No problem with my update. Hmm.

I too have used Photoshop daily since its very inception. I make a living from this program. But from what I've used in PS7 beta, I rank it as Adobe's least inspired upgrades ever. What's new isn't terribly essential, only cosmetic, or mildly useful. For the first time ever, I'll save my cash, and wait till 2003 or so, when PS 8 is rolled out.

Thanks here, too, Slynky. Bess get off my butt and enter, rather than whine about how difficult life is as an artist. :)

Attached Link: http://johngoddard.tripod.com

I withhold my judgment of Photoshop 7.0 until I use the shipping version. Actually, I just wanted to correct a mis-statement by mugsworth a few posts back: Aldus ImageStyler was NEVER Adobe Photoshop. Aldus and Adobe were competing companies. For example, Aldus FreeHand (now owned by Macromedia) competed with Adobe Illustrator. Aldus ImageStyler was a Windows 3.1 clone that tried to take the tiny Windows graphics market before Adobe could port Photoshop over from the Mac. You see, at that time, Photoshop was Mac only, and Windows blew chucks in every way possible (opps... did I use the past tense?). Anyhow, Aldus tanked against Adobe and sold ImageStyler to ULead Systems... in effect becoming ULead PhotoImpact. ULead PhotoImpact is up to version 7 and it has evolved into a very capable, sub-$100 program. Hey... before turning freelance, I had the graphics beat at PC World.

Attached Link: http://www.arcsoft.com/products/software/en/photomontage2000.html

Also check out ArcSoft's PhotoMontage 2000. I think it is $40. I know that comes free with some Epson printers (perhaps others?).

It's purely asthetics... besides, Window's interface is pushing 5-years now... it's nice to dress it in something less crusty-looking.

Heh,heh... I guess my PC speed shows. I'm due for a new one. Blush.

Simply a matter of preference. I'm not saying one is better over the other. I'm simply coming from the Bryce side. :)

Then again, perhaps Gail is such a perfectionist, she added a virtual flash-fill on top of the camera so she could get the proper exposure of the Cactus? heh,heh...

Check out the free Vue download section for a Sun posted recently by Silverbranch.

Actually, could you make a few variations of suns? I think we'd all be greatly indebted. They'd be especially cool for Tatooine scenes... no? :) Metropa PS: Thanks to everyone for answering my initial request. Too cool.

Terragen (it's beta) www.planetside.co.uk

Vue d'Esprit 3's foliage is pretty cool. Their SolidGrowth engine generates a different plant each time you use it. In other words, no two plants look alike. Best of all, they look good even close up. I think the app comes with 18 different species, then the company site, www.e-onsoftware.com, offers a couple other species (2 are free, the rest are $10). Anyhow, they look good and render quickly. PS: Vue 3's interface isn't as slick as Bryces, and their atmospheres need work, but it's pretty cool all the same.