Collage Software?

coach-al · January 5, 2006

Anyone out there offering collages? If so, what software do you use? I have PS and can do it that way but I'm wondering if there is some software out there that creates nice looking collages easier than from scratch.

Thanks, Al

Bandit959 · January 5, 2006

I don't do collages but do photomosaics every now and then. On the Mac side I use MacOSaiX.

But I believe the best place to do a quick search on S/W is at Versiontracker. If you point your web browser to www.versiontracker.com, choose your OS, search on collage, you should get a bunch of hits.

I just did it on the Win side and came up with 6 hits,1 freeware , 1 commercial and 4 shareware. Mac also has 6, 4 freeware and 2 shareware. (one is the one I mentioned.)
I can't speak to any of them, but the neat thing about versiontracker is that there are user comments there and you can leave a review. It may not be exactly what you want, but I think it gets you headed in the right diretion...:D

coach-al wrote:

Anyone out there offering collages? If so, what software do you use? I have PS and can do it that way but I'm wondering if there is some software out there that creates nice looking collages easier than from scratch.

Thanks, Al

Karenl39 · January 6, 2006

Oh, I use lots of collages and the best software I have seen and that I use is Fotofusion. It is by Lumapix.

Karen

coach-al · January 6, 2006

Thank you Bandit and Karen, EOM

Karenl39 wrote:

Oh, I use lots of collages and the best software I have seen and that I use is Fotofusion. It is by Lumapix.

Karen

Thank you, I will check it out.

:

cornerketch · January 18, 2006

Stained glass Collage
http://www.sgcollage.com/

Try a couple of these .
I have asked them to look into uploading directly from smugmug. they do it from flickr

Download the ZIP file and upload the large.jpg to Smugmg..
fix the print size to 8x10 etc.. you can go into photoshop and crop it also.

Have fun.
http://www.sgcollage.com/list-collages.jspx;jsessionid=3F3D96237BC5EACA6E98C11F7B7830F2
or
http://sode.smugmug.com/gallery/1124638/23/52801484

bham · January 19, 2006

Looks nice but a concern is this wording in their terms of use.

b. Copyrights in Uploaded Images.
As a condition of using the Service, you represent and warrant to FXPAL that you either own the images that you upload to the Site (the "Images") or have written permission from the copyright owner to make the Images available to the Service. Also as a condition of using the Service, you hereby grant FXPAL a perpetual, universal, irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free license and right to copy, display, modify, transmit, make derivative works of and distribute your Images for the purpose of providing the Service.
c. Copyrights in Collages.
FXPAL does not claim the copyrights in photo collages created through the use of FXPAL's proprietary software (the "Collages"). However, as a condition of using the Service, you hereby grant FXPAL a perpetual, universal, irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free license and right to copy, display, modify, transmit, make derivative works of an distribute your Collages for the purpose of providing, improving and promoting the Service.

Also can you make your images and final image non-public.

mercphoto · January 19, 2006

coach-al wrote:

Anyone out there offering collages?

Yes. See http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/364085

If so, what software do you use? I have PS and can do it that way but I'm wondering if there is some software out there that creates nice looking collages easier than from scratch.

I use Photoshop CS2. I'm not really sure what collage software would do for me to make my life better but I'm willing to be educated.

cornerketch · January 19, 2006

collage for fun
the collage was just for fun.

The Photo posters that you produce are far superior. The ability to highlight a few excellent shots is really the way to go..

I am trying to move in that direction but it takes some talent, and I'm working on it..

coach-al · January 19, 2006

CS2 vs Fotofusion

mercphoto wrote:

Yes. See http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/364085

I use Photoshop CS2. I'm not really sure what collage software would do for me to make my life better but I'm willing to be educated.

Hi Bill,

I checked out your site. Very nice.:)

I took Karen's advice and tried out Fotofusion (Lumapix). They have a free trial which I took advantage of. I liked it enough to purchase it and am now getting up to speed with it. Yes, you can probably do everything with CS2, but you may find that you can do things faster and easier with Fotofusion. You will still use CS2 to create some of the stuff you bring into Fotofusion. But only you can decide if it adds value to your business. I bet it will though.

Later, Al

mercphoto · January 19, 2006

coach-al wrote:

I took Karen's advice and tried out Fotofusion (Lumapix).

Its not available for the Mac.

Cindy · January 20, 2006

Hi Al,

I use fotofusion & absolutly love it. Saves a tremendous amount of time. One thing that's extremly handy is that it works right along with CS2. Need to clone, heal, mask, etc... simply open the photo from the collage your working on directly into CS2, make your changes and switch it back to FF (short for Fotofusion). I've seen lots of Pro Wedding Photographers raving about this software lately. When I first downloaded the trail I pulled about 50 photos into it, hit auto collage and 3 seconds later it had arranged a cool layout. It reminded me of the old computer card game where all the cards fly across the screen as I watched the photos fly. Absolutly cool!

! BTW: you can save your layouts as templates = addtional time saver. Be sure to get the studio version for unlimited print & file saving.

I havn't had time to upload any of the wedding pages I've done yet but you can have a look at some of the sports collages I've done at:
http://id.smugmug.com/gallery/896107
and
http://id.smugmug.com/gallery/1133715

Enjoy!
Cindy

mercphoto · January 20, 2006

Cindy wrote:

I havn't had time to upload any of the wedding pages I've done yet but you can have a look at some of the sports collages I've done at:
http://id.smugmug.com/gallery/896107
and
http://id.smugmug.com/gallery/1133715

That does it. I'm writing them and asking for a Mac port.

coach-al · January 20, 2006

Cindy wrote:

Hi Al,

I use fotofusion & absolutly love it.

Thanks Cindy. I checked out your site. Very nice. I'm working on getting up to speed with Fotofusion. Not a lot of time lately which is actually a good problem.

later, Al

Cindy · January 23, 2006

mercphoto wrote:

That does it. I'm writing them and asking for a Mac port.

- hope you get it Merc

Cindy · January 23, 2006

coach-al wrote:

Cindy wrote:

Hi Al,

I use fotofusion & absolutly love it.

Thanks Cindy. I checked out your site. Very nice. I'm working on getting up to speed with Fotofusion. Not a lot of time lately which is actually a good problem.

later, Al

Thanks Al. Yep... I understand about 'time' issues. ***sigh***

easycollageteam · March 8, 2006

EasyCollage 1.8
Hello, everyone!

You might want to try a very easy to use software application for creating great collages using tens of photos.

EasyCollage is so easy to use that you will be creating stunning compositions of your photos in next to no time!
EasyCollage was designed to mimic the way that you would traditionally build a collage by working with photos, glue and scissors at your dining room table. Here are some of the features that will let you quickly and easily build a collage:
- Load your photos (imagine a collection of photos in old shoe boxes)
- Select the interesting ones simply by dragging them on to the canvas (put the best ones on the table)
- Easily rearrange them on the canvas (get the glue out!)
- Rotate photos
- Crop photos (get the scissors ready)
- Align one or more photos (just imagine how the tower of Pisa would look perfectly vertical)
Of course, this traditional way to create beautiful collages is improved by the power of computer based tools like:
- Rotating the photos
- Create an image that can be printed at home or uploaded to a photo printing web site
- Stage area where the photos are displayed small sized
- Adjust the brightness and contrast of poorly exposed shots
- Multiple background views (Fit, Centered, Stretched)
- Configurable text notes
- Zoom lens tool
- Borders, grid and many others

EasyCollage is designed to be easy to use by digital photographers and regular people. Our designers try and think like photographers and artists. The program is so easy to use that you probably won't ever need to read the manual! To see how easy it is to create your own collage check out the application website http://easycollage.com
The current version comes with installers for Windows and Mac, too. I hope you will enjoy working with EasyCollage!

--
Danny N.
EasyCollage Lead Developer
http://easycollage.com

mercphoto · March 8, 2006

easycollageteam wrote:

Hello, everyone!

You might want to try a very easy to use software application for creating great collages using tens of photos.

Holy Crap! Mac OS-X Beta now available!

wholenewlight · March 8, 2006

coach-al wrote:

Hi Bill,

I checked out your site. Very nice.:)

I took Karen's advice and tried out Fotofusion (Lumapix). They have a free trial which I took advantage of. I liked it enough to purchase it and am now getting up to speed with it. Yes, you can probably do everything with CS2, but you may find that you can do things faster and easier with Fotofusion. You will still use CS2 to create some of the stuff you bring into Fotofusion. But only you can decide if it adds value to your business. I bet it will though.

Later, Al

I read through the specs on their website but have not downloaded the trial.

I have a question that I can't find the answer on Fotofusion's site. What is the file format of the finished product? Is it a HQ jpg? Something else? I see they have partner labs to create a finished product. Can I manually use a lab of my choice? Or do I have to use theirs?

I have tubs of old family photos. My wife has intentions of "scrapbooking" these into some kind of book (books, libraries of books, I believe!). She and I disagree on this. First, she would have to live to be 200 to put a dent in the stack at her current pace. Second, I say scan and create pages that can be viewed electronically or printed. (and using templates, we might finish the project in our lifetimes). And if I could upload this finished electronic page to Smugmug I could share!

So this thread has interest to me . . .

coach-al · March 8, 2006

wholenewlight wrote:

I read through the specs on their website but have not downloaded the trial.

I have a question that I can't find the answer on Fotofusion's site. What is the file format of the finished product? Is it a HQ jpg? Something else? I see they have partner labs to create a finished product. Can I manually use a lab of my choice? Or do I have to use theirs?

I have tubs of old family photos. My wife has intentions of "scrapbooking" these into some kind of book (books, libraries of books, I believe!). She and I disagree on this. First, she would have to live to be 200 to put a dent in the stack at her current pace. Second, I say scan and create pages that can be viewed electronically or printed. (and using templates, we might finish the project in our lifetimes). And if I could upload this finished electronic page to Smugmug I could share!

So this thread has interest to me . . .

Hi John W.

Yes, the output is HQ jpg. Extremely high quality. You can use any lab to print. I use Smugmug. Works great.

later, Al

JayBird · February 22, 2008

Another vote for Fotofusion
I've been using the basic $49.00 version of Fotofusion and it's amazing. The trial version is full featured... just limited file size and watermark. I plan to get pro version for full file size soon. If there is something better I'd like to know before I invest the few hundred dollars.
Jay
http://www.buffphoto.com

coach-al · February 23, 2008

JayBird wrote:

I've been using the basic $49.00 version of Fotofusion and it's amazing. The trial version is full featured... just limited file size and watermark. I plan to get pro version for full file size soon. If there is something better I'd like to know before I invest the few hundred dollars.
Jay
http://www.buffphoto.com

Hi Jaybird.

Last time I looked there were 3 products, essentials, enhanced and extreme. I have the enhanced version. I looked at extreme a few times but couldn't see that the extra cost got me much so I've stuck with enhanced. Just my opinion.

I really like the product, though. Use it a lot.

Later, Al

Collage Software?

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