I have uninstalled Photo Magic although a nice progam. But not happy with the Toolbox being installed and running at start up. I agree with comments from Kev (55). Does anyone know how to uninstall this Toolbox? It did not uninstall with Photo Magic nor does the uninstall option work with Toolbox. I am waiting from the developer instructions on how to uninstall.

Along with Photo Magic Maker, as program called BoxofToolbox is automatically installed without asking for consent, and it is set to start up with system start every time. It's very difficult to remove. I even deleted the file from the Boxoft directory but it still appears at startup. Winpatrol is unable to prevent it staring up. It seems my only option is to uninstall Photo Magic Maker.

By now software developers should surely understand that this behaviour is totally unacceptable.

The program is not too good. Some nice effects, but you cannot move them around.
For instance the stars - I just got a lot of stars over the persons nose. Not very attractive.
Sorry, but nice try.
I will wait for another.

It's the end of today's give away, we are going to provide the 30% coupon code to the first commenter: Sabine. But he/she didn't leave email address, just a website link. I will try to contact he/she via this website.

Also thanks a lot to other people here, your feedback means a lot to us. If you couldn't process your images successfully with this tool, I'm really sorry for any inconvenience that might cause. As you said, there are many features to be added in future. We will list all your ideas and comments here as basis for future development. Please keep an eye on this program.

Rob's demo (#30, thanks for that), made me download and install this software. When trying to open an image, the program terminates instantly, regardless of file size or type. So there need to be some things fixed, before I can use this at all. It really looked promising to me.

If the developers read this, I would like to ask, if this v1.0 is upgradable to future releases? If it is, I would wait for a bugfix.

has a couple of good effects, but its just soooo limited in what you can do. I cant believe that they would charge so much for this, but oh well. not bad for a free program, but thats about it. thanx anyways guys

worked ok om my xp 32bit and win7 32bit BUT did nor work on my Win7 64 bit. not even after uninstall and reinstall again.

What fun - I have 5 fairy and maybe my 2 clown sites who are going to love these effects. So here you go I shall probably thrash this software to death instead of having to create a flash movie which consumes time. Thanks GAOTD and Boxoft.

I too have been GOTD visitor for over 5 years now. I believe today's comments section is one of the best I have ever seen and the best use of this web site to date. Let me also add my congrats to Sabine who's thoughtful and rather extensive review should make this developer grateful for the time that went into it.
This website has been a very valuable tool for me personally in making software purchase decisions for our computer club. If all who visit recognize that only useful and honest feedback either positive or negative will enhance the value of this channel to new software developers, and I think we will see even more diverse and leading edge offerings here.
GOTD thanks for 5 years of great test opportunities.

Can the developer of this software please tell us why this software needs to put itself as a startup item? There is no option to stop this software from starting itself upon windows startup.

Many software nowadays are very irritating as they all want to startup when windows starts. This software is worse. It does not have any option to uncheck this irritating startup option.

Installed and registered on Win7/Ultimate, Dual CPU, Dual Monitor but I get "Exception EGiplusException in module GDIEffect.dll at 00019EDA" error and nothing is happening. I'll try to locate duplicate dll's per advice above (THANKS btw--very useful to learn how to correct such categories of errors).

Might try having an "import" option for background/frame selection. Lots of pics could be used that way for the "more options" everyone wants. And yes--your frames are worse than an afterthought add on. Not Yet Ready for Prime Time.

Where are the references to all the competing programs? I wanted to check the quality of frames in "Poster Forge" but that program is now missing from my system--folder is there but now empty. How did that happen? Ha. Ha. Well, got to find it and re-install. Nice little app for making greeting cards and what not==as in add a typed in message. Could be a nice add here too?

Moveable layers sounds dead simple to me. Is it that hard?

I do assume that all the suggestions were considered by Boxoft and actually rejected in the desire to get a product out there????? After all, "someone" at Boxoft must have an actual interest in the subject matter? Just saying.

Loads and registers fine on XP 32 bit. Can not load in 90% of my jpeg files and gives a division by zero error. These files work fine on other programs. Easy to us interface for beginners but no choice in how
the effects are placed. Won't be keeping it because I use jpegs for everything.

The more I play with it, the more I notice. It's pulling detail out of my saved fractals that I didn't know was there. This has to do with the way this program is importing .png files that have transparency, and the effect is interesting. BUT...I really would like to be able to import and save while leaving the transparency intact on some images.

I tried this on my fractal art, and I must say that the effects are quite good, particularly the sketch effect. Although I would like to be able to select the color of the sketch, or have it extract the most common colors from the image and use them to create the sketch. Sketch extractors are notoriously poor, and this one is quite good...it maintains good clarity without adding a lot of junk. A number of the effects are fairly subtle and classy. Thumbs up and thank you!

Hi, is that problem solves with the Exception EGdisplusException in module GDIEffect.dll at 00019EDA`?

I Use WIN XP Home SP 3 german on my server. There is this Application Error message as soon I try to do something.
I installed the program also on my notebook, also WIN XP but Prof. SP3 in German...and...there it works...

If there is a change to use this program also on my server...I would be grateful for an information.

I agree with Sabine almost completely. Almost is because I will keep it on my computer because I DO see a few very frivolous uses for it. But for any semi-serious photographer (and I am including all home/family photographers here) it is too limiting in use because it arbitrarily places the stars/bubbles/whatever at whatever point on the picture it chooses. This results in a leaf over a face or a star making a person look like an alien! And his (?) comment about the frames being childish is correct. In addition, as there is no way to position the photo, one of the frames is virtually worthless since it is unlikely you would have a photo where the 2 faces just HAPPENED to line up with the 2 holes!

The program is one that has great potential and I urge the programmers to work on it some more. I know programming is not as easy as some lay-people think but the end result will be worth it as you have a wonderful start!

I've played a little around with this program and here are my conclusions:

I was a little disappointed in not finding any movement at all around the effects, so I would definitely put in at least a section with some moving effects.

Then, I also found a spelling mistake, right on the first page (the working pad): it said "Soure Picture" instead of "Source" (I guess) - I did have to actually think a little about what a soure picture could be (come on, laugh if you want :P).

Then, I couldn't figure it out at all what the "Blur" button does: I kept changing the values, but nothing happened, except at some point everything just disappeared from the working area and only "Undo" could bring my pictures back.

Another idea would be that you make the Undo-button work individually for every class of effects: I tried for instance to cancel just one effect after cumulating more, I went back to its category and after pushing the undo button ALL the effects were gone and my entire work as well, so I had to start all over again.

Then, I wanted to get some help, but the Help button does absolutely nothing at all - did you happen to forget about it or what? If so, then just remove it from the scene, it's pointless to keep it there.

Then I found something really annoying: I wanted to open a file from my computer, couldn't decide which one and pushed the Cancel button on the Open window - the whole program crushed and disappeared from the screen without warning. I even tried to repeat this action several times, I wanted to be sure. Nope, the same reaction over and over again.

So, as a conclusion, I guess one could find some use for this program, but it still needs a LOT of tweaking and adjusting before it really works fine. I didn't mean to sound very critical, but these are my findings until now and my whole comment is meant to help you improve your product. However, I am going to keep this program and wait until a new better version is offered here again. Hopefully soon and with a better success.

Downloaded very good. Registered as always very good. Win XP Pro SP3. I see great potential for this program. Not sure how long this has been on the market, but ya gotta start somewhere.:) As an artist, I am always looking for tools and at present I have 685 (installed) and not too sure of the count for the portables. But do use them all for different projects. Ran a test of some images I created and like the result of what I got. Will use this some more on other items. I do believe this will also go into my arsenal. :)

@ #30-- I went to view your demo -- Like what I saw. Feel your demo site is worth mentioning again. Hope you don't mind. http://www.xfastpc.com/BoxoftPhotomagic.html

Anyway, thanks Boxoft Co. and GAOTD for the offering and another tool for the ole arsenal. Have a nice day everyone.

Reading comments that Photo Magic Maker won't run on some systems, FWIW & emphasizing that this is only a *guess*...

The app doesn't use or require anything unusual at all -- it doesn't even have to be installed -- but it does use a file called "gdiplus.dll", which is used by quite a few programs, & can be found in many, many versions. Normally this file is either placed in the program's folder itself, or installed to the Windows\WinSxS folder, but I have seen apps copy it to Windows\System32 [SysWOW64 in 64 bit Windows]. They shouldn't.

If today's app won't run for you, & if you find "gdiplus.dll" in Windows' System32 &/or SysWOW64 folder, you might want to try either renaming it or deleting it to the Recycle Bin, & try Photo Magic Maker then. If it doesn't make any difference, you've wasted 2 minutes (or less) & can eaily put things back -- if it does work, put that copy of gdiplus.dll in the program folder for whatever app installed it -- if you don't know what app installed it, keep it somewhere safe in case you later find an app that won't work, & then you can try moving it into that app's folder.

Again, that's just a guess in case it helps anyone at all.

I found your software extremely EZ to use. I love the simplicity of it. I would definitely like to be able to control what stars, size and how many are used on my photos.

Yes I can do this manually with other programs but with a more advanced editing screen for each of your effects, you'd have one heck a good program for individuals and businesses.

In Photoshop & many other image editors you can layer images, then combine the layers or objects with the base image in various ways -- with 2 exceptions that's what Boxoft Photo Magic Maker does, overlaying the images it includes on top of pictures you import. Unlike many filter FX, you're not working with the base image data itself, so you can't change things like filter strength, nor can you apply FX to just a selected portion of the base. That's both good & bad. It's good if you want simplicity without any learning curve -- it's bad if you want &/or need more. The 2 exceptions are a Sketch filter & an Emboss effect. A 2nd app is also included -- Boxoft Toolbox -- that basically shows links to software, with various groupings like Free Tools, PDF Tools, Desktop Tools etc.

Installation adds the program's folder [~25 MB with 119 files, 11 folders], the Boxtools folder under All Users App Data [~3 MB in 8 files], plus Start Menu shortcuts. Registry changes are sparse, with an uninstall key & 2 program keys once you register [i.e. copy/paste the key from the GOTD readme.txt] [Note that you may have to run as admin to write the registration info to the registry]. The Boxoft Toolbox is launched from the Photo Magic Maker menu -- after running it the 1st time it added a desktop icon. The Toolbox also phones home to get you the latest news etc., & rather than closing as usual, minimizes itself to the tray.

TO be perfectly honest I'd probably never use today's GOTD, but that's me, & I've got a fair selection of image editing tools that I've been using for a long time. But if someone asked me to show them how to create an effect that Photo Magic Maker could handle, I'd probably point them to this app rather than expect them to collect whatever tools & learn to do it the harder way. And as a version 1 product, I'd expect added features in the future, so it's something I'll try to keep an eye on as it grows.

Thank you !!! I am a disabled granny who loves to make pretty pictures with Web graphics and scenes using PAINT.NET. Some of the plugins for PAINT are just over my head such as the glitter one. You need calculus to make it work. Anyway, I put this on my 64bit win7 and it works fine, love the butterflies and the numerous choices give me something to tinker away the days with. I also use Art Edges and Borders, again free, to supplement PAINT. This will also do nicely for my fantasy pics. Still need free glitter effects though!!!!

Most graphics programs,.. even the cheap and free ones allow things to be done in LAYERS,... which one can move about- flip, stretch, whatever. Since most of those bubbles and things tear across the picture rather than around it- yes, people will get frustrated because they can't move it around. Layers are more effective when one can change the opaque to more transparent as well.
Martina

I have never commented here before, but after downloading this app, I felt I should. I depend on the user comments usually and count on them being reliable. I have to say though that after previewing this product, I find that it is wonderful and doesn't appear to deserve all the negative comments. I am a novice and need software to be user friendly. I feel this app is just that. I downloaded it and was using it in about 5 minutes. It's very clear and easy to use. I would appreciate more neutral comments on other software as it becomes available. Not everyone is a computer genius and we depend on those of you who are to remember that and guide us in the right direction.

First off, I honestly think Sabine should be given a free license for their comment...it was amazing and well thought out... She/He really put a lot of consideration into their response.

Second of all, I feel that for the price tag, there should be a lot more effects...for the users who do purchase, I mean. Animated is a good idea, as someone else mentioned, but for some suggestions take a look at Paint.NET's, Gimp's or Photoshops to look at some of what they've done in the user uploads so you can come up with some unique spin-off ideas perhaps.

Another suggestion is to allow for easy and tweaking modes in this, so that people can do what was talked about with the effects...that way you still have software that anyone can use, but if they are a lil more advanced/adventurous they can add how much of each effect they'd like.

And yeah, the whole whether and weather thing is nitpicking, but honestly it helps the professional image to get that looked at :) I don't think any less of the program for it...spellcheck doesn't exactly ask what defination you are going for when they correct things lol.

Hi.back again, This software deserves more attention so I made a demo video of the entire interface and effect choices. Have a look for your self @ http://www.xfastpc.com/BoxoftPhotomagic.html
program is basic but look at it as a extra tool to add to your photo editing software collection.never hurts to have something like this as a add on.

I did not like the program. Very simple, everything on it could easily be done online. Designs are just placed on top of your photo rather than using layers to create a more natural look. Everything look clearly fake.

I appreciate the offer, but I uninstalled it.

alice installed three times, three times not working, tried on another W7x64 same result, works on an older vista

Does not support multiple monitors properly. Full screen mode is split between two of them.

OK Sabina, I installed and gave it a try. It has some really nice effects which can be applied quickly. The biggest drawback I can see is that there is no adjustment for the effect or the picture. I tried one effect and it put a blob right over the face. Couldn't move the blob or the face. Means I would have to use another program to put the face where I wanted it so this one wouldn't cover it with a blob. Otherwise, I'm going to add it to my graphics library.

For some reason the link to the game giveaway page has disappeared, which may lead some to believe that there is no game today. well there is. Follow this link to get to the game giveaway page:

http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/around-the-world/

It's Around the World in 80 Days.

Installed and registered fine on Vista32b.. however, None of the effects work. I did try a re-install and got the same results. I can open a pic in the program but Cannot apply a single effect to it.

Hats off to the developers!! It was disappointing the last time this program was given away due to a tech error but I am glad to see that it is back. New look, NO WATER MARK, and a few more options to play with.
Installs quick and smooth,and runs the same way.
oh ya @ Sabine...Well said.your comments are always Informative and Intelligent.;)
Thank you Boxoft Co and GOTD for a nice little photo tool.

It installed easily on my Windows 7, X64 Home Premium laptop. I agree with its lack of functionality or seriousness that @ Sabine talks about in her very well written article. I do not see it as a product for a serious photographer, or people who are comfortable with computers or with digital image editors. This does not appear to be the market. Look at the frames!

I believe that it is meant for pc users from the grade schools through early high school, plus older who are not comfortable with PCs. My Friend J is a perfect user, I believe. She sends emails and updates her meetup.com group, but does very little else on a laptop. She is very creative, but none of it works with PCs, except as a word smith. This would be good and fun for her, if I install it for her. Oh, I know men who are not comfortable with PCs as well, and there are a lot of them out there.

A wish for GOTD itself, I would like to be able to add comments to a product for a few days after its availability on GOTD. Sometimes features or use problems/good things do not show up on the first day. These could be valuable in review searches for people comparing products as well.

Installed great on Win7/64. Program has alot of features but when I try to edit a photo, a box pops up that says, "invalid DLL exception". Installed second time, and still have the same problem. Anyone have any suggestions?

Many of the effects are of limited use but there are about 8 presets that I can see myself using. Very easy to use, basically no configuration but not able to tweak effects. But as I said the good effects do look interesting as-is. I'd definitely use in certain situations.

@10.Anonymous
I'm sorry for any inconvenience that might cause, as @16 Phil K said, this program can be used on Wins 7 64-bit system, so will you please uninstall the program and download again for reinstalling? Thanks for all your trying and feedback. If you encounter any further problem, please send screenshots of error messages to my mail box: alice@boxoft.com , we will check your problem ASAP.
@12.Dan
Thanks for your advice, it sounds good about previewing images in full screen, we will consider it and might make change in our next version. Thank you very much.

Thanks a lot to all your comments, we will keep improving the program based on your feedback and good suggestions in future.

"10.Installed OK but after registering the product it doesn’t show any “effects” when clicked on, and when clicking on sketch button a application error shows up saying Exception EGdiplusException in module GDIEffect.dll at 00019EDA."

Having the same error as above but

I use a Windows 7 ultimate 32 bit computer

#15, incompatibility with Vista was over 50% of why it got a bad rap and now everything works with it. 20% was Apple's negative advertisements. It's just a matter of time before everything works w/ Windows 7.

As for this software, it's getting a thumbs down from me. There's hardly anything attractive that it does with pictures. It seems very unfinished. I love scrapbooking and photo-enhancements are important to me. This was a let-down. There are a few effects I like but if they want people to but this, they need to offer more effects.

Hat's off to Sabine who provided a quick and thorough review so quickly. I don't remember the last time a review got so many 'Helpful' votes.

I would like to hear of some free alternatives if anyone knows of them. I was so hopeful about this program. I hope to see this offered later with more attractive features.

Thankyou GAOTD Works perfectly here on my Windows 7 Ulitmate x64 registered fine

@Sabine thank you for your review of the program too

I'd like to take back my previous comment because, despite the claims of others here it DOES work on my Win 7 x64bit

Why have so many software producers done absolutely NOTHING to make their product actually WORK with the latest OS's ????

Installed OK on Win XP SP 2. Easy to use.

@#7 Paul
Those "other features needed" you mention are different applications, not part of Photo Magic Maker.

Dear alice@boxoft.com,

A few suggestions after using the program. It is easy to use and has almost no learning curve. Installed effortlessly in WIN XP PRO SP/3.

When you apply an effect by clicking the "model," it shows instantly in the right "finished" photo but when you double click that photo to enlarge it, the effect is not present. It should show in all view modes without having to APPLY it and save. That would give you a better idea of the finished look in a full-size preview.

The BLUR effect can be very helpful on just about all the options, however, it is only available in one or two and seems to come and go at will. You might want to make it available for every photo since it is already build into the coding.

All my other suggestions were very competently covered by Sabine in #1.

Thank you for a limited program in usefulness, but a nevertheless fun program that will be of occasional benefit!

.

I won't comment on the software because I haven't yet been able to test it. (My only online connection right now is this cell phone).

However, I would like to point out, based on the comments of #1, that it appears the Developer has gone to considerable lengths to IMPROVE this software over the earlier version, which was offered only a few weeks ago.

This, in itself, is commendable, and shows that the earlier requests for improvements has been heeded.

I, for one, having enjoyed the earlier version, am looking very much forward to trying out this updated version.

.

Installed OK but after registering the product it doesn't show any "effects" when clicked on, and when clicking on sketch button a application error shows up saying Exception EGdiplusException in module GDIEffect.dll at 00019EDA.

I use a Windows 7 home premium 64 bit computer.

PS: Uninstalled the program to see if it would fix the problem. Same problem occurred after reinstalling, but this time the program doesn't show up under All Programs in start menu and the only way to go open the program if you didn't select to have a shortcut on desktop was to go to program files to open or uninstall the program.

also tried to run as adm. no luck either

for the first time since beginning GATD - I installed something that just does not work at all W7 64 bits. Maybe not 64 b - installs and registers fine, also starts up, but clicking on any of the options only gives a fast moving bar under both pic's.
Trying to load a frame or Sketch gives error GDIEffect.dll or something like that.
Uninstalled - too bad!

This program is really simple to install but it's not even worth the HD space. All other features needed, have to be purchased. iv'e uninstalled it 5 min after installing.