Ulead has announced the availability of its image editing program PhotoImpact 11. The new version allows you to choose one of five 'My Workspace' modes, with a basic mode for beginners and advanced mode for high end users. Every Workspace can be customized to configure the workspace to your individual needs. Other features include 16-bit editing, RAW/DNG support, editable alpha-channel masks for objects and in a nod to Photoshop, PhotoImpact 11 now offers non-destructive Layer Masks. PhotoImpact 11 will be available from October priced £49.99. Owners of previous editions will be able to upgrade for £29.99 via the website.

Press Release:

Ulead Introduces New Version of PhotoImpact Image Editing Software.

PhotoImpact 11 answers the needs of professional photographers while providing new interface modes that make it simple for beginners

Northampton September 23rd 2005, Ulead Systems, Inc., a 16-year industry leader in video, image and DVD software, today announced the release of Ulead® PhotoImpact® 11, Ulead’s flagship PC image-editing software offering easy-to-use tools for a wide range of personal and professional image and photo-editing needs. The latest version introduces an all-new interface system providing distinct modes for beginners and advanced users along with 16-bit editing/RAW support and next-generation tools for high-end digital photography and creative design.

“People getting started with digital photography don’t need complexity, at the same time experienced users demand flexibility and control,” said Mark Wurdemann, UK Marketing Manager for Ulead, “With PhotoImpact 11’s new My Workspace modes and customizable interface, users of all levels will find the perfect set of tools for their needs and experience. We hope people will find PhotoImpact 11’s Basic Photo Mode akin to a welcome mat at the doorstep of digital photography.”

Features and Benefits:

Flexible Interface System.
The “My Workspace” interface system offers a set of five pre-defined modes along with the ability to customize and save personal workspace layouts. Basic Photo Mode is the simplest of the ready-to-use modes, providing large easy-to-identify icons with direct access to the most commonly used tools for acquiring, browsing, enhancing and sharing images. Specially configured menus, toolbars and fewer option panels simplify the user interface for new and casual users. They can choose between Basic Photo Mode, Standard Photo Mode, Graphics Mode, Web Mode and Advanced Mode.

My Workspace customization options allow users to configure the interface to their individual needs. Menus and toolbars can be re-organized with drag-and-drop ease. All panels may by docked or float freely for comfortable use across dual monitors. Shortcut keys and Menu and Command names are also fully customizable.

Unique High-End Digital Photography Tools.
PhotoImpact 11 offers photography enthusiasts features that make the camera just the beginning for high-end digital photography. New RAW/DNG support allows users to capture full camera-image quality. Ulead® Photo Explorer 8.6, included with PhotoImpact 11, provides intuitive browsing and batch conversion of RAW files. Enhanced 16-bit editing allows for a range of automatic and manual processing tools to adjust color and correct images in high-quality 48-bit color depth.

Powerful new SmartCurves dramatically simplifies photo-tone enhancement with automatic correction of camera response curve anomalies. Based on Ulead’s advanced HDR imaging technology, SmartCurves gives users high-quality tonal correction tailored for their camera.

For perfect photo compositions, revolutionary new SmartRemove Scene Compositor lets users selectively paint out moving elements from multiple shots of the same scene to compose an image with just the elements they want. In addition to removing unwanted elements, SmartRemove also makes it possible to create dramatic original photos by combining shots with people or objects appearing in different poses or locations.

PhotoImpact 11 new high-end photography tools include White Balance adjustment and Chromatic Aberration correction. The High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Color Cast tools have also been improved.

Enhanced Creative Options:
New to PhotoImpact 11 are non-destructive Layer Masks, editable alpha-channel masks for objects. Layer Masks allow users to blend images and objects in creative compositions with even greater flexibility.

With more and more users creating video projects and authoring DVDs for personal, business or education applications, PhotoImpact now incorporates features specifically designed for video productions. The Web Component Designer, first introduced in PhotoImpact 5, now includes a range of customizable lower-third graphics that make creating compelling overlay graphics simple and fast. A new “Save for Video” option simplifies the process of saving graphics for video projects.

The EasyPalette™ library of ready-to-use content now includes a range of DVD menu templates that can be customized and saved for use in Ulead® DVD MovieFactory® or Ulead® DVD Workshop®. Both products allow users to import menus using PhotoImpact’s native UFO file format. Ulead’s high-end video-editing suite, MediaStudio® Pro 8, supports UFO files directly on the timeline.

PhotoImpact 11 also includes a “Save for Mobile” option to enable users to easily create graphics for display on mobile phones, PDAs, the Sony® PSP and other mobile devices. Save for Mobile incorporates a range of intelligent templates to automatically format images to the correct size, color depth, file format and file size for a chosen device.

Pricing and Availability:
The box version and electronic download (ESD) of PhotoImpact 11 will be available via the Ulead website please click here for £49.99 inc Vat at the beginning of October. The boxed version will also be available from PC World, Staples, Jessops, Microwarehouse, Dabs.co, Saversoftware and Amazon.co.uk. An upgrade edition will be offered for owners of previous versions from the Ulead online Store and selected e-tailers starting at just £29.99 inc Vat for the ESD download.