Post by El Crab on Apr 27, 2006 0:12:33 GMT -6
This thread now contains:
I decided, after I was going to originally post this in BubbaBod's thread, to make it a separate thread. But after I realized I had a lot to say (and it might be valuable info), to post it in a new thread. Diane can sticky this if she'd like, and if anyone has questions feel free to contact me through a PM, I'd be glad to help. I'll update this thread with any pertinent questions and answers if they come in.
Microsoft Windows XP Picture Resizer Info
I'm a big fan of Microsoft's Picture Resizer, part of their PowerToys package. You can download the Picture Resizer directly from Microsoft, using the link I will soon provide. But first, a little of why I love it. I find its an invaluable tool, and one reason is that it is available when you right click on any or all of your images. I use it all the time for eBay and other stuff, since I always take pictures at a much larger resolution than they'll eventually be. And you never have to open a program, just right click the image (or all of the selected images, if you choose a bunch), select the resize option in the window.
The best part, besides being able to either select a common size or your own, it does not automatically resize the original image. You can put a check in the box to resize originals (found under the advanced portion, which is available when you click the, um, Advanced button), but by default (and you cannot change it permanently, ever) it will create new images.
Another good feature is it doesn't matter what size pix you have, you can specify to resize them all to, say, 800 x 800, and any images that are 1024 x 768 will be 800 x 600, and those that are 768 x 1024 will be 600 x 800. It doesn't distort the image, it will only reduce it to within your parameters. This also comes in handy if some of your shots are horizontal and some are vertical, but you want them all reduced.
Microsoft Picture Resizer Download Link
Again, after you've installed it, you never have to open a program. Its there when you right click an image, or if you've selected a whole bunch of 'em using shift or ctrl. It will resize one and all.
Here's a tutorial on how it all works, including the suggestion of copying the original to another folder, then resizing it. I do the same, as I like to have the originals safe and sound, in case I decide to do something different.
Microsoft Picture Resizer Walkthrough
One more plus about Picture Resizer is you can resize your file without changing its dimensions. Sometimes I find that the file can be reduced in its KB size by just asking Picture Resizer to resize it to the same dimensions. Often times this will reduce the file size by quite a bit, without doing anything (as far as I can tell, anyway) to the picture quality itself. If you have a file that's 1024 x 768, you just select the option for 1024 x 768 and whatever other options you want. "Resize it" and watch the file size go down while the image dimensions stay the same. Handy if you're trying to keep your hard drive from being overrun by large files. When they're 300-500 KB each, as your original photos can be, they add up fast.
Image Shack Info
Also, if you go to Image Shack, you can upload your pix and they will resize them if you choose the option.
www.imageshack.us
And, after the pic is uploaded and they give you your link, they also provide a bevy of links to accomplish various tasks. Like thumbnails and several links with the tags for various forum software. For example, here's some screenshots I through together to show you:
This is your first screen at Image Shack. I always check the box to not show the little black bar with the resolution info. I think it clutters up the pix, and I don't really see any purpose for it. Once you've decided you're ready to upload, we move to the next screen.
This is your screen when the image has been uploaded. Look at all of the different stuff you have. Links already set up for message boards, even ones with thumbnails. You can use those links and the image will show up like so, but be clickable to your large version. Like so:
When you click on the above link, it opens the full size image of the thumbnail.
Now, with Image Shack, you have two choices: You can just anonymously upload, or you can register using an email address, and they send you a link to use to log in and view your uploaded pix. So you can either upload and forget it, or upload and manage your pix.
Hope this helps everyone. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I have email, AIM, MSN and Yahoo, if anyone needs help and would like to be walked through it. And as I think of more stuff, I'll be adding more info.
- Windows XP Picture Resizer Info (added 4.26)
- How To Use ImageShack.us Info (added 4.26)
- How To Use IMG and URL Tags Info (added 4.27)
I decided, after I was going to originally post this in BubbaBod's thread, to make it a separate thread. But after I realized I had a lot to say (and it might be valuable info), to post it in a new thread. Diane can sticky this if she'd like, and if anyone has questions feel free to contact me through a PM, I'd be glad to help. I'll update this thread with any pertinent questions and answers if they come in.
Microsoft Windows XP Picture Resizer Info
I'm a big fan of Microsoft's Picture Resizer, part of their PowerToys package. You can download the Picture Resizer directly from Microsoft, using the link I will soon provide. But first, a little of why I love it. I find its an invaluable tool, and one reason is that it is available when you right click on any or all of your images. I use it all the time for eBay and other stuff, since I always take pictures at a much larger resolution than they'll eventually be. And you never have to open a program, just right click the image (or all of the selected images, if you choose a bunch), select the resize option in the window.
The best part, besides being able to either select a common size or your own, it does not automatically resize the original image. You can put a check in the box to resize originals (found under the advanced portion, which is available when you click the, um, Advanced button), but by default (and you cannot change it permanently, ever) it will create new images.
Another good feature is it doesn't matter what size pix you have, you can specify to resize them all to, say, 800 x 800, and any images that are 1024 x 768 will be 800 x 600, and those that are 768 x 1024 will be 600 x 800. It doesn't distort the image, it will only reduce it to within your parameters. This also comes in handy if some of your shots are horizontal and some are vertical, but you want them all reduced.
Microsoft Picture Resizer Download Link
Again, after you've installed it, you never have to open a program. Its there when you right click an image, or if you've selected a whole bunch of 'em using shift or ctrl. It will resize one and all.
Here's a tutorial on how it all works, including the suggestion of copying the original to another folder, then resizing it. I do the same, as I like to have the originals safe and sound, in case I decide to do something different.
Microsoft Picture Resizer Walkthrough
One more plus about Picture Resizer is you can resize your file without changing its dimensions. Sometimes I find that the file can be reduced in its KB size by just asking Picture Resizer to resize it to the same dimensions. Often times this will reduce the file size by quite a bit, without doing anything (as far as I can tell, anyway) to the picture quality itself. If you have a file that's 1024 x 768, you just select the option for 1024 x 768 and whatever other options you want. "Resize it" and watch the file size go down while the image dimensions stay the same. Handy if you're trying to keep your hard drive from being overrun by large files. When they're 300-500 KB each, as your original photos can be, they add up fast.
Image Shack Info
Also, if you go to Image Shack, you can upload your pix and they will resize them if you choose the option.
www.imageshack.us
And, after the pic is uploaded and they give you your link, they also provide a bevy of links to accomplish various tasks. Like thumbnails and several links with the tags for various forum software. For example, here's some screenshots I through together to show you:
This is your first screen at Image Shack. I always check the box to not show the little black bar with the resolution info. I think it clutters up the pix, and I don't really see any purpose for it. Once you've decided you're ready to upload, we move to the next screen.
This is your screen when the image has been uploaded. Look at all of the different stuff you have. Links already set up for message boards, even ones with thumbnails. You can use those links and the image will show up like so, but be clickable to your large version. Like so:
When you click on the above link, it opens the full size image of the thumbnail.
Now, with Image Shack, you have two choices: You can just anonymously upload, or you can register using an email address, and they send you a link to use to log in and view your uploaded pix. So you can either upload and forget it, or upload and manage your pix.
Hope this helps everyone. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I have email, AIM, MSN and Yahoo, if anyone needs help and would like to be walked through it. And as I think of more stuff, I'll be adding more info.