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Questions? Email us | User/Press Reviews This new version of Pixelan's Pan/Zoom PRO breaks through the limits of Photo Story. What limits? [1] An image more than 7,200 pixels in width or height can't be imported into Photo Story 3... [2] As video in recent years has moved more and more to widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, Photo Story stayed at standard 4:3 mode... Movie Maker and Pixelan’s new Pan/Zoom tool have toggles in their settings… select either standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9. [3] The third limitation is the panning and zooming motion itself. It’s linear motion in Photo Story and I don’t know any way around it. Motion in the analog world is sometimes linear and sometimes not... This new Pixelan Wizard includes options for linear or non-linear motion during a pan/zoom. This feature alone captured my attention for a couple weeks as I explored the new package." John Buechler, Bright Hub Digital Video Host "After having installed the nearly 600 effects on offer and gladly noticing that the performance of Movie Maker appeared unaffected by the vast amount of extras, I've got to say that this software bundle from Pixelan Software appears very impressive. From the very subtle cosmetic filter effects to the jaw dropping ripple illusions, many bases have been touched. As I've been exploring these effects, the more I like them. By grouping them in to themed sets, it is very easy to create a video without veering off at wild tangents for the sake of variety. The variety is there within the themed packs but the differences are subtle enough to immortalize that special occasion video with effects that have a continuity... For an extra $10 users are able to upgrade this pack to include a small tool they have created called PanZoom Maker. Creating custom zooms and loading them in to Movie Maker is intuitive and enables a degree of creativity in those that are fearful of going the custom xml route! I think they should be applauded for their efforts in this area." Alan Oakley, HitTheBongo's Movie Maker FX Corner (click here for full review) "What's interesting about the SpiceFX Packs for Movie Maker is how easy they are to install, how intuitive they are to use, how well they work, and how reasonably priced they are... Windows Movie Maker ships with some basic transitions, which are fine as is. What Pixelan brings to the table is adding to your projects the kind of transitions that the pros use... Pixelan's special effects are also excellent. I was very impressed with the quality of these effects, both in their immediate application within Movie Maker and in their appearance in the final rendered version of my video. Like the transitions, the Pixelan effects are a snap to use and fit in perfectly with Movie Maker's user interface and operational style... For the price, quality, and ease of use, the SpiceFX Packs can't be beat." Carl Plumer, Desktop Video Guide, About.com (click here for full review) "These are also easy to install and use. I think Pixelan packages have the best look and feel for the novice and intermediate users. Each of their effects and transitions is professionally done and fits comfortably into the Movie Maker user interface." John Buechler, www.papajohn.org "The Pan and Zoom effects enabled by Pixelan are impressive, and they allow Movie Maker to create impressive-looking (and very entertaining) slide shows... The company offers effect packs that any serious Movie Maker producer should strongly consider... If you don’t have the Pixelan [Correction] Effects pack, you’re totally out of luck, because Movie Maker has no subtle color adjustments; they're all wild, psychedelic, artistic special effects rather then the subtle curative effects that Pixelan supplies." Jan Ozer, in his book Microsoft Windows Movie Maker 2 "[5 out of 5 stars] Wonderful Inexpensive Add-on to Windows Movie Maker. We love the power this adds to Windows Movie Maker. The PanZoom Maker is a killer app and the transitions are a nice add too. We bought Avid Liquid for over 5 times as much but the power and ease of this app teamed up with Windows Movie Maker, we just keep going back to it." Kevin Carney, www.moviedemo.com "These transitions and effects are top-notch, and put MM in a class of much higher-end video production software without adding the overhead that they bring." Dave Kish, Phillipsburg, NJ "Yet again a brilliant set of tools. Worth every penny." John Kelley, www.the-kellys.org "Thank you so very much for your prompt response. This is the type company I enjoy doing business with. Love my transitions and effects." Phyllis Walton, Arlington, Texas "I just wanted to say thank you for some beautiful new effects!!! The time effects are my favorite! Very excited to play with these!!!! I have almost every pack Pixelan offers and am a huge fan!" Stephanie Gehrls, Eagan, MN "This is a fan letter. I simply love all the special effects and transitions you have written for Windows Movie Maker. Last year, I made a simple holiday video to share with family and friends. I was pleasantly surprised this year, when checking for updates, to discover the availability of your software packs to enhance Movie Maker. My video this year is WAY better -- thanks in no small part to all of the special effects I was able to use from your software. Now when I see effects in TV and movies, I keep thinking things like, "Oh yeah, that is like Time Ghosting 3" or "I can do that transition!" ... Bravo for making a very fun, very usable, very stable product!" Margaret Ma, San Jose, CA "In addition to having outstanding products, your firm is very easy to do business with, which is and uncommon trait in these high tech markets. In June of last year, I purchased 3 of your transition packs for Windows Movie Maker. They were great, but that's not all . At the time of the sale you provided lucid email instructions in the event, that I should need to reinstall. Well, wouldn't you know, Last November, I moved from Michigan to Minnesota, junked my old computer, but retained the instructions and the Installer you provided with my original order. Today, In about 10 seconds, I reinstalled the packs into WMM on my new computer. Not a second of my time was wasted emailing or phoning. Kudos to Pixelan." John Kratz, Woodbury, MI "Thank you Pixelan. I'm new at the video editing scene and was doing on-site editing for a wedding using Movie Maker 2. The SpiceFX Packs I got was the best thing that happened to me. I was contemplating in getting a MacBook Pro to replace my current laptop for the onsite editing. Coz everybody in the industry has one. But I later realized that I don't need to get a new laptop. I'm getting the same effects from the Mac. Whew! Saved me some money there. Its really worth every cent!" Anthony Araneta, Manila, Philippines "Your effects and transitions work great in WMM. Astonishing ease of use and results. It is amazing how you can layer effects, one on top of the other to create multiple effects all at the same time." Dave Nanney, Haines, AK "Thanks so much. Your web site has enriched my family memories. I was new at Movie Maker and Pixelan, but boy I am glad I found you. Since, then I have advanced my movies. Thanks for existing." Marian Hume, W. Palm Beach, FL "I see customer service is number one to you. Thanks a lot, really thanks." Keith Benning, Ann Arbor, MI "I just wanted to send a thanks email for your technical support. I had a question about downloading again after a hard drive change. Yours was a quick and simple to follow reply and I just appreciate good customer service these days. I really dig the additional effects for Movie Maker and I think I spent like two hours just toying around with everything after I re-downloaded. Thanks again for the great cus service and great product. This amateur looks forward to “movie” making!" Athena Marcum, Lincolnton, NC "Wow! You are FAST... AND as good as I have come to expect from you folks. Thanks, again, for both the great service AND the great product!" Mary Scott, Lancaster, CA "You guys are fantastic. Its 10pm on a Friday night here and you have been able to give me this info within 10 minutes. I am now back up and running. Thanks for all your help - would definitely recommend you to anyone." Richard Huckett, Chelmsford, UK "In addition to having outstanding products, your firm is very easy to do business with, which is and uncommon trait in these high tech markets. In June of last year, I purchased 3 of your transition packs for Windows Movie Maker. They were great, but that's not all. At the time of the sale you provided lucid email instructions in the event, that I should need to reinstall. Well, wouldn't you know, last November, I moved from Michigan to Minnesota, junked my old computer, but retained the instructions and the Installer you provided with my original order. Today, In about 10 seconds, I reinstalled the packs into WMM on my new computer. Not a second of my time was wasted emailing or phoning. Kudos to Pixelan." John Kratz, Troy, MI "You guys rock like you might not believe... thanks for your help. Please tell all your people over there you are all appreciated." Mark Wilson, Las Vegas, NV "I don't know if you have a mechanism for testimonials, but I just wanted to say how great your customer service has been. I have been using Pixelan for over four years, and will continue to purchase updates as you improve your already comprehensive product line. Customer service is often a lost art ... I'm glad that it was not lost at Pixelan." Dave Kish, Lopatcong, NJ "I just wanted to thank you guys for the quick response. I have formatted and reinstalled Windows on my computer and thought it was going to be difficult to get back my software after my computer was infected by a virus. It does pay to have my software legally... Thanks guys you are soon to see my name again for more future products. Once again thanks! You guys are great!!!" Jose Jimenez, Dorchester, MA "Thank you so much; that is the most easy thing to get a product I have ever done. The effects are amazing. Wow. Again, thank you so much. I love the personal touch of real people in your place of business. The product is all that I hoped for, and then some." Karen Hopkins, Fairless Hills, PA |
