Giveaway: 10 x ArcSoft PhotoStudio 6 [Windows]

ArcSoft’s flagship product, PhotoStudio 6 has just been updated and we were lucky enough to get a review copy of the new and improved image editor. For those who are unfamiliar, ArcSoft PhotoStudio has been around for many years and even though they’re overshadowed by Adobe Photoshop, ArcSoft continues to develop and improve PhotoStudio.

This week, we’ll be giving away 10 free copies of ArcSoft PhotoStudio 6 worth $800 in total. But first, a walkthrough.

To start, ArcSoft PhotoStudio 6 is really easy to use. Like most image editors, you’ll find the familiar toolbar on the left, some tool options at the top and the navigation, histogram and layers palette on the right. In the screenshot below, I’ve opened an image which I took during my visit to Hong Kong with a dSLR. It’s worth nothing that PhotoStudio is quite lightweight and responsive – I tested the application in a virtual PC and PhotoStudio responded snappily even though the image was large (12 megapixels).

PhotoStudio sports the usual range of image tools and although I’m more used to Pixelmator on the Mac, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at the wider range of tools available in PhotoStudio.

The latest update of PhotoStudio 6 introduces a brand new feature – High Dynamic Range (HDR) generation. We’ve discussed HDR before and it involves using 3 or more images taken in varying exposures and mashing them together to create one perfectly exposed image. In PhotoStudio 6, you may easily create HDR images without any additional software, the application does everything for you. It also supports RAW image formats and massive image files up to 30,000 by 30,000 pixels in size.

To start, just click on the HDR button in the top toolbar.

Then select 3 images from an exposure set (-1, 0, +1) and click OK.

And not long after that, PhotoStudio will generate a preview HDR image. Please excuse the orientation of the image seen in the screenshot below — it’s just for testing. On the right hand side of the preview window, you’re presented with several simple image adjustment options. Play around with them until your HDR is satisfactory. Then click Done.

And voila! With PhotoStudio 6, anyone can easily delve into the world of HDR imagery. It’s really quite simple. You might notice that the image in the screenshot below doesn’t “pop” like other HDR images and it’s not the fault of the application — I actually didn’t load a set of images with varying exposures but still, don’t you think that PhotoStudio managed to output a lovely image?

In addition to the usual bells and whistles (and the HDR generator), PhotoStudio 6 also features a convenient Photo Stitcher that’s amazingly simple to use. It’s not common that you should find so many advanced features in an image editor.

As it is an image editor, PhotoStudio 6 does have all of the usual suspects like level adjustments, filters, photo effects; it also has a function called auto-enhance, a one-click-does-all feature. Interestingly, and I say this because I am interested in film photography; PhotoStudio 6 includes something called Magic-Film. It’s a really cool feature which simulates your image on different types of files and various types of processing. You would have probably seen this effect in popular iPhone camera apps.

Overall, ArcSoft PhotoStudio 6 performed better than I expected it to. It has a wide range of tools (too many to cover) and if I were to use it on a daily basis, I’m sure that it would be my default image editor for its responsiveness. Plus, with its integrated HDR and photo-stitching features, it saves me from buying additional applications.

Why don’t you be the judge of it? Download a trial and have a go.

We’ve got 10 free copies of ArcSoft PhotoStudio 6 to give away to readers of TheDailyBuggle this week! Here’s how you can be in the running to win one for yourself. There’s a new giveaway procedure in place but it’s really simple, just start at the top of the list and work your way down. Try to do as many things as you can and you’re golden.

This giveaway begins now and ends on Friday, October 7th at 2100hrs ACST. The winners will be selected at random and announced via email.

Spread the word to your friends and have fun!