Corel PhotoImpact

Editors’ Review

Perhaps a touch less powerful than the most elaborate photo-editing packages, Corel has expanded Ulead’s PhotoImpact and blown it up. The download file is nearly double the size of the last version, but PhotoImpact X3 makes a concerted effort to compete with Adobe. Positioned between Elements and Photoshop, this app delivers everything most users need: editing tools, effects, and ready-made elements for creations.

The wide variety of textures, frames, effects, animations, and brushes wouldn’t necessarily justify the download, but the app is more or less a snap to use. Wizard dialogs let you instantly create attractive and functional Web-page objects, including buttons, image maps, bullets, and backgrounds. The program works with layers, too. The traditional photo-editing interface has only one peculiarity: the main docked panel, which can hold all the other panels and quickly hide and show them. It also lets you quickly switch among work-space layouts. Beginners, for instance, can display just the controls for basic editing.

All in all, this powerful graphics program will appeal to photographers and Web designers who need a significantly cheaper alternative to monster packages such as Photoshop.

Full Specifications

What’s new in version X3

Version X3 includes Corel Painter Essentials 3 Full Version, Slideshow Prep Wizard, and new crop tools.

General

Release November 8, 2008 Date Added January 15, 2008 Version X3

Operating Systems

Operating Systems Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista Additional Requirements None

Popularity

Total Downloads 2,958,230 Downloads Last Week 46