Free Editing Software Picasa from Google - WordPress.com · Free Editing Software – Picasa from Google The “reate” menu gives access to the collage and video creation features

Free Editing Software – Picasa from Google

This a great program for tweaking a large number of JPEG images quickly. It’s not the most impressive in terms of features but if you take the time to look around to around there are a lot of user friendly features.

http://picasa.google.com/


If you use other software be aware that when you save any changes the original files are moved and hidden. If you only use Picasa it’s not a problem. It keeps a database of your image folders

Save changes made in the editor, create slideshows, movies etc.

Create free web albums to share with friends

Rotate images, control thumbnail size, one click email, print, export etc.




Double click an image to open in the ‘editor’. The first tab offers quick basic editing features. It also offers a “Retouch” option which can give great results.




The second tab deals with lighting in more detail with highlights, shadows and colour temperature as well as a neutral colour picker. It’s not sophisticated but it’s a quick way to make basic improvements.




The third tab has 12 different effects. Each has a slider allowing the amount to be controlled. The “Sharpen” feature is included here.





The fourth tab has 12 more effects.


The fifth tab contains still more effects. The editing changes are not yet saved. When you’ve finished editing all the images click “Back to the Library”.

Back in the original area click that blue disc symbol to save the changes. Just remember that the original images are moved into a hidden sub-folder called “Originals”




Batch editing is available from the “Pictures” menu.




The “Create” menu gives access to the collage and video creation features. You can also create gift CDs of slideshows.




Geotagging etc. is found in the “Tools” menu.




The help menu gives access to forums etc. It also opens the comprehensive help pages from Google.




The help page contains 8 main areas with 25+ sub topics. Each of these opens up a variety of further topics. Let’s just say the support from Google is comprehensive and easily found.




These changes took seconds but remember you can only have one version of each image. To save both to your computer you’d need to duplicate the original first. Picasa was my first editing package – hence the lengthy description.




Free Editing Software – PhotoScape

PhotoScape is a program I’ve not used – screenshots from their website. The program seems to offer a wide range of options and includes a RAW converter.

http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php



This is the first page with either tabs or images to link to areas.



The main Viewer area offers the usual features including EXIF data.



The Editor has a wide range of tools and options located below the image panel.



The Batch Editor includes resizing and filters

The Print panel has a range of sixes and formats to select.



It also has a number of interesting options for multiple image creation either as a ‘collage’, in a vertical or horizontal display or as an animated GIF.



You’ll need to check the quality of the advanced features like the RAW converter to see if they satisfy your needs.


Free??? Editing Software – Pixlr for Desktop & Mobile

The downloadable version is either limited or costs $15/year BUT the web based version IS FREE – see later slides.

You just need a reasonable Internet connection

https://pixlr.com/

https://pixlr.com/

https://pixlr.com/

https://pixlr.com/

https://pixlr.com/

https://pixlr.com/

https://pixlr.com/

https://pixlr.com/

Free Editing Software – Pixlr Free Web Based

The route to open the Free Web Based App seems to vary but if you are stuck make sure you’ve clicked on the “WEBB APPS” menu.

Clicked the “Launch Web Apps” button.

http://apps.pixlr.com/editor/





Scroll down and click the “Launch Web App” button on “PIXLR EDITOR”

Either open files using this dialogue box or close it and use the “File” menu.







Unfortunately doesn’t open RAW files & struggles with Photoshop files although saves in TIFF or it’s own format for later development of layers. It is very similar to an older PS Elements with Tools, Layers & History panels.







The options in the menu system are quite comprehensive and resemble those in PS Elements.

Here I’ve used duplicate layers, curves, saturation, sharpen, vignette etc.







If you are used to PS / Elements it’s very natural to use.

These are the possible formats for saving files including the two that preserve layers for later editing. It also links to Facebook, Flickr etc.







I really liked this program. It was very easy to use taking just a few minutes to make the changes seen in previous slides.







GPL image from Wikipedia Uploaded by Tarret

Free Editing Software – Gimp

GIMP is a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop with many powerful tools. However, with so much it can be difficult to master the more complex aspects. There are some books available from Amazon.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tarret

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tarret

http://www.gimp.org/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_nr_n_3?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A267664%2Ck%3Abook+gimp&keywords=book+gimp&ie=UTF8&qid=1426327590&rnid=1642204031


GIMP is an acronym for “GNU’s Image Manipulation Program”. It can be used as either a simple of more complex program.



GIMP or “GNU’s Image Manipulation Program” is written under X11 on Unix platforms just in case you wanted to know!



It really does have many of the features found in Photoshop.



The Plug-ins are produced by the community as are support materials. The file handling options are comprehensive.


If you’re looking for support on You Tube take time to find a good resource. “Galactic” from Galactics Tutorials promises to tell you everything you need to know about GIMP. He starts by saying: • “In my last tutorial on GIMP I did a pretty terrible job because I didn't know what I was

doing.“ • Now having spent “2 years learning about it“ he can “totally tell you everything in 25

minutes” !!! GOOD LUCK WITH THAT !!!

But search around there’s a lot available – I just don’t have the time.


https://youtu.be/SoP5LOFxPeY







Almost Free Editing Software – Smart Photo Editor

Why “Almost Free” – see the next slide. There are a number of people at club who use this programme and produce impressive results – that’s got to be a good reason to try it.

http://www.smartphotoeditor.com/?gclid=CMrvmIbAp8QCFazMtAodCA8AQA


This ‘offer’ of under £20 has been running for at least a year!

The trial version is free. However, when you make the one-off payment ALL the presets developed and uploaded by others are available directly from your computer. This feature automatically updates every time you use the program.



It starts with the option of a number of interactive, step by step video tutorials of the basic skills you’ll need.



This is the basic tools & effects panel. Selections then take to a variety of options.



These are the main unique features opened from the right-hand toolbar

The standard options of eraser, text, crop, straighten and rotate are also available. In addition you can create and edit your own effects sharing them with the community.



Here the ‘Area Treatment’ has opened a number of thumbnail presets which can be applied and then refined by editing. The options now appear on the left side of the screen.



Each topic available here has a wide range of options available. It’s easy to save regularly used options in ‘Your Favorites’ these can be quickly found in the future.



Smart Photo Editor has it’s own version of layers for compositing. They are referred to as ‘overlays’ and ‘underlays’


Alternative to Free Editing Software – Adobe Creative Cloud

If you are serious about getting the best results Adobe Creative Cloud offers photographers the industry standard, latest Lightroom & Photoshop for about the same price as a bottle of wine per month.

The range of free support on Adobe TV is amazing. The level of training supplied by 3rd parties is outstanding.

https://creative.adobe.com/plans/photography

https://creative.adobe.com/plans/photography

http://tv.adobe.com/

Documents

Free Editing Software Picasa from Google - WordPress.com · Free Editing Software – Picasa from Google The “reate” menu gives access to the collage and video creation features