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Ulead Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of InterVideo Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII), has announced the release of Ulead PhotoImpact 12, Ulead's flagship image-editing software. The latest version adds innovative features that allow beginners to immediately enjoy success in editing their digital photos and sharing images in creative projects.

ExpressFix mode and the SmartGuide task-oriented help system are two high-visibility enhancements designed to help introduce users to digital photography.

ExpressFix mode is a simplified interface providing commonly-used photo features as guided and fully automatic tools. Featuring a large preview screen with before and after views, users can adjust color, exposure and focus using intelligent one-click presets. Noise reduction and PhotoImpact's unique SmartCurves tone adjustment are available as fully-automated one-step processes. For photo portraits, users can remove red-eye effects and enhance the complexion of subjects with a Beautify Skin option. ExpressFix mode also provides direct links to PhotoImpact 12's enhanced White Balance correction feature as well as options to rotate, print, and e-mail photos.

PhotoImpact 12 now adds a SmartGuide "How-to" help panel to assist users in completing a range of photo, Web and video and DVD-oriented tasks. In addition to step-by-step instructions, links in the SmartGuide, help text automatically selects the correct tools to perform the action described.

PhotoImpact 12 features significant enhancements to meet the needs of high-end users. RAW file format has been extended to cover more camera models. Editing at high color depth now includes support for selection tools and objects. 16-bit color depth objects can now be saved in PhotoImpact's native UFO file format.

A new White Balance correction tool employing advanced perceptual technology makes photos look more natural, even in mixed lighting situations. To speed workflow, the White Balance tool automatically analyzes photo colors and suggests appropriate correction settings which users can accept or refine as desired.

An enhanced Reduce Noise feature, based on new anisotropic diffusion algorithms, is more powerful and much faster. Noise reduction is provided as an automatic feature in ExpressFix mode and as a stand-alone function with adjustable settings for advanced users.

New in version 12 is a three-step Photo Project wizard which provides customizable templates for adding photos to greeting cards and CD or DVD labels. The new Share menu also includes options for sharing photos in calendars, Web albums, Web slideshows and on mobile devices.

The PhotoImpact Component Designer now includes video title graphics and DVD navigation buttons in addition to Web page graphics. Also new in PhotoImpact 12 are templates for Web blogs and DVD menus compatible with Ulead's latest video editing and DVD authoring packages.

Packing 5 complete applications and ready-to-use content, PhotoImpact 12 offers, in addition to the main editor, Ulead Photo Explorer 8.6 for managing and browsing photos, video and other digital media; Ulead PhotoImpact Album 12, a database-driven photo management tool; Ulead COOL 360 for composing panoramic images; and Ulead GIF Animator 5.05, a widely acclaimed GIF animation tool. In addition creative tools, PhotoImpact 12 provides a rich library of over 1,300 royalty-free images, 2,200 Web elements, 1,000 objects and 3,250 customizable effects to serve as a starting point for creative projects.

Box and electronic download versions and upgrades of PhotoImpact 12 will be available in October starting at $49.99 US.
www.intervideo.com.