Picture Window Pro

[dougsmit]

I recently became aware of an image editing program called Picture Window Pro which supports 16 bit images to a better degree than Elements or Paint Shop Pro but sells for $90. I did a search on Camel and found an inquiry much like this one from 2005 which received one reply and another one that was totally ignored. I gather no one else cares. Is there anyone out there who has tried this program and would care to comment. I am looking for something that will allow 16 bit work on small sections (lasso, magic wand or masks generated from the image). I will want control over the edges of the selections (blend between selected and non-selected) and all the regular controls for single image manipulation. Completely optional are batch features, image management/catalog features, RAW conversion features, graphic arts tricks and plug ins. I seek a program for use on one photo at a time that will allow someone willing to put individual effort into each image to do all that is possible to optimize that one image. I would like to avoid 'features' that take over my computer locking me in to using their file system or wasting my computer's limited resources running accessories under the surface.
Anyone?

[Rense]

Dough,
I'm a registered user of this program. You really have to 'learn' this program, since every time you apply an action another window is popped up.

The program is perfectly equipped for the things you want to do. Read the o2tour.pdf helpfile to get you started.

[dougsmit]

Thanks. I guess that means I'll have to try the 30 day trial download. Now lets see, when do I have 30 days to play with software?

[Rense]

Click on this link to see the most basic things explained.

The pdf file I mentioned can be downloaded here.

[Mr. Pickles]

It has a "cult like" following. Every now and then you read a LOT of good stuff about it. The guy that "owns" it is a good programmer too. It just doesn't have one tenth the support that Photoshop does, and that can hurt those that want to know something...

[Goofup]

This reminds me of another program that has a "cult" following, Photoline32.
PhotoLine: Image Processing

Course, I have a big problem with both of these simply because they're done by one man instead of a corporation. Once he's gone, or decides on a whim not to support it any longer... then what?

[Mr. Pickles]

Sometimes a one man band plays much better music than a band.....


And Pixmantec was a big corporation making RSE and RSP (Raw Shooter) and BAMMO......

[dougsmit]

Thanks. Generally what happens is the big guy will buy them out and the programmer will retire. Oops, my bad attitude from RSP is showing. What will happen is those of us interested in the subject will find the next good programmer from the current crop in Kindergarten and start over again.

[kevgermany]

I use PWP almost exclusively as I can't be bothered learning all the keys/short cuts in PS, neither can I afford it. I also prefer the way that it works.

PWP allows a lot of control just where and how you need it. It's philosophy is different to PS and it's clones. It doesn't have all the fancy (unnecessary?) tools that PS does. There are no layers, most operations on an image create a new version of the image, which is what I think Rense was referring to as new windows. There's a small, but good and friendly support forum.

Working through the tutorials gives you a good overview of how it works, and the manuals are good - clear and concise, yet comprehensive.