Review by R. Pickman

Let me start off by saying that this is by no means a bad software package. I gave it an overall 3 stars because it is middle-of-the-road. That middle-of-the-road is its primary flaw.

I’m an advanced user. I’ve used software like Photoshop for years to create digital paintings, texture maps as well as to perform intensive photo editing on assets for films and interactive software. Serif PhotoPlus X4 offers a host of photo editing tools while stripping away a lot of the non-photo editing options contained in the more expensive suites like Photoshop. The software knows its purpose and performs it well.

The only criticism I have for it is that it’s a little too specific. Professional photographers and design studios are going to want the extra bells and whistles that the full blown, industry standard, software packages provide. They are not in the market for a $25-$50 software package that only satisfies their basic photo-editing needs. The amateur photographer can easily perform a google search and find several reputable free-ware software packages that offer the same tools found in here.

So who is this software for? The only demographic that I really see showing an interest would be the semi-professional starting up their own business with limited funding. However, depending on their success, they will probably be making the upgrade to more powerful and full-featured software packages within a year or so. As I mentioned, this isn’t bad software, it just doesn’t really have its place.