What makes PDF (Portable Document Format) unique is that it can provide an exact electronic replica of any document from any application on all major platforms, including all text, graphics and fonts. It’s an amazingly flexible format with a myriad of uses ranging from electronic manuals and e-books, through secure document exchange and archiving, to multimedia presentation and high-end commercial print.

When you think of photo editing, the chances are you think of Adobe Photoshop. However, the majority of non-professional users don't need Photoshop's high-end power and can't justify its cost. That's where Paint Shop Pro (PSP) comes in. Its low price is definitely its initial attraction, but that has never stopped it aiming high. At times, as with version 6's introduction of vector layers, it has even left Photoshop trailing behind. However, version 7's minor fiddling was a serious letdown and as time passed, it began to look as if PSP had run out of steam. Version 8, though, shows this isn't the case.You begin to realise how fundamental the overhaul has been as soon as you load the application.

Microsoft prepares to march into Adobe territory with its forthcoming suite of graphics and web development software.

Macromedia Flash (May 2002, page 60), Dreamweaver, Fireworks and FreeHand (Studio MX, November 2002, page 71), have all been given the MX treatment, and now it's Director's turn.

New multiple page support and improved text handling, but the program’s main strength remains its underlying speed.

With Flash media handling and integration with Acrobat.com the Acrobat platform embraces the Internet – at last

Improved handling of templates, tracing, text and layers along with new table support, but ultimately X4 disappoints

Non-destructive image processing and creative filters feature in this comprehensive upgrade to the market leader.

Xenofex 2 is an updated range of Photoshop-compatible plug-ins from Alien Skin, the developer of Eye Candy 4000, one of the most popular filter collections and a personal favourite of ours. This was mainly down to its interface, which is thankfully shared by the new Xenofex collection.

FreeHand has had a long, distinguished career since its launch 15 years ago, but time has caught up with it. While Macromedia concentrated development on its Web-oriented MX applications, FreeHand was put on the back burner and fell seriously behind its main rivals CorelDRAW (see issue 60, p54) and Adobe Illustrator (see issue 51, p88). So, is this latest release evidence of further decline, or has FreeHand finally risen to the challenge?

Our massive guide to Adobe's huge overhaul of the Creative Suite, including reviews of Photoshop CS4, Illustrator, InDesign and Dreamweaver.

Improved media handling, Flash video support and greater interactivity see Captivate extend into new areas of training.

Best-of-breed photo management, editing and sharing with great usability and value.

Best-of-breed photo management, editing and sharing with great usability and value.

A new focus on animation, better video support and deeper integration, but not the core authoring package it once was.

A new interface, drawing engine and programming language, but surprisingly little new power.

PowerPoint’s ease of use, The efficient web delivery of Flash, and a truly professional player.

COREL DESIGNER 10

QuarkXPress defines and dominates high-end publishing in much the same way as Adobe Photoshop does photo editing.

With Web Standard/Premium, Design Premium AND Macromedia’s products now absorbed into CS3, choosing the right suite is EASY.