A software package's functionality seems to expand with every new release. One program that has evolved from an asset management package to a broad-based work flow solution is ACDSee Pro 5. Targeted at serious photographers, ACDSee Pro is an imaging application designed to enhance and control image production  Itís not a full substitute for a high end imaging applications, but it does many of the same capabilities, and various others.

It consists of  three broad-based functions: asset management, image manipulation and distribution. The program opens up with the "Manage" module, which is the image database. The default screen layout for that module includes a selection window, image preview and histogram in the left hand panel, image thumbnails in the center and metadata organizational tools on the right. The selection window can be set to a Folders structure, a Calendar mode or a Favorites listing.

The program opens up in the Manage module, which lets you file and organize images. All the information required to store and track individual images is readily available.

The Folder option is for conventional directory image filing and retrieval while the Calendar mode makes it possible to categorize images by the dates they were taken. If you need to keep track of all the images taken on a specific date, a single click of the mouse brings them up, regardless of what folder they might be in. 

Effective asset management is a time consuming process. Once images have been filed, just how difficult it is to find them depends very much on how much effort is put into categorizing and key wording them. To simplify retrieval, besides key words, images can be rated and sorted by common meta data fields such as photographer, exposure settings, and an extensive selection of image properties. Itís a very comprehensive selection of sorting criteria. The new release also adds customizable color labels, a powerful way to track images through the various stages of multi-step workflows.

ACDSee Pro 5 works with selective color. Itís very easy to pull out one color or groups of colors while desaturating the rest of the image.

1st photo is the original color image.

2nd photo is with just the red left in. 

Running a curser over a thumbnail brings up a larger version, and clicking on it brings up a nearly full page image for closer inspection. A  film strip runs under the large image to simplify image navigation. A window with the images metadata information can be displayed next to the shot.

ACDSee Pro also includes very sophisticated image manipulation capabilities, which are broken down into two categories: Develop and Edit. Thereís overlapping functionality between the two models, but theyíre handled somewhat differently in each.

The program makes it possible to handle any RAW image processing and optimization, such as color, brightness and contrast, tonal control and sharpening, that might be required. The Develop module includes an extensive selection of controls, broken down into Tune, Detail and Geometry. An Advanced Color graph in the Tune modules lets you play with different colors in an image, selectively, making it possible, for example, to desaturate all the color out of an image except one or two. In the Geometry module, thereís a Lens Distortion correction tool that can significantly reduce the bowing that results from wide angle lenses. 

It  is very effective in correcting perspective correction.

1st image is the original image, as shot.

2nd image has perspective correction applied.

3rd image has the final perspective correction and is cropped.

The Edit module has a set of various imaging capabilities, including things like marquee selections and levels. Many of the things that are done in image editing packages can be done in this module. However, there is no cloning option, nor are their tools for effective photo compositing. The latest release includes new drawing tools, and it makes it easy to add watermarks, text and borders. The module also lets you do things like add drop shadows and create raised selection effects. Thereís a library of more than 40 different creative filters, such as image weave patterns and an interesting Polaroid print simulation tool.

Images can be finished off with border effects, but the Borders module is somewhat limited. For example, there are only 17 irregular border options. In contrast, an edge effects program might have hundreds of different modifiable irregular borders categorized in various different groups.

There are some limitations, but in other respects, ACDSee shines. The perspective correction and distortion capabilities are a good example of the advanced functionality of the program. Capabilities that once required expensive large format cameras or perspective correction lenses for shooting architecture are now just one of numerous comprehensive features integrated into the program. After an image is loaded into the editing window, all it takes is adjusting a few drag points and the image is corrected (or creatively distorted). ACDSee isnít the only imaging program that can adjust perspective, there are various other packages on the market that can do that, but Pro 5 makes it so easy that itís not much more difficult than cropping an image.

The final feature set of the program involves image distribution. ACDSee Online is a file storing and sharing service that lets program users upload their images to the companyís servers. Itís part of the cloud computing trend thatís becoming so popular. 

The program is loaded with features and capabilities, but I did run into a problem. (Since I was using an early version of the release, the problem I had may be eliminated by a later release). At times, I got the error message that ACDSee has encountered a problem and needed to close. That usually means itís conflicting with other Windows applications that might be running. It didnít happen all that often, but often enough to be irritating.

It your working with and need to track a large selection of images, and new shots are being added all the time, ACDSee Pro 5 maybe just the right program for you. It has a suggested retail price of $239.99.