Alternatives to QImage?

[Caitlin]

I downloaded QImages last month, and was quite happy with it. What I'm after
is something that allows me to print multiple photos in any layout I like.
The trial period on QImage has now expired, and I went to register and was
rather shocked by how expensive it is. Is there anything else out there that
does this, but isn't so pricey?

 

[VictorDog]

I downloaded QImages last month, and was quite happy with it. What I'm
after is something that allows me to print multiple photos in any layout I
like. The trial period on QImage has now expired, and I went to register
and was rather shocked by how expensive it is. Is there anything else out
there that does this, but isn't so pricey?

If using Windows XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/waystoprint.mspx

Vern

 

[Caitlin]

If using Windows XP:


http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/waystoprint.mspx

Vern

Thanks Vern, I was aware of this, but this, as many programs do, limit you
to a range of layouts with standard sizes and dimensions. I am looking for
something that allows me to resize, rotate, and place a group of images
anywhere on the page. QImage does it, and I may end up paying for it, but at
$79 it seems a bit pricey for something that only has one function.

 

[Hecate]

I downloaded QImages last month, and was quite happy with it. What I'm after
is something that allows me to print multiple photos in any layout I like.
The trial period on QImage has now expired, and I went to register and was
rather shocked by how expensive it is. Is there anything else out there that
does this, but isn't so pricey?

Personally, I use Photoshop.

--

Hecate - The Real One
(e-mail address removed)
Fashion: Buying things you don't need, with money
you don't have, to impress people you don't like...

 

[Burt]

Thanks Vern, I was aware of this, but this, as many programs do, limit you
to a range of layouts with standard sizes and dimensions. I am looking for
something that allows me to resize, rotate, and place a group of images
anywhere on the page. QImage does it, and I may end up paying for it, but
at $79 it seems a bit pricey for something that only has one function.

This is doable with Photoshop Elements (2 or 3). You set up a blank page,
move desired images to the page and size to your liking, move them around as
you wish (each occupies a separate layer), and when you get what you want
you can save it in PSD format or flatten the layers and save to jpg or
several other formats. Easy to do once you get the hang of layer
management. Cost is less than $100 depending on the vendor's pricing when
you purchase it. This program has a somewhat long learning curve, but image
management is great in my estimation. I worked in my own darkroom for over
25 years, and this program has several of the darkroom "tricks" plus all of
the digital magic we now take for granted!

 

[Ed Ruf]

I downloaded QImages last month, and was quite happy with it. What I'm after
is something that allows me to print multiple photos in any layout I like.
The trial period on QImage has now expired, and I went to register and was
rather shocked by how expensive it is. Is there anything else out there that
does this, but isn't so pricey?

Do you realize you get lifetime upgrades? That Mike actually listens to
users and incorporates their desires to future versions? That he provides
good support.

 

[John Adams]

Do you realize you get lifetime upgrades? That Mike actually listens to
users and incorporates their desires to future versions? That he provides
good support.

BFD. $79 is still *way* too much money for what the
program does. Go to:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoprintsw/
and take your pick.

 

[Caitlin]

BFD. $79 is still *way* too much money for what the
program does. Go to:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoprintsw/
and take your pick.

Exactly - $79 just seems crazy for a one function application, no matter how
good. I'm used to this kind of software being more in the range of $30.
Thanks for the link, I'll have a browse through them.

 

[Bart van der Wolf]

SNIP

I am looking for something that allows me to resize, rotate, and
place a group of images anywhere on the page. QImage does it, and I
may end up paying for it, but at $79 it seems a bit pricey for
something that only has one function.

http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/ordering.htm says "Downloadable demo
($44.95)".

Anyways, the prints are better than from Photoshop due to superior
interpolation (up-sampling) and loads of printer specific controls
(and then some) which, once mastered, make the USD 44.95 a (IMHO)
no-brainer. Ranks high amongst the ""best $ 45 spent" category, for me
anyway.

Bart

 

[Ed Ruf]

Exactly - $79 just seems crazy for a one function application, no matter how
good. I'm used to this kind of software being more in the range of $30.
Thanks for the link, I'll have a browse through them.

Don't know where you guys are getting this price, as Bart, another long
term user pointed out it's $44.95
http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/ordering.htm

 

[Bob Headrick]

I downloaded QImages last month, and was quite happy with it. What I'm after
is something that allows me to print multiple photos in any layout I like. The
trial period on QImage has now expired, and I went to register and was rather
shocked by how expensive it is. Is there anything else out there that does
this, but isn't so pricey?

I use Photo Paper Saver, trial version with no time limit (but will only print
two pages at a time) from http://www.fpdoctor.com/pps/main/main-j-0-0.html and
$20 to register.

Regards,
Bob Headrick, MS MVP Printing/Imaging

 

[Caitlin]

Don't know where you guys are getting this price, as Bart, another long
term user pointed out it's $44.95
http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/ordering.htm

I must have been thinking of something else - I could have sworn it had two
price levels, and that the $45 excluded printing some formats. Anyway, I've
checked out some of those other apps and they don't seem to have the
flexibility I'm after - they all seem to be limited to printing standard
dimensions etc, where as QImage you can drag and resize like Photoshop (but
multiple images at a time). I guess I will have to cough up the dough,
though it does still seem a bit pricey.

 

[Kulvinder Singh Matharu]

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 18:00:48 +1000, "Caitlin"

[snip]

I must have been thinking of something else - I could have sworn it had two
price levels, and that the $45 excluded printing some formats. Anyway, I've
checked out some of those other apps and they don't seem to have the
flexibility I'm after - they all seem to be limited to printing standard
dimensions etc, where as QImage you can drag and resize like Photoshop (but
multiple images at a time). I guess I will have to cough up the dough,
though it does still seem a bit pricey.

If you think QImage is expensive, try looking at ImagePrint...

http://www.colorbytesoftware.com/PriceList.htm
http://www.colorbytesoftware.com/feature_list.htm

Of course, as well as print layout, ImagePrint talks direct to
printer so in theory you should be able to produce better prints.

--
Kulvinder Singh Matharu
Website : www.metalvortex.com
Contact : www.metalvortex.com/form/form.htm

"It ain't Coca Cola, it's rice", Straight to Hell - The Clash

 

[Jon O'Brien]

...at $79 it seems a bit pricey for something that only has one
function.

It's only $44.95 US (currently $59.40 Aus) to register and unlock the
downloadable demo. That includes all future upgrades. The price you quote
is for a copy on CD.

And I think it's a bit misleading to say it only has one function. There
are a lot of image editing features (maybe not so useful if you have
Photoshop but they are there), excellent layout options, including the
ability to print posters across multiple pages, and the best upscaling
algorithms available.

Worth every penny/cent/whatever, in my opinion.


Jon.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

Personally, I use Photoshop.

If you haven't tried Qimage I'd strongly recommend that you do so. It
produces /far/ better quality prints than Photoshop in my, and many other
people's, opinion. That's especially true if the image needs upscaling at
all. Qimage's Pyramid interpolation makes Photoshop's bicubic
interpolation look positively primitive!

Really, Hecate, it's a no brainer. Trust me!

Caveat: do work through the tutorial. The interface is somewhat 'unique'.

Jon.

 

[Jon O'Brien]

Go to: http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoprintsw/
and take your pick.

There's not a piece of software there which will produce prints as good as
Qimage will. Guaranteed.

Jon.

 

[John Beardmore]

In message

Exactly - $79 just seems crazy for a one function application, no matter how
good. I'm used to this kind of software being more in the range of $30.
Thanks for the link, I'll have a browse through them.

It's a question of if it's worth it to you. If it is, pay up. If it
isn't, shut up ?

If an author chooses no to give away their software, that's up to them.
If you choose not to buy it, that's up to you, but there is more to
software quality than 'number of functions' as other have suggested.


Cheers, J/.

 

[Taliesyn]

In message



It's a question of if it's worth it to you. If it is, pay up. If it
isn't, shut up ?

If an author chooses no to give away their software, that's up to them.
If you choose not to buy it, that's up to you, but there is more to
software quality than 'number of functions' as other have suggested.

I spent $600 CDN on a camera (Lumix 12x). Spending just $45 US on the
best software - that is directly responsible for the final product - is
a downright bargain. The difference in printouts floored me. It was like
someone removed the "unclear filter" from my photos.

-Taliesyn

 

[Shannon]

(e-mail address removed) (Jon O'Brien) wrote in

If you haven't tried Qimage I'd strongly recommend that you do so. It
produces /far/ better quality prints than Photoshop in my, and many
other people's, opinion. That's especially true if the image needs
upscaling at all. Qimage's Pyramid interpolation makes Photoshop's
bicubic interpolation look positively primitive!

Really, Hecate, it's a no brainer. Trust me!

Caveat: do work through the tutorial. The interface is somewhat
'unique'.

Jon.

What is image upscaling?

Shannon

 

[Jon O'Brien]

What is image upscaling?

Increasing the number of pixels in an image so it can be printed to a
larger size.

If you have an image that is, say, 2,500 pixels across and you have a
printer that prints at 720DPI, the image will be about 3.5" across once
printed. If you want it to be 10" across, you can a) print it at 250DPI
and get a print in which the individual dots will be visible b) upscale
it.

Upscaling can't add missing detail but it can, if done well, increase the
number of pixels in the image so that the resultant print doesn't show
individual dots. Qimage does it better than any other piece of software
currently available.

Jon.