Active Pixels

Editors' ReviewDownload.com staffAugust 10, 2009Active Pixels strives to provide users with an alternative to confusing photo editing software. While the program is simple and performs its chores well, it does little to differentiate itself from dozens of similar programs.The good news about this program is that anyone with prior editing experience will jump right into work here. Users unfamiliar with the standard editing icons or the menu of filters may want to visit the Help file for some guidance. Users simply choose a photo they'd like to work with within the program and can get right into work. The plus side is that, unlike more professional programs like Photoshop, there is not a huge collection of options that will confuse more than help. The downside is that Active Pixels doesn't offer anything you can't get elsewhere. The program offers simple tools to click and drag shapes, paint, add text, and crop a photo. In addition, there are several filters that give photos textured, interesting looks. All worked well and easily, but nothing seemed any different from other successful program's we've tested. The program does offer a screen capture tool that worked just fine, but that's about it in terms of extra features.The program is free and cleanly installs and uninstalls. We recommend it for users looking for the most basic of photo-editing programs.