PhotoPlus X6

I have used PaintShop Pro for many years. I updated a year ago to Corel's most recent variation on that product, and have found it painful. I was delighted to find this tool, whose interface is almost identical to that of the PaintShop Pro 5, which has remained on my machines for its ease of use. Finally, I may give that up, as I was instantly at ease with PhotoPlus X6.

Awful. Have tried everything to do the simple photo editing things and can get it to work. Not user friendly AT ALL. The "enhance photo" option to allow the software to automatically enhance the photo turns everyone in the photo orange. I want my money back. :(

As a long time Photoshop user, I was looking for a competent replacement as I am no longer involved in a job role that mandates having access to the latest Adobe CC offering. Adobe CC is great---but I certainly don't need to spend $120 a year just for Photoshop and Lightroom ($10 a month for Adobe's lowest package offering), and there are competent replacements for the other Adobe products that don't require a subscription.Having used some of Serif's products in the past and had a good experience, I took a chance on PhotoPlus X6, thinking that it should be able to duplicate most of what I was looking for.For the projects I work on I am most interested in non-destructive filter and layer effects. In terms of the "raw" features I need, PhotoPlus X6 hits most of the major checkboxes---non-destructive effects for bevel, dropshadow, saturation, contrast, color balance; a reasonable assortment of brushes; ability to do fast and easy pattern stamping. The interface is mostly in the same vein as Photoshop, which is a plus, since it's what I'm used to, so I felt at home almost immediately using it.As long as you approach your use of the program from a reasonably "casual" viewpoint, the app shines. Quick adjustments, a crop here or there, a minor content replacement there, and everything works and runs reasonably smoothly.However, as soon as you start to push the envelope at all, things don't go so well. First, I wouldn't recommend attempting to do anything with images larger than 10 megapixels, simply due to the speed of the rendering engine. Simply put, images that I used to edit in Photoshop with dozens of layers and adjustments at 12 megapixel sizes simply chokes on PhotoPlus. Changing layer states, moving between tools, ANYTHING you do when working on large sized images with layers and effects takes 3-5 seconds just for the tools to respond.Like I say, for simple, minimal adjustments the speed difference is negligible, but once you start adding on layers and effects, Photoshop quickly pulls ahead as the superior choice for speed.For me the speed difference is by far the most troubling, but there's other niggles that get under my skin. One, there's no text on a path support, which I use extensively; you're basically limited to straight-line text. Two, the blur tool simply doesn't work in any way that feels intuitive compared to Photoshop. Photoshop's blur tool feels intuitive and "right" out of the box; I had to spend a good hour fiddling with the various tool settings to get PhotoPlus's to come anywhere close to it (and it still doesn't work right).While Serif's non-destructive pattern/bump mapping layer effects can create some impressive visuals, doing something as simple a texture pattern overlay layer is an exercise in frustration.All told, PhotoPlus X6 ends up being exactly what you'd expect from a company running from behind the market leader---for the price it's a decent piece of software, but it's nothing to rave about. The "big picture" features and tools are there and mostly work as intended, but moderate to power users will find themselves wistfully sighing for the elegance and usability that's missing.

I've used this program in several versions over the last few years. I'm not a professional photographer but I do a lot of photography and have found this program to do all of the functions I need and it's reasonable to figure out. For the price it does a great job of editing photos. As for the registering it's been a good deal for me I get half price upgrades and they are a very easy company to get help from.

I haven't had a chance to play with this. Too busy getting Christmas baking done.

Very nice software. Fast delivery!!

I actaually got the PhotoPlus x6 from the Family Software Suite Deluxe On DVD on amazon.It's a great software introduction to photo editing. I did not encounter bugs except one. But no crash like other people mention. I bought Paintshop pro x6 and sold it. I found PhotoPlus a bit better, while less used, the forum is helpfull and the tools processing work faster than PSPx6. The interface is simple to use and I almost finish reading the manual. I had a couple of questions that where answered in the forum. I use it in conjunction with Lightroom. Lightroom does not do everything. I prefer PPx6 compare to photoshop that would take me years to master and alot of money. If your not to make any or little money with your pictures or just personal use: avoid Photoshop too $$. And avoid Photoshop Elements, that software is a joke and have alot less tools than PPX6. Also avoid Gimp, it's really a pain.If you are still not sure between PSP and PP, just look at the cut out tool, you will see PP is far superior product.

Crashy, quirky, poor work flow... Don't waste your money ! I removed it from my system and purchased the latest Photoshop Elements which is much more intuitive with much better features.I do not recommend this software!