Author Topic: What's the best image-"framer"? (Read 37625 times)

Curt · « **on:** September 05, 2008, 07:02 AM »

I have a minor collection of pictures / photos that I want to frame, hoping it would make them look even better as wallpapers on my XP's desktop, but I am having serious troubles finding the right application to do so. The best freeware version I so far have found is the fine PhotoScape, but the number of different frames it can offer is not enough for me; the frames are there, all right, but there are too few, and they are too simple, I think. So I was wondering if maybe 'you' know something about this subject and will tell what "framer" you can recommend, please?

It MUST offer to save as .JPG > 100% quality, original dimensions

I know Photoshop can do all I want, but I really don't have that kind of money
- so Freeware or cheap-priced-ware applications are preferred, please!

One example:

The family playing volleyball. Nice, if you know the people, but in general a little boring:

What's the best image-"framer"?

This frame may be an improvement to the picture, but the frame itself is not quite good enough, I think; there should be no white space inside the frame:

What's the best image-"framer"?

I am of course not just looking for a frame for this picture
- so, please tell what is The Best 'framer'?

(that I can afford)?

Dormouse · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2008, 07:19 AM »

Today the Giveaway of the Day is Wondershare Photo Collage Studio, which apparently includes photo frames.

The framer that I would go for is IDFramer - but it is $39

, which is why I haven't bought it (so far anyway).

CleverCat · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2008, 08:32 AM »

When u say 'minor' curt - how many photo's are we talking about?

CleverCat · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2008, 08:45 AM »

I've got a load of frames - just png's, will work with any programme! You can get free frames all over the net.

Just did this in Open Office Draw - Portable - It's FREE - 80mb download from www.portableapps.com

Open Office is great.....

CleverCat · « **Reply #4 on:** September 05, 2008, 08:47 AM »

You just resize to fit pic and Export as JPEG!

Curt · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2008, 09:17 AM »

- yes, I grabbed the PhotoCollage thingy, but there isn't much wonder in such a share studio..., so to speak. The Wondershare will not save the image any larger than 800x600 pixels!!!

IDFramer however is something to talk about:

Frame_ShowMeTheWay_Familieturens volleyball.jpg

What's the best image-"framer"?

I've got a load of frames - just png's, will work with any programme! You can get free frames all over the net.
-CleverCat (September 05, 2008, 08:45 AM)

I have never before taken interest in this subject, so I have a lot to learn about this, as well...
Would you name some addresses, please, where to find these frames, to get me started?

CleverCat · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2008, 09:21 AM »

If u do a google search..... there are many places, but I'm trying to find for you curt!

CleverCat · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2008, 09:23 AM »

I can make few in Photoshop as samples and send to you...

Curt · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2008, 03:54 PM »

- CleverCat has photoshop'ed the picture in question:

Basketball 11.jpg

I think these are quite beautiful, and call for the full sized versions, CleverCat!

CleverCat · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2008, 02:18 AM »

Watch this space!

Curt · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2008, 05:01 AM »

When u say 'minor' curt - how many photo's are we talking about?
-CleverCat (September 05, 2008, 08:32 AM)

For now the collection to be improved is counting maybe a hundred images.
In time it will be thousands.

CleverCat · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2008, 07:42 AM »

Ah - a bit too many to send to me then!

Darwin · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2008, 08:33 AM »

Photofiltre Studio has a simple but effective and configureable frame tool (Filter -> Frame) that you can play around with. There are both Studio (Pro) and Free versions (Studio is about 30 Euros) and has a lifetime licence). PaintShop Pro (59 Euros) also has a lot of frame choices that are highly configurable and will load and use frames created for Photoshop... Photofiltre will do the same, I believe.

Here's a quick frame in PSP:

What's the best image-"framer"?

and one in Photofiltre:

What's the best image-"framer"?

Darwin · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2008, 09:37 AM »

PS Not that I expect you are overly tempted, but PSP X2 will not doubt be giving way to PSP X3 this fall (autumn)... Thus, you should see some really cheap deals on PSP X2 soon!

Also, Photofiltre is capable of much more than my amateur attempt above - I've never used frames before...

Finally, what about ScreeshotCaptor? It does frames...

What's the best image-"framer"?

and I'm sure that you can add your own...

Darwin · « **Reply #14 on:** September 06, 2008, 09:41 AM »

NB to open non-screenshot captured images in ScreeshotCaptor, you need to move or copy the image into the directory that you define for Screenshot Captor. In my case, it's the default directory which is C:\Program Files/ScreenshotCaptor/Screenshots/MyJunk

CleverCat · « **Reply #15 on:** September 06, 2008, 09:56 AM »

Good one Darwin - didn't think of that..

hamradio · « **Reply #16 on:** September 06, 2008, 10:41 PM »

Check out: FrameFun

brett · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2008, 01:54 AM »

Check out helicon filter

Create a frame, (and lots of other adjustments)
apply to folder, (create new images in subfolder, never alter the original)

Performed on 192 images raw format 10mb per picture = 15mins
Performed on 81 images jpg format 1600x1200 = 3mins

read my review at
https://www.donation....msg128321#msg128321

Warning. Large photo 750k, added color, reduce noise, added sharpen, ADDED FRAME

What's the best image-"framer"?

Curt · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2008, 12:15 PM »

Thanks, hamradio, I tried FrameFun once again, but didn't get to understand how to use it this time either. I managed all right to create SOME frames, but never the frame I wanted to.

--
Really fine review, Brett!

This is quite some frame, you have added. I don't have much experience in this field, a week or so, but I have studied thousands of images, and I cannot recall I ever before have noticed an added frame including / repeating the neighbourhood like this:

- this is most interesting, and I surely will try out Helicon Filter. However, as I understand the differences between Free, Home, and Pro, there are quite some restrictions in the frame creating part of the freeware version. And I am not too sure I can afford the Home or Pro versions, at this side of New Year.

Thanks!

Curt · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2008, 12:52 PM »

Thanks, Darwin, for reminding me about PhotoFiltre. I have the free version, but was never tempted by it to purchase the Pro version, because I don't know if 'outside-frames' is an option in the Pro, which it is not in the free.

Regarding PaintShop Pro: I got angry with the company because of - and this is something I know YOU can relate to, Darwin - because of their currency conversion rates! I know some other companies are a lot worse, but I just got pi***d. But come a sale, I might forget about it.

And what goes for ScreenShot Captor. Well... I have it, and I know it is tremendous capable, because I have tried the various versions so many times - I felt I had to, you know, in order to be part of the gang - but the truth is that I don't like it. Too many difficult questions to answer or hotkeys to remember, or I don't know. Just looking at the GUI makes me tired.

brett · « **Reply #20 on:** September 07, 2008, 04:52 PM »

Hi Curt

There are some differences between Free,Home and Pro in Helicon Filter. But having used Pro for a while now I could not remember what they where.
The frames do change with the option of adding shapes etc, and this is a lot more then I thought.

Good news is the 'apply to folder' is in the free.

As I said in the review, sometimes you have to dig and poke around this application to find some extras.
There is a menu option that allows you to switch between 'simple' and 'expert' mode. (free and paid)
So whilst in trial you can play with either modes.
HF simple.png

The ball overlapping in the frame is a little distracting, so here is another, all done in simple mode
Framed with 'unfocussed strong'

Familieturens volleyball_hf_simplemode.jpg

What's the best image-"framer"?

Brett

Lutz_ · « **Reply #21 on:** September 07, 2008, 05:49 PM »

A simple tool with a framing option in the "batch conversion" tab and with very nice collage options on it's "page" tab is Photoscape.
Donationware.

http://www.photoscape.org

Curt · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2008, 01:54 PM »

A simple tool with a framing option in the "batch conversion" tab and with very nice collage options on it's "page" tab is Photoscape.
-Lutz_ (September 07, 2008, 05:49 PM)

The best freeware version I so far have found is the fine PhotoScape, but the number of different frames it can offer is not enough for me; the frames are there, all right, but there are too few, and they are too simple, I think.
-Curt (September 05, 2008, 07:02 AM)

Being free/donation-ware, I think PhotoScape is mighty fine. Only, it is not enough for me. Seen from my end of the line the closing of the race is between shareware, shareware, and shareware!

Darwin · « **Reply #23 on:** September 08, 2008, 02:12 PM »

I don't know Curt. Have you considered shareware as an alternative

Curt · « **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2008, 02:29 PM »

Yes, Darwin.

And I have also considered to purchase a new computer, and the entire Adobe line, and a new Rolls Royce...

When I typed the above post I was thinking that I have yet a program can do frames, but I couldn't right away remember which one. Now I remember that Ashampoo Photo Commander 6 also do frames. Not many, some 2 x 30, but they are there. A few of them are all right to use, but maybe only a few. It is shareware (why is it shareware?), and I did paid for it long ago. However, regarding the number of frames being "few": a few out of a few is very few, isn't it. So I guess its back to the race "And here comes shareware2, it is almost catching up with shareware1! The race is getting really close. And what is now this: From the outer track shareware3 is trying to take over! What will be the end of this exciting race? Stay tuned!"

What's the best image-"framer"?