Do you need the power to manipulate and change photographic content? Cheer up, because it is available in Aldus PhotoStyler version 2.01. After installing and running Aldus PhotoStyler, I was amazed at the multitude of effects I could produce on, or with, any photographic image.
PhotoStyler provides six windows or palettes to assist you in image processing. They include the Color Palette, Image Navigator, Partial Edit window, Practice Pad, Quick Command Palette, and the Tools Palette. The Color Palette allows the selection of a foreground, background, or custom color from either a default palette of values or from a color palette of your own creation. The Image Navigator provides full control over the zooming, moving, and viewing of your active image. Partial Edit enables you to work with large image files by allowing the selection of the image segment upon which you desire to work. The Practice Pad allows you to test the various tools on a sample of your active image without altering the original image. The Quick Command Palette gives instant access to frequently used and customized commands. The Tools Palette contains selection, mask, and color controls along with all of the PhotoStyler tools available for use on your images. To display all of the palettes and windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Z, which executes the Show All command.
The Tools Palette contains a number of interesting and useful features. The dodge and burn tool allows you to lighten or darken any area, or portion of an area, of your image. If your scanned image is crooked or skewed, you can use the Level Horizontal or Level Vertical command to straighten the image. PhotoStyler allows you to focus images, adjust the color balance, change the contrast and brightness, adjust midtones and saturation, create a composite image, and use masks to edit images. You can clone images and parts of images, change the size and resolution of an image, place text in your image, and cut, copy, and paste. There are enough tools available to accomplish almost any image manipulation you desire.
PhotoStyler provides extensive context-sensitive help, a search module, a glossary of image-processing terms, a section on keyboard shortcuts, and a detailed self-paced tutorial. The shortcuts section covers the management of files and workspace, access to and use of tools, zooming and viewing, editing, painting, rotation, and commands for image enhancement, to name a few.
PhotoStyler can save image files in twelve different formats (BMP, DCS, EPS, GIF, JPG, MAC, PCX, PSD, RLE, SCT, TGA, and TIF) and can open image files saved in all of the above formats, plus the PCD and PCT formats.
Included in the PhotoStyler package is ImagePals, a powerful image manager and database program, which allows the tracking and grouping of any number of image files. Using ImagePals, you can organize your images into collections of "thumbnail" representations to facilitate the finding and loading of desired images.
There are two readme files included which provide up to the minute information on corrections to the manual, memory management, using ImagePals, Object Linking and Embedding, display fonts, using proprietary (non-TWAIN) drivers, and using third-party plug-in filters.
PhotoStyler uses the KODAK PRECISION Color Management System (CMS), a universal color translator, to produce consistent, accurate color. During installation, you decide which Precision Transform (PT), a file containing all of the color characteristics for a specific device (printer, scanner, monitor), you want to use. The CMS utilizes the PT file to generate and render the original image colors on your monitor or color printer.
Requirements for PhotoStyler are at least an 80386 IBM-compatible with 6MB RAM, Windows 3.1 or higher, at least 20MB of free disk space, a mouse, and a VGA card. It is recommended, for best results, that you have an 80486 or Pentium with 8MB or more of RAM, a 200MB or larger hard disk, and a 24-bit graphics adapter card. The larger the hard disk, the better, as PhotoStyler may use some of your hard disk space as virtual memory to create a working area.
Aldus provides technical support for a period of 90 days for new users and 30 days for upgrades. Support is available Monday through Friday from 7 am to 5 pm (PST) by calling 206 628-4537. There are a number of additional programs available for obtaining support: CustomerFirst Premier Membership, CustomerFirst Basic Membership, Pay-As-You-Go Support, and Free Support Services. The first two provide tool-free access, minor software updates, and discounts on new releases (for a membership fee). Pay-As-You-Go Support is a 900 number with a $2 per minute charge applied to your phone bill, or you can instead charge the call to a major credit card. Free Support Service is automated and available 24 hours a day. You can also receive related information (at no additional charge) by fax when using this service.
PhotoStyler was installed on an 80386DX-25 IBM-compatible with 8MB of RAM, two 340MB Western Digital hard drives, DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1, a Magnavox VGA monitor, a BOCA Super VGA card with 1MB of video RAM, a Logitech mouse, a 16-bit Sound Blaster-compatible sound card, and a Panasonic multispin CD-ROM drive. I did notice a slight delay when loading and rotating images, etc. So I would recommend at least a 486 or Pentium for faster results.
Installation required about 25 minutes and proceeded without any problems. You must start with a clean system, ie., boot from a "clean" disk that contains no TSRs or virus protection software. You may perform a full installation , or you may customize the installation to your specifications. Your computer must have a 256-color mode driver installed or the on-screen photo representations will be imperfect.
PhotoStyler was provided on six 1.44MB diskettes with a bonus CD photo disk. The CD disk contained 100+ high-resolution photos with many containing a copyright symbol * in the middle of the photo.
Suggested retail price is $795 with mail order prices averaging $399. Upgrades are $146 mail order.
