Jasc at http://www.jasc.com just continues to make an already good program better. Paint Shop Pro 6’s (PSP6) ease of use allows you to easily capture, create, enhance, and optimize your graphic projects. Whether you’re creating web graphics or just wanting to work on a digital photo, PSP6 gives you the tools to do the job easily.

I’ve reviewed this program a couple of times in the past, and I’m not going into all of its abilities again, but considering all of the newly added features it bears a third article…. because, if you aren’t using it… you should be.

I have nearly all of the upper end graphic programs like Adobe’s PhotoShop and Corel’s Photo-Paint, but they all take so long to load that they are almost bothersome. Not so with PSP6. I have always used PSP to do all my scanning because it starts so much quicker and doesn’t use near the overhead or computer resources that the others do. Now, I’m not saying that PSP6 is better than the upper end stuff, but it sure comes real close. And, if you want to talk about what’s better, then let’s talk about price. JASC sells PSP6 direct over the Web as a download for $99, or delivered FedEx or UPS for $109. Some resellers are selling it for the same price plus a $30 rebate. And if you’re lucky enough to already own it, and you should, the upgrade is only $49. Considering all the tools you get with PSP6, plus Animation Shop 2, that’s relatively inexpensive when compared to the upper end programs.

One of PSP’s weaknesses in the past has been its text tool, but not anymore. Now text can be created as a selection on the current layer, as a floating selection above the current layer, or added as a vector object on its own layer that can be edited, deformed, and moved. Text is placed horizontally unless a path is created. When created on a path, the text follows the path.

Also new to PSP6 are many other new features and enhancements that include powerful new gradient options, a wide variety of new image effects and deformations, color adjustment layers, expanded digital camera support, multiple image printing and optimization features for producing high-quality web graphics with the smallest possible file sizes. Below is a list of new features and enhancements that JASC lists on their web site:

Editable Text and Drawing Tools

• Editable Text with Character-level Formatting
• Vector Drawing Tools
• Object Manipulation & Node Editing
• Text on a Path

Creative Tools

• Multiple Color Gradients
• Special Effects and Filters
• Enhanced Non-build up brush tools

Web Graphics Solutions

• JPEG Optimizer
• GIF Optimizer
• Animation Shop 2

Digital Imaging Solutions

• Expanded Digital Camera Support
• Adjustment Layers
• Multiple Image Printing

Productivity Enhancements

• Browser File Management
• OLE Screen Capture
• Multiple-level Redo
• Expanded File Format Support

Product Refinements

• Enhanced Control Palette
• Enhanced Tool Options palette
• Enhanced Layers palette for Mask creation
• Roll up feature for tool palettes which minimizes palette
• Enhanced Zoom Tool
• New Recent Colors dialog window
• Numeric edit controls for precise input
• Enhanced Help system
• Eraser mode support for pressure sensitive tablets
• Enhanced Picture Tubes for easier installation and use
• Visual preview pane for Picture Tube options palette
• New preference which defaults saved file type to last format saved
• Multiple-level Undo, Redo and a Command History

And with Animation Shop 2 included, you can also:

• Quickly create animations using built-in wizards
• Edit animations with drag-and-drop flexibility
• Apply high-quality image and text effects
• Optimize and export animations for use on the web
• Optimize and export animations for presentations with full integration with PSP6

All things considered this program should already be part of your arsenal of software. If it isn’t, get it. You won’t be disappointed with this one! u