easily create an attractive, interactive 360-degree image and add it to your Web page. Also, e-mailing photos has been simplified, with control over the size, type of file, and ways to send it, while allowing sophisticated effects.

PhotoSuite still has no selection or eraser tools in Compose mode, where photos and other elements are pasted into a collage. But in Prepare mode, you can now save cutouts of a picture, then use them as objects in your collages. Other new tools include a Photo Sprayer, customizable tiles for Photo Tapestry, a slide-show screen saver, and support for MP3 files. PhotoSuite can now use some Photoshop plug-ins, but they are not fully integrated, so you can't, say, control the colors of filters like Charcoal.

Once you understand which mode lets you do what activity, the interface is quite easy to use. What's more, the context-sensitive help is thorough and clear. But the logic of the usually intelligent segmentation does break down occasionally. For instance, while all other print functions are found in Print mode, you must use Compose to print different pictures on a single page.

If you need business-quality image editing or Web design or are looking for a program that grows with you as you learn, you may be frustrated by PhotoSuite's purposeful limitations. But novices will find PhotoSuite 4.0 Platinum Edition a fun-to-use program that yields quick results.