Software for editing ATC photos

[Katxena]

I'm not talking about digital ATCs or about editing photos to be used in ATCs -- I'm talking about software for editing pictures OF ATCs.

My editing needs for pictures of ATCs are very simple.  I need to be able to crop photos, straighten them, and sometimes merge them so that multiple ATCs appear in the same photo (next to eachother, not in layers -- for example, I might want all 3 cards I made for a swap to appear in one photo all lined up.).

I used to be able to do this.  At home, I used to use HP image pro (software that came with my HP computer).  At work I sometimes use Microsoft photo editor (if I have time during lunch).  But now I have a new computer, and I can't find any simple software that does what I need -- and I'm not always able to steal time at work to do it.

I've tried Picasa -- it doesn't let you merge photos (although it's great for organizing them!).

I've tried Gimp -- it's way too complicated for what I need.  It can probably do what I'm trying to do, but I can't figure it out.

I've tried photoshop -- like Gimp, it's just too complicated.

Can you suggest a simple, easy-to-use software that will do what I'm trying to do?  I'm willing to pay for it, although of course free is good!  I want software that I can install on my computer, I don't want an online editor. 

[ariaya]

Picasa will merge photos, but only as squares.  As for software that will do the merging for you ... All the ones I can think of will force the image to a square before merging it.

Unless there's something I don't know of, you'll need one of the more complicated programs to do the merging part if you don't want the images as squares.

Here's a merge I did in Picasa so you can see what I mean ... the images were originally rectangular like regular digital photos.

[Katxena]

Cool ariaya -- I'm going to PM you to find out how you did that.

I'm still open to other suggestions!

[Teeisme]

Maybe I'm not getting the whole "picture".  Can't you just line up your photos on the scanner bed?

[Katxena]

Maybe I'm not getting the whole "picture".  Can't you just line up your photos on the scanner bed?

I can, but sometimes I might want to show the front and the back of the same card next to each other.  Or, because I'm a scatterbrain, I might make them at different times and send one before the last one is done. 

I can also take two pictures and just set them next to eachother in my post, but it would be nicer to have them in the same picture.

What I really want is HP image pro on my new computer, but that's not possible (HP only loads it on their computers).  I seem to recall that there used to be a "junior" or "home" version of photoshop -- I'll have to check and see if that's still available.

[Teeisme]

Gotcha'

[ariaya]

There is a 'junior' version of Photoshop, it's called 'Elements' .. it's still very complex and is used by a lot of amateur digital artists. 

Personally, I use Paint Shop Pro by Corel and love it.  It's a little cheaper than Photoshop Elements and does everything I need.

[Katxena]

Thanks ariaya -- I'll look for both of those!

[FishStikks]

I have been eyeballing this thread looking for something myself, I have been avidly watching the replies so Katxena, when you land on something you think is going to work please share, I'm very interested!

[Katxena]

Thanks Babbetto, I will!