PhotoImpact XL vs. Photoshop Elements 2.0????

[MJCarnegie]

Hello Gang,

I'm a digital newbie who is unfamiliar with using imaging software. I can't afford PS 7, so I've done a little research and narrowed it down to PhotoImpact XL and Photo Shop Elements 2.0. I've been leaning towards the PI XL because it appears to be one heck of a full featured program. However, I have seen a few reviews which mentioned a steep learning curve, and in some cases, problems with it being such a memory hog that it runs at a snails pace on some systems. PS Elements appears to be very user friendly, but lacks many of the features that PI XL contains. I get the feeling that it's a stripped down version of it's big brother. Truthfully, I can't say whether or not I'd ever use the numerous features of a PI XL. But, my personal mantra is " It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it." What personal experiences have y'all had with these systems, and what would you advise? Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Mike

[dtrayers]

I'm not familiar with PhotoImpact, but I've used PSE and now use the full version of Photoshop.

Photoshop is the standard for image editing. There are other editors that do an excellent job, but the majority of users are using Photoshop.

It's generally recommended that one start with PSE and then if oneday wants to upgrade to the full version of PS then he or she can apply all they've learned to PS.

PSE2.0 is like a lite version of PS, but for many uses the limitations are workable.

[Laziferous]

Paint Shop Pro is a comparable program to Photoshop. It's very full featured, and the learning curve is not as steep as most graphics programs. I use Photoshop 7.0 myself, but have used PSP at my friends house. It's pretty nice.

[Bruce Watson]

I have been using Elements for about a year and was bouncing against the limitations.

However, on discovering Richard Lynch's "The Hidden Powers of PS Elements" and it's workaround actions, along with Ling Nero's actions, Elements has a new lease on life for me.

Eventually I will probably migrate to PS CS, but I still haven't fully tapped the potential of the action/filter enhanced Elements.

Upshot: start with Elements II (rumour has III around the corner), take advantage of available add-ons and eventually have the potential to do a natural migration to full blown PS.

Cheers,

Bruce Watson

[PacAce]

I haven't used PI XL but I have used PI 6 and PI 7. If XL is anything like 6 or 7, I'm sure you'll be very happy with. It'll give you more options and features than PE will, such as easier to implement graphics capabilities and special effects. I've used PE a few time but I still prefer PI over PE. If all you want to do is photo editing, then PE is OK, too. But I think PI gives you more bang for the bucks.

:)