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Graphics Toolbox (TOS Crew Review)


I received a copy of Great Software Tools, Inc.'s program Graphics-Toolbox for free to use and review as a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.  I had no idea what to expect, honestly.  Not long after receiving the program, and before I had a chance to load or play with it, there were messages about signing up for online webinars (web-based seminars) to learn how to use the program.  Not a bad thing, except the webinars were more than an hour in length each and there were several!  Oh, my!  Is this thing going to be this much work just to figure it out??

Well, I do not mind telling you that I am against detailed instructions.  Should've been a man, I suppose, because I would rather try to figure something out myself before spending time reading dry directions.  Generally, it goes well for me, but I couldn't figure Graphics-Toolbox out without the tutorials and training sessions, so eventually I caved and watched two sessions (this took almost a week to fit in, I have to tell you).  Once I knew about the program, I dove right in.  Then I watched bits and pieces of the sessions while I was creating.

You may have seen my accomplishments: Colorized Men and Toddler on Elephant.  Those two project were challenging and fun, but took way too much of my time, and since that time was not spent educating my children in any way (though I tried to interest them in the program!) or tackling the mountain of laundry and leaning tower of dishes that occurred whilst I was otherwise occupied, I have to admit that I gave up trying to do more with it.

While I am certain Graphics-Toolbox is Just The Thing for many of you surfing around right at this moment, it was a bit less user-friendly than I am used to with other graphics programs.  That being said, it certainly works in a unique way that I have yet to see any other program work.  And, I should point out, once you invest the time into learning how to use the program, you can zoom around doing all sorts of fun things!  In essence, I could see Graphics-Toolbox being a great addition to whatever you are already using, but the cost ($149 for one computer license) is a bit of a deterrent to owning more than one graphics program.  You can sign up here for a 30-day free trial, though, and evaluate this software for yourself!

You can see what my fellow Crew Mates thought of this program by going here.

*Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for free so that I could use it and review it.  This review is my own opinion, and I have not been compensated for it.

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