Saturday, May 29, 2010

Review and Giveaway: Corel Paint It! CLOSED



Since having a child, I've become quite the amateur photographer. I have a camera hanging from my neck or wrist daily, always prepared to capture those special moments. Almost as fun as taking the pictures is editing them to create the perfect final portrait. I typically use Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 to touch up or enhance my photos, so when I was offered to review a new photo editing software package from Corel, there was no way I could pass it up.

Corel Paint It!
allows users to effortlessly turn their favorite photos into unique, digital works of art. Paint It! features a variety of brushes and preset painting styles - everything you need to add stunning painted effects to your photos in as few as three mouse clicks. With it's simple, intuitive user interface, Paint It! is suitable for photographers, scrapbookers, families and creative minds of all ages. (And yes, it is compatible with both Windows and Mac machines!)

Being of an impatient nature, I was thrilled that the software was quick and painless to install. I couldn't wait to get started. I found the program to be extremely user-friendly. The icons are large and easy to read. No manual necessary. Any tech-savvy person should be able to figure it out in no time, although there is a Help menu available for beginners. You simply choose a picture file from your computer, click on the desired effect button, press play and BOOM! A custom work of art is being drawn right before your eyes! It was so fun testing different effects with different photos and watching the digital sketches or brushstrokes splash across the screen. But caution: it's addicting! I've spent hours upon hours playing around with it. Check out some of the masterpieces I created using Paint It!:

"Modern Painting":



"Impressionist Painting" (same photo):



"Oil Painting":



"Detailed Watercolor":



"Pastel":



"Illustration":



"Watercolor Sketch":



"Pen & Ink":



"Colored Pencil Drawing":



"Pencil Drawing":



You can also add things like fairy dust or texture (sponge, furry, airbrush, etc.) to personalize your photo further. Kids would get a kick out of this!

While there's no doubt that Paint It! is a cool program, there are a few drawbacks. Mainly, it is very time-consuming. I have quite a fast processor and it can still take upwards of 5-10 minutes to complete one photo sketch. Granted, many of my photos are from my SLR and are very hi-res so you may not have this problem if you use a lower-end camera. But because it takes so long, I have to set aside a chunk of time if I want to experiment with the various effects and features. Not so easy when you're a busy mama. With Paint Shop Pro, I can apply the same effects instantaneously.

I've also had mixed feelings about the results. The drawings and paintings are hit or miss, in my opinion. I've found that landscapes tend to turn out a little better than portraits of people (perhaps because of the finer facial details?) Since 95% of my photos are of my family, I found this to be a little disappointing.

Overall, I think Paint It! would be best suited for photo editing novices or those who aspire to scrapbook, frame and/or share the "paintings" as gifts. Photoshop or PSP gurus may be frustrated by the lack of control over the finished product. However, if you aren't familiar with the more sophisticated programs or would prefer something affordable and entry-level, I think this is a wonderful, basic tool.

BUY IT: You can purchase Corel Paint It! online at http://store1.corel.com/corel or at select retailers nationwide (ARV $39.99).

FUN FREEBIE: Not sure if it's for you?! You can download a free trial version of Paint It!

WIN IT: Corel is kindly offering one lucky reader their own copy of Corel Paint It!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Tell me about one photo you'd most like to turn into a painting. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Corel Paint It! on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Turn your photos into works of art with @CorelPaintIt! Win a copy @kris10chumley Ends 6/14 http://bit.ly/aD36zV

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

4.) Visit the Corel store and tell me another product you'd like to own. (1 entry)

5.) "Like" Corel Paint It! on Facebook. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on June 14, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: This review was made possible by The Product Review Place. I received a free copy of Corel Paint It! from Kelly with Corel to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

128 comments:

janetfaye said...

I have a cute photo of my 3 grandchildren that I would love to turn into a painting.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

aledol said...

A pic frI'm my sis HS grad w her, my bro, myself, my two lil girls!!

aledol said...

http://store1.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?pid=prod3670089&cid=catalog20038&skuId=ESDCDGSX5EN

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15070254283

aledol said...

EM

aledol said...

G fd~rd

aledol said...

Corel
~FB

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15223675097

Teresa said...

I would like to turn my youngest son's newborn picture into a painting
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Mysharona said...

A photo of my kids.

Denise S. said...

I'd use a photo of my two daughters swimming together.

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15293289713

RJ said...

The latest pic of my grands!

rjwhiggins@aol.com

RJ said...

I Subscribe to your blog via Email

rjwhiggins@aol.com

RJ said...

I Subscribe to your RSS via google reader

rjwhiggins@aol.com

RJ said...

I follow you & Corel Paint and I tweeted about this giveaway.

http://twitter.com/rjwhiggins/status/15309077361

rjwhiggins@aol.com

RJ said...

CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X5

rjwhiggins@aol.com

RJ said...

I Follow Corel Paint It on Facebook

FB name - RJ.W.Higgins

rjwhiggins@aol.com

wildcat32 said...

I have a photo of my children on the beach I would love to turn into a painting.
monster6236(at)gmail(dot)com

wildcat32 said...

follow both and tweet http://twitter.com/5memb/status/15328731990
monster6236(at)gmail(dot)com

buzzd said...

photo of my sister and I as kids

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15388388492

Chrissyb said...

I'd use our 1st family photos! transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

google follower
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

RSS feed subscriber
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

I like the CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X5
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

follow you both
http://twitter.com/lilbabybootie/status/15401588938

Bacallsmom said...

I have a very old photo of my mother as a child that I would LOVE to make into a "painting."
bbentry [at] aol [dot] com

Bacallsmom said...

Subscribed to your blog at bbentry [at] hotmail [dot] com (since AOL is blocking Feedburner now).

Bacallsmom said...

I'd love to have Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3. I have an old version of PSP, and I would dearly love to get the newer one.

Bacallsmom said...

"Like" Corel Paint It on Facebook (Susie Randle)

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15463181012

Anonymous said...

We have one picture of our dog that I would love to turn into a painting.
imin2fun81 at mail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would change the Photo of me and my husband taking during his home coming from Iraq. It is my husbands favorite photo and I would like to spruce it up.
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm following your blog via Google Friend Connect.
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm a subscriber via Google Reader.
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm an email subscriber.
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm following you and Corel Paint It! on twitter and I tweeted: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/15524478433
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would also like to own the
CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X5.
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I Like Corel Paint it! on facebook. (Kathy Luman)
kathyluman@gmail dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15524605813

makeetis said...

I would paint a picture that I have of my husband and I
brewerchickey78@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

A picture of four generations in our family.

Anonymous said...

Follow and Tweeted
http://twitter.com/momstateofmind/statuses/15551981081

Anonymous said...

I like Corel Paint on Facebook!

Anonymous said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/15564595855
kathyluman@gmail dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15600189828

skgaff said...

I have a sweet sweet photo of my kids together that I would love to turn into a painting
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

subscribe via google reader
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

follow you and corel paint it on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/skgaff/status/15630975310
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

I would like to own Corel VideoStudio Pro X3
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15672784502

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15672784502

kathyluman said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/15693318761
kluman@columbus.rr.com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15741291533

Chrissyb said...

http://twitter.com/lilbabybootie/status/15749521976

Anonymous said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/15808411392
kathyluman@gmail dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15821444185

Anonymous said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/15854440272
kathyluman@gmail dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15901454105

Anonymous said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/15945306611
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Melissa B. said...

I want my Chicken picture to be turned into a painting

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15976119905

wildcat32 said...

daily tweet http://twitter.com/5memb/status/16000397040
monster6236 at gmail dot com

terri142 said...

I have a family photo from Disney World that I would love to turn into a painting.

terri142 said...

I already subscribe to your blog by email.

terri142 said...

I follow you and corelPaintit! on twitter(terri142)and tweeted!

http://twitter.com/terri142/status/16004468934

terri142 said...

Another product from Corel I would like to own is the
Corel PaintShop Photo Pro X3.

terri142 said...

I Like Corel Paint it! on facebook.

Anonymous said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/16019460010
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Jill Myrick (jsc123) said...

I would love to use this for my favorite weeding photo of my husband.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

Jill Myrick (jsc123) said...

I am following via Google Friends Connect.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

Jill Myrick (jsc123) said...

I am subscribed via email as jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com.

Jill Myrick (jsc123) said...

I would also like the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

Jill Myrick (jsc123) said...

I am a fan of Corel Paint It as Jill Myrick.

jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/16050484116

Anonymous said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/16084682708
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

Since you said portraits aren't as good, I think it would be nice to have a 'painting' of the front of our house.

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

I also like Corel's Photo and Video Pro X3 Bundle.

wildcat32 said...

daily tweet http://twitter.com/5memb/status/16099978811
monster6236 at gmail dot com

Louis H said...

I have a special photo I took at the Grand Canyon what I'd like to turn into a painting

Louis H said...

I subscribed via email schnitzomage at gmail dot com

Louis H said...

following you nd Corel Paint It! on twitter @rosidentevil
http://twitter.com/rosidentevil/status/16100958587

Louis H said...

I would also lie to try the
Corel® WinDVD Pro 2010

Louis H said...

I like Corel Paint it! on FaceBook (louis huff) :)

Hotsnotty2 said...

I would love to turn my wedding photo into a painting, thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

wildcat32 said...

daily tweet http://twitter.com/5memb/status/16139001047
monster6236 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/kathyluman/status/16140685851
kathyluman@gmail dot com

Valancia said...

My photo of our kitty cat Abby

Birdson said...

id like to turn the picture of my grandaughter holding her little brother for the first time into a painting birdson@roadrunner.com

Birdson said...

I like Corel paint It on FB birdson@roadrunner.com

Birdson said...

Im an email subscriber of yours birdson@roadrunner.com

Birdson said...

Im an email subscriber of yours birdson@roadrunner.com

Birdson said...

Id love to have the CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite X5 from the Corel store birdson@roadrunner.com

ShesAnAngel said...

I'd like to turn a pic of my kids at the beach into a painting...

justine417@comcast.net

ShesAnAngel said...

I'm following you both via twitter and I tweeted

http://twitter.com/ShesAnAngel417/status/16160842588

justine417@comcast.net

ShesAnAngel said...

I like Corel Paint It! on facebook

justine pierson
justine417@comcast.net

susan1215 said...

I have a cute picture of my children with our dogs I would paint.

susan1215 said...

follow via GFC

susan1215 said...

fan of Corel Paint It on Facebook Susan Smith

Amy delong said...

A recent picture of my 2 sons swimming!

ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

tina reynolds said...

A photo of my kids together at the park from this past easter thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

tina reynolds said...

i follow your blog

tina reynolds said...

I like corel on facebook (mrstinareynolds)

Unknown said...

I would like to turn a picture of a barn and wagon wheel that I took last summer into a painting. I think it would look better as a painting then as a photograph.

susansmoaks said...

i have a photo of my husband that would be perfect to turn into a painting

susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

follower
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

subscriber
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I subscribe with GFC

Unknown said...

I subscribe with email

Unknown said...

I subscribe with google reader.

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Brebysmommie/status/16185448135
I tweeted and followed you and Corel

Unknown said...

I like Corel Paint It on FB

Unknown said...

I also would like WinZip.

Bakersdozen said...

I have a photo of my kids lined up on stairs and making funny faces. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jinxy and Me said...

I would use a Christmas picture of my nephew.

Chrissyb said...

http://twitter.com/lilbabybootie/status/16192967079

Charlene S. said...

I have a great photo of my son when he lost his first tooth :)

motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com

Charlene S. said...

email subscribe

motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com

Casey Becher said...

I have a cute pic of my 1st dog that I'd like to do as a painting. I miss that little guy!

casey.becher @ yahoo.com

Casey Becher said...

I subscribe to your feed with My Yahoo.

casey.becher @ yahoo.com

Casey Becher said...

I have your button on my blog.
http://kcmomblog.blogspot.com/

Casey Becher said...

The Corel® WinDVD Pro 2010 looks cool!

casey.becher @ yahoo.com

cman said...

Our wedding photo :)

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/16217306468

Jolee said...

I have a picture of my daughter doing a bag race, with her hair flying every which way and a BIG smile. That would be fun to "art-ify." :-) joleehamlin AT comcast DOT net

Jolee said...

email subscriber. joleehamlin AT comcast DOT net

Jolee said...

I'd like to give the MediaOne a Whirl. joleehamlin AT comcast DOT net

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