Create HDR Images and More

very good
key review info
application features
  • Optimize images for posting on the Web.
  • (5 more, see all...)

I will be honest and admit that I don't use HDR images every day, but I know there are enough people out there using them, especially computer graphics and movie professionals. Before moving on to the program I have for you now, a good idea would be to find out some things about HDRI, don't you think?

High dynamic range imaging (or just HDRI) is a set of techniques allowing a greater dynamic range of exposures than normal digital imaging techniques, with the purpose to obtain an accurate representation of light's intensity that can be found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to deep, dark shadows. In the beginning, this was developed only for use with computer generated images, but later, it became possible to produce HDR images from sets of photos having a wide range of exposures.

HDRI is a very interesting subject, but so is today's graphics editor, and I think the time has come to move to it, don't you think? Artizen HDR is the name of this program I am talking about, and its latest version is labeled 2.4.5. Unfortunately, it doesn't come for free, but you can enjoy most features of the full program using the feature limited trial version that I have here. The setup package is small enough, having 8.5MB in size, and installing the application was really easy. Now that we know all that, I guess it's the time for the interface and features, as usual...

When we're having an archiver with a weak interface, that's not much of a problem, but from a graphics editor, I must say that I expected more than what I got from Artizen HDR. Remember Twisted Brush? A lot of features, easy enough to use, but a few years behind in terms of interface design? The same happens here, because Artizen HDR's interface has a sad color, and despite the fact that its tools are well organized, things look simply outdated. This is not only a problem because I don't enjoy it too much, but also because some of the tools here are harder to use, since you'll have to use scrollbars and enter values into text boxes instead of dragging sliders or playing with some knobs.

OK, so...what can be done with this program, after all? Well, one good place to find this is the Welcome Wizard that starts with this program and has nine tasks available (the tenth one, checking for updates to the program, is only available for the registered version).

Once you start working with Artizen HDR, you will notice that all the images you create are watermarked. Too bad, and this is not the only limitation of the trial version. The wide range of supported file types and color modes is restricted so that when you are trying to create HDR images from your pictures, you can only load BMP, JPG, TGA and TIF files that are automatically converted to 8bit color depth. The limitations don't stop here, because there are also some other image formats that are limited to 8bit support, CRW, DCR, DNG or RAF being a part of them.

On the image editing side, things look just fine. You can work easily with layered images, and there's also a powerful scripting editor available for you to use that supports VBScript, JScript, PerlScript and Python.

Looking for image filters? No worries, it may not be Photoshop land here, but you have enough choices available at any time! Aged Photo, Bacterial, Blur/Sharpen, Distortions, Render are only a part of the filters that can help you touch up the work you have done using the selection, design and vector tools available inside the tools pane.

Can I complain a little? Although some of the filters and tools available are awesome, it's a pity to see that my computer moves so slow, and I am not working with 7000X5000 pixel images! Even worse, when I tried to open such an image, the program didn't crash...but ignored my request instead, being unable to execute my orders...

At last, if you are looking for an internal image browser inside your editor, search no more! Go to the File menu, choose the Open Image Browser... item and you're ready to take off! This image browser has some nice features itself -batch processing, album and Web gallery creation, image conversion or slide show, helping you to manage your pictures easier.

These being said, my joyride is almost over, but yours has only begun, but take your time to check the conclusions and screenshots before being pulled under by Artizen HDR's charms...

The Good

Artizen HDR is a useful graphics editor with a lot of useful features that's powerful and easy to use at the same time.

The Bad

Unfortunately, this program is rather slow and it won't open very large images, which is not good at all. I would also like to have a comprehensive built-in documentation available, apart from the tutorials that are already here. At last, I am sure that some work on the interface would be really helpful!

The Truth

Artizen HDR is not a program for the enthusiasts that have just got a computer and started playing with Paint or AcdSee's image editing functions, but if you are one of those and have the time to spare, you can give this application a try. After all, using a new program means learning something new, and that's what we leave for: learning and becoming better and better, from the cradle to the grave. Are you ready to take your chances with Artizen HDR? Take a look at the screenshots, first!

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user interface 2
features 4
ease of use 4
pricing / value 3


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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