Akvis has announced the update of Akvis ArtSuite to version 6.0. ArtSuite is a collection of versatile effects for decorating photos.

The standalone version now supports Frame Packs of Hand Painted Photo Frames. Two new themed frame packs are also available. These frame packs contain frames which have been designed by artists specially for ArtSuite. Also new to version 6.0: support for 64-bit in the plug-in version, bug fixes, and a new installation program. A free frame pack containing 30 hand painted frames is also available as a separate download. The upgrade for registered users is free.

The effects in version 6.0 are grouped as follows:

° Edge Effects (Photo Frames) allow generating a photo frame for a digital photo. It can be a classic frame with wood carving or a funny frame with some frogs along the border.

° Artistic Effects allow one to experiment with photos. For example, you can convert a photo into a B&W image and then add a color shade to it; replace colors in an image, add a texture (chosen from the built-in Texture Library or one created by the user) so that the image looks like it has been drawn on a canvas, brick wall, corrugated paper, etc.

Version 6.0 offers support for themed frame packs. These frame packs contain frames that have been designed by artists specially for ArtSuite. Also new to version 6.0; support for 64-bit in the plug-in version, bug fixes, and a new installation program.

Also, two new themed frame packs are available: Wedding and Travel Frame Packs. The Wedding Frame Pack is available for US$15 and the Travel Pack for $12.They require registration before they can be used with ArtSuite.

The app can be used as an independent application (standalone) and as a plug-in to a photo editor. Akvis ArtSuite Plug-in is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter, Corel Photo-Paint, and Paint Shop Pro, ACD FotoCanvas, and Corel PhotoImpact.

Akvis ArtSuite runs on Mac OS X and higher and Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/Win 7.
A 10-day demo is available for download (http://Akvis.com/en/artsuite/download-artistic-effects.php).

Akvis ArtSuite Plug-in sells for US$49; Akvis ArtSuite Standalone for $69. Home users can use the full line of Akvis plug-ins in the Akvis Alchemy bundle (Retoucher, Chameleon, MultiBrush, Enhancer, Coloriage, Noise Buster, Sketch, Decorator, LightShop, ArtSuite, SmartMask, Magnifier, and ArtWork) for $325.

Akvis ArtSuite is also part of the Akvis Artistic Bundle (Sketch, ArtWork, and ArtSuite), which sells for $149 for the plug-in version or $169 for the standalone version. This is a savings of $44 when compared to the price of these three programs purchased separately.