Hi, Bob. IF I had to pick just one image editing software program to use, I would choose Paint Shop Pro. I have older versions going back to when it was owned by JASC and later by Corel. The biggest problem with the newer versions is that they DO have more features, but they are also larger programs that use more memory and hard disk storage. This is especially true for the latest version of Adobe Photoshop Elements version 5 .. which is why I purchased version 4.0 .. I wouldn't even be able to use Elements version 5 on my Dell laptop, it is such a memory hog. I also got Elements version 4.0 because it is compatible with my Logitech NuLOOQ Navigator (a hardware device to use in place of a mouse and in conjunction with a graphics tablet). I already had Elements version 2.0 on my computer. Adobe Photoshop 7.0 came bundled with some hardware I bought, possibly my WACOM Intuos graphics tablet. BTW that is a good way to end up with free copies of editing software.. watch the ads for which software programs companies are tossing in if you purchase their hardware.. graphics tablets, laser mice, scanners, photo printers, etc. Elements 4.0 is very good for making quick edits, Auto Enhance, etc. And a nice feature of this is you can also get a more detailed editing window if you choose to, where you have emore control over the editing. I think the big difference between Adobe Elements and Corel PSP is that there are more online places to go get free downloads and tutorials and Plug-Ins for Adobe Elements. Also, many of the Adobe Photoshp Plug-Ins will work in Elements. And some of the Plug-Ins from Adobe WILL also work in Corel PSP. There are more books written for the Adobe products, too. An excellent manual for Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 is "Photoshop Elements 4: the Missing Manual", by Barbara Brundage. This weekend, when I have more free time, I will go thru both my Corel PSP and Adobe Elements programs and give you a better comparison. I learned to Image Edit on JASC Paint Shop Pro so have the most familiarity with it. If you stay behind the latest upgrade by a version, you can get it cheaper once a newer version comes out. And you can buy used software at Amazon.com and eBay. It is almost annoying how fast the companies keep coming up with upgrades for their image editing software. Makes it harder to learn the programs and get a feel for what is where in the layout. Gail R (WNY)

I zoom it up a little, not too much, use the magic wand and select the red, play with the tolerance until I get the entire area I want selected (marching ants more or less circular around the spot). Then I hold down the plus key and repeat with the other eye. Then I Select>Feather by about 2 pixels. Then I use Image>Adjustments>Hue/Saturation, choose the red channel in the drop down menu, adjust the sliders on the bottom to pick up all the reddish hues in the selected areas, then turn down the saturation until the red is gone. If it looks washed out, turn the lightness slider to darker. It's easy once you've done it a couple of times and amazingly precise. For large prints, you may have to paint back in the natural eye color, but for 4X6 prints, little flaws don't show. I have done it the tedious way by zooming up and painting pixels, too much trouble unless you've got a real mess.

I don't use Elements. I believe it's for Photo Editing specifically. ??? What you want to do kinda, sorta isn't really editing a photo. Another way to look at it is, you're creating a new image and the photo you have just happens to be what your start with to build the image. The things that will help you with color are Channel Mixer (RGB), Color Picker, Custom Color in the Picker, Swatches and Swatch Libraries. Layers, grayscale, opacity, and luminosity are also useful. If I remember correctly, PS Elements does not have a Channel Mixer but everything else - I think. So you're going to have to Google for tutorials or buy a book. Sitting there just clicking and playing with it will yeild some advancement, but probably nothing that's going to significantly make a difference and move you forward. There's nothing about Adobe that is user friendly and the average person can not buy a package and figure out how to use the software in just a couple hours. I've been working with various Adobe products for many years and I still get stumped sometimes. One of the home visualizer paint programs is a good suggestion. It might cost $10-$40 or whatever but they are a whole lot easier to figure out. The color quality offered in those programs leaves a lot to be desired. Can't pay any attention to the paint color names. You have to look at the colors offered and try to *match* them up to the paint chip colors you want to see.

Ha ha! I was really just thinking about pouring a glass of wine while I chill out here. jamaraz, you know that you MUST continue to post pics along the way. (And identify with your screen name in the post) Nothing I hate more than going through the prelim step and then don't get to see the outcome! Thanks funcolors...more good info, and i'm def taking the plunge on the faux wood garage now, as well as finding a way hurry along the blue-green patina over the front door. And while structured topiaries aren't my fav either, I can see that having something taller than the typical potted flowers draws the eye to front entry. Curious, what did you put for the front walk/steps? The slate/flagstone needs a lot of repair and might need to be replaced anyway. CHEERS!