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01/12/2010 09:59:30 AM · #1 |
These are my basic requirements:
* ability to produce decent low-res images (640px longest side, less than 150kb in size)
* ability to apply slight sharpening, basic adjustments to curves & levels
* ability to overlay a watermark
* ability to update EXIF data (specifically, apply copyright information)
* ability to run in a batch, unattended
* ability to specify the output directory
* runs on XP or Vista
* free or cheap
I want to set up a workstation separate from my primary PC and I don't want/need the overhead of another Photoshop or LightRoom license.
Please do not suggest anything you haven't used.
Thanks! |
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01/12/2010 10:04:33 AM · #2 |
At the risk of running afoul of your last line item, you should look at Gimp.
I've used it a little, but not extensively. I beleive it hits all the bullets on your list.
Message edited by author 2010-01-12 10:04:45. |
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01/12/2010 10:37:08 AM · #3 |
Corel PaintShop Pro is what I use as my primary editor. I believe it can do most of what is on your list, though I have not tried to update exif with copyright info. Just had a look and it does have fields to enter copyright info. Corel is offering it for $40 until Jan. 18th. It can frequently be found for $50 or less.
Oh, it is also compatible with Photoshop plugins.
There are a lot of PSP screenshots in the screenshots folder of my portfolio, which can help give you a feel for it.
Message edited by author 2010-01-12 10:42:50. |
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01/12/2010 10:40:54 AM · #4 |
I used this on the PC before I moved to Mac - Pretty powerful;
ACDSee Pro 3
Not free, but at $170 it's cheaper than PS |
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01/12/2010 10:43:59 AM · #5 |
Although Gimp ticks most of your requirements, it doesn't have the ability to edit the EXIF data and you might have to use something like exiftool as well
If you're primarily interested in doing batch processing ImageMagik gets good reviews |
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01/12/2010 12:07:52 PM · #6 |
While not cheap, I would suggest Lightroom, it will do everything you are asking in a couple of clicks of the mouse, including keywording. Skip your one series should be adding the initial Copyright information. The rest lightroom can do. It also keeps a catalog of them and doesn't disturb the original files so you can edit later. And yes I use it.
Matt
Message edited by author 2010-01-12 12:08:41. |
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01/12/2010 12:29:00 PM · #7 |
thanks, guys! great suggestions; i'll let you know what i end up doing and how it works out.
@matt: i've got LR on my primary; picking up an additional license is a last-resort option. this project is to web-ready a lot of stuff in the archives, shot years ago... |
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01/12/2010 12:58:50 PM · #8 |
If you're looking at batch-resizing and outputting stuff for the web, then check out the Faststone offerings (freeware)
//www.faststone.org/
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01/12/2010 01:49:55 PM · #9 |
| I think IrfanView (free) can do most of those operations, but I'm not sure it can run them all in a single batch operation. |
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01/12/2010 09:22:23 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Skip:
thanks, guys! great suggestions; i'll let you know what i end up doing and how it works out.
@matt: i've got LR on my primary; picking up an additional license is a last-resort option. this project is to web-ready a lot of stuff in the archives, shot years ago... |
You are allowed two working versions of lightroom. I have it on my editing desktop and on my laptop. Just install it on the other unit and use the same serial number. If you ever need to move it later, turn one off and move it.
Matt |
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