Selecting the right photo editing software can be a difficult task, given the number of capabilities offered in today's graphics packages. Selection is no longer a matter of how easy the software is to master, but its ability to handle all sorts of peripherals, and provide the right tools for Internet design and use. These days a good package must handle scanners, digital cameras (both still and video), be capable of preparing photos for the Internet and even have the tools to help design Web pages.

There is also considerable variation in prices, starting at around $100 up to $1,000+ and therefore fitting required capabilities to your budget can be quite a daunting task.

At the low end we have such packages as Adobe Photo Deluxe, with a minimalist approach, while at the professional level we have applications such as Adobe Photoshop and CorelDRAW!

Ulead PhotoImpact is aimed at the enthusiast and has always managed to sit somewhere in the middle ground between amateur and professional requirements, yet provide an exceptionally good product that's also good value for money.

Each new version has seen fresh add-ons, and version 8 is no exception, with quite a number of additional features that bring it closer to the more expensive packages by Corel and Adobe.

There are a good number of new features in version 8. Some of those that stand out are: Enhance Lighting, Flatten Uneven Area, De-Interlace for video capture, Improved Masking, a Texture Fill tool, Perspective Crop, Animated Particle Effects and a good range of filters. Undo levels have been increased to 200, although the benefits of this would be questionable when working with large files. Web design support is also a standout feature of version 8.

For the serious user who cannot afford the big Corel or Adobe packages, PhotoImpact 8 will meet most of your needs. Sure it does not have the flexibility of the more expensive packages, but it does offer a lot, and in some cases makes it easier to do such things as red-eye removal than say, CorelDRAW. It has most of the more expensive tools from CorelDRAW, just less flexibility on some individual tools.

It provides full support for scanners, digital cameras, Webcams and camcorders and has all the tools needed for digital photography and video capture. Enhancement of photos or scanned targets couldn't be easier when using the wide range of provided tools. They are there to help straighten photos intuitively, perspective crop, adjust colour and brightness, remove red-eye and even add a photo frame, plus much more.

Text can be drawn on paths of choice and a reasonably good selection of 3D text types is available.

Mask selection is somewhat limited, but nonetheless effective, and the clone tool provides for some interesting effects with its choice of brush types. Special Effects offers some interesting choices such as fire, rain and bubbles to enhance or make your picture stand out.

If you are into Web page design then PhotoImpact will surprise you with its comprehensive design capabilities. It's all there from start to finish, allowing you to select page size and other attributes including the encoding to suit the geographical area that you are aiming at.

Actual creation of the components on each page is easy using a wizard format with many sample choices of buttons, title bars or banners. Once chosen you can change text, colours and other attributes, place the component on the page with or without frames, and build up quite an attractive layout and page. Even a beginner will be capable of creating a masterpiece with these tools.