Photo Compression Freeware?

Foolmewunz · 2nd October 2009, 09:09 AM

Apologies if this has been addressed, but I'm looking for a photo compression tool. I use the one in Powerpoint at the office and it's actually quite functional for me. But I went a-googling for an answer and got nothing real solid in the way of advice.

Is there anything out there in freeware? Or do I have to invest some money? I don't have massive use for the home PC - just photos of the kid.

madurobob · 2nd October 2009, 09:22 AM

Any of these help?

http://www.econsultant.com/i-want-fr....html#graphics

ETA: also click the "open source freeware..." link near the bottom of the list for more.

elgarak · 2nd October 2009, 09:25 AM

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I always found IrfanView useful. Free, small footprint, does batch resizing and converting. And makes simple slideshows easily.

ddt · 2nd October 2009, 11:12 AM

For my modest graphics manipulation needs - mainly resizing of images and converting to another format - I always use ImageMagick. It comes more or less standard in any Linux distribution, but it also has downloads with Windows ports. Its main program, 'convert', has a gazillion options for everything and the kitchen sink.

often mrunderstood · 2nd October 2009, 11:47 AM

Fotosizer has been pretty good to me. I like the way it does many pics at once.

http://download.cnet.com/Fotosizer/3...-10647201.html

Foolmewunz · 2nd October 2009, 05:17 PM

Thanks, guys - I've got busy day, but I'll do some clicking later. A photographer did about 200 shots of my son's birthday dinner, but they're all in the 3 meg range (not ideal for sending to friends or posting on the JREF*), so I'll do some comparisons.

Appreciate the help.

* That's not a threat. I won't be posting 200 baby pics, I promise! (I'll limit myself to 175 of them

)

grmcdorman · 2nd October 2009, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by elgarak

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I always found IrfanView useful. Free, small footprint, does batch resizing and converting. And makes simple slideshows easily.

IrfanView isn't completely free - there is supposed to be a fee for commercial use. I keep complaining about this at work, though, and it often falls on deaf ears. Having said that, baby pictures (at least, your own baby) are about as personal as it gets, and IrfanView does provide a way to batch convert images.

ImageMagick is great for command-line use; not so much for anything else.

Note that you should expand on what you mean by "compression"; there's at least two meanings:

Reduce dimensions (e.g. 4086x2048 => 640x480 for the web); this will reduce storage size as a side effect.
Reduce file size (typically by using a lossy compression like JPEG, which reduces image quality)

Foolmewunz · 2nd October 2009, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by grmcdorman

IrfanView isn't completely free - there is supposed to be a fee for commercial use. I keep complaining about this at work, though, and it often falls on deaf ears. Having said that, baby pictures (at least, your own baby) are about as personal as it gets, and IrfanView does provide a way to batch convert images.

ImageMagick is great for command-line use; not so much for anything else.

Note that you should expand on what you mean by "compression"; there's at least two meanings:

Reduce dimensions (e.g. 4086x2048 => 640x480 for the web); this will reduce storage size as a side effect.
Reduce file size (typically by using a lossy compression like JPEG, which reduces image quality)

Ah, thanks - it's mostly the former. I still have the CDs she burned for me, so if I want to turn any of them into portrait quality prints I can always go to the source, but for posting on the web, e.g. VBulletin here you need the smaller sizes. Also for emailing - we've got family and friends all over the world.

dasmiller · 2nd October 2009, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Foolmewunz

but for posting on the web, e.g. VBulletin here you need the smaller sizes. Also for emailing - we've got family and friends all over the world.

Another option, just to complicate your life, would be to set up a Flickr account. You could post your pics there and then simply send friends & families a link.

I spend a fair amount of time with both Flickr and Irfanview, though I haven't used Irfanview for family pictures.

Foolmewunz · 3rd October 2009, 06:30 AM

Thanks, guyz - I'm playing with IrfanView - seems to do the trick.

Paulhoff · 3rd October 2009, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by Foolmewunz

Thanks, guyz - I'm playing with IrfanView - seems to do the trick.

I was going to post IrfanView........ he added a feature I asked for, after a year wait, Changing a .txt file into a picture file, it is very good for resizing any .txt file.

Paul

dasmiller · 3rd October 2009, 07:31 AM

D'oh! In the interest of correctness:

Originally Posted by dasmiller

I spend a fair amount of time with both Flickr and Irfanview, though I haven't used Irfanview for family pictures.

should have been ". . . I haven't used Flickr for family pictures."

madurobob · 4th October 2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Foolmewunz

Ah, thanks - it's mostly the former. I still have the CDs she burned for me, so if I want to turn any of them into portrait quality prints I can always go to the source, but for posting on the web, e.g. VBulletin here you need the smaller sizes. Also for emailing - we've got family and friends all over the world.

ooooohhh...... you just want you resize images? If you're on a windows OS there is a very simple "power toy" from windows called "image resizer" that will quickly and easily resizes images for web posting, leaving the original files untouched. You just highlight a bunch of files and right-click to choose "resize images". I use it damn near daily.

2nd October 2009, 09:09 AM	#1
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 20,513	Photo Compression Freeware? Apologies if this has been addressed, but I'm looking for a photo compression tool. I use the one in Powerpoint at the office and it's actually quite functional for me. But I went a-googling for an answer and got nothing real solid in the way of advice. Is there anything out there in freeware? Or do I have to invest some money? I don't have massive use for the home PC - just photos of the kid.
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele Don't you wish someone had slapped baby Hitler really really hard? [i] Dr. Buzzo 02/13 [i]

2nd October 2009, 09:22 AM	#2
madurobob Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Blue Heaven, NC Posts: 5,522	Any of these help? http://www.econsultant.com/i-want-fr....html#graphics ETA: also click the "open source freeware..." link near the bottom of the list for more.
	__________________ Insert witty phrase or out of context post by another member here. Last edited by madurobob; 2nd October 2009 at 09:24 AM.

2nd October 2009, 11:12 AM	#4
ddt Mafia Penguin Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 10,320	For my modest graphics manipulation needs - mainly resizing of images and converting to another format - I always use ImageMagick. It comes more or less standard in any Linux distribution, but it also has downloads with Windows ports. Its main program, 'convert', has a gazillion options for everything and the kitchen sink.
	__________________ Proud member of the Solipsistic Autosycophant's Group

2nd October 2009, 05:17 PM	#6
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 20,513	Thanks, guys - I've got busy day, but I'll do some clicking later. A photographer did about 200 shots of my son's birthday dinner, but they're all in the 3 meg range (not ideal for sending to friends or posting on the JREF), so I'll do some comparisons. Appreciate the help. That's not a threat. I won't be posting 200 baby pics, I promise! (I'll limit myself to 175 of them )
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele Don't you wish someone had slapped baby Hitler really really hard? [i] Dr. Buzzo 02/13 [i]

2nd October 2009, 05:27 PM	#7
grmcdorman Muse Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 857	Originally Posted by elgarak Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I always found IrfanView useful. Free, small footprint, does batch resizing and converting. And makes simple slideshows easily. IrfanView isn't completely free - there is supposed to be a fee for commercial use. I keep complaining about this at work, though, and it often falls on deaf ears. Having said that, baby pictures (at least, your own baby) are about as personal as it gets, and IrfanView does provide a way to batch convert images. ImageMagick is great for command-line use; not so much for anything else. Note that you should expand on what you mean by "compression"; there's at least two meanings: Reduce dimensions (e.g. 4086x2048 => 640x480 for the web); this will reduce storage size as a side effect. Reduce file size (typically by using a lossy compression like JPEG, which reduces image quality)
grmcdorman Muse Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 857	__________________ "Hello. My name is Inigo Skywalker. You are my father. Prepare to die."

2nd October 2009, 09:25 AM	#3
elgarak Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: No matter where I go, there I am Posts: 1,859	Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I always found IrfanView useful. Free, small footprint, does batch resizing and converting. And makes simple slideshows easily.

2nd October 2009, 11:47 AM	#5
often mrunderstood Thinker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 182	Fotosizer has been pretty good to me. I like the way it does many pics at once. http://download.cnet.com/Fotosizer/3...-10647201.html

2nd October 2009, 05:34 PM	#8
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 20,513	Originally Posted by grmcdorman IrfanView isn't completely free - there is supposed to be a fee for commercial use. I keep complaining about this at work, though, and it often falls on deaf ears. Having said that, baby pictures (at least, your own baby) are about as personal as it gets, and IrfanView does provide a way to batch convert images. ImageMagick is great for command-line use; not so much for anything else. Note that you should expand on what you mean by "compression"; there's at least two meanings: Reduce dimensions (e.g. 4086x2048 => 640x480 for the web); this will reduce storage size as a side effect. Reduce file size (typically by using a lossy compression like JPEG, which reduces image quality) Ah, thanks - it's mostly the former. I still have the CDs she burned for me, so if I want to turn any of them into portrait quality prints I can always go to the source, but for posting on the web, e.g. VBulletin here you need the smaller sizes. Also for emailing - we've got family and friends all over the world.
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele Don't you wish someone had slapped baby Hitler really really hard? [i] Dr. Buzzo 02/13 [i]

2nd October 2009, 06:33 PM	#9
dasmiller Just the right amount of cowbell Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Well past Hither, looking for Yon Posts: 3,462	Originally Posted by Foolmewunz but for posting on the web, e.g. VBulletin here you need the smaller sizes. Also for emailing - we've got family and friends all over the world. Another option, just to complicate your life, would be to set up a Flickr account. You could post your pics there and then simply send friends & families a link. I spend a fair amount of time with both Flickr and Irfanview, though I haven't used Irfanview for family pictures.
	__________________ "In times of war, we need warriors. But this isn't a war." - Phil Plaitt

3rd October 2009, 06:30 AM	#10
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 20,513	Thanks, guyz - I'm playing with IrfanView - seems to do the trick.
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele Don't you wish someone had slapped baby Hitler really really hard? [i] Dr. Buzzo 02/13 [i]

3rd October 2009, 07:04 AM	#11
Paulhoff You can't expect perfection. Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 12,570	Originally Posted by Foolmewunz Thanks, guyz - I'm playing with IrfanView - seems to do the trick. I was going to post IrfanView........ he added a feature I asked for, after a year wait, Changing a .txt file into a picture file, it is very good for resizing any .txt file. Paul
	__________________ For our money "IN WHICH GOD DO YOU TRUST" Much worse than the Question not asked, is the Answer not Given Don't accept an answer that can't be questioned - God is Surperfluous A society fails when ignorance outweighs knowledge Science doesn’t know everything, but religion doesn’t know anything Life is so horrent and also so beautiful, but without it there is nothing

3rd October 2009, 07:31 AM	#12
dasmiller Just the right amount of cowbell Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Well past Hither, looking for Yon Posts: 3,462	D'oh! In the interest of correctness: Originally Posted by dasmiller I spend a fair amount of time with both Flickr and Irfanview, though I haven't used Irfanview for family pictures. should have been ". . . I haven't used Flickr for family pictures."
	__________________ "In times of war, we need warriors. But this isn't a war." - Phil Plaitt

4th October 2009, 02:59 PM	#13
madurobob Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Blue Heaven, NC Posts: 5,522	Originally Posted by Foolmewunz Ah, thanks - it's mostly the former. I still have the CDs she burned for me, so if I want to turn any of them into portrait quality prints I can always go to the source, but for posting on the web, e.g. VBulletin here you need the smaller sizes. Also for emailing - we've got family and friends all over the world. ooooohhh...... you just want you resize images? If you're on a windows OS there is a very simple "power toy" from windows called "image resizer" that will quickly and easily resizes images for web posting, leaving the original files untouched. You just highlight a bunch of files and right-click to choose "resize images". I use it damn near daily.
	__________________ Insert witty phrase or out of context post by another member here.