Corel has announced the release of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI, which it is billing as u201ca complete digital photography toolkit that allows users to edit, manage and share their photos.u201d

Corel has announced the release of Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI, the eleventh instalment of its flagship imaging software. Paint Shop Pro Photo is billed as ?a complete digital photography toolkit that allows users to edit, manage and share their photos as well as create stunning photo projects.?
The package offers a range of enhancements designed to meet the needs of a broader range of digital users, from novices through to semi-professional photographers. One-click auto functions are provided for those new to digital imaging while more experienced users are promised ?a complete range of advanced image editing tools.?
The new release offers tools including a Color Changer, which enables users to alter the colour of an object or photo area with just a few clicks. Corel says that the Color Changer detects and analyses variations in brightness caused by real-world illumination and then reapplies the illumination to produce a realistic effect without the need for precise selection and masking. Improved RAW support, an enhanced Crop tool and better support for Corel Painter and Painter Essentials have also been lavished upon version 11 of the program.
Corel?s Makeover tools now include a skin smoothing function, which builds upon the sun tan and teeth whitening abilities of the program?s previous incarnation. A Time Machine feature, meanwhile, enables users to see their photos reproduced in a range of historical photographic processing styles. Effects include 1920?s and 1960?s sepia reproduction and early colour processing. In addition the software?s Photo Organizer has been improved to provide more seamless integration with the editing portion of the suite, eliminating the need to switch interfaces. This latter area of the software offers new support for video files, enabling users to review both stills and moving images within the same interface. Frames of videos can also be extracted and saved as video files. Photo Trays is an additional feature that allows users to sort groups of images into virtual ?piles?.
Paint Shop Pro Photo?s Learning Centre has been improved, with tasks relocated into more intuitive category bands. This area of the software includes a series of One Click Photo Fixes, which automatically adjust the colour balance, contrast, clarity and saturation of an image in one action.
Priced £77 for the full box version and £52 for an upgrade (both prices exclude VAT), Paint shop Pro Photo XI is available now through www.corel.co.uk, and in the next few weeks at other online and high street retailers. Corel Snapfire Plus photo and video sharing software is also included. Find out full details online at Corel?s website.