The program's output flexibility, a key strength, lets you create DVDs, Video CDs, and autorun CDs as well as self-playing Microsoft Windows EXE files that include flash videos and Windows Media and QuickTime files. You can set up security features for your discs, too, limiting the playback of your productions by day or number of runs, and also assigning a registration key you can later use to unlock the production—a great ability if you're trying to sell your work. You can burn multiple shows onto a single DVD—this gives you a simple way to send Grandma a year-in-review disc. Another option lets you include the original images, so if Granny has a computer she can edit them. The software also lets you create a DVD that works in set-top players and will autorun on Windows PCs at higher resolutions. You can also put together Web shows that combine multiple shows, but, surprisingly, these play only on Windows computers—Mac users are out of luck, which is a shame. The software lets you produce all shows at an aspect ratio of either 16:9—which is great for widescreen TVs—or the more standard 4:3.

The new marquee feature, a great tool for those who want a highly polished look, lets you add multiple image layers to a slide, and customize the motion for each layer, enabling intricate multi-image looks. You can also see the waveform for all background audio files and now convert the storyboard to a timeline—both excellent features for perfecting audio sync. But the image-editing capabilities, although acceptable for touch-up work, don't cut it for major renovations, even with the new red-eye removal tool.

That lack of high-powered image editing is my only complaint; if you've got pictures that need serious help, you'll need to use a dedicated image-editing app. Still, once you've got your images cleaned up (if necessary), ProShow Gold 3.0 can't be beat for quickly creating and distributing slide shows, or for spending a little longer to create a really professional-looking finished product.