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ACDSee 8 Photo Manager is yet another application that has been designed to help users manage their collections of digital photographs.  A 27-character serial number will be required as part of the main program's installation.  An option is available to include the ACDSee 8 Media Support Package along with the main program.  This support package is a free add-on that allows unlocks some of the more advanced features found in Photo Manager 8.

 When you first run the program it will open with an opportunity to work with a series of wizards that lead you through the various tasks covered by Photo Manager.  Making use of icons and a tabbed interface, it is a simple matter to select and work through the appropriate wizard.  This Quick Start feature can be retained for as long as you feel it necessary or turned off when no longer required.

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The program is able to handle any images that are stored on your hard disk and download other images from a digital camera or scanner.  You can either view images by specific folders or have the program create a database catalogue of the images on your hard disk.  The database can hold information such as category, keywords, date, author and any assigned captions about each image.  It can then be used to speed up the browsing and searching processes available within Photo Manager.

Photo Manager's browser interface is divided into three panes.  On the left is an area which can switch between showing a tree structure of your hard disk; a calendar view; or display a favourite's listing plus a preview of the currently selected image.  Taking a central position is a view of the content of the current folder or database using standard Windows settings with options to add filters and sort the items using various criteria.  By hovering the mouse cursor over an image, general information such as file name, size and modified date will appear.  The third pane, which is situated on the right, display available tasks for the program's current mode.

Double clicking on an image takes it into the program's editor.  You can then carry out basic editing tasks.  These tasks include the ability to fix red eye with a single click and have easy access to zooming tools for a closer view.  Images can be rotated, cropped and have colour saturation adjusted.  There are also a number of new filters and effects that have been added to this current version of the program.  However these effects are rather limited in their appeal.

Photo Manager 8 does have a choice when it comes to sharing images with others.  You can create a web-based photo album in HTML or a PDF file of images that can be circulated to interested parties.  There is a wizard that will lead you through the process of building a slide show complete with various transitions, captions and background audio.  Collections of images can also be burned to CD or DVD.

Overall ACDSee 8 Photo Manager is a competent product without being outstanding in any respect.  It is easy to use within its own basic structure.  The program requires a Pentium III 500MHz processor running Windows 98SE or later with 250MB of hard disk space and 128MB of RAM plus DirectX 9.0.  The price has been set at £29.99.

http://www.acdsystems.com/products/acdsee/