The new Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 is HERE!

[jasonX]

 

 

Ashampoo  Photo Commander 17:  The complete solution for your photos!

The new Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 is a comprehensive software solution to view, edit, and organize digital photos. Clever filter and grouping options help users keep track no matter how large their photo collections are. The program supports geotagging to sort photos by location and can visualize locations on a map. Photo Commander's image viewer features seamless transitions and is perfect for multi-display environments with high-res 4K resolutions. Features include automatic image optimization plus manual effects and various tools to recover faded images, remove scratches, fix red eyes and eliminate digital noise. The integrated batch processing is ideal for large numbers of images and supports conversion as well as common image manipulation features. Users can also create individual collages, calendars and photo cards based on multiple included templates and frame designs for quick results. Creating slideshows with smooth transitions and background music is equally easy. 
 

Ashampoo Photo Commander 17

 

Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 offers the necessary technology upgrade for blazing performance, up-to-date image formats / compatibility. Thanks to more efficient 64-bit memory and CPU management, version 17 is up to 40% faster than version 16. This means faster image browsing and opening. Ashampoo also overhauled the burning and scanning routines and improved the codec support (PNG, WEBP, JXR, etc.).


Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 is fully Windows 11 compatible and the first Photo Commander to feature native 64-bit support. Version 17 has been technologically overhauled and features significant speed improvements, e.g., with JPGs loading up to 40% faster.

 

FEATURES AT A GLANCE:
 

• Full Windows 11 compatibility
  
• Native 64-bit support for optimal memory usage and speed
  
• Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) support for optimized CPU usage
  
• 40% faster loading of JPGs
  
• Numerous codec upgrades (PNG, WEBP, JXR, etc.)
  
• New burning and scanning technologies
  
• Lightning-fast file browser to low memory footprint
  
• Enhanced video playback
  
• New wizards for slideshows, batch processing, and duplicate scans
  
• Convert WebP into JPG
  

Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 is the complete solution to view, edit and organize your photos. Bring order to your collection, optimize any number of photos simultaneously and create stylish calendars, cards, or entire slideshows in no time! Turn any number of unsorted photos into a genuine collection in just a few clicks, whether beginner, enthusiast, or professional!




THE USER INTERFACE

The initial (main) user interface seems to be a bit cluttered and may take the user some minutes to get used to. The main user interface is divided into 3 areas, namely: (1) Folder Area (Folder Section) , (2) Content Area (File  Selection Area), and (3) Preview Area (File Preview Area). 
 

1. Folder Area (Folder Section) 
This area not only shows the "file-tree" (folder hierarchy) also features offers search and filtering tools! Users can search for images based on date (taken/created), the geographical location (GPS data - if geotagged) and even specify which folders should be included or excluded from the search to help narrow down the photos we need. Folder hierarchy can be quite big to see in one's system thus these "Filters" aid the user to efficiently search/display what he desires. The elements seen in this area are:
 

 

• (i) Folders (shows the file-tree)
  (ii) Bookmarks (drop-down menu allows the user to bookmark the current folder path)
  (iii) When? (view allows to alter the current folder selection by creation date. Only files that match the selected date will be displayed)
  (iv) Where? (view lists all photos sorted by country/state/city/street based on the GPS data contained in the user's files)
  (v) Filing (helps the user "file" an image or album --containing different folders, to his desired location).
  

2. Content Area (File  Selection Area)
File/s can be selected by either single-clicking a selected file or using checkboxes to access multiple image files. The area supports drag & drop thus the user can drag a file from the file view (Content Area / File  Selection Area) into the folder view (Folder Section / Folder Area). Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 anticipates more than enough images thus "Filter settings" are provided to help narrow down the number of files based on various criteria such as type and size. 

A "Viewing options" toolbar is provided at the bottom to customize file presentation, e.g., by adjusting the sort order, Move your mouse pointer over these symbols in the program for further details. Use the slider to resize the thumbnail previews. 
 

3. Preview Area (File Preview Area)
This area displays a larger preview of selected image with additional information such as image metadata and a histogram. Use the top-right toolbar to rate images, compare it to other images or switch to fullscreen mode. Hover the mouse over the symbols for more information. The toolbar on top of the large preview panel shows editing tools (Optimize, View, Improve, etc.) as well as Backups, Save, etc. 

 

EDITING PHOTOS

With Ashampoo Photo Commander 17, the user will discover tools that optimize photos, add filters and polish contrasts / colors, straighten image horizons, clone areas, accentuate details with the focus or tilt-shift effect, as well as adjustment of image size / canvas, and rotation or crop photos. These editing tools are tailored from beginner to advanced users!

The fastest way to start an edit a photo/image is to double-click the desired image in the "Preview Area". The editing mode does not take over the full computer screen (but does temporarily remove the tree view and gallery view panels) allowing for more room to work on the actual image itself (the toolbars remain above and expand to include more options).

Provided that there's enough room available, Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 will display smaller preview of the previous/next image left (when hovered upon signifies an arrow pointing to the left) and right (when hovered upon signifies an arrow pointing to the right) of the current image. This is the "Picture Flow" of editing area. This not only helps keep track of "previous/next" images but also allows the user to easily navigate between photos inside a folder. 
 

"Miniature Previews" not only help with orientation but allows the user to swiftly switch between images by left-clicking the desired image. Use the top-right toolbar to rate images with stars, compare the current images with others and switch into fullscreen mode. For additional information, the user just needs to hover the mouse over any of the symbols to get a description or related information on desired symbols. 

"Comparing image states" (compare original to edited) is easily viewed. Whenever the user has made cahnges /edited a photo, he can enable a side-by-side view of the original image and its modified state. 
 

Resize Image / Resize Canvas
Resizing an image can be easily be done by the prepared drop-down menu via "Quick-Fix > Resize". The user can just select from the list provided or enter a desired size. The same goes with resizing the canvas of an image. Here the user does this via "Quick-Fix > Resize > Resize Canvas". The "Resize Image Canvas" will display the image size (Width x Length) as well as the relative position of the image. User can just change the details as he desires. 
 

Crop / Select Images
With Ashampoo Photo Commander 17, the user can crop photos with ease, straighten image horizons and accentuate colors. Cut-out individual people and objects and modify image perspective anytime. 

Crop / Select Images offers 4 options, namely: (i) Rectangular Select/Crop, (ii) Free Style Select Crop, (iii) Free Style Color Selection, and (iv) Cut-Out Object / Exchange Background. 
 

The "Cut Out Object / Exchange Background" feature enables the user to extract single objects from images such as specific items inside an image such as "people". 

A "red marker" is used to draw/select the area to extract. A "preview" button is provided to show the extracted part/area. Most often, the colors of the extracted area are similar to the background and this will not be included. To remedy the situation, a "green marker" (Protected areas) is used to "draw-around" the affected area thus including them in the extract. From here the user can either, (i) save the extracted area as a new image, or (ii) go further and swap/change the background.
 

Optimize - Contrast/Colors - Effects
With Ashampoo Photo Commander 17, there are numerous great photo effects included alongside optimization tools that improve the user's photos/images. The "intermediate-to-advanced" user will surely like the tools provided. The user is "encouraged" to tinker and try-out all tools especially the gradation curves and tonal value correction. See some sample editing done below. 

 

Working with objects
Almost all objects support styles and allow the user to create new styles from current defaults. Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 allows for "quick-adjust" and formatting of objects. Depending on the object type, each object supports different formatting options that are presented as a toolbar above the image. 

Click the "cogwheel" icon to access all styles for a selected object. Click to, (i) apply a different style, (ii) use the buttons on the toolbar to create a new style, or (iv) delete the selected style from the list. 
 

Create / Burn Slideshow
Create high-resolution 4K slideshows with fitting transitions and accent images with music in various formats. Finished projects are instantly previewed with the new video player and can be burned to disc straightaway.

To create a slideshow: 

(i) Select all desired images and add it in the "Collect Files" dialogue box. 

(ii) In the "Configure Options" select desired resolution and display duration for the slideshow. 

(iii) The "style setting" can be used to decide whether photos that are smaller than the selected resolution will be zoomed in to avoid borders or shown in their original size. 

(iv) User may also specify an "effect" that will be applied to all photos. 

(v) User may enable the "Moving-Pictures-Effect" setting to make the slideshow more dynamic.

(vi) The "transition effects" will be used during slide transitions to make them smoother. "Text options" can be used to display additional information for each photo such as their creation date. 

(vii) User may also select a "background music" that will play continuously until the slideshow has ended.

 

Frame / Card
To create a "Frame / Card", the user just needs to: (i) select desired images, and (ii) select a desired design and type. The creation is more easy and user-friendly with the availablity of default cards --provided to give the user the leeway to select and create faster. Vignettes support custom background colors. Depending on the design, different formatting options are also available. Formatting is the same with working with objects.  
 

Share
Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 allows the user to "share" directly photos/elements via services: (i) Email, (ii) Webmail, (iii) Ashampoo Web, (iv) Facebook, and (v) Twitter. User needs to select the images to be printed then the "service" to share the images. (Note: the current image gets inserted automatically). 

Depending on the "service" selected, user may need to  fill-in log-in information such as, "user name" and "password". Once undertaken, images can automatically be re-sized and color-adjusted. The "Remove Metadata" is particularly useful (and a must!) especially if user intends to share images with services catered via "social networks". This will protect the "privacy" of the user since every personal information such as artist, location and date gets automatically removed before the image/s are shared.
 

 

Ashampoo Photo Commander v17.0.1 (2022/12/07)

Version Changelog:
 

• Fixed: Batch process language translation missing.
  
  
• Fixed: Chinese (Simplified) translation.
  
  
• Fixed: Video Playbar displays wrong colors (in dark skin theme/mode).
  
  
• Fixed: Browser progressbar for scanning folder location (not topmost anymore).
  

 

PERTINENT LINKS

 

Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 Product Site

Download Ashampoo Photo Commander 17  HERE

Ashampoo Support

NOTES:


Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 has a list of comprehensive tools not only for the casual user but also for the photo enthusiasts. Especially recommended are the (i) "Effects" tools and "Optimize" gets the job done for most of image editing, and the (ii) "Create" tools and the "wizards and built-in defaults" that come with each creation (e.g., Slideshows, Frame / Cards, Collage, Calendars) are great! 

The user interface seems to be a bit cluttered and may allow some time to get used to. Repeated "usage" of the program will remedy that just like any other software application. The "Editing Photos > Compare image states (compare original to edited) > Status toolbar" is so small and users might not see it. I had a hard time even reading the tool tips. 

Perhaps Ashampoo can make the icons/tool-tips a bit bigger especially the ones used in editing and viewing while editing. I remember the interface of ON1 Photo RAW 2018 who has the same issue though I learned that the size of such can be "increased" with ON1 tech-support. 

The tools provided can suffice for "most" of the user's needs but not all. The "Cut-Out Object / Exchange Background" is a bit different and although "extracting elements" from an image is done fast, the provided "green marker" can only remedy situations to some extent. There will be elements that the user will need to edited further to have a smooth outcome. On "objects", I see a semblance of  the old Ashampoo Snap v10 and v12 styles like the arrows and lines. The new Ashampoo Snap 14 is more up-to-date with styles.   

The "Clean Skin / Reduce Compression Artefacts" needs some work. The user can only do editing to some extent and then "manually compensate" by using other tools because the "smoothing out" of skin tones isn't that efficient. Take the case of "Optimize - Contrast/Colors - Effects > Quick -Fix > Effects > Pen" wherein I used the "Blur" pen to remedy the pimples on the forehead of the subject. Even the "Clone" tool cannot help thus ending with the "Blur" pen makeover. 

Ashampoo  Photo Commander 17 "may" (can be) a "complete solution for anyone's photos" for the beginner-to-intermediate (and perhaps some advanced users). This suite is almost complete. I hope they add layers features in the future. 

Photo editing images "always" takes time and the user, especially the "intermediate-to-advanced" will always look for tools that he often uses. He will compare it with new ones he encounters. Each program is "unique" in it's own way and has some innate "tricks" for the user. I bet Ashampoo  Photo Commander 17 also has that. All it takes is "further" usage to determine that. The beginner / intermediate will benefit more from the "Quick-Fix > Optimize and Effects tools". Even I like it. User preference (as I often mention) will always be king. Further usage of Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 will benefit the user. 




 

PRICING
All prices are in USD. Prices may vary from discount sites.

Ashampoo Photo Commander 17 is priced at $49.99. Ashampoo Photo Commander 16 is surprisingly "still" priced at $49.99. See HERE. It is now offered free (time limited) HERE 

ON1 Effects 2023 is at $44.99. See HERE

ON1 Photo RAW 2023 is at $69.99 - outright ownership. See HERE

ACDSee Photo Studio Home 2023 at $59.99. See HERE

DxO PureRAW 2023 at $129. See HERE

FRANZIS Verlag GmbH's Excire Foto 2022 at $74.00. See HERE

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 19 at discounted price $24.99 (formerly $49.99).  See HERE

MAGIX Photo Manager Deluxe at $49.99. See HERE

CyberLink PhotoDirector 14 Ultra at $69.99 (formerly $99). See HERE

 

Some FREE alternatives:

Darktable

PhotoDemon

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

Paint.NET

Inkscape

CyberLink PhotoDirector Essential

[damien76]

Nice correction on the pimples!

LINK for PhotoDirector Essential
https://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/tria...en_US.html


Cyberlink Download Free Software & Apps
https://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/free...en_US.html

[jasonX]

Ashampoo Photo Commander v17.0.1 (2022/12/07) is OUT!

Version Changelog:

• Fixed: Batch process language translation missing.
  
  
• Fixed: Chinese (Simplified) translation.
  
  
• Fixed: Video Playbar displays wrong colors (in dark skin theme/mode).
  
  
• Fixed: Browser progressbar for scanning folder location (not topmost anymore).