                            ImagePals 2
                         by Madonna Johnson

	Image Pals is a useful collection of tools that offer media
cataloging, image editing, file conversion, and screen capture in
separate modules.  The program can be a very versatile tool for a
wide range of users from all aspects of computing.  While reviewing
the program, I was directly looking for ways that are useful to a
desktop publisher since that's where my main interests lie.  The
most appealing feature to me was the cataloging module.  The imaging
editing module has a number of very interesting special effects
filters while the screen capture module can also be very useful.

	The media cataloging feature in ImagePals 2 is a versatile tool
that makes cataloging files of all types a breeze.  I experimented
with cataloging a wide range of clip art as well as a directory of
PageMaker 5.0 and miscellaneous other files.  Since Aldus does not
include any file description features similar to Word For Windows or
Corel that allow you to write a short description for each file,
this could prove to be an invaluable tool for cataloguing files.

	This was a worthwhile experiment.  I was able to catalogue
easily and although the book is certainly useful for learning about
all the many tools within Album, I was able to just jump in and
start experimenting before I even picked it up.

	The catalogue features the ability to input long description
lines and add seemingly unlimited keywords for each of the
thumbnails created for any graphics.  In addition, each file that is
catalogued can be entered into a subject category.  Search options
are very simple yet effective in finding files once they are
catalogued.  Viewing the file of a thumbnail is as easy as double
clicking.  The actual file can be displayed and appears much larger
than the thumbnail, but not quite a quarter of the screen size.

	ImagePals 2 comes bundled with its own global viewer for many
graphic types.  Some file types that are incompatible with the
global viewer are "associated" with programs in the same way that
Windows associates files.  For example, double clicking on a
CorelDraw!  file automatically executes Corel and brings up the
file.  The same occurs when cataloging PageMaker 5.0 files.  A
simple double click launches PageMaker and allows you to view or
edit that file.  With programs like PM 5.0 that don't include their
own file viewer or allow you to include file descriptions with the
file name like Corel does, this will be an invaluable time saver for
unarchived backup copies of files.

	The actual cataloguing of files, as always, can be a time
consuming task.  Ulead Systems has taken measures to ensure that the
process is as simple as possible.  For example, one test that I
tried was to work with some samples from a clip art collection.  I
catalogued a directory of over a hundred images and spent only about
15 minutes from loading the images to typing in the image names.

	While entering keywords, I did not ever have to take my hands
off the keyboard.  All the commands flow easily.  Once a keyword has
been entered once, the system will always keep it "handy" for
repeated use later.  For example, a set of several images of
children with baseball related items were keyed in a matter of a few
seconds.  The first image I entered a description of "a boy holding
a baseball mitt and wearing a cap." I entered keywords of BOY,
BASEBALL, MITT, and CAP and created a subject group called Sports
Children.  The second image was entered with a description of "girl
holding baseball bat over her shoulder and is wearing a baseball
cap." I entered as keywords, GIRL, and the letters "Ca" and up
popped the word Cap.  Next I entered the letters "Bas" and the rest
of the word Baseball appeared.  The same thing occurred with other
images as I encountered repeating keywords.  The descriptions are as
easy to enter as they appear above.  There is enough room to enter
an entire paragraph if needed.  The program is very intuitive and
saves numerous keystrokes whenever possible.

	Once keywords are entered for images, a word search query can be
entered by entering keywords to find particular images.  For
example, entering the word baseball and cap would bring up all
images with both words as keywords.  Using "or" in the search while
using the same words would search in a completely different way.

	The screen capture module in Image Pals doesn't stand out in the
crowd as far as having any specifically wonderful features.  When
capturing images, one or more destinations for the capture file must
be designated before beginning.  The destination can be to a file,
to a screen capture, to the clipboard, to the printer or directly
into the image editor.  The capture feature allows you to choose
exactly which part of the screen display that should be captured.
You can select from the active window, or simply parts of the
screen.  The convert data type group box allows you to convert
captured images to a specific data type.  The resolution can be
adjusted as necessary.  When viewed on screen the capture files are
extremely "bit mappy." The writing is almost illegible on screen
although once printed out the images are much easier to see.  The
contrast is tricky to adjust, but with practice you learn that
changing to a monochrome display before taking screen shots allow
the files to be printed lighter.

	The Image Editing Module is a distant rival to some of the more
well known power programs.  The Image Editor by no means offers as
many features as similar programs, but the tools that are included
within the program allow a great variety of editing.  With these
tools you could easily create, compose, change and improve any type
of image, from black & white to true color.

	With this overview in mind, I would like to see the modules
available individually as well as packaged together, specifically
the Album as a front runner program.  For people who don't already
own a full featured program, they may find that they could save
several hundred dollars by investing in ImagePals 2.0.

	ImagePals is available for $129 at in introductory price.  For
registered users of ImagePals 1.0 and 1.2, the upgrade is available
for only $49.

                                S&S
                    400 Skokie Blvd., Suite 200
                       Northbrook, IL  60062
                           (708) 291-1616

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