Overview

Photoshop Elements is a popular graphics editing program developed for home users. It is an affordable alternative to the full version of Photoshop and includes robust image-editing capabilities, but does not include some of Photoshop’s professional-grade features. Photoshop Elements supports layer-based editing, filters, and different color modes, and is a good choice for home users and photographers who want advanced image editing capabilities for graphics and digital photos.

User Interface

PSE has two user interfaces, the Photoshop Elements Organizer and the Photoshop Elements Editor. The Organizer interface allows users to browse, rate, touch-up, and share photos. The Editor interface provides an editing workspace and includes tools such as brushes, shapes, and filters.

Capabilities

Photoshop Elements includes several image-editing capabilities for modifying digital photos. Using color adjustments, filters, and lighting effects, users can easily reduce remove shadows and enhance picture foregrounds. A simple red-eye removal tool allows users to get rid of red-eye caused by a camera's flash. Users can also create seamless panoramic images using Photomerge technology, which combines multiple similar images together.

Photoshop Elements supports many camera RAW formats, including .CR2, .CRW, .DCR, .DNG, .ERF, .MEF, .MOS, .MRW, .NEF, .ORF, .PEF, .RAF, .RAW, .SRF, .X3F, and .3FR. Each of these types can be imported, edited, and then exported to a variety of raster image formats.

Home users benefit from Photoshop Elements’ Organizer, which helps manage and organize digital photos and videos. Groups of photos can be compiled into online albums, which can be published as Adobe Flash movies for sharing with friends and family. Scrapbookers may also use Photoshop Elements to produce materials for online Web pages or printouts for hand-made scrapbooks.

User Community

Photoshop Elements has been widely embraced by the home and personal user community. While most photographers and graphic designers prefer the full version of Photoshop, some professional users may find Photoshop Elements to be an adequate image editing solution as well.

Screenshots:

Welcome Screen	Elements Organizer	Image Editing
Fix Images	Share Images	Create Slide Shows
Open File Types	Save File Types	PSE 10 for Mac

Features:

• Affordable, advanced digital photo and image editing capabilities
• Streamlined, intuitive workflows
• Several built-in effects and filters
• Manages and organizes photo and video files
• Public or private online album publishing
• Photomerge technology for creating panoramic images

System Requirements:

Mac OS

• Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later
• Multi-core Intel processor
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB free disk space
• 1024x768 display
• DVD-ROM drive
• QuickTime 7 for multimedia features
• Internet connection for online features

Windows

• Windows XP w/ SP3, Vista, or 7
• 1.6GHz processor
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB free disk space
• 1024x576 display with 16-bit video card
• DirectX 9 or later
• DVD-ROM drive
• Internet connection for online features