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This month’s theme focuses on multimedia stuff, which although very
interesting, can be quite expensive. Hence a little research for shareware
that is affordable and freeware that is even more affordable (grin). Below
are some applications that just might arm you with the right software while
helping save you an arm and a leg.
LView Pro 2002 is a graphics package that enables you to create
images from scratch or edit existing image files. The program supports
TWAIN-compatible devices, such as scanners and frame-grabber cards. Along
with the usual assortment of file operations such as copy, move, delete,
and rename, LView Pro features extensive cataloging options, slide shows,
format conversion operations, and support for image animation. It also
offers transparencies, painting tools, color matching, special effects,
and even the ability to store thumbnail images with text descriptions.
Additionally, it contains histograms and curves for image adjustments,
support for pressure-sensitive tablets, and enhanced brushes and painting
options. This is shareware to try for free
and costs $41 if you want it for keeps.
Download
DivX 5.0 is a freebie that
might interest you video folks: Formerly known as Divx Player and DivX
Codec, this major update to the popular video software introduces a new
generation of DivX technology, and contains all the software you need to
create and watch videos in the popular DivX video format. DivX 5.0 includes
many new features, such as enhanced video quality, more effective compression
capabilities, and full support for the MPEG-4 Advanced Simple Profile decoding
method. Version 5.0 is also optimized for AMD Athlon and Athlon XP processors
and supports the new MPEG-4 based DivX file format. DivX Video Bundle also
includes the new DivX Player 2.0 alpha, which supports the MPEG-4 format
and offers a skinnable interface system. Version 5.0.2 is a bug fix release
that fixes issues discovered in DivX 5.0.1.
Download
Attention digital camera users! Here’s something for free that might
just help you tweak all those pics you are taking. Digital Camera Enhance
1.1 is a free tool that helps you
clean up your photos, whether you have a digital camera or not. With a
push of a button, it automatically reduces noise, performs skin smoothing,
and adjusts color balance. The program works best with pictures that were
taken under poor lighting conditions. If an image is already fine, you
won't see much of a difference. Sliders for Auto Balance, Midtones, Color,
Enhancement Details, and De-noising let you make precise adjustments, with
the difference clearly shown in the Original and Result panes. Digital
Camera Enhance opens images in the BMP, JPG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIF, WMF, and
PAX formats.
Download
InfraView 3.75 is another freebie
that is a fast, simple image viewer and editor that supports all major
graphic formats, including BMP, DIB, JPEG, GIF, animated GIF, PNG, PCX,
multipage TIFF, TGA, and more. In addition, it features drag-and-drop support,
directory viewing, TWAIN support, slide shows, batch conversion, and modifications
such as color depth, crop, blur, and sharpen. Version 3.75 features support
for ICS format (Image Cytometry Standard) and CDR/CMX format, and adds
RAW saving. MPG/AVI frames can now be extracted from the Options menu,
and much more.
Download
Image Broadway 4.0 is a $69 image editing tool that you can try
for free or buy as shareware for $69.
It is powerful enough for most graphic designers, Webmasters, and photographers,
yet simple enough for the occasional users who just want to edit, fine-tune,
or create new images. Image Broadway lets you create and edit graphic images
in minutes. With just one click you can correct red-eye in your digital
shots. Image Broadway features include retouching tools that allow color
corrections and tonal adjustments; crop, rotate, scale, and perspective
tools; rendering tools that let you enhance buttons, logos, and images;
transparency and composition tools; alpha channel; multiple channels; image
mapping; and optimization. The program also includes samples and tutorials
with step-by-step how-tos.Version 4.0 features a Quick Paint mode with
new color and palette management features, sliders, additional paint and
brush options, as well as new mask and remask options that make creating
or editing images quicker, easier, and more precise! Free to try; $69 to
buy.
Download
If you work with 3-D you may want to try 3D Canvas 5.7a, a real-time
3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates a drag-and-drop approach.
Complex models can be constructed from simple 3D primitives or created
using 3D Canvas' Object Building Tools. Creating an animated scene is as
simple as positioning the objects within your scene for each point in time
in your animation. 3D Canvas will ensure that the resulting animation runs
smoothly. Get it free.
Download
WizFlow Flowcharter 4.1 is a tool designed for creating flowcharts
and similar diagrams. It allows you to work with a single object or a group
of objects, drawing boxes or symbols of many shapes and connecting them
with lines of various types. You can enter explanatory text at any location,
using a grid that helps you keep your work symmetrical and aligned. Wizflow
contains extensive features, such as full zoom, OLE connectivity for inserting
charts in other documents, poster printing, graphics import and export,
automatic routing, curves, flow symbols, and much more. It is $44.95 shareware.
Download
CyD GIF Studio Pro 7.2 is a specialized graphics application
well-suited for Web production. It is designed for creating animated GIFs,
3D text, and optimized images. GIF Studio Pro supports many file formats,
including GIF, BMP, JPEG, AVI, MOV, PIC, TRGA, TIFF, PCD, and even PSD
(Photoshop) files. It also provides integrated functionatity with most
major scanners. Online help and built-in tool tips are provided for easily
accessible assistance. GIF Studio Pro lets you edit individual properties
of each project through the Options palette, or set global palettes for
optimization and other oft-repeated processes. You can add, adjust, import,
and export animation frames with ease, and apply a variety of transition
effects. Take total control over your project, or create practical graphics
in mere minutes with step-by-step wizards. This download includes CyD GIF
Studio and CyD Image Viewer. You can try it for free and pay $29.00 if
you decide to keep it.
Download
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