Adobe Photoshop Elements

Billed as a tool for "...customers who have outgrown the templates and guided activities in Adobe PhotoDeluxe but who don't need all of the professional features in Photoshop," Adobe Photoshop Elements is a digital image capture and editing package targeted to mid-range users; i.e., hobbyists, amateurs, or business users. The package was built with this audience specifically in mind, and contains multiple tools and features to help them create imaging effects like the pros. Among these features are built in context-sensitive "Hints" and task "Recipes," guiding users through the use of the tools and educating them on how to achieve specific effects; a Quick Start Screen, online Help, and Tutorials.

Among the tools and functions available with Adobe Photoshop Elements are automatic straightening and cropping of scanned photos; "Backlight" and "Fill Flash" tools to adjust the exposure of specific areas of a photo; and dodge, burn, and sponge tools to change the look of a photo section. Additionally, users can merge multiple images together into a single panoramic image, use layers to work with a multiple image composite, apply and modify text directly to images, apply styles, shapes, or symbols from a built-in library, and use brush tools to simulate painting and drawing effects.

Of specific interest to Web masters and Internet developers is the ability to add 3D effects and buttons to images, as well as a GIF animation tool and real-time image compression tools to create graphics with file sizes optimized for Web usage.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is available now, with an estimated street price of $99. Visit the Adobe Web site for further information.