To get to version 12, a software application must have something that people like. In the case of Ulead Photoimpact 12, that something is powerful photo-editing tools on a par with much more expensive applications.

Recent revisions have seen Ulead try to balance this power with ease-of-use features to make the program more appealing to novice digital camera users. This latest version takes it further in that direction.

The new ExpressFix mode provides a subset of the program’s features and some specially designed tools aimed at new users and those who want to enhance their photos with minimum fuss and bother. It provides big before and after preview screens and a range of automatic and semi-automatic processes designed to fix problems and enhance overall photo quality.

Two of these, namely Reduce Noise and Smart Curves, are single-click processes. The others (Overall Exposure, Subject Exposure, Colour Cast, Colour Saturation, Focus and Beautify Skin) produce thumbnail preset variations from which you can choose your favourite. These are customisable so, for example, you can adjust the contrast and brightness using sliders within the Overall Exposure tool.

Full Edit mode provides access to Photoimpact’s numerous editing tools. There’s everything you’d expect from an advanced photo editor including smart selection tools, cloning, layers, layer masks and vector drawing tools. However, novices will struggle to get to grips with the Full Edit mode and Ulead would do well to simplify it a little.

Photoimpact 12 also includes features that, although not unique, are at least implemented in an original fashion. Its High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature is one of the best around and SmartRemove helps you remove unwanted elements from multiple shots of the same scene.

The lack of interactive help has been a long-standing criticism of Photoimp act, but it has now been addressed with the introduction of a SmartGuide panel which provides step-by-step guidance through common editing tasks together with links to the appropriate tools.

Those hoping for lots of new features will be disappointed, but newcomers to photo editing will be well-served by the ease-of-use improvements introduced in this version.

Also consider:
Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0
A solid – if unspectacular – upgrade to Adobe’s popular photo-editor

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI
This aging photo-editor can still learn a few new tricks

Serif Album Plus 4
An easy to learn package, but pretty limited

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