Photoimpact XL people, what have you done???
I have an old version of Photoimpact 5. An old version, but boy was it strong and easy to use.
Today I tried to slice and compress a page for the web. What happened to the basic, easy to use slicing techniques, that included image preview and compressed file size, before actually compressing?
This was always such a great stand out for Ulead.
Now I'm not sure what they are doing. The whole interface in XL has really gotten harder to use.
New features are great, but don't throw away what always worked well.
2 Thumbs down on XL.
Sorry
Why Oh Why Did I Ever Upgrade???Arggggg!
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keenart
I still love my Old Ulead PI6, but wanted the new udates and features, just like everyone else.
I only had to spend a Full month reading the XL manual, at least I got one, and then experiment for another Full month with the program before I could get used to all of the new features.
Ulead changed so much is took weeks to stop hitting the wrong menus and quick keys, I got very frustrated. Eventually, I learned how to use the new program, and now I am up to PI 10, all of a new set of problems, I still won't go back.
I had to adopt additional actions to compensate for the ones I lost. Surprisingly, I eventually found ways to quicken my tasks, which proved to be better and faster than the older versions.
Learning how to Walk All Over Again is HELL!
I only had to spend a Full month reading the XL manual, at least I got one, and then experiment for another Full month with the program before I could get used to all of the new features.
Ulead changed so much is took weeks to stop hitting the wrong menus and quick keys, I got very frustrated. Eventually, I learned how to use the new program, and now I am up to PI 10, all of a new set of problems, I still won't go back.
I had to adopt additional actions to compensate for the ones I lost. Surprisingly, I eventually found ways to quicken my tasks, which proved to be better and faster than the older versions.
Learning how to Walk All Over Again is HELL!
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jbennette
PI 10 NOT worth the "upgrade"
Keenart,
I hear your pain. My wife is still using PI 7 because PI XL was counter-intuitive for her and our PI 6 did not have all the functions she wanted. Now I tried PI 10 and it is DEFINITELY NOT WORTH upgrading if you have PI 7 or above. The FEW ADDED FEATURES is not worth the $50-$70.
I'm very disappointed that a very slight update is now called a major upgrade.
PI 10 - don't bother!
Disappointed in this minor update - it should be called PI 7.5.
Joseph Bennette
Long-time Ulead customer
I hear your pain. My wife is still using PI 7 because PI XL was counter-intuitive for her and our PI 6 did not have all the functions she wanted. Now I tried PI 10 and it is DEFINITELY NOT WORTH upgrading if you have PI 7 or above. The FEW ADDED FEATURES is not worth the $50-$70.
I'm very disappointed that a very slight update is now called a major upgrade.
PI 10 - don't bother!
Disappointed in this minor update - it should be called PI 7.5.
Joseph Bennette
Long-time Ulead customer
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keenart
I do not want to sound as though I am coming to the defense of Ulead, but in fact would describe certain factors related to problems faced by Ulead.
Most of the present day problems we are having with our software applications can be traced back to Microsoft and their insatiable desire to have and control ALL. I won’t get into bashing, but, early on Microsoft realized they needed to put a new product onto the market as soon as possible to overshadow their competition and keep consumers dazzled with the “NEW OS upgraded features.”
What a programmers “nightmare” as formerly it took several years to program, test, and then release to the public a working application that functioned properly. “Let’s say we tried to make sure it didn’t crash every day!” To achieve this annual Upgrade, It was necessary to constantly add new programming features. The ordinary programmer could not keep up with the monumental changes that were continually occurring within the programming language. Young programmers were recruited each and every year, those who had the current programming language skills, to fill the need. The downside is that experience counts when it comes to programming a language.
Another factor is that one line of code does not always do the same thing it was designed to do on a forever basis. We learned in our early training that code often tripped over itself, or another line of code, sometimes for reasons we could never fathom. In the beginning, strict coding formats were established for all programming languages. There is however the “maverick” one who likes to tweak a few lines of code to make the app run a little faster. Guess what happens down the road when another line of code can not recognize the “Tweakers” code!?!
There are other factors, Porting your app to another Operating system, or to another language, which has more than 26 letters to its alphabet. Then there are all of the layered cross language applications that are now getting popular, it is getting out of hand, everyone trying to make sure their app works with MS.
So to stay competitive, one must program for the Windows environment, Upgrading to dazzle the consumer, and live with the fact that one must put out patches in a last ditch effort to make it all work.
I understand their growing pains, a program written in Taiwan, porting to another Language, and trying to add as many features that will make the product attractive to the consumer. I simply can not be done in the span of time to Upgrade on an annual basis without difficulties.
This is evident when you realize that PI 10 is in fact the PI 8.5 shell with packaged updates added on.
I guess most of us are attracted to PI for the money, PI is still a very attractive alternative compared to its competitors, buggy or not. I guess it all comes down to how tolerant or patient you are and how much of the functional working program you need!!! Arrrggghhh!! one eye open, one eye closed!!!
Most of the present day problems we are having with our software applications can be traced back to Microsoft and their insatiable desire to have and control ALL. I won’t get into bashing, but, early on Microsoft realized they needed to put a new product onto the market as soon as possible to overshadow their competition and keep consumers dazzled with the “NEW OS upgraded features.”
What a programmers “nightmare” as formerly it took several years to program, test, and then release to the public a working application that functioned properly. “Let’s say we tried to make sure it didn’t crash every day!” To achieve this annual Upgrade, It was necessary to constantly add new programming features. The ordinary programmer could not keep up with the monumental changes that were continually occurring within the programming language. Young programmers were recruited each and every year, those who had the current programming language skills, to fill the need. The downside is that experience counts when it comes to programming a language.
Another factor is that one line of code does not always do the same thing it was designed to do on a forever basis. We learned in our early training that code often tripped over itself, or another line of code, sometimes for reasons we could never fathom. In the beginning, strict coding formats were established for all programming languages. There is however the “maverick” one who likes to tweak a few lines of code to make the app run a little faster. Guess what happens down the road when another line of code can not recognize the “Tweakers” code!?!
There are other factors, Porting your app to another Operating system, or to another language, which has more than 26 letters to its alphabet. Then there are all of the layered cross language applications that are now getting popular, it is getting out of hand, everyone trying to make sure their app works with MS.
So to stay competitive, one must program for the Windows environment, Upgrading to dazzle the consumer, and live with the fact that one must put out patches in a last ditch effort to make it all work.
I understand their growing pains, a program written in Taiwan, porting to another Language, and trying to add as many features that will make the product attractive to the consumer. I simply can not be done in the span of time to Upgrade on an annual basis without difficulties.
This is evident when you realize that PI 10 is in fact the PI 8.5 shell with packaged updates added on.
I guess most of us are attracted to PI for the money, PI is still a very attractive alternative compared to its competitors, buggy or not. I guess it all comes down to how tolerant or patient you are and how much of the functional working program you need!!! Arrrggghhh!! one eye open, one eye closed!!!
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2log
watch the video tutorials
Ulead usually releases video tutorials along with the new releases of PhotoImpact. That's how I learned to use my XL version. It's quite easy to understand and it gets you through the basics of the software. Then knowing these essentials allow you to discover the new features easier. Download it from the Ulead site. At least it's not as boring as reading the manual.
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2log
hehe