Review by P. B. Sharp

PhotoDirector Ultra is a very valuable addition to your picture editing software. The only criticism I can make of this handsomely outfitted program is that it will allow you to import photos in JEPG, TIFF and RAW but not PNG. Many of my images, which are stored in my picture editor ACDSee, are in PNG format because of PNG’s lossless data compression. Many of my images are big because they eventually go on tee shirts or posters but need to be uploaded to my company in condensed form. It is a simple matter to convert the images to JEPG before sending them to PhotoDirector, but I wish this step was not necessary.

The software works with Windows 7. Windows 8, Vista and XP 32 bit, but with XP Service Pack 3 is required. It supports Mac OS. The 350 MB package downloaded to my Windows 7 Ultimate without a hitch. In a single package you can organize your photos, adjust, edit and share. The editors say PhotoDirector exceeds the capabilities of PhotoShop Lightroom.

The five PhotoDirector Modules appear at the top of your canvas.

Library- where your imported photos will be stored. While in the library your images can be sorted by tagging them, plunking them into a smart collection, album or folder.

Adjustments- this is a fine playpen where you can whip your photo into shape and plug and play. Instant views of your adjustments can be seen by running your mouse over the thumbnails of imported Images at the bottom of your canvas. All of the adjustments are on your left. Tones, brightness and subtle tinges, red eye, cropping, the application of presets and literally hundreds of face lifts can be applied to your photos. Sliders can be manipulated to zero in on exactly the effect that you want. An HDR (high dynamic range) selection allows you to apply brilliant color to an image.

Edit- here you apply makeover tools to your portraits. Zapping wrinkles, smoothing skin, re-shaping an out of shape bod will make you popular with your friends whose pictures you manipulate. The Eye Blinger lets you brighten eyes, darken lashes and eyebrows and much more via special brushes. Watermarks can also be applied from this module and are created here, too.

Slideshow- Slideshows are created here and can be accompanied by music and exported to UTube if you wish. The booklet that is included with PhotoDirector explains how to do this. All of the modules are covered in this Users Guide and explained with easy to follow directions.

Print- here you can customize the layout, and the way images are displayed and more by zooming, rotating and other maneuvers.

PhotoDirector4 Ultra has a lot to offer for the money. You can download it as a trial to see if it’s for you. I am very comfortable with this software and look forward to generating some exciting images. When you design tee shirts, you have to be pretty exciting or you sink fast. My tee shirt company posts 150,000 products A DAY. It’s a jungle out there!