Arcsoft PhotoStudio 6

Description

PhotoStudio 6 provides a full set of enhancement tools for correcting exposure, color, and so on. The new Image Levels Adjustment works well for precise control over highlights, midtones, and shadows, and the Auto Exposure command lets you leave precision to the programmers.

PhotoStudio 6 adds four new filters to its sizable library of special effects. Another important new filter, Magic Cut, does a reasonable job of removing backgrounds from pictures, so you can paste your subject into another picture.

PhotoStudio 6 has added three other tools designed for serious photographers: support for most camera RAW file formats; 48-bit images; and very large image files (up to 30,000 by 30,000 pixels). Unfortunately, PhotoStudio 6 still can't use the many third-party Photoshop-compatible plug-ins.

Of course, PhotoStudio is no Photoshop. But PhotoStudio 6 remains a gem of a  photo editing tool, and it handles the tasks of greatest interest to photographers fairly well.