Digital photography & design software forum: Need Vista compatible software for photos

I'd recommend GIMP if cost is an issue. It doesn't have an integrated organizer, but I prefer it over Picasa for the editing tools. I also use Paint.NET here in the office, but if you're looking for high-end printing, Photoshop CS3 is the way to go. It depends on your needs.

My mistake.

Link:

http://docs.gimp.org/en/gimp-tutorial-quickie-crop.html

My apologizes to the GimpShop folks.

I'd have to agree, Picasa is about the easiest program to use than anything I've ever seen. It doesn't put Tom Cruises head on your ex-brother in laws body, but it does have a clone tool (version 3.0 and up) and other general tweaking tools, including a pretty good "I'm feeling lucky" button that tries to fix exposure problems in one shot.

But there's nothing wrong with getting Picasa and another tool as well, for when you need that extra effort. Photoshop Elements is good, and every version is more user friendly, but you do need to learn it and that's tough. But if Photoshop gives you headaches you'll be pulling out firearms with Gimp. The learning curve is even higher.

Get Picasa first, it's free. Then if you need something with a little more punch you still have options.

Corel Photo Shop Pro is very good. The newest version is about $60.00 from Corel but i'm sure you can find it cheaper.

The next version of PS Elements, 6.0, will be available on Amazon on 10/6 for 89.95. It has a few new features but, most important to me, it's Vista compatable. Since I've been intending to upgrade from 3.0 which I've happily used for a couple years, I will wait another week for the latest version.

Wow! Lots of great suggestions from everyone - thanks so much! I've heard from others that Photoshop Elements is good but not sure I'll start there - my last experience with Photoshop 5 was quite overwhelming and frustrating (what are layers, anyway?) - probably more program than I needed. I don't want to have to take a 4 year course to learn a program - lol. Is Elements any easier? Maybe I should begin with the freebies first to see if they cover what I'm looking for and then work my way up. Hmmmmmmm... Thanks again for the great suggestions!

This link does not work. Can you send another one? Thanks!

Thanks for the good info! I checked it out on the Adobe web site and read some other reviews - sounds like it's probably the way to go for me. I appreciate your thoughts.

check out the memory manager software (39.95 plus tax and shipping) on my website, http://www.mycmsite.com/kmccauley Awesome organizational and editing features - very user friendly, vista compatible. the answer to all your problems!

I just upgraded from Photoshop Elements 3.0 (a few years old) to the recently released 6.0 because my original version had some bugs which I assumed to be incompatability issues with Vista. Anyway, the new program works great and has some excellent new features. I mainly want to caution you to buy the 6.0 version rather than the 5.0 which is now being sold at a discount, to assure that you are Vista compatible.

We have probably all seen group photos which were accompanied by tracings or sillhouettes of the individuals, to aid in identification. Is there economical software which will make these tracings, or do I have to resort to pencil and paper?

Thanks!

Running Vista Home Premium.