When people
ask me what software should they get to care for
their digital images, I nearly always recommend
Google Picasa. It is a fantastic piece of free
software which works straight out of the box and
provides good cataloguing and basic, but easy-
to-use image editing tools. However, once they
realise the limits of Picasa and are looking to
extend their skills, it is more difficult to
recommend a solution as there so many on the
market.
One such product is ACDSee Pro 2 which takes digital imaging skills to the next level. It has an excellent cataloguing system, allowing you view your digital media by categories such as people and places, by rating or by auto category such as camera make, aperture and a comprehensive range of other choices. ACD get a 9/10 rating for this well thought out and genuinely useful feature.
Once you have organised your photographs, then you will naturally want to edit them and there is a good range of tools which will suit beginner and expert alike.
Full control of exposure, shadows/highlights and colour balance is provided for and implemented in an uncomplicated, intuitive manner. There are no floating palettes, just simple, but effective, tabs along with the ability to preview adjustments comparing the old and the new.
One feature that I really liked was selections. This allows you to select an area and then apply the adjustments or effects just to the selection. No layers needed. This is simple, honest fare. I also like the ability to clone and heal images. Removing unwanted objects has never been easier. Duplicating objects is just as simple and the casual observer will never know the difference. If you need to apply effects, you will find a large selection available, although I think that these could be extended to compete with other products.
The other feature that is amazingly easy to use and very effective is the slide show option. Just select your slides and either do an auto slide show or have a variety of transitions along with audio. ACD have done a good job of making this intuitive – no need to read the manual. I could mention many of the other features of this excellent product but I suppose the acid test is whether it is worthwhile buying instead of using a free product. If you want to extend your digital imaging skills, ACDSee Pro 2 should be on your shortlist. Recommended.
Overall - 4.5 Out Of 5
One such product is ACDSee Pro 2 which takes digital imaging skills to the next level. It has an excellent cataloguing system, allowing you view your digital media by categories such as people and places, by rating or by auto category such as camera make, aperture and a comprehensive range of other choices. ACD get a 9/10 rating for this well thought out and genuinely useful feature.
Once you have organised your photographs, then you will naturally want to edit them and there is a good range of tools which will suit beginner and expert alike.
Full control of exposure, shadows/highlights and colour balance is provided for and implemented in an uncomplicated, intuitive manner. There are no floating palettes, just simple, but effective, tabs along with the ability to preview adjustments comparing the old and the new.
One feature that I really liked was selections. This allows you to select an area and then apply the adjustments or effects just to the selection. No layers needed. This is simple, honest fare. I also like the ability to clone and heal images. Removing unwanted objects has never been easier. Duplicating objects is just as simple and the casual observer will never know the difference. If you need to apply effects, you will find a large selection available, although I think that these could be extended to compete with other products.
The other feature that is amazingly easy to use and very effective is the slide show option. Just select your slides and either do an auto slide show or have a variety of transitions along with audio. ACD have done a good job of making this intuitive – no need to read the manual. I could mention many of the other features of this excellent product but I suppose the acid test is whether it is worthwhile buying instead of using a free product. If you want to extend your digital imaging skills, ACDSee Pro 2 should be on your shortlist. Recommended.
Overall - 4.5 Out Of 5
ACD Systems ACDSee Pro 2 Software Review