Requirements: Mac 10.3.9 - later (some features require iLife); G4 400MHz or faster, G5, or Intel Core CPU; 256M of RAM or more; 800x600 pixels or higher
Test Rig: MacBook 1.87Ghz / 2GB RAM

I think most of us, the plebes anyway, can honestly say that iPhoto is all that we'll ever need. But honestly, don't you want to smash someone's computer to bits when they present a slide presentation and it's nothing but the Ken Burns' Effect from beginning to end? I mean, you start reaching for the dramamine.

So what else do you do with your photos? Well, you could throw them out with the trash. The in-laws rejoice! But that's not an option you'll entertain, eh?

How about morphing? "No technical skills required anyone can make a photo animation in just seconds! Save morphs in Flash, Quicktime, Animated GIF and other popular formats. Who knew home digital photography could be this much FUN! ... Morph your baby photo into your own picture today. ... Transform your wife into her mother or your husband into one of the Beatles.

With Morpheus Photo Animation Suite Mac Professional v3.01 you can accomplish some pretty strange things without a steep learning curve. Let's see if it delivers.

THE JUICE

The suite comes with all three of Morpheus Software's products; Morpheus Photo Morpher, Morpheus Photo Morpher Warper and Morpheus Photo Morpher Mixer.

"Morpheus Photo Morpher v3.01 Morphing software that transforms one person or object into another right before your eyes. Morpheus Photo Warper v3.01 Distortion software that warps and exaggerates portions of photos such as body parts. Morpheus Photo Mixer v3.01 Compositing software that mixes up faces and body parts between two photos.
Morpheus Photo Animation Suite v3.01 A suite which contains all Morpheus digital photo animation software titles, plus all of the sample animations."

When you begin the tutorial with a dozen sample morphs, some of the command are grayed out because you're just beginning. As you advance the whole palette of effects will eventually be at your fingertips. As Yoda would say,"One must first learn to crawl before one can walk. Yes?"

When it comes to support, they have your back. There's a .pdf manual that comes with the software, a thorough fact sheet/tutorial online and an online forum, as well.

You can also email your masterpieces to your friends right from within the program. You can also save your work in about a dozen different formats.

Because of time constraints, I didn't have time refine my morph of Moe Howard into Brittney Spears as I would have liked. But I will be getting deeper into the program for vignettes on The Video Sandbox.

THE PULP

You thought Photo Booth is addictive ... ?

THE RIND

Nada.

SUMMARY

Morpheus Photo Animation Suite Mac Professional v3.01 is a thoroughly enjoyable program that yields high-end results. The more detailed you get with your preparation the more spectacular the results. If you are really serious about your photo post-production work, this tool is essential.

This may also be the only way that I can shave off 50 lbs. in a hurry.

RATING : 10 of 10

2007 Frank Petrie