Image Doctor 2

Alien Skin Software's Image Doctor 2 is a set of five Photoshop plug-in filters that users can use for image repair, restoration and retouching. It will even remove your pimples from digital photos.

The plug-in is installed (Mac or Windows) directly into Adobe Photoshop CS2 or later, Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 or later (Macintosh), Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 or later (Windows), Adobe Fireworks CS3, or Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2.

These filters are ideal for repairing old family portraits, images damaged from creases and scratches, removing unwanted tattoos (in the photos only!) and even correcting problems associated with newer digital images or cell-phone photos. While there are many other ways to repair these problems, this software does it quick and easy with great results.

Skin Softener, Smart Fill, Blemish Concealer, JPEG Repair along with Dust and Scratch Remover are the names of the filters, and each does exactly what the name implies.

The most appealing function to me is the repair of old photos. Depending on the problem with the photo, several of the tools can be used to restore the photo as close as possible to the original.

When using the smart fill function, users can removed creases from an image, repair small tears and even take unwanted items out of a photo. These items can include everything from date markers to mountains.

The blemish concealer does exactly that. With one click on an area, which has been pre-selected, the software removes moles, wrinkles or other imperfections.

A common problem with JPEGs is compression. When an image is saved over and over, the quality is reduced each time, causing the resolution to look pixilated. This software cleans up the image to restore most of the damage.

Information: Image Doctor 2, $199, www.alienskin.com

-- Gregg Ellman, McClatchy Newspapers