BIOS: Technology Means Business

Ulead Systems has released a new version of its entry-level image-editing application. PhotoImpact 11 has been designed to address the needs of amateur photographers while providing new interface modes that should make it simple for beginners.

The company's flagship PC image-editing software (£51.51 inc. VAT) offers easy-to-use tools for a wide range of personal and professional image and photo-editing needs. The latest version introduces an all-new interface system providing distinct modes for beginners and advanced users along with 16-bit editing/RAW support and next-generation tools for high-end digital photography and creative design.

'People getting started with digital photography don't need complexity, at the same time experienced users demand flexibility and control,' said Eldon C.M. Liu, president of Ulead. 'With PhotoImpact 11's new My Workspace modes and customisable interface, users of all levels will find the perfect set of tools for their needs and experience. We hope people will find PhotoImpact 11's Basic Photo Mode akin to a welcome mat at the doorstep of digital photography.'

The 'My Workspace' interface system offers a set of five pre-defined modes along with the ability to customise and save personal workspace layouts. Basic Photo Mode is the simplest of the ready-to-use modes, providing dedicated icons with direct access to the most commonly-used tools for acquiring, browsing, enhancing and sharing images. Specially-configured menus, toolbars and fewer option panels simplify the user interface. You can choose between Basic Photo Mode, Standard Photo Mode, Graphics Mode, Web Mode and Advanced Mode.

My Workspace customisation options allows you to configure the interface to your individual needs. Menus and toolbars can be re-organised thanks to drag and drop, and all panels may by docked or float freely for use across dual monitors. Shortcut keys and Menu and Command names are also fully customisable.

New RAW/DNG support allows you to capture full camera-image quality. Ulead's Photo Explorer 8.6, included with PhotoImpact 11, provides browsing and batch conversion of RAW files. Enhanced 16-bit editing allows for a range of automatic and manual processing tools to adjust colour and correct images in high-quality 48-bit colour depth.

New SmartCurves promise to simplify photo-tone enhancement with automatic correction of camera response curve anomalies. Based on Ulead's High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging technology, SmartCurves gives users high-quality tonal correction tailored for their camera.

The new SmartRemove Scene Compositor feature lets you selectively paint out moving elements from multiple shots of the same scene to compose an image with just the elements you want. In addition to removing unwanted elements, SmartRemove also makes it possible to create dramatic original photos by combining shots with people or objects appearing in different poses or locations.

PhotoImpact 11's new high-end photography tools include White Balance adjustment and Chromatic Aberration correction. The HDR and Color Cast tools have also been improved, says Ulead. New to PhotoImpact 11 are non-destructive Layer Masks and editable alpha-channel masks for objects. Layer Masks allow you to blend images and objects with greater flexibility.

The software now incorporates features specifically designed for video productions. The Web Component Designer, first introduced in PhotoImpact 5, now includes a range of customisable lower-third graphics for creating overlay graphics fast. A new 'Save for Video' option should simplify the process of saving graphics for video projects.

The EasyPalette library of content now includes a range of DVD menu templates that can be customised and saved for use in Ulead's DVD MovieFactory or DVD Workshop packages. Both products allow you to import menus using PhotoImpact's native UFO file format. Ulead's high-end video-editing suite, MediaStudio Pro 8, supports UFO files directly on the timeline.

PhotoImpact 11 also includes a 'Save for Mobile' option to enable you to create graphics for display on mobile phones, PDAs, Sony's PSP and other mobile devices. Save for Mobile incorporates a range of 'intelligent' templates to automatically format images to the correct size, colour depth, file format and file size for a chosen device.