Rating: 
Summary: Junk Software
Review: .
I make ALL my cards on the computer and have done so for the past four years. I was looking for some new graphics and thought I'd try this program. This program is great for someone who just wants to print out predifined cards and then hand write messages in them. Otherwise, the user is very limited. If you are accustomed to "Microsoft Greetings 2000, Hallmark Connections" then you will be frustrated with "Hallmark Card Studio 2004" limitations. Creativity Issues: 1) When creating your own card, if you insert a picture or photo, you can't edit it (you can resize it though). You can't make it a black and white photo or emboss it or soften the edges, etc. 2) When using the predefined cards, the ONLY thing you can edit is the CONTENT of PRE-EXISTING text. You can't change the font or size or color of the text. So if you want to write more and it doesn't fit on the page, you run out of room. Or if you are sending the card to someone who may not be able to see clearly and you want to pick a clearer font, you can't. If the card you choose is blank, there is no text inside to edit therefore, you can't type anything in the card. Thus you have to print it and then hand write it. If you must have printed text (I like using a fun color and fun font that is spell checked!) you could create an additional card with a blank cover and text in it and send the original printed card through the printer again. If the program would let you chose to print only one side, you wouldn't have to create a card with a blank front (and back) - see printing issues below. 3) Other effects for making cards (like borders, etc.) are very limited. Printing issues: 1) You can't print one side of the card - its all or nothing - which sometimes is needed if you want to check your print settings or quality (or just want to print additional text - see creativity issues). 2) It has its own print screen which seems inefficient. If you want to change the printer settings (paper stock or size), then you have to click a separate button to bring up the printer settings dialogue. 3) Setting up the printer requires two pieces of paper. There is a "printer set-up" button on the print screen which if you accidentally push, erases the printer settings and you have to set up the printer again (wasting two more pieces of paper and time). 4) Printing takes FOREVER - the computer seems to hang-up.
Rating: 
Summary: Limits Creativity
Review: .
I make ALL my cards on the computer and have done so for the past four years. I was looking for some new graphics and thought I'd try this program. This program is great for someone who just wants to print out predifined cards and then hand write messages in them. Otherwise, the user is very limited. If you are accustomed to "Microsoft Greetings 2000, Hallmark Connections" then you will be frustrated with "Hallmark Card Studio 2004" limitations. Creativity Issues: 1) When creating your own card, if you insert a picture or photo, you can't edit it (you can resize it though). You can't make it a black and white photo or emboss it or soften the edges, etc. 2) When using the predefined cards, the ONLY thing you can edit is the CONTENT of PRE-EXISTING text. You can't change the font or size or color of the text. So if you want to write more and it doesn't fit on the page, you run out of room. Or if you are sending the card to someone who may not be able to see clearly and you want to pick a clearer font, you can't. If the card you choose is blank, there is no text inside to edit therefore, you can't type anything in the card. Thus you have to print it and then hand write it. If you must have printed text (I like using a fun color and fun font that is spell checked!) you could create an additional card with a blank cover and text in it and send the original printed card through the printer again. If the program would let you chose to print only one side, you wouldn't have to create a card with a blank front (and back) - see printing issues below. 3) Other effects for making cards (like borders, etc.) are very limited. Printing issues: 1) You can't print one side of the card - its all or nothing - which sometimes is needed if you want to check your print settings or quality (or just want to print additional text - see creativity issues). 2) It has its own print screen which seems inefficient. If you want to change the printer settings (paper stock or size), then you have to click a separate button to bring up the printer settings dialogue. 3) Setting up the printer requires two pieces of paper. There is a "printer set-up" button on the print screen which if you accidentally push, erases the printer settings and you have to set up the printer again (wasting two more pieces of paper and time). 4) Printing takes FOREVER - the computer seems to hang-up.
Rating: 
Summary: So much better than American Greetings
Review: For years I have used American Greetings Gold or Platnum. This program is so much better than American Greetings Gold or Platnum no matter what edition. I always email greeting cards to friends and family. The latest version of American Greetings (Gold 8) made it impossible for family and friends to open or view the e-cards I sent. The e-cards I send with Hallmark Card Studio are easy to open and view. Making cards or your own projects is also so much easier with Hallmark Card Studio than with American Greetings.
Rating:
Summary: Great Creative Tool, Some Performance Issues.
Review: Hi, I first was a bit hesitant to buy a branded piece of software (i.e. Hallmark), because I've had terrible experiences in the past with such a products. However, this time it turned out to be pretty good. The interface it's quite intuitive, the layout (i think) it's no-nonsense, and the creative options are just great. It's easy to get "lost" at first because of the plethora of possibilities, but once one has done it couple of times it becomes VERY easy to use and navigate. My wife created a fully personalized card (i.e. from scratch) and printed it in less than half an hour. Granted, you will not be getting all the bells and whistles that other packages out there have, but at this price it's quite a bargain.
My only qualm is that the program is indeed a bit "heavy" on system resources and if you're doing an extravagant piece of card, it will be slow to work with and print.
Over all, it's a buy.
Rating:
Summary: Junk Software
Review: I could not get the software to open. Called Sierra tech support & they had me try 7-10 other options to change in my computer settings. I finally went to Sierra web site and found out this was a defective issue. Go to the web site BEFORE you purchase any of their products and visit downloads forum to see all the issues. They do not disclose gliches over the phone they want you to think it is a unique problem! 7 hours later....
Rating:
Summary: Junk Software
Review: I could not get the software to open. Called Sierra tech support & they had me try 7-10 other options to change in my computer settings. I finally went to Sierra web site and found out this was a defective issue. Go to the web site BEFORE you purchase any of their products and visit downloads forum to see all the issues. They do not disclose gliches over the phone they want you to think it is a unique problem! 7 hours later....
Rating: 
Summary: This is a wonderful software!
Review: I did have American Greetings software and thought that was nice, but when I got the Hallmark 2004, it is like professional. I've made calenders already that look like the store bought ones. I highly recommend this one if you like to make your own greeting cards. You can do so much more too. It also has the formats that look like magazine covers and you can put your own photos and text onto them, and much, much more. I especially liked the event planner, it keeps a calender and will remind you and the format is very pleasing, nice to look at and easy to use.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL PRODUCT
Review: I was able to get a sneak peak at this product before the release date. The calendars they've added are amazing. The Hallmark calendars included are beautiful and you can create your own calendars as well. Many of the new cards are the same ones I'm seeing in the store today. Lots of new stuff and an updated look as well.
Rating:
Summary: it's terrible
Review: I'm really dissappointed with this product. Unlike other Hallmark programs, it does not have all it says on the program and it locks up my system, (which is a brandnew p4) When I can get it to work it only prints part of the card and does not center it correctly so the finished product looks terrible. I think Hallmark needs to fix the problems and offer a working upgrade.
Rating:
Summary: Easier to use than Greetings 2000
Review: In response to Christine Iacomini, the one great thing that this version has over Greetings 2000 is exactly what she didn't like about it: it's very simple. We have the original version of Card Studio (version 1.0a, which we got almost 8 years ago) and the one thing my wife (not very computer saavy) loved about the program is that it was really easy to use. In fact, when she tried to use Greetings 2000, she insisted I install the older version (which is still installed and works great). Anyway, Card Studio 2004 does have enhancements over previous versions, but it also brings back a much simpler interface compared to 2000. This may irk some people that want a lot of fine-tuned control over their creations, but it makes it easier for those people that want a program that you don't need to hunt through the controls to use!
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