Hermera Photo-Objects are digital photographs of real objects that have been cut from their backgrounds. Each object can be composited independently and used like clip art.

The actual contents consists of 10,100 Hemera Photo-Objects, 241,300 vector clip art images, 50,000 raster illustrations, 35,200 professional color photos, 15,000 professional black-and-white photos, 260,200 Web graphics, 2,000 textured photos, 500 animations, and 500 PhotoFont textures.

The package includes two bonus software applications: T-Shirt Creator and Greeting Card Creator, and the addition of 200 templates to support them. A third bonus, CD Designs Creator, is available as a free download. $69.95

The VFZ file structure holds six levels of quality in a single file. The levels range from proof, the lowest resolution, through levels 1-5. The proof level contains less than 10% of the original data. Level 3 is considered suitable for printing and normal use, including Web applications. Levels 4 and 5 are almost indistinguishable. Level 5 is used for master imaging, archiving, artwork, or medical use. At level 5 the image can be reversed to TIFF or BMP. This factor is important, since only one VFZ file need be stored to achieve a variety of outputs, including restoring the file to its original state. An original image that was 261KB, would be 19.8KB at the proof level (proofing quality), 42.3KB at Level 1 (proofing quality), 70.2KB at Level 2 (proofing quality), 101.1KB at Level 3 (on the screen lossless), 132.9KB at Level 4 (printable), and 164.8KB at Level 5 (lossless).

VFZ is efficient in its capability to enable the user to work with a low-resolution version of an image, and therefore save the time needed to transfer and manipulate a large image. For example, if only a small area was to be cropped, the image could be transferred at the proof level, cropped, and then only the cropped area would be increased to the required level.

Unlike TIFF, BMP, or JPEG, VFZ supports image information to be stored with the file, including title, author, date, genre, copyright, and comment. Security can be attached to each image by saving it in the PFZ (Protected VFZ) format. $119.95

Contact: Finite Matters Ltd., 3064 River Road West, Suite B, Goochland, Virginia 23063, 888 230-1365, 804 556-1180, e-mail: info@fml.com, fax: 804 556-1183.

The Capture function supports the direct input of video into the PC, from camcorders as well as most other video sources, including still images. The video sources include live capture, DV-AVI, DAT, MPET-1, and MPEG-2; the audio sources include MP3, WAV, and Audio CD; and the image sources include JPEG, TIFF, BMP, and GIF. The Edit function provides easy-to-use editing tools, a drag-and-drop interface, over 100 transitions, special video effects, picture-in-picture, titling effects, and more. Movies can be output in DV-AVI, Windows AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MWV, MOV, RM, DivX (with the use of an additional codec), and DVD/SVCD/VCD/MPEG Video. The Author function is supported with a step-by-step Disc Wizard that leads the user through the process of creating menus with associated chapters. The Burn function can be initiated on DVD, VCD, SVCD, or mini-DVD discs, and then playedback on the PC, or using a standard DVD player.

Other features include: scene detection technology; trim mode to remove unwanted video segments; color adjustment tools (color, brightness, hue, etc.); over 50 unique title effects, with up to nine titles applied on one video clip simultaneously; gridline and TV safe zone; slow/fast motion video effects; support for up to five audio tracks; Smart Video Rendering Technology (SVRT) to render MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and DV-AVI video faster than any other software on the market; and much more. $99.95

Font Reserve maintains fonts in a database, which makes it easy to identify, search, and sort even the largest collection. Fonts can be maintained in a single secure location called the Font Reserve Vault, which can be hidden from view to prevent unintentional deletions. If users prefer they can maintain their fonts according to their current font organization, and alias the fonts. Font Reserve provides the option for users to move fonts out of OS X and Classic Fonts folders automatically, and place them into the Font Reserve environment. The program includes the ClassicActivator, an application that manages fonts for applications that run in the Classic environment.

The Font Reserve Browser presents an intuitive interface for activating and deactivating fonts, organizing them for specific jobs and clients, and viewing them by various identifying criteria, such as classification and foundry. The Preview function enables the user to see the entire font character complement on-screen, or print it out in a variety of professional specimen book layouts. The font book printing functions alone justify the cost of the software.

Font Reserve also helps to maintain a stable environment as it repairs corrupt fonts, on-the-fly, as they are added. It allows for the activation of font copies, rather than moving the original, which ensures the likelihood that future corruption will not occur. Font corruption can cause unexplained system crashes. In addition, the program manages font conflicts automatically, eliminating a problem that can plague a user of fonts from diverse origins.

Fonts are added to Font Reserve through a simple drag and drop process. Any media containing fonts can be dragged into Font Reserve, and the program will locate all of the font files and correctly add them to its database.

Digital publishers will appreciate that Font Reserve provides Font Sense plug-ins for the most popular professional publishing applications (Adobe InDesign 2, Adobe Illustrator 10, and QuarkXPress 5) so that fonts are accurately activated automatically. Font Reserve single user is also available for Windows. $99.95

A combination book and CD-ROM that is organized to emulate an in-class experience by providing instructor-led instruction that complements and expands on the content that is presented in print. The book presents step-by-step information about essential Adobe Illustrator 10 operation, with tutorials on the disc.

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