Free or almost free image software?

SolaresLarrave

SolaresLarrave

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I placed an order for my new desktop computer, which will be connected to my printer and scanner. I was about to buy a copy of Photoshop Elements 5.0 when I found out that the 6.0 version will be out in March 24.

My machine may come in a couple of weeks, and not until 3/24 will I be able to photoshop stuff. I want to scan some slides with the new computer but neither the computer nor the scanner come with image software (that I remember). Is there some type of free image software that you use and may work to tie me over until the Photoshop Elements 6.0 comes out?

I goggled the words "free imaging software" and got a number of hits... but have you used any? Do you recommend something? I've heard about Picasa, but I don't know if it's an imaging software or an organizing one.

BTW, I ordered an iMac.

Thanks in advance!
 
Unless I am missing something in your post, Photoshop Elements 6.0 has been out for some time. My wife bought me Elements 6.0 for Christmas and I have been using it since. She bought it at Costco for $80 for the full install.

My previous version was Elements 3.0 and 6.0 is a significant improvement over 3.0.

Another good freeware is FastStone Image Viewer. they do ask for a donation if you like it but it is not required.

http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

You can also download the free 30 day trial version of PS Elements 6.0 from the Adobe web site. That gives you a chance to try before you decide to buy.

Don
 
Picasa doesn't work on the mac yet. There are rumours of a version towards the end of the year.

Once your mac arrives, I would just head over the apple site and download the month trial of aperture and play with it. Then buy elements 6 when it comes out.

Lightroom prolly has a trial that you can use. Enjoy the mac and welcome to the dark side! ; )
 
PhotoShop Elements 6.0 is the current version for Windows. The Mac version is 4.0..
 
Sadly Gimpshop will not work on a Mac that is running Leopard. Sad thing, I think, and the creator of Gimpshop says a fix is unlikely or at least a long way off.
 
Francisco,
You probably know that as a professor you are entitled to a huge discount on software. If I were you, I'd just bite the bullet and buy the full Photoshop, forget about Elements. IMO.
Pablito
 
Gimpshop may not be available for Mac, but I think GIMP is - that's the original. It does not have 'Photoshop-like' menus and some people hate it. I happen to love it, but YMMV. I run Linux, so my choices are GIMP and uh, GIMP.

http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/
 
Francisco,
I am also a happy GIMP and Faststone user but I am using a windows XP machine so I don't know about MAC programs.
However, I will suggest that you look at this site:
http://www.photo-freeware.net/
One stop "shopping", maybe?
Rob
 
Francisco,
You do know that your new imac will have iphoto installed. Using a stand alone app for your scanner, and then doing post-processing in iphoto 08 may tide you over until PSE6 ships.

Michael
 
I would second the suggestion to look into The Gimp. (The correct term for this product is "The Gimp", kind of like "The Bronx", I guess.) :)

We have The Gimp running on one of our larger workstations at work which uses X Windows and not Microsoft Windows, and I would go as far as to call it a close second to Photoshop.

Coincidentally, a few years ago at a conference I attended, I found myself seated at the same dinner table as one of the developers of The Gimp. It was quite an interesting conversation.
 
Fred, I believe you're wrong about the upgrade. I started out with an education version of CS1 and upgraded to CS2. After I read your post, I began to wonder if Adobe had changed things. Found this thread on the Adobe forum (LINK). It seems that you can update from three versions previous to the current.
 
I'm currently using Elements 2.0 for Mac and it does the trick for 99% of my images. If I do need things like curves, I use the Gimp. I'd only shell out the $$$ for the full Photoshop version if I absolutely really needed it, or if it was necessary for my job. I'd rather use my money to buy film ;)
 
I saw that. It refers to only to the Macromedia apps, pre-Adobe. Look at this link.
The fellow responding to the question is (or claims to be) an Adobe employee. The info I found is concerned with the Creative Suite.
 
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