Software Reviews
AutoFX, Photo/Graphic Edges 7.0 Platinum Edition
Reviewed by d.a.w DESIGN
AutoFX, Photo/Graphic Edges 7.0 Platinum Edition is an amazing powerful plugin for Abode Photoshop; it is also a stand alone program for non-Adobe oriented users. Graphics and digital amateur / professionals will love this software.
Add edges, borders and frames to your photographs. It comes loaded with over 10,000 ready to use presets. Also includes customizable brushes and layer options so that you can create your own unique effects. It is a fun program to use.
PGE 7.0 Platinum has a new user interface, a streamlined workflow with easy to understand preset effects. I didn’t think AutoFX could make the interface any better, but they have.
The graphical user interface (GUI) of PGE 7.0 is easy to use and its previews make it easy on the eyes.
Hover your mouse over a button for the interactive help information to appear.
Presets are available which can transform your images instantly, or choose an effect and customize the settings to make it your own unique effect.
PGE 7.0 Platinum has a large collection of new borders, frames, and effects to enhance photographs.
Figure01 – The new Improved Interface.
Select Frame Effect Menu (see figure03) will open a Catalog of thumbnails of all the edges found in the current directory. Here you will also find the history tab and the new favorites tab.
Figure02 - Catalog of thumbnails.
Figure03 – The 32 new effects.
Edges:-
• Darkroom Edges - film edge techniques
• Grunge Edges - distressed and artistic borders
• Painted Edges - hand painted edge effects
• Montage Edges - create multiple images with multiple edges in single composition
• Geometric Edges - various geometric shapes
• Digital Edges - a novel set of digitally altered edges
• Abstract Edges - abstract shapes and patterns
• Vignette Edges - fading feathered vignettes
Figure04 – Grunge Edge Brush Effect applied.
Effects:-
• Transfer - simulates tissue paper transfer techniques.
• Edge Brush - removes your photo, use this brush to bring portions back, over 230 different Edge Brushes to choose from.
• Burned Edges - creates an edge that looks like you have burned the edges of a photo.
• Photo Border - adds a custom border around your photo.
• Photo Tabs - photo-realistic tabs on each corner of your photo.
• Acid Etching - brush on an etched edge to give your image a darkroom 'etched glass' negative appearance.
• Ambient Brush - adds a patterned texture where you apply the brush.
NOTE: The following effects are used to change an edge that has already been applied to a photo, so be sure to use an edge effect before using any of these enhancements.
• Distort Edges - uses a brush to distort the edge style on any effect you have added to your photo to customizing it.
• Putty Edges - allows you to push, twist, scale and reshape edges you have added to your photos.
• Smudged Edges - allows you to blend the photo and edge together.
Figure05 – Photo Tabs.
Fames:-
• Film Frames - applies creative layouts using your photo, with two or more frames.
• Grunge Frames - adds distressed frames.
• Natural Media - adds a painted mixed media frame.
• Storyboards - applies digital scrapbook-style layouts.
• Thin Borders - adds extremely thin frames in various shapes.
• Artistic Frames - adds original patterns over your picture.
• Classic Frames - a collection of frames from previous versions of this application.
• Dual Frames - creates a 2 frame layout.
• Quad Frames - creates a 4 frame layout.
• Scrapbook Fun - is a great collection of frames that has its own unique theme.
• Traditional Frames - adds frames similar to those found in a frame store.
• Watercolor Frames - adds frames created with watercolor techniques.
Figure06 - Storyboards.
Accents:-
• Adornments - Are a collection of objects that you can add over the top of your frames, buttons, flowers, tape.
• Overlays - subtle edge effects for your photographs.
Figure07 – Adornments and Overlays.
Conclusion:
This is a great program. The new interface is much easier to use, clearer and more efficient than the previous one; although I thought the previous interface was easy to use. Applying frames/edges to your photographs is quick and easy. It's so easy to brush on edges and combine them together to give a unique style to a photograph. The numbers of presets are overwhelming, more than you will need. What ever changes you make small or large you can save your layer preset. The only critique I have is that sometimes it’s a bit slow rendering Hi – res Photographs. PGE 7.0 Platinum is a well deserved upgrade for existing PGE 5, 6 users. It is a great opportunity for any new user amateur / professional to enhance their unique creative talents in the world of AutoFX. There are no boundaries of what you can do with this plug-in / stand alone software.
Pros –
• Improved interface.
• Improvements in the previewing area.
• PGE 7.0 has over 1,000 presets.
Cons – A little bit slow at rendering Hi-res photographs.
There is a manual which you can download from www.autofx.com, also FREE training videos (14) available online.
Installing:
It does take a bit of time to install this DVD.
Photo/Graphic Edges 7.0 Platinum Edition works as a plug-in and a stand alone application for Windows and Macintosh.
Just run the disk and follow the on screen information, if you want it to work as a plug-in point to your Photoshop plug-ins folder. I would make a plug-ins folder outside of Photoshop, just in case you have to un-install Photoshop that way you don’t have to install every other plug-in you have again. The first time you launch the program it will ask you for the serial number, which is a pretty long one. All Autofx software comes with both, Mac and PC versions on the disk.
Also works with Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro and Corel Draw.
System Requirements
Windows
OS: 2000 / XP / Vista Memory: 512 MB Disk Space: 4 GB
Photoshop Support: CS4 - CS3 - CS2 - CS - 7.0
Macintosh
OS: OS X / PPC or Intel Memory: 512 MB Disk Space: 4 GB
Photoshop Support: CS4 - CS3 - CS2 - CS - 7.0
Purchase Upgrade for $129
(Upgrade requires Version 5 or 6 serial number)
Purchase Full Version for $249
Photo/Graphic Edges is not available for download due to the size of the program.
Only a physical DVD is available.
AutoFX, Photo/Graphic Edges 7.0 Platinum Edition.
Marks: - 
www.autofx.com
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