If Katie Couric couldn't get away with it, you probably won't either.

But Hewlett-Packard's new slimming software for several of its digital cameras is still fun, even if it's useful only for entertainment purposes.

Victor Godinez / DMN Hewlett-Packard's slimming function makes the well-fed Gimli look not exactly svelte but perhaps a bit less heavy. The software works with several models of H-P digital cameras.

Basically, in portrait shots, you can select a "slimming" tool that squeezes the pictures inward from the sides.

It makes the subject look thinner but also smooths out the background and adjusts the rest of the frame so the picture doesn't look compressed.

In reality, the effect is more convincing with certain types of shots than with others.

I tested the slimming function on H-P's Photosmart R967 10-megapixel camera ($399), but there are several that come with the slimming feature (see list).

The software is easy to use, but you do have to do some planning before you snap your shot.

For the most convincing effect, you'll want one person in the frame, standing far enough back to be visible head to foot.

Close-up headshots aren't the best candidates, since slimming those can make the subject look as if his head has been stuck in a vise.

And even if you compose your photo perfectly, you still can't eliminate wrinkles, double chins, sagging guts or droopy bags under the eyes.

All you can do is shrink those features down.

You also have to be careful not to get carried away with the slimming.

There are two levels of slim you can apply.

The second setting provides the most drastic effect, but friends and family who've seen you in the flesh recently might get suspicious when your portraits look 20 pounds lighter.

But one application that I found really useful is concealing the obesity of your pets.

For example, my cats are on the verge of acquiring planetary status.

I snapped this shot of Gimli exposing her bulk to the world.

After applying some "slimming," she was, well, OK, not svelte, but less absurdly fat.

So if you're preparing the pics for your annual Christmas card and are a little embarrassed by the paunch on your pooch, this might be an easier way to improve your pet's image than shelling out for expensive diet food.

Note, you can apply the slimming effect either in the camera directly or after downloading the photos into your PC or Mac.

My advice: Just use the feature in the camera.

H-P's editing software is clunky, and it's hard to apply the different special effects, due to the way the icons on the screen disappear when you're previewing an image.

Pros: They say the camera adds 10 pounds. This one actually subtracts them.

Cons: The effect only looks convincing in certain shots. And there's something a little pathetic about airbrushing photos of yourself.

Bottom line: A fun toy, but don't buy the camera just because of the slimming function. Still, the R967 is a superb little device, even without the slimming.