Searching for low cost (even free) digital image software

I will admit that I am frugal…not cheap, but thrifty. Whenever I am trying to find software for a specific purpose, I do my research. After moving from XP to Vista, I discovered that one of my favs, Microsoft Picture It! could not make the journey. Alas, I had to scrounge around for a replacement. The problem quickly became apparent. My only MUST requirement was that I could make cut-outs and put them into other pictures, like this Xmas card….

for-card_1

Doesn’t sound like asking for a lot, does it? But, as it turns out, most photo editors will not perform this seemingly simple task. After much perusing, I narrowed to 2 products, Paint.net (free) and Serif’s PhotoPlus (free or $10 upgrade). They both played to good reviews, but the Serif product was a target for many “one star” ratings, requiring a bunch of 5 star ratings to bolster it’s image. However, I was able to determine that Photoplus had the feature I needed. I downloaded both, but opted for the non-free version of PhotoPlus at the dollar store price of ten bucks. I have not used either product extensively, but the PhotoPlus will be my choice. Very professional appearing and I was able to use it immediately.

Yet again, I have proven to myself that many of the lug nuts that review products on the Internet probably have many other issues in their lives. Not to mention the possibility that they may work for a competing product. These review sites can help narrow choices, but in the end, you must think for yourself.

http://www.paint.net

http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

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This entry was posted on January 28, 2009 at 1:17 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Searching for low cost (even free) digital image software”

julbar63 Says:
January 31, 2009 at 6:38 pm | Reply
Rob, here’s my replacement post – hopefully in the correct spot this time…

You’re hilarious. Nice start!
robdougall Says:
February 1, 2009 at 7:09 pm | Reply
I like what you can do with the PhotoPlus software. I am thinking about downloading it. The McAfee Site Advisor, which tests web sites for safety, did not find any significant problems with either of the web sites you list. They even did a test download of the free PhotoPlus software and found it to be free from adware, spyware and other potentially unwanted probrams. One reviewer noted that if you uncheck all the boxes upon registration, you will receive a minimum of e-mails from Serif.
mainsfarm Says:
February 4, 2009 at 6:38 pm | Reply
Love the photo of Mt Rushmore! Good info on software as well.

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