This 'n That Updates

This post has updates on previous blog posts, because I had the time (don't we all now) and wanted to share.

I'm late in posting this very happy news that fellow blogger Laurie, who in late February posted a blog farewell, has returned with her same blog title. You can find at Where the Spruce Trees Grow. Welcome back Laurie, you were missed. Drop in for a visit. Laurie blogs with the same spirit of doggedness and expressiveness that I and so many others admire. She shares her daily struggles with grace and candor and her positive outlook is always inspiring to myself and other bloggers. Welcome back Laurie, you were missed.

Update: After preparing this post a few days ago, I checked Laurie's blog and, sadly, it's no longer available to read posts or leave comments. You can read her explanation at the above link. Unfortunately, part of the reason is due to culprits who we all dislike.

In mid-March, I posted a goodbye to Picasa, Google's photo editor, which though no longer supported, was still functional on my desktop iMac computer. An operating system upgrade in late 2019 would only support 64-bit software apps. Since Picasa outdated was a 32-bit app, it wouldn't work after the OS upgrade. I needed a replacement 64-bit photo editor, and preferably a no-cost version (free is always good).

In that earlier post, I listed several free photo editing apps, some of which were Windows or Mac specific and/or platform specific (tablet, phone or desktop). I posted about downloading a couple and since then, I've been two of these: Fotor and PhotoScape X. While they share some capabilities, overall Fotor is more limited; however it's a quick and easy collage maker and editor. 

I'm a big huge fan of photo collages which let me show multiple photos in a single image. To that end, I've been using both applications to create collages used in this and recent blog posts. PhotoScape X lets me create "funkier" collages in terms of shapes and editing images within each collage cell. That was done for each of these individual images within this collage. Effects were applied to the individual collage cells. Sometimes Most times it's just fun to play with these effects and shapes.

Without repeating comments made earlier, Photoscape X has been the more versatile app for me, as it provides have more image control. Each of these apps offers a paid/pro version but I continue to use free versions of both. They've been working very well.

Has anyone tried these or any other free photo editing software cited in that earlier post? If so, please share your thoughts in comments.

Bye, Bye to Picasa

Yes, I'm rather very late in ditching the Picasa photo editing software from my desktop PC. But, when my desktop MAC was updated to the latest OS (operating system) it was way past time to part ways. This is a long post on free photo editing alternatives that offer more user features and as mentioned are also FREE.

My excuse for delaying was familiarity breeds reluctance despite the fact that Google ended support for Picasa in mid-March 2016 adding that there would be no further developments or updates (there were none). However, Picasa would continue to function on desktops where it was already installed as it did on mine.  Google let former Picasa users view their Picasa web albums online at Google Photos. After a recent check, my photos are there. I've never used Google Photos. Many should be deleted and most likely will be soon.

That said, I continued using Picasa even after purchasing Adobe® Photoshop Elements. Two years ago it was at version 15, now at 19. I've used it sparingly, and shamefully never learned its capabilities. True, it was much simpler then learning Adobe Photoshop®. which was used years ago in a college course. Picasa was super easy for quick photo edits and collages posted on this blog.

Forward to late 2019, when my Mac desktop sent notices that 32-bit apps would no longer be supported with Apple's upgraded Catalina OS (operating system) update; only 64-bit applications would run under it. My desktop was running the previous Mojave OS, which allowed 32 and 64-bit applications to work — Picasa and other 32-bit apps still worked. But, once the OS was updated, they wouldn't, even if still on the hard drive. (Many experts recommended deleting 32-bit apps then updating. Others suggested holding off until the kinks were "smoothed out." That was my out — I'd hold off until 2020.

And I did, even when 32-bit warnings were replaced by daily pop-ups that updates are ready to install. Another choice was remind me in a day, so I choose that one. 

At the start of March, months into 2020, it was time to Just Do It. Especially after an Apple Support Rep cautioned that the update eventually could just happen. I knew it was time to delete the 32-bit apps and move on, done while humming Bye Bye, Picasa to the tune of American Pie (my singing is worse).

But WAIT there's good news. A search on the Mac App store with a two-fold goal for 64-bit and FREE photo editing programs, came up with gold (before leprechauns find it later this month). My goal was 64-bit photo editors to work with the newest Mac OS and at no cost (Free works for me). Another reason to download from the Mac App store is compatibility that's included in the software app description. You can download from the SW websites too. The download method is your preference.

Not only were there several numerous photo editors available, but many had more features than Picasa. True, most contain in-app offers to upgrade to Paid or Pro versions. But, as mentioned, FREE was a goal and, despite these offers, the programs will work.

OK that was a long-winded farewell, as most can be. Now, here's a brief rundown on two photo editors recently downloaded to my desktop. Thankfully, there's several YouTube tutorials on these programs and similar ones available in the App store. Be forewarned that some You Tube videos are better or worse than others.

PhotoScape X is billed as an all-in-one photo editing software with features like editor,

photo viewer, cut out, collage, GIF maker, photo merge, frames, batch functions, tools

and brushes. It has a RAW conversion feature and several batch editing tools to let you resize and rename multiple images. Its website includes video tutorials. A paid version has more features and tools. This one with its multitude of photo capabilities is Free. This program also offers one-click enhancement features with many filters, frames, brushes, shape crops, color pickers and clone stamps. 

Fotor Photo Editor has been called the "lite Photoshop" and is also a FREE download. Like Photoscape X there's also a paid version with even more features. It has a list of basic tools and features ranging from simple edits (brightness, saturation) to wrinkle remover, teeth whitening. There's also a number of effects, frames, stickers and text options geared to social media sharing. Fotor includes collage and design sections and templates. 

I've read several reviews labeling Fotor as more an image enhancer than a photo editor. PhotoScape X received higher ratings for its photo editing features. )This isn't an endorsement for one or the other, as I've downloaded both.) I've spent hours watching YouTube videos on both (some good, some not). Elaine Giles has several on-line videos on Fotor features. Jamie Keet, Teacher's Tech, has a lengthy one featuring Photoscape X. FYI, neither program works with layers, if anyone is interested in that capability.

But, these photo editors are not the only free photo editing software currently available. There's many more; some are platform specific (Windows or Mac); others are only for use on a cell phone or tablet:

• Adobe Photoshop Express (web and mobile - iOS, Android, Windows)
• GIMP (desktop Mac & Windows)
• Paint.NET (desktop Windows only)
• Pixlr (online and mobile - iOS, Android)
• Pixlr X (online on desktop)
• PhotoScape X (desktop only - Mac & Windows; Pro - Windows only)
• Fotor (online Mac & Windows; mobile iOS, Android)
• Photos Pos Pro (desktop Windows only)
• BeFunky (web Mac & Windows; mobile iOS, Android)

Also, several of these are available for use online without the need to download to your PC, tablet, or phone. If anyone has used any of these and has a recommendation please feel free to experiences in comments below. Thanks in advance.

To date, I've been creating collages in Fotor and PhotoScape X just to get the feel of each program. Each has unique capabilities, although those in Fotor are more limiting. 

Fotor is more standardized and offers templates for up to 9 collage styles. There's limited choices for photo editing within the cell of each collage; photos can only be enlarged, rotated, deleted. Changes can be made for border, corner, shadow, width of the collage frames. There's also a freestyle collage option.

By comparison, PhotoScape X offers templates for up to 10 collage styles and many more choices. It lets users change the look and effect of each individual photo within the collage and apply different effects to each one. It also allows changing the background, spacing, borders, background, opacity of the collage itself. Also, template shapes are quite unique and cell borders can be moved.