Canvas X: Ten Times the Versatility of Your Average Graphics Tool Advanced Functions Scott Koegler
Advanced Functions
Canvas X includes the customary image editing abilities, including color balance and equalization, contrast, and saturation, along with a variety of modification effects like lens flair, noise, and oil painting. Its Sprite function lets you take one set of filters and effects and apply them to another section of an image, to another image, or even to a collection of images, making quick work of correcting an entire set of images that were shot with the wrong settings or that each need the same enhancements.
We were able to use the layers function to view different versions of the same file by making some layers visible and hiding others. Multiple layers can be grouped so that one single Canvas file can be viewed as different versions simply by switching layer groups. If you're showing your work to a client, this function can save you from needing to create separate copies of a piece of work.
Reusing a piece of work can save hours. Canvas X takes repurposing in stride and can output pages as images, documents, and Web pages. We used a wizard to automatically collect pages for output and optimize the images on the pages. If you're designing Web pages specifically, Canvas X has an extensive set of tools for slicing images and for creating hyperlinks.
Though it may be beyond the standard use of an image editor, Canvas X includes a full set of technical drawing tools, including shapes and smart-lines to ease the creation of flow charts.
If you've advanced beyond the starter packages that were included in the box with your digital camera and are looking for an advanced image editor, take a long look at Canvas X. If you spend a little time with the program's tutorials you'll quickly find that you can not only tweak your images to make them the best they can be, but you can use your imagination to create images you're proud to display on your wall or on the Web.
Pros: Intuitive and unique design, minimal learning curve, extensive set of features, excellent tool for all graphics needs (creation, manipulation, enhancement, presentation, and sharing), works with both bitmap- and vector-based images
Cons: May be overkill for the average digital photographer or graphics user, price relative to apps like Photoshop Elements and Paint Shop Pro
