Alternatives to QImage?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

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?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"Caitlin" <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42ec0b0f$0$30937$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>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

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 09:19:43 +1000, in comp.periphs.printers "Caitlin"
<caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:

>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.
----------
Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 (Usenet@EdwardG.Ruf.com)
http://EdwardGRuf.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 09:19:43 +1000, "Caitlin"
<caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:

>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
Hecate@newsguy.com
Fashion: Buying things you don't need, with money
you don't have, to impress people you don't like...

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"Caitlin" <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42ec0b0f$0$30937$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>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

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"Ed Ruf" <egruf_usenet@cox.net> wrote in message news:gq5oe1h5jt6bb3ij1vaa8v1i0dm7pcc1tu@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 09:19:43 +1000, in comp.periphs.printers "Caitlin"
> <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >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.

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.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"VictorDog" <VictorDog@email.suppressed> wrote in message
news:13UGe.42154$0f.20170@tornado.texas.rr.com...
>
> "Caitlin" <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:42ec0b0f$0$30937$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>>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

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.

 

[BURT]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"Caitlin" <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42ec0e5b$0$596$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>
> "VictorDog" <VictorDog@email.suppressed> wrote in message
> news:13UGe.42154$0f.20170@tornado.texas.rr.com...
>>
>> "Caitlin" <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:42ec0b0f$0$30937$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au...
>>>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
>
> 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!
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"John Adams" <nospam@rmii.net> wrote in message
news:cQUGe.6554$0C.6513@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "Ed Ruf" <egruf_usenet@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:gq5oe1h5jt6bb3ij1vaa8v1i0dm7pcc1tu@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 09:19:43 +1000, in comp.periphs.printers "Caitlin"
>> <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >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.
>
> 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.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 10:59:11 +1000, in comp.periphs.printers "Caitlin"
<caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:


>> 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.

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
----------
Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 (Usenet@EdwardG.Ruf.com)
http://EdwardGRuf.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In article
<42ec0e5b$0$596$61c65585@un-2park-reader-02.sydney.pipenetworks.com.au>,
caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com (Caitlin) wrote:

> ...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.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In article <0d4oe1pss3p4crhlfrl4n95ru5o9tbo960@4ax.com>,
hecate@newsguy.com (Hecate) wrote:

> 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.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In article <cQUGe.6554$0C.6513@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net>,
nospam@rmii.net (John Adams) wrote:

> 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.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Jon@NOonlySPAMbrowsingTHANX.com (Jon O'Brien) wrote in
news:memo.20050731113618.2336C@blue.compulink.co.uk:

> In article <0d4oe1pss3p4crhlfrl4n95ru5o9tbo960@4ax.com>,
> hecate@newsguy.com (Hecate) wrote:
>
>> 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.
>
What is image upscaling?

Shannon

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"Ed Ruf" <egruf_usenet@cox.net> wrote in message
news:irboe1dfq4rfpl99tlat19ujknjauruelc@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 10:59:11 +1000, in comp.periphs.printers "Caitlin"
> <caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>> 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.
>
> 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
> ----------
> Ed Ruf Lifetime AMA# 344007 (Usenet@EdwardG.Ruf.com)
> http://EdwardGRuf.com

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.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 18:00:48 +1000, "Caitlin"
<caitlin_online_nospam@hotmail.com> wrote:

[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

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.graphics.apps.photoshop,comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Hi Caitlin

Qimage is $45, not $79.

Worth every penny. It has no competition
as regards output quality. Layout flexibility
and printer control are excellent. Just takes
a while to penetrate the UI.

-- stan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In article <wZudnXmcza8uY3HfRVn-qg@comcast.com>, nospam@nospam.net
(Shannon) wrote:

> 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.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In message <memo.20050731190357.2492A@blue.compulink.co.uk>, Jon O'Brien
<Jon@NOonlySPAMbrowsingTHANX.com> writes

>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.

Even Photoshop ?


Cheers, J/.
--
John Beardmore

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In article <oLXutAB16S7CFwPB@wookie.demon.co.uk>,
wookie@wookie.demon.co.uk (John Beardmore) wrote:

Hi Wookie. Long time no see.

> Even Photoshop ?

Definitely. Qimage has several interpolation methods that beat
Photoshop's best-shot bicubic interpolation hands-down. The best of the
lot being Pyramid.

Take a look at: http://www.ddisoftware.com/testpics/new-pyr.htm for
samples (or maybe 'resamples' would be more appropriate).

Jon.
(cody from CIX)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In message <memo.20050731233214.1596B@blue.compulink.co.uk>, Jon O'Brien
<Jon@NOonlySPAMbrowsingTHANX.com> writes
>In article <oLXutAB16S7CFwPB@wookie.demon.co.uk>,
>wookie@wookie.demon.co.uk (John Beardmore) wrote:

>Hi Wookie. Long time no see.

Indeed ! And much water under the bridge !


>> Even Photoshop ?
>
>Definitely. Qimage has several interpolation methods that beat
>Photoshop's best-shot bicubic interpolation hands-down. The best of the
>lot being Pyramid.
>
>Take a look at: http://www.ddisoftware.com/testpics/new-pyr.htm for
>samples (or maybe 'resamples' would be more appropriate).

Hmmm...

Not sure I could say which was best really without seeing the original
'analogue' view.

I guess the bicubic had obvious artefacts with straight edges, but old
pyramid perhaps has more on the white curved surface.

I guess new pyramid is the best on detailed examination. Very
interesting !


Cheers, J/.
--
John Beardmore

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In article <SA$QvKTXi97CFw5Y@wookie.demon.co.uk>,
wookie@wookie.demon.co.uk (John Beardmore) wrote:

> Not sure I could say which was best really without seeing the original
> 'analogue' view.

Yes, there's nothing like seeing the hardcopy results. You can download a
trial version and give it a test drive, though.

> I guess the bicubic had obvious artefacts with straight edges, but old
> pyramid perhaps has more on the white curved surface.

'Old' pyramid didn't last long. It was his first attempt at the algorithm
and was fairly quickly replaced by the current version.

> I guess new pyramid is the best on detailed examination. Very
> interesting !

I wouldn't dream of saying 'I told you so'. 🙂

Jon.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In message <memo.20050803042640.2576D@blue.compulink.co.uk>, Jon O'Brien
<Jon@NOonlySPAMbrowsingTHANX.com> writes
>In article <SA$QvKTXi97CFw5Y@wookie.demon.co.uk>,
>wookie@wookie.demon.co.uk (John Beardmore) wrote:

>> Not sure I could say which was best really without seeing the original
>> 'analogue' view.
>
>Yes, there's nothing like seeing the hardcopy results. You can download a
>trial version and give it a test drive, though.

Yes, though I'm really not sure how useful it would be do me. We don't
print many stand alone images.

Nearly every picture we print is incorporated into documents, so unless
there is a way of making these algorithms accessible to DTP software,
they will probably remain inaccessible to us.


>> I guess the bicubic had obvious artefacts with straight edges, but old
>> pyramid perhaps has more on the white curved surface.
>
>'Old' pyramid didn't last long. It was his first attempt at the algorithm
>and was fairly quickly replaced by the current version.
>
>> I guess new pyramid is the best on detailed examination. Very
>> interesting !
>
>I wouldn't dream of saying 'I told you so'. 🙂

And I wouldn't dream of not looking into better alternatives. Question
is, how to get them into the layout software that we want to use.


Cheers, J/.
--
John Beardmore

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In article <IdWG44ksEd8CFwCm@wookie.demon.co.uk>,
wookie@wookie.demon.co.uk (John Beardmore) wrote:

> We don't print many stand alone images.
> ...unless there is a way of making these algorithms accessible to DTP
> software, they will probably remain inaccessible to us.

In that case, the only way I can see the upscaling being useful to you is
if you have lowish res images that will need upscaling for final printing.
You can then print to file from Qimage before importing into
Pagemaker/InDesign. Otherwise, Qimage is a chocolate teapot as far as your
requirements are concerned.

Jon.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

In message <memo.20050804133531.740A@blue.compulink.co.uk>, Jon O'Brien
<Jon@NOonlySPAMbrowsingTHANX.com> writes
>In article <IdWG44ksEd8CFwCm@wookie.demon.co.uk>,
>wookie@wookie.demon.co.uk (John Beardmore) wrote:
>
>> We don't print many stand alone images.
>> ...unless there is a way of making these algorithms accessible to DTP
>> software, they will probably remain inaccessible to us.
>
>In that case, the only way I can see the upscaling being useful to you is
>if you have lowish res images that will need upscaling for final printing.

Are these scaling algorithms better in general though ? Might it also
do a better job of down scaling ?


>You can then print to file from Qimage before importing into
>Pagemaker/InDesign. Otherwise, Qimage is a chocolate teapot as far as your
>requirements are concerned.

That's what I fear, though it may be handy for making 1 to 5 mega pixel
images into posters.


Cheers, J/.
--
John Beardmore