CNET Editors' review
In recent years it's become very easy to create custom greeting cards, calendars, brochures, photo books, and more all from the comfort of home. Numerous applications exist to help users create professional-looking projects with very little know-how. ArcSoft Print Creations is one of these, combining multiple design tools into one application. Unfortunately, although the program itself is free, most of the templates it offers must be paid for if users want to print them without a watermark.
The program's interface is attractive and intuitive. The home screen allows users to select whether they want to create a new project, open an existing project, or order photo gifts. When users choose to create a new project, a screen opens allowing them to choose what kind of project they want. There are a lot of options to choose from: greeting cards, posters, scrapbook pages, and more. The Funhouse options are especially interesting; these allow users to insert their own faces onto animals, cartoons, and holiday-themed images. None of the program's templates are exactly groundbreaking in terms of design, but for the most part they are attractive and professional-looking. The program comes with an HTML Help file that does an adequate job of explaining its functions. Overall, we think that ArcSoft Print Creations is a good choice for users who like to have fun with their photos, but those who are expecting free templates are bound to be disappointed. Even the templates that are listed as free in the interface end up with a watermark when they're printed, and we had a difficult time even figuring out how users are supposed to pay for templates if they want to. ArcSoft could definitely stand to be a little more upfront about all of this.
ArcSoft Print Creations installs politely but leaves a folder behind upon removal. We recommend this program to all users.
Publisher's Description
From ArcSoft:
ArcSoft Print Creations brings together ArcSoft's latest printing applications into one great user experience. Starting from the Print Creations Launch Pad, you can access any of ArcSoft's great new printing applications including: Greeting Card, Photo Calendar, Album Page, and more. Projects can be printed at home or saved as image files to share with family and friends by email or on the web. Quarter-Fold Greeting Card can help you create, print, and fold your own personalized greeting cards. The program comes loaded with designs for just about every occasion and tools to add your own photos and text. Quick Photo Book can help you create and print your photo book in an instant. Pictures are quickly and automatically grouped together and placed in a specific layout. Then easily order your photos directly within the application without having to wait for pictures to upload. Photo books can then be saved as Flash files to share with family and friends. Version 3.0 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
2.3 starsout of 29 votes
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Current version:
1.2 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-4 of 4
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"IT WAS NOT FREE"
Version: ArcSoft Print Creations 3.0.255.500
Pros
Looks to be a good program if you can afford all the hidden fees.
Cons
Has tons of bloatware in the download and it is not FREE as it says it is.
Summary
If it were actually FREE then I would recommend it but unfortunately I cannot because it is not FREE as it claims to be .
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"Could be Great! Limited features kill it."
Version: ArcSoft Print Creations 3.0.255.500
Pros
Good GUI and ergonomics. I will happily pay $30 for a template for a brochure to help me sell my house. I downloaded it for this purpose!
Cons
I MUST be able to customize templates to fit my own tastes and requirements! It is easy to add and change/resize text boxes but photos have to be added to existing photo boxes that can't be moved or resized.
Summary
This product was designed by a committee. It's target market is idiots who drool on their keyboards. Does that describe you? I spent $30 at ArcSoft 2 days ago and requested a refund within an hour of the download. It appears to be only a website without real support people backing it up.
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"Not what I was looking for. Deleted it"
Version: ArcSoft Print Creations 3.0.255.500
Pros
Not what I was looking for. Deleted it
Cons
Not what I was looking for. Deleted it
Summary
Not what I was looking for. Deleted it
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"Don't do business"
Version: ArcSoft Print Creations 3.0.255.500
Pros
Find something else...
Cons
You have to uninstall the demo and install a full version so they can always hold a download over you, and if you loose it you have to pay them money to download again (WHY?!?). They don't help their customers. They CHARGE YOU for tech support.
Summary
ArcSoft is a shady company!!! Send ArcSoft a message, boycott their products until they stop being greedy and actually help their customers. Find another product to do what you want, and save yourself a lot of trouble.
Results 1-4 of 4
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