The news
Close behind the revelation that Tesco is launching a range of inexpensive own-brand software comes Serif's announcement of a pair of low-cost software bundles - each containing previous-generation apps that explain the low prices - £49.99 for the Internet Design Suite and £29.99 for the Student Creativity Suite.
The Serif Desktop Internet Design Suite is said to offer an affordable way for anyone to create "striking graphically-rich websites, without needing previous web design experience". Three programs are bundled - WebPlus 9, PhotoPlus 9 and ImpactPlus 4 - along with a resource pack.
WebPlus 9 is reckoned to provide DTP-style design tools that make it easy to lay out web text and graphics without getting your hands dirty with a lot of coding and file organising. With the PhotoPlus 9 bit-map app, "advanced-level image-editing tools" are said to simplify the importing, editing and exporting of image files for printing, sharing via email and uploading to the web.
The third suite-member, ImpactPlus 4, is claimed to add zing to printed work, home movies, presentations and web sites and be able to handle a range of standard 3D-model file formats.
Rounding off the the internet bundle, the resource pack contains printed user guides and three CD. The discs carry, among other things, extra tutorials, wizards, web templates, web art, sample images, picture brushes, preset effects and 3D samples.
Serif's lower-cost bundle, the Student Creativity Suite, is intended as a study aid that stretches, the company claims, from Key Stage 2 right through to university. It's said to combine Serif’s curriculum-accredited software with "tutorials, extra resources and more" and to be targeted at students wanting to learn design techniques and create professional level work for projects and assignments.
Again, three apps are included but, this time, PhotoPlus 9 is paired with the DrawPlus 7 vector drawing program and a 3D design package 3DPlus 3.
Draw7 Plus's "powerful" drawing tools are said to include 3D shapes, mesh fills, feathering, filter effects, transparency and the "outstanding" Smart Curve Drawing tool. , give students complete control over the creation and manipulation of artwork in DrawPlus 7.
And 3DPlus 3, Serif claims, removes the complexity usually associated with 3D design, so students can easily create great looking effects for movies and presentations, "dramatic" logos for printed work or "outstanding" website graphics.
An additional CD of tutorials is also provided in the student bundle. The tutorials help users get acquainted with the apps and are also said to be "invaluable" as curriculum-learning aids.
Check out Serif's press releases on page two and let us hear your thoughts these and other budget apps in this thread in the HEXUS.lifestyle.news forum.
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