Even though the interface of Photonyx looks different it only takes a few times to become comfortable using it, The menu and tool bars are very simply and uncomplicated. The docks are scrollable thus saving workspace. Precise, guides, Grids and Rulers. The tear-off menus are also dockable as are the palettes. Once you are comfortable with the layout you will find yourself being instantly productive.
Most applications are slow on redraws and take up so much time.
With Virtual Screens you can navigate and renders areas with speed that would make most people think they were working with low res. In the editing department you have unlimited Undos-Redos with optimized memory management. The tools are very intuitive and make it easy for even a first time user. There is built in is support for Wacom Intuos tablets. You can import and export layers with alpha, use layer masks, and layer transformations including warping.