Digital imaging applications just seem to be improving all the time. No sooner have you mastered one version, when along comes a new one. Fortunately with most upgrades you can seamlessly move from one versin to the next without a steep and time consuming learning curve. Generally the editing tools will work in a similar way. The main differences are often increased functionality and extra plug in filters etc.

It hardly seems like yesterday when Paint Shop Pro 8 was launched, now here we are on version 9. Paint Shop Pro started out as a shareware application, which proved popular with both the hobbyist and professional designers. Paint Shop Pro is a feature rich application, with many unique features not found in other imaging applications. Some of the filters are worth the asking price of PSP alone. I have written many magazine features and tutorials using PSP 6, 7 & 8 - the more I use it, the better it gets. When shooting an assignment, I don't restrict myself to just one camera or format, I use the one which I feel best suits the job in hand. Likewise with digital imaging, I don't restrict myself to just one application, I use several - even if it is just for the one filter. If you have never tried Paint Shop Pro, then download the trial version, I am sure you will find something in it for you, no matter what other application you use. Paint Shop Pro 9 trial version

I will be reviewing this latest version in detail as soon as a review copy arrives

JASC Press release:

Jasc® Software, Inc. announced today the general availability of Paint Shop Pro® Studio and Paint Shop Pro® 9 in the UK. The two new products offer digital camera users at all skill levels solutions tailored to their needs.

Paint Shop Pro Studio and Paint Shop Pro 9 are the result of Jasc's market research that clearly defined a 50/50 split among users. Half wanted a Paint Shop Pro that was more powerful and offered even more professional-strength tools for photo editing, graphic design, and digital art. The other half wanted a Paint Shop Pro that was more fun and easier to use, making photo-editing projects a reality for everybody.

Paint Shop Pro Studio is a new Jasc photo editor for consumers who want to do more than novice editing without a steep learning curve. Paint Shop Pro Studio leverages Paint Shop Pro's power and flexibility to provide photo editing and graphic design functionality that is comprehensive yet easy-to-use, making editing photos and creating graphics fun for novice and intermediate users.  An Idea Book is included to guide users through some of the most common photo projects such as photo restoration and crafting. And, to help protect, organize, find, and share photos, Paint Shop Pro Studio
also includes Paint Shop Photo Album 5 - Standard Edition, further extending its power.

Paint Shop Pro 9 is the latest version of the award-winning photo and graphics editor that advances the standard for affordable, professional photo editing, strengthening Paint Shop Pro's legacy for creative innovation. With even more advanced tools for avid and professional digital photographers, graphics hobbyists, and business professionals, Paint Shop Pro 9 integrates digital camera noise removal, a chromatic aberration removal filter, fill flash, Raw image support, and other high-end functionality often sold individually for hundreds of pounds.

Paint Shop Pro 9 also introduces a new set of integrated art media painting tools that advance the ability of digital artists and graphics hobbyists to add realistic wet and dry artwork to their photographs, illustrations, and other images. A new Mixer palette provides artists with an area to add and mix paint into custom colours.

"I've been using Paint Shop Pro for almost 10 years and continue to be amazed by the high-end functionality with a minimal learning curve," said professional photographer Jim Fuglestad. "Paint Shop Pro has everything I need to deliver high quality results for my clients."

"With the emergence of a new breed of digital camera user, expanding the Paint Shop family of digital photography products deepens our commitment to customers and the industry to empower people at all skill levels with creative license to make the most of their images," said Kris Tufto, president and CEO of Jasc Software. "Paint Shop Pro Studio is perfect for the groundswell of users requiring creative power and ease of use. Paint Shop Pro 9 adds features professionals and hobbyists demand, raising the bar for high-end image editing."

Availability
Paint Shop Pro 9 and Paint Shop Pro Studio are available at www.jasc.com and at selected retailers worldwide. Paint Shop Pro 9 is expected to retail at £99.95 and Paint Shop Pro Studio, which includes a free copy of Paint Shop Photo Album 5 - Standard Edition, is expected to retail at £69.95.

www.jasc.com