Ease of Use:  

Not as user-friendly as the #1 ranked product Adobe Photoshop Elements, it is fairly easy to navigate once you learn the basics. You can use a wide variety of importing, organizing, editing, and sharing tools. Tip: The helpful Welcome Screen is accessible under Window along the top menu. Use it as a navigation shortcut when you want to switch tasks.

Layout

PhotoImpact is organized into eight function areas versus Photoshop Element’s four—same functions, just broken down into more specific tasks at the start. 

Importing:  

PhotoImpact  imports from three sources on the primary Get Photos screen: camera drive/card reader, digital camera and image folder stored on your computer. You’ll have to go to the File menu to import from your scanner or from a web page.

Editing:  

PhotoImpact has powerful editing tools. You can work in two modes: ExpressFix and Full Edit. ExpressFix offers one click adjustments to exposure, color, focus and skin tone. Use full edit three ways:

1. Enhancements
2. Portrait Touch-ups
3. Effects

Take the time to go through the SmartGuide to see a variety of techniques you will find useful. Yes, it’s technical and not intuitive, but with perseverance, you can achieve astonishing results. Try making an animation: instant gratification.

Bonus Features

• Make all your subjects look better by learning how to edit to enhance specific features. Whiten teeth, remove under eye bags and add some muscle without the gym. It’s all under Portrait Touch-ups.
• SmartRemove Scene Compositor lets you clip people and objects from one photo and place in another. Just use the tool to draw around what you want to remove and move to another destination.
• Capture images or complete web pages: PhotoImpact gives the most flexibility in capturing exactly what you want, regardless of size or position.

Sharing:  

Use the Photo Project wizard to create greeting cards and labels for CDs and DVDs. Print multiple photos and posters, make web albums and slideshows. You can save your photos for email, mobile phones and PDAs. This is a cumbersome process using lists of specific devices and specifying aspect ratios. You won’t click over to an automated email, ready-to-go, like you do in the top two programs. 

Output Capabilities:  

PhotoImpact supports many file formats with the exception of PDF. The Web mode is unique to this program. Use the Component Designer to make themed web pages with buttons, rollovers, navigation, etc. 

Organizing:  

The Manage Photos function in PhotoImpact will not work without Photo Explorer. Look to the other top products for seamless functions. 

Help/Support:  

The PhotoImpact workspace includes a SmartGuide on the right-hand side. Use it. It provides the critical link between what you want to do and the technical task labels on the drop down menus. Here, you’ll find user-friendly language and appealing editing applications. You can access the Learning Center, FAQs page, Technical Support, Training Center, and the community forum online. 

Ulead PhotoImpact offers the most editing features and includes the Web mode for creating Web pages. However, it is technical, lacks adequate integrated help, and requires a second program for full functionality. Look to the top two products, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, for professional level editing without the frustration.