Don't Know How to Create ISO Files?

very good
key review info
application features
  • Process almost all CD image file(s) including ISO and BIN.
  • (4 more, see all...)

There's not much to say about creating CD and DVD images and saving them into different file formats, the most notorious of them being the ISO format. Today's program is about creating, editing and burning CD and DVD images into ISO format, but is not limited to that. Now, let's find out a bit more about this program and then check all the features available.

What I have here is the shareware version of the program known as MagicISO Maker, program that reached version 5.3 and comes as an installation kit 2.53MB in size. The setup process is as easy as possible, so you don't have to worry about that. The unregistered version can't save disc images larger than 300MB, but it's excellent for evaluation purposes. Let's stop wasting time and start the trip!

After installing the program and starting it for the first time, you will face a nag screen. Well, forget about that, just press the Try It! button and move to the real thing!

MagicISO Maker's interface reminds me of UltraISO, having the same elements placed in the same spots and being extremely easy to use. The menus are completely different, but that's another story. To sum things up, the program's interface is composed of a menu bar, two toolbars that contain most important features and the work area containing the current image contents and an Explorer-like browser.

The first question that arises when checking a program from this category is "what kind of files can I open and save with (...)?", and the answers can be found usually between the notorious ISO and a dozen different formats or more.

If you go to the File menu and enter the New submenu, you will find an extremely rich offer of disc images that can be created, starting with Data and Bootable CD images to end with XBOX DVD image or floppy disk images. UDF DVD images that can handle files larger than 2GB in size can also be created with this program, maximum size of a DVD image being 10GB. If you think about opening an image...don't think, just use the Open command and you'll have your task accomplished, no matter what you want to open (anyway, be aware that it can't open doors or chastity belts!).

Once you dropped your files into the empty window corresponding to your new disc image file, you can save it into one of the two available formats, ISO and UIF (Universal Image Format).

Disc images as well as floppy images can be written from MagicISO Maker without problems. The Tools menu is very rich, allowing you to also compress/decompress images, convert them or make multi boot images using the built in wizard. Boot images can be created using boot floppy disks, even though the floppy disk is an ancient device by now.

This is a useful and easy to use program that you have to check for yourselves, since it's breathing down UltraISO's neck, as far as I was able to notice today...

The Good

MagicISO Maker is one of the best programs from its family, and I am amazed how I didn't find out about it earlier. It can read almost any image file format in the wild, add or remove files to/from an existing image, create CD/DVD images from your discs and burn them, but it doesn't stop here. The program has been translated in over fifteen languages and new translations are just about to pop up.

The Bad

This program has exactly the same price as UltraISO but unfortunately it's not that famous yet, and the Help system still needs a bit of work to become a top quality one.

The Truth

MagicISO comes fast from behind and is only a matter of time until the front line is reached. The shareware version can be yours in a flash for free trials to prove you that this family has no Godfather yet and the position is claimed by more than just one-two-three worthy programs.

Here are some snapshots of the application in action:

Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image

Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image
Review image
user interface 4
features 4
ease of use 5
pricing / value 3


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
NEXT REVIEW: CoolCD Studio