8 replies to this topic

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I used to have a photo editing program on an old laptop that let me select resizing by actual dimensions (e.g., 3X5). The software on my newer laptop only allows me to resize by pixels, which a) means nothing to me and b) doesn't help me resize a photo so it fits into a document.

I've done some research online about "resizing" photos, and keep finding software programs that fail allow me to resize by dimension. This has been very frustrating.

HELP! Can you recommend software that will be of help to me?

[SacKen]

If you want to do basic stuff and don't need professional editing capability, I suggest Picasa. My wife has been using it and loves it. It has a very simple interface. The picture editing features are very easy for her to use without drilling into all the details that most complex image editors get into.

I believe cropping and resizing to specific picture sizes is built-in as well. (I'm not 100% sure, but I'd expect my wife to complain if it wasn't and she has been cropping, editing and printing a ton of picture lately.)

Printing at home, ordering prints from Walgreens, etc, and posting the pics online for family to see is also very easy to do from Picasa.

[john]

Adobe Photoshop or Corel Photopaint. Adobe is the industry standard. But I use Corel because IMO I think it's better and I'm good like that.

at 300 dpi (dots per inch), pixel size for 3x5 is 1500x900.

for photos to print, you want at least 300 dpi
for the web, it's always 72 dpi.

[JLS]

you didn't mention if you had a price range you were looking at but the best software I could recommend would be photoshop elements.

http://www.adobe.com...photoshopelwin/

Download the free trial and try it for a period. They are usually fully functional demos...

As John said... photoshop is the industry standard (with corel being a solid option) and this is basically the consumer version of the pro app.

Really, iPhoto is probably by far the best option for what your trying to do (comes with all macs) but your probably not a mac user right?

[dlutz]

Really depends what you want to do and what you want to spend.

Photoshop is the best tool out there, but a little pricey. There is an online version at www.photoshop.com which is pretty decent for being free. Picasa is another great free option.

I'd say try the free ones out first and if you still need more, buy photoshop.

[Silverado]

I used to have a photo editing program on an old laptop that let me select resizing by actual dimensions (e.g., 3X5). The software on my newer laptop only allows me to resize by pixels, which a) means nothing to me and b) doesn't help me resize a photo so it fits into a document.

I've done some research online about "resizing" photos, and keep finding software programs that fail allow me to resize by dimension. This has been very frustrating.

HELP! Can you recommend software that will be of help to me?

You say that you are resizing to fit into a document. If you are using Word or Corel or some similar type of word processor, then you should not have to resize beforehand. Simply insert it and grab it by the corner to obtain the size you desire.

[JLS]

photoshop online (express) and alot of the other free apps don't have the re-sizing capability by inches.

If its just for such basic editing functions then photoshop (full version) seems to be overdoing it IMHO. Can you tell us what key things you want to do with the software?

[tracknut]

for the web, it's always 72 dpi.

I was with you right up until here

On the web, dpi is meaningless. dpi is a printing attribute, which is a field in (for example) a jpeg file, and that field is completely ignored for web purposes. Whether your web image is set to 1 dpi, 72 dpi, or 1000 dpi, it will look exactly the same in your browser.

Dave

[eVader]

Good advice above, but I will a few suggestions too.

If all you need to do is resize an image and NOT edit the image (cropping, color adjustments, shading, or other common editing processes), then try VSO Image Resizer. Best thing is it is FREE.

If you want to edit photos, fix camera or shooting flaws etc and have the $$ then Adobe Photoshop or Corel are the best options. The only apps serious\professional photographers and graphic artists use.

If you want to edit like above but don't want to spend several hundred dollars, get Photoshop Elements. I packs the most useful amateur tools from Photoshop into a consumer price.

Lastly if you want to edit and not only don't want a $500 app or $79 Photoshop Elements, but like FREE, FREE FREE then consider - GiMP (open source freeware that is very good), Paint.NET, online sites like Pixlr, Picasa or Flikr

And to learn how to use Photoshop (or other photo edit apps) check out Elite By Designs web Learn Photoshop in a Week course.

Personally, while I had a licensed copy of Photoshop at work, it was beyond my needs and for home then and now prefer VSO for quick resizing and either GiMP, Paint.NET because they are free. I have Photoshop Elements from a few years ago on a PC for occasional use too.

Once you have tried the suggestions from this thread, post back as to what you tried and what in your opinion worked the best - I bet there are a quite a few people interested in this.