Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8

The functionality is certainly impressive, but there's a catch. PSP's scripting is built on the open-source Python programming language, which majors on power rather than ease of use. That's no problem if you're recording your macros, but editing is far more demanding (for example, you have to be careful when indenting as this determines scooping). There's also a serious security issue - a malicious Python script could format your hard disk. PSP's solution is to limit those scripts that can run disk-based commands to a trusted directory, but it would still be wise to be cautious.

Output advances

Once you've finished editing, it's time to output your files. One of PSP's long-standing strengths is its ability to print multiple images on a single sheet - essential for digital camera users. Printing has been updated with the ability to output images at a specific size or scale and positioned anywhere, while multiple image printing can be based on a range of grid-based templates with images scaled or cropped to fit their cells. PSP's Browser also uses output templates so that you can control the printing of image thumbnails.

When it comes to exporting and importing files, PSP 8 again sees major changes (though surprisingly little to its web capabilities). There's new support for a range of file formats such as AutoCAD Drawing (DWG), Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) and Wireless Bitmap (WBMP). More regularly useful will be the support for PDF and the increasingly popular JPEG 2000 (JP2), which offers lossless compression.

Best of all for digital camera users is the fact that EXIF data is supported for PSP, JPG and TIFF so that you can edit files without losing embedded information such as date, time, f-stop and ISO speed.

That's it for the major changes, but there are plenty of smaller advances scattered throughout the program. There's a new Black and White Points image adjustment that lets you colour correct an image by specifying highlight and shadow colours, while the Histogram filter now shows charts for both original and adjusted images. Also, a new Info tab on the Overview window provides feedback on the current image and tool, as well as support for lossless JPEG rotation from the Browser. I particularly like the fact that when you close the application, you're presented with a list of all open images and can conveniently specify whether changes made to them should be saved or discarded.

The changes in PSP 8 are evident from first opening the application right through to closing - there's hardly an area that has been left untouched. There's no question that this is a major release, but I still have to admit to a sense of disappointment. I know that if Photoshop underwent a similar transformation I'd be raving, but in a way that's the problem. Too many of the core advances (such as the new layer handling, paint engine and scripting) will only benefit professional users and, let's face it, they aren't going to desert Photoshop for PSP. More to the point, those users looking for a cut-down Photoshop are now well catered for with the real thing: Photoshop Elements.

Rather than trying to out-Photoshop Photoshop, PSP would be better served by carving out its own territory in the same way as PhotoImpact and PhotoSuite. Having said that, there's no doubt that PSP offers an incredible amount of advanced photo-editing power at an amazing price.

Price: £85 (£100 inc VAT); upgrade from Version 7 Anniversary Edition, £43 (£50 inc VAT); from Extended Edition, £26 (£30 inc VAT)

Author: Tom Arah