A fantastic graphics program (Paint Shop Pro 7.0)

Member Name: jennikitten

Product:	Paint Shop Pro 7.0
Date:	02/12/08 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good range of features, easy running

Disadvantages: Not quite as good as Photoshop

This program is getting on a bit now - after 8.0 was released it got sold to Corel who brought out an 'X' version.

Having tried version 8, I have to say that 7 remains my favourite graphics program for editing.

It's easy to install on one disk, with optional extras to install if you're really keen.

So what is it? Basically, it's a much cheaper version of Photoshop, without a lot of its gimmicky 'effect' features (sometimes useful, but it depends what you're using it for). It's several hundred pounds less than Photoshop, takes up less space and opens and closes without difficulty for most computer users - Photoshop tends to crash more frequently for me.

It's still pretty powerful, and you can use it to make and edit graphics with the range of tools on offer from freehand drawing to gradients to shapes and preset 3D images. Perhaps one of the most used features (at least for me) are the brushes; you can make or download them for free from the Internet and use them for outlines, swirly patterns, grunge effects and much more. For me this is definitely one of the biggest advantages - the fact that you can download lots of custom extras for free just by googling around and following the simple install instructions.

The package I bought, the Anniversary edition, comes with Jasc Animation Shop. This is great for making backgrounds transparent and creating and editing frames to make moving buttons, logos and general images.

Together these two programs are definitely worth such a low price tag, and will be even cheaper now as they are quite old. Definitely worth buying.

Summary: Oldie but goodie

Reliability:
Ease of use:
Installation:
Noise:
Speed:
Variety of features: