A Look at some new imaging choices
As much as I love to try new technologies and software, I'm really a "stick in the mud" when I find a software that I just love. For instance, I still have an Adobe Photoshop Elements Version 2 installed--and I use it. I actually used it today. I taught students and teachers to use it, it was reliable, and did everything I needed and more. I never minded a slow load, because it was always worth the wait. I also love how easily iPhoto works, too. For that matter, I'm really impressed with how easily Microsoft's new PowerPoint works with images, too. And, don't you just hate when someone shares new software! Having said that, let me share a few.
There's a new PhotoShop Elements Version 7, Corel has Painter Version 11, and Serif has Draw Plus X3. Yep, sound like images by the numbers.
Corel's Painter 11 treats students like professional artists, and gives them the feel of real brush strokes. And best of all--no clean up required. I like the idea that students can actually see their own work in the style of the great masters.
Serif, named for the font, is a PC software, but they're working on the Mac version. Besides Draw, Serif has K12 Web and Photo Design software.
Adobe PhotoShop Elements 7 hasn't lost what made it appeal to me and my students, but it sure has make it easier. Things that used to take a few, or more steps are now a click.
If you add Premiere to the mix, you have everything needed for video editing as well. I've used iMovie, Final Cut Express, and others--and like them all. Adobe Premiere 7 is huge software, but it was pretty easy to use, and made posting to YouTube simple.
Note: As an editor I've used Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, and InCopy. Photoshop is alway like going home, and I compare everything else to it.
