Abobe Photoshop Elements: Elements of the Real Thing Automating the Complex Scott Koegler
Automating the Complex
Thanks to its automation capabilities, some of the tasks that non-graphic artists want to perform with images are made especially easy in Photoshop Elements. One of Photoshop's best features is its ability to record very complex scripts commands that can be used to do the same set of tasks on any number of images (i.e. batch processing). Similar pre-defined scripts have been included for some of Element's functions to simplify multi-step tasks that could otherwise require a lot of experimenting.
One of these scripts automatically formats a picture and initiates an e-mail. Simply dragging the photo from a folder to an e-mail is the normal way to do this, but if you're using a multi-megapixel camera, you'd typically end up sending a two to four megabyte (MB) file to your recipient. Elements, on the other hand, converts the image to a JPG image and resizes it to a reasonable size for email delivery, all automatically.
If you want to put your photos online or otherwise deliver them, Elements can automatically create a photo album for you. The function allows you to select from a (not very wide) variety of formats, then creates thumbnails of each shot and links everything into a set of web pages. What we liked even better was the ability to create PDF files of your album using a built-in version of Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat is normally available as a separate program, and while the full package isn't included, the functionality included in Elements is perfect for its role.
You can also create a PDF slideshow as an alternative to the album. If you're familiar with PDF documents, you're probably thinking of static pages that you can scroll through. But the PDF slide show includes image transitions and automated, timed slide changes that you wouldn't expect from a PDF file. Your choices regarding transitions and timing are limited, but are easily configurable.
Graphically Competent
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 is a great compromise for users that want to produce high quality images quickly with little training and without having to spend a large amount of money. Adobe has modified its professional grade Photoshop application by removing some of the highly technical capabilities and adding ease-of-use functions. The result is a bargain-priced image editor with high-end features. At $99.00, Photoshop Elements is very competitive with other packages like Paint Shop Pro and PhotoImpact. The ability to create Acrobat PDF files is a bonus, even if its use is limited to creating slide shows and albums.
Pros: Offers nearly all of Photoshop's features as well as enhancements not available in Photoshop, easier to use for novices than Photoshop, price tag (just under $100) compared to $650 Photoshop
Cons: Doesn't include some of Photoshop's most advanced features, some users may find comparably priced Paint Shop Pro to be easier to use
