The installation CD is dual platform and has many of Extensis's other programs on it. These other programs can be run in demo for a given period of time. Also most of the programs can be downloaded from the Extensis web site as demos.
The windows system requirements are: A PC Pentium processor or faster; windows, 95, 98, or NT 4; Adobe Photoshop 3.0.5 or higher; 3MB minimum of hard disk space for PhotoFrame. It's street price is approximately $194.00.
Inside the PhotoFrame box are three CD-Rom disks and an excellent manual. The manual not only gives basic instructions, but also gives tips and tricks, trouble shooting information, and a picture of all of the frames contained on two of the CD's.
I have never used a product like this that contains framing presets, even though these can be manipulated, because I have always created my own frames or edges as desired and needed. I, however, found that I began using this program on some pieces of art work that I had considered completed to give them more "drama." Also, in the days following my initial writing of this review, I found that I accessed this program more and more to get effects that would have been very time consuming to achieve. Included in this article is a picture of the interface. On the TCS web site of http//:www.tcs.org can be found examples of how I used some of the frames both with color images and with black and white ones.
| Click on thumbnail to see larger image | |
|---|---|
|
|
Also, on the TCS web site in this issue of the I/O Port, is a short tutorial called torn.jpg. This tutorial give simple instructions on how to easily create a torn piece of newspaper. I needed to create for a piece of art I am currently working on a torn piece of newspaper. I thought that this project might give people ideas on some simple uses for Extensis's PhotoFrame program.
While PhotoFrame comes with over 150 high quality preset frames, the user is not limited but can create a frame from their own JPEG file. Any of the frames can be rotated, sized, colored with the eyedropper tool, etc. The preview window is large and allows for real-time processing. PhotoFrame is compatible with frame files from any Auto F/X Photo/Graphic Edges Volume.
I really like this program as I have liked all the other Extensis programs that I have reviewed. Reviews of some of their other products that I have done are: PhotoTools 1.0, Mask Pro 1.0, and Portfolio 3. I will be reviewing some of their new versions of products in the near future.
Extensis can be reached at their web site of http://www.extensis.com , (503) 274-2020, or at: Extensis Corporation 1800 SW First Ave., Suite 500 Portland, Oregon 97201.
For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here
