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Thread ID: 59509 2005-07-04 11:30:00 Image manipulation software - recommendations? Tony (4941) Press F1
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369311 2005-07-04 11:30:00 I'm trying to help my technically and financially-challenged friend again, this time I'm looking for image processing software like photoshop/paint shop pro, but v. cheap or even better free.

It needs to be very easy to use, but not necessarily hugely sophisticated. Win XP environment.

Any recommendations? The only one I know the name of is the Gimp - or is that just Linux? - and will it fit the easy to use requirement?

TIA.
Tony (4941)
369312 2005-07-04 11:36:00 photoshop elements, gimp might be a bit complicated plod (107)
369313 2005-07-04 12:02:00 Google have a fee download of something called "Picasa" or something similar which has had some favourable reaction in a very recent issue of NZ PC World from memory Chemical Ali (118)
369314 2005-07-04 12:23:00 Polyview is excellent, although most people here would probably recommend Irfan.

Both free.
Greg (193)
369315 2005-07-04 12:48:00 Any recommendations? The only one I know the name of is the Gimp - or is that just Linux? - and will it fit the easy to use requirement?

TIA.GIMP is available for windows. Its not that hard to use ... Even i can!!!!! :p I think there are only small differences between the Linux versions i have used and the 'doze versions. GIMP is certainly the right price.

Hint: Rightclick on image to get menus. This saves the need for a menubar that may or may not be visable.

Hint 2: Have a look around. Pretty much everything you might want to do is there ---somewhere.
personthingy (1670)
369316 2005-07-04 13:11:00 Add one more for GIMP Chilling_Silence (9)
369317 2005-07-04 13:14:00 What are they wanting to do?? With the easy to use software.

The others have mentioned some good software, but they will do different jobs.
Rob99 (151)
369318 2005-07-04 13:45:00 The GIMP is a very powerful tool. Yes, it can be a little complicated to use, but it is a full strength application - it is not a cut down application like Irfan. Once you know the GIMP, you will know the fundamentals of these sorts of programs. GIMP (graphic image manipulation program) is a clone of Adobe Photoshop - so once you know GIMP, you know Photoshop. vinref (6194)
369319 2005-07-04 21:21:00 The GIMP is a very powerful tool. Yes, it can be a little complicated to use.That will probably rule it out. My friend occasionally has some problems concentrating and absorbing new stuff after being in a serious car accident a few years ago, which is why ease-of-use is paramount.

What will it be used for? Good question, as I am trying to assemble a collection of software before we have even bought the PC. (She currently has an 8-year old machine running Win95). I suspect it will be only get used for cropping pics, maybe removing red-eye, a bit of image quality improvement.

Off-topic slightly, but the software I have assembled so far is:

Open Office
AVG anti-virus
Spybot
Ad-Aware
Thunderbird
Firefox
GIMP/Irfan/Picasa or whatever...
Adobe Reader 7

The OS will be WinXP Home. Given the circumstances above and the fact that I don't want to be a permanent help desk and that I don't know Linux, I think Linux is not an option.

Hardware is not finally decided, but will not need to be v. high-spec (no gaming, heavy-duty graphics - basically word-processing + email + a bit of simple spreadsheet). I'm considering a Brother MFC210C multifunction printer.

I think we can do this for approx. $1500, which is about max budget.

Any opinions/ anything else I should be thinking about?
Tony (4941)
369320 2005-07-04 21:26:00 You could do it for less than $1500.

And how about OpenOffice?
pctek (84)
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