Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Photo Editing Software.

Ratings

Ease of Use

This is one of the most important features that we at Photo Editing Software Review look for. Is the product user-friendly? In other words, is it easy to use for beginners and experienced computer users alike? Are the features and instructions easily understood? Are the features difficult to find?

Importing

This refers to how you retrieve the image files from various sources. (e.g. digital cameras, CD, removable devices).

Editing

This encompasses all of the features that allow you to improve or add to your photo. (e.g. lighting adjustment, effects, text, etc.)

Sharing

Are there built-in features to make your photo sharing easy? How many different methods of sharing your photos are there? (i.e. web galleries, email, CD slideshows, etc.)

Output Capabilities

Images are stored several different ways depending on how they will be used. This section refers to how versatile and effective the product is at saving images for different environments. (e.g. printing, emailing, web, etc.)

Organizing

Does the product come with photo organizing capabilities? Are you able to quickly view thumbnails? Can you search for images by keywords or rating? Can you view EXIF (digital camera data)? Can you store your images in permanent albums? Are there image archiving capabilities?

Help/Support

Are there easily accessible support options? Is the documentation useful and explanatory? Are there tutorials to explain difficult concepts or options? Is the technical support available and knowledgeable?

Importing

Digital Camera

Does the software detect digital cameras and allow you to import the images to your hard drive?

Removable Media (CD, SmartCard)

Removable Media refers to external devices that store information that you can transfer to your hard drive. (e.g. CD, SmartCard, Zip drive, etc.) Does the software transfer or open images from your removable media for editing?

Scanner

Does the software allow you to import (open) images that are being scanned?

Screen Capture

Some software has a built-in screen capture feature so you can take a picture of your computer screen or specific windows.

Still Images from Video

Some software can capture specific frames from digital video.

Sample Images Included

Some products ship with CDs or downloadable images to add to your creative resource pool. It's not limited to images only. It could include fonts, templates, illustrations or video.

Editing

Standard edits

All photo editing software reviewed includes red eye removal, rotate, resize, flip, crop, adjust lighting, color management, multiple undos, and drawing tools and shapes.

Photo Fix Wizard

Some software provides "wizards" that step you through fixing common photo mistakes (e.g. lighting, color, straightening, red-eye, etc.). Some applications can even do this for you automatically.

Auto Image Straightening

This refers to the ability to straighten a photo that's slightly crooked. With most applications you just draw a line along an area that should be straight, (a horizon for example) and the program will automatically rotate the image the right amount.

Cloning Tool

With a cloning tool, you can copy parts of another image or different sections of the same image just by painting. In other words, you click where you want to clone from and then just start painting with your mouse. This is often used to cover up scratches or blemishes.

Touch-up Scratches and Blemishes

With this tool you can cover up facial blemishes or scratches in an image. Sometimes it is the same feature as the cloning tool. In other applications, there are "wizards" or even automatic functions to help you do this.

Highlights/Shadow adjustment

This will correct specific lighting problems in your photo where the background may be too dark and the subject too light or vice-versa. Sometimes this feature is called "Fill-flash" in applications.

Adjustment Layers

Adjustment Layers give you the ability to manipulate your photo with effects such as lighting or color adjustments without actually changing your original photo. It keeps each of the effects on a separate layer for you to edit or delete at any time. With some applications you can even adjust the transparency of an adjustment layer to lessen the overall effect.

Lens Distortion Correction

This corrects problems where the image could appear warped or stretched due to wide-angle lenses.

Layers

n short, layers are the basic building block to arrange and edit content in an image. Think of layers as individual sheets of glass that you can stack one on top of the other. Where there is no image on a layer, you can see through to the layers below. The power of layers is that they enable you to work on one element of your image without disturbing the others, and without making tedious selections. Until you combine, or merge, the layers, each layer remains independent. This means you can experiment freely with different compositions without making permanent changes to your overall image. Different programs have different options for layers. With most, you can adjust the opacity of each layer. With some, you could even apply specific effects to each layer.

Layer Transparency

With some photo editing applications you can adjust the opacity of each layer. Opacity is how much you can see-through an object or image.

On Photo Text Entry

This refers to the capability to type right on the image you are working on and see the text in real-time. With other applications, you have to click on the text tool and it opens up a separate text format box. Then you have to add your text, color and formatting before you can see it applied to your image.

Type Effects

Effect that can be applied to text in an image. Some examples would be dropshadows, 3D, perspective, warped text, text that follows a path, curved text, etc.

Advanced Selection Tools

A basic selection tool would be like a circle or square shape that you draw around the part of the image you want to select. Advanced tools are much more complex. A magic wand for instance lets you select all the areas of an image with similar color. If you wanted to erase or change the color of a blue sky in an image, you could use the magic wand to select the whole sky at once. Another example is a lasso tool. The lasso tool lets you simply draw around what you want to select.

Convert to Grayscale

The ability to convert a color image to black and white.

Automated Batches

Batches are processes that you do over and over, simplified by the click of a button. It is basically like recording a number of steps and then hitting "play" which will automatically repeat all the same steps. One of the most common batches is to convert the file format. The power or capability of an automated batch depends on the application. Some applications even offer pre-made batches. With others, you have to record them all yourself.

Templates

Some applications include templates such as calendars, greeting cards, picture frames, etc. You just plug in your photo to the template.

Border Designs (Picture Frames)

Designs that you can apply to your picture that puts a border around the image.

Layer Masks

A Mask is a separate object that you can apply to a layer to make parts of your image on the layer transparent. The black areas of a Mask will make the "masked layer" appear at 100% opacity. Anything that is white will appear completely transparent. Shades of gray will change the layer's opacity depending on how dark or light the mask is. A gradient Mask can be applied to a layer that will make the image fade from 100% opaque to fully transparent. This is also useful because instead of permanently erasing parts of an image, you can just paint in a mask to achieve the same effect.

Panoramas

You can create a panorama by merging two or more photos together at the seams. It will automatically blend the area around the seams so it looks like one photo.

Supports Additional Plugins

With some applications you can add separate plugins from 3rd party companies to give you more effects and options.

Sharing

Email

The program automatically attaches the image to your email client or just sends the image to an email address.

Printing Projects

Printing projects typically include photo packages with prints of various sizes, contact sheets, DVD/CD labels, and a variety of other projects like scrapbook pages. Print at home or send to a service.

Digital Projects

Online photo galleries, photo slide shows are typical. Programs will provide templates and allow you to customize your projects.

Online Gallery

Interface with online sharing site which allows you to post a personal album accessible from the Web.

Export to Online Photo Services

The ability to export an image or images directly to an online printing or sharing service like shutterfly.com.

PDAs, Mobile Phones

The ability to optimize and send an image directly to a PDA or cell phone.

Screensavers

The ability to turn your images into a PC screensaver for your computer.

Organizing

File Browser

A file browser lets you see thumbnails of images and in most cases image data before you open them.

View EXIF Information

XIF information is detailed data that is stored with an image from taken by a digital camera. It includes information such as: the time and date the photo was taken, the resolution, shutter speed, etc.

Advanced Image Search

This is the ability to search for an photo based on unique criteria. Some photo editor applications let you add keywords to an image to search for. With some, you can give photos a rank and then search by rank. Or you could search by date taken, file name, etc.

Archive Images to CD

Some applications let you archive (burn) your images directly to a blank CD.

Create Albums

An album is a simply a folder on your hard drive or removable media that stores photos so you can find them easily with your photo editing software. There are many organizational options associated with albums.

Drag & Drop Keyword Assignment

This feature allows you to drag an icon from a menu to your photograph making keyword assignment particularly easy. Programs will allow you to add keyword icons to the standard list.

Output Capabilities

PDF

An adobe file format this is common on the web. A user will need the free Adobe Reader or compatible graphic viewer to view a pdf.

Image Optimizing for Web

The capability of resizing and compressing an image for web use. On the web, the smaller the file size is, the faster it will load.

Animated GIFs

An animated gifs is a file format that allows multiple images to display in a sequence. A user can mimic a true animation by using several frames displaying quickly enough that the viewer cannot see separate images. Much like an animated movie. The more frames or separate images used, the smoother the animation will appear. However, the more frames, the larger the file size will be. Animated gifs could also be completely different images that display to present a message like you see in banner ads.

Web Tools (links, etc.)

The capability to add html functions to images. Slicing an image means to divide a page into sections of graphics that can be organized into html tables and cells. Then you can optimize the "slices" for the best results on the web.

Support/Documentation

Phone Support

Technical support offered by phone. In other words, live support.

User's Manual

A written manual included with the software. It could be printed or online in electronic format.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and the answers to the questions.

Knowledge Base

Usually a searchable database of known issues or extra help topics regarding the software.

Tutorials

Step-by-step guides to show you exactly how to accomplish a specific task. Many of them are visual with screenshots or graphics showing you as well as telling you. Others are simply written steps.

User Forum

A place online for users to post questions , answer others' questions, or discuss specific topics.

Email

Receiving technical support through email.

 ©2003 – 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.