Review by midnight122

PaintShop Pro has long been considered the cheaper (and sometimes lighter duty) alternative to Adobe PhotoShop. Each product has it strengths and weaknesses, but those considering a purchase of PaintShop Pro are usually broken into two groups: (1) you want a powerful suite to edit photos but do not want to learn PhotoShop or (2) cannot afford PhotoShop and want the best bang for your buck.

Previous owners of PaintShop will likely love or hate this version. They have made positive improvements and add many features. Nike Color Efex Pro 3, and HDR (high dynamic range) module, and selective focus are among the additions. There are other changes, but those are some of the most desired new features that people want to see in photo software today.

If you are looking for a powerful photo editing suite that is fairly quick and easy to learn, then try PaintShop Pro. The learning curve isn’t as bad as with PhotoShop and you still get a software suite that is packed with features that can handle everything from amateur home to use to many professional tasks. You will have to take time to learn every feature, but you can start doing basic tasks very quickly. The same goes for people who would love to have PhotoShop, but would like to stay on a budget. PaintShop Pro offers one of the best bangs for your buck on the market.

The user interface is great. You see all the necessary photo information without having to go to multiple windows. Previews are excellent with thumbnail layouts that work. I found that the workflow of editing, managing, and sharing images in PaintShop Pro was quick and simple.