Self-Improvement and Creative Software – Part 2

Part two of our look at what’s new on the market for self-improvement and creative software.

FINAL DRAFT 8

SRP: £79.98 Distributor: Douglas Stewart Edu

They say: Final Draft is the number-one selling application specifically designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics, and stageplays. It combines powerful word processing with professional script formatting in one self-contained, easy-to-use package. There is no need to learn about script formatting rules – Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards as you write.

PRINT ARTIST PLATINUM EDITION

SRP: £40.80 Distributor: Gem Distribution, Interactive Ideas

They say: Print Artist Platinum 24 is unlike any print software you have ever used. It provides unparalleled quality and unprecedented ease of use in one unique package. With its powerful, yet easy-to-use, text and drawing customisation tools, advanced photo editor, special text effects gallery and more, you will be creating expert, eye popping print projects with a professional custom look that raises the bar.

COREL PAINTSHOP PRO X4 ULTIMATE

SRP: £79.99 Distributor: Gem Distribution, Ingram Micro

They say: Corel PaintShop Pro X4 Ultimate gives you the freedom to create your best images ever. Along with all the photo-editing power of PaintShop Pro X4, you get award- winning Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0 photographic filters, your choice of 21 high-quality images from Fotolia and a premium collection of Picture Tubes. Plus, there’s a new HDR module, photo blending features and updated RAW Lab.

MAGIX PHOTO & GRAPHIC DESIGNER 7

SRP: £69.99 Distributor: Interactive Ideas, Gem Distribution

They say: A flexible and time- saving solution. Specs: All-in-one solution for image editing, illustration and desktop publishing. Intuitive user interface with a range of real-time tools. Save in three ways: Time, money, and effort. Edit different projects with one program and export them for different purposes: as image files, PDF files in printed form, etc.

NERO 11

SRP: £61.25 Distributor: Koch Media

They say: Create, manage and share your photos, music and videos like never before. Specs: Nero Media Browser, Drag and drop photos, videos or music files from Nero Kwik media library. Create Video, Slideshows and Photo books with Kwik media. Use Nero recode so music and videos look and sound their best on playback. Continuos backups with Nero LIVEbackup. Share your media on social networks through Kwik media.

MAGIX DIGITAL DJ 2

SRP: £39.99 Distributor: Interactive Ideas

They say: A DJ program perfectly equipped for easy mixing of music tracks on a PC or a Mac. Specs: Drag tracks onto the decks, preview using headphones, synchronize the beat and play back manually or using auto-mix. Two intuitively controllable decks. Editable crossfader. Three-band EQ. Auto-mix mode. Bass fade function. Integrated mufin technology. Built-in sampler and option to upgrade to Deckadance.

MAGIX MUSIC MAKER PREMIUM

SRP: £74.99 Distributor: Interactive Ideas

They say: It simply offers more: more sounds, more instruments, more functions. Specs: 3,500 sounds, more instruments, more tracks. Studio functions: mastering 5.1 surround mixing, analog compressor, vocal correction tool, ReWire support. Complete luxury package: a dynamic analog synthesiser, BeatBox2 plus, Live Performer, and more. New Century Guitars and Electric Bass.

CAKEWALK SONAR X1 ESSENTIAL EDITION

SRP: £89.00 Distributor: Koch Media

They say: It has a completely redesigned user interface that makes creating music faster and easier than ever. Create with cutting edge musical tools like the Step Sequencer and The Matrix. Customise your workspace with the Skylight interface. Active Controller Technology (ACT). With a powerful collection of effects and instruments to get you started and more available tracks than DAWs costing twice the price.

CAKEWALK MUSIC CREATOR 6

SRP: £49.99 Distributor: Koch Media

They say: Music Creator 6 turns your computer into your own personal recording studio and includes everything you need to create, edit, and mix professional recordings. Whether it’s a cover of your favourite tune or an original composition, turn a simple idea into a finished song with Music Creator’s powerful suite of tools, loops, instruments, and effects. Gives you multiple ways to share your music with the world.

NERO 11 PLATINUM

SRP: £81.70 Distributor: Koch Media

They say: Give your digital media projects a boost. Specs: Nero Media Browser. Drag and drop photos, videos or music files from Nero Kwik media library. Use Nero recode so music and videos look and sound their best on playback. Continuos backups with Nero LIVEbackup. Share your media on social networks through Kwik media. Premium creative video editing and authoring content.

SERIF PHOTOPLUS ESSENTIALS

SRP: £30.63 Distributor: EntaTech

They say: PhotoPlus Essentials is the fast and easy photo editor. Specs: Give photo subjects a magazine makeover by removing spots, blemishes, wrinkles and more. Adjust photo settings to make colours more clear and vibrant. Get rid of red eyes with one click. Straighten and crop. Bring old or damaged photos back to life with easy-to-use tools. Turn your photos into works of art.

AVID STUDIO

SRP: £139.95 Distributor: Koch Media, Douglas Stewart Edu

They say: Transform your HD videos, photos, and audio files into rich, multimedia experiences with Avid Studio movie production software – featuring the same technology used by top Hollywood editors. Edit like a pro with sophisticated photo and video correction tools, a powerful library that organises all your media in one place, unlimited timeline tracks for advanced effects, and more. With in-depth training materials.

PINNACLE STUDIO HD

SRP: £99.95 (Ultimate Collection), £79.95 (Ultimate), £59.95 (standard) Distributor: Koch Media, Douglas Stewart Edu

They say: Widely regarded as the industry’s leading application for video editing. The new Pinnacle Studio meets the needs of a wide range of education consumers, from novices to video enthusiasts and semi-professionals. The family of products includes Pinnacle Studio HD, Pinnacle Studio Ultimate and Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Collection.

SONY VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO HD 11

SRP: £29.95 to £39.99 Distributor: Gem Distribution, Westcoast

They say: Create compelling videos that beg to be watched again and again. Specs: Digital video editing tools add professional style and energy with transitions, titles, and special effects including slow motion and green screen. Easily format movies for online sharing sites and post directly to YouTube from inside the application.

COREL PHOTO & VIDEO PRO X4 ULTIMATE BUNDLE

SRP: £109.99 Distributor: Gem Distribution, Ingram Micro

They say: Everything you need, for everything you shoot. Corel’s best photo and video-editing software plus bonus packs. New effects, HDR module and enhanced RAW Labs. Create blockbuster movies with end-to-end HD video editing, extreme stabilisation, broadcast- quality titles and more. Get big- screen impact with visual effects, including new stop motion animation and time-lapse tools, 3D effects, sounds and transitions.

SONY VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO HD 11 PLATINUM

SRP: £59.95 – £69.99 Distributor: Gem Distribution, Westcoast

They say: Offers the ability to import, edit, export, and monitor stereoscopic 3D content. Specs: Edit video in nearly any format including HDV, AVCHD and 3D MVC. Make movies with special effects and transitions. Create DVDs and Blu-ray discs with custom menus and graphics using DVD Architect Studio software. Mix and deliver in 5.1 surround sound audio. Share movies on PSP, iPod, online and more.