Windows 7: Acronis True Image doubts

Althought it realy don´t take much time : clean OS install + all my programs (not many and not many tweaks nor tricks) takes around 2 hours to install, if i could shrink this time it will be good.
So, i took a look at acronis:
1. i backed up partition C (Windows 7 installation) - all photos, movies, music and so on are on other partition within the same disk and were backed with acronis on other internal disk .
2.i made the acronis bootable media (iso image) and put it on my internal back up hard drive.
my doubt is: if i format partition C: and do a clean OS install (example : install new windows7 build diferent then previous one) will i be able to restore the back up i made before of partition C: within the system and restore all my applications and settings or it will just wipe up the new Windows 7 build with the previous one i have backed up. All i want are my applications and settings restored.
Is there a way to do this with acronis, just restore apllications and settings between formats and new intalls?
I hope i have made myself clear, english is not my native language.
thanks
edit:i think this may not be possible because applications create tight ties with the OS, but nevertheless i would like to see your opinions.

If you created a "full" disk image and do a restore, Acronis will totally replace what's on "C" with that image. It is not like a Windows "in place reinstall" where, using your Windows CD/DVD you can reinstall the OS and leave the data and applications (and related registry entries) alone.

Be careful with new versions of Acronis (I "was" a long time user). Since version 8 or so it has become very buggy. Look at the Acronis forum sometime and see the pain. There are alternatives, but an image is still an image and that means going back in time.

If I'm wrong, someone will correct me.

I recently purchased the newest versions of Acronis True Image Home 2009 and Acronis Disk Director Suite 10. It can be a bit of a learning curve, however it works great. I had some issues at first as I was learning how certain applications worked. I created an Image of my XP load so as to avoid several hours of updating and such, applications seem to work fine after reloading the image.

My computer is currently set up to dual boot XP and Windows 7. I've not imaged the Windows 7 Side simply because its easier to just reload if I run into issues.