Free resizing software

[2012]

Hi there,

I need to re-size a photo of myself b/c it's too large for the forum. I don't want to use any free software online as I'm concerned about viruses.

Can someone recommend a good free software that is easy to use? I'm not a graphic designer, just an entrepreneur.

Thank you


Michelle

[SpacePhoenix]

Have you tried Paint (comes with Windows)?

[2012]

Oh I didn't know Paint does that. I use that for screenshots.

Do you know how to do it? Is it easy?

Khokon, I'm sorry, but you are so new to this forum I don't wish to use what you are recommending.

Thanks


Michelle

[TechnoBear]

If you're using Windows, I'd recommend Irfanview. Free, and very easy to use.

[shanshan]

Preview works if you are on a Mac. It is free (comes pre-installed). I crop and resize my photos with it all of the time. iPhoto does this too.

[2012]

If you're using Windows, I'd recommend Irfanview. Free, and very easy to use.

Hi there,

Thank you, I DLed it, but I can't figure out how to take an image & decrease it down to 6.0 KB. It only seems to allow for pixels & the software says the image is 75x75.

Can you help me pls.?

Thank you


Michelle

[Mikl]

Hi Michelle,

I suggest you try the Image Resizer tool that comes with Microsoft Power Toys. All you have to do is to right-click on the image in any folder window, and select the target size from the resulting dialogue. It really is easy.

There are different versions of Image Resizer for different versions of Windows. You can download the XP version here: http://download.cnet.com/Image-Resiz...-10905400.html. For other versions, just search for Microsoft Power Tools Image Resizer.

Mike

[2012]

Hi Mike,

I tried that & again, it doesn't give me options to get the pic down to 6.0 KB.

Thanks


Michelle

[ParkinT]

I use GIMP for all my image manipulation needs.
It may be a bit TOO MUCH for just this single purpose you require now. But, since it is free and available on multiple platforms, you may find it useful in the future.

[xhtmlcoder]

Mich, typically the JPG images work on dimension rather than size. For example in IrfanView you would choose Resize/Resample' CTRL+R and set dimensions height and width to 75 by 75 pixels or whatever seems nearest or best dimensions.

Then if the new resized 75 by 75px Avatar is still just over 6.0KB after resizing or cropping. Then select the JPG Save As... quality slightly lower for the JPG and it should reach 6.0KB if you move the slider. You'll need a little of trial and error to get it just right so it doesn't add too much compression artefacts and noise. There is also RIOT plugin option in IrfanView to set the approximate output filesize but I've never used than and I'd only do it on the final sized avatar.

[2012]

xhtml - (how you doing btw?)

Oh geeze, I tried it & it keeps giving me an error about that RIOT plugin.

Any chance I can just PM it to you & you do it? LOL

I did get one version saved which ended up being way under 4.75 (somehow even though I chose 6 on the scale) & the pic didn't look right.

Parkin - thank you, but can you first tell me if it's easy to do what I need done?

Thanks


Michelle

[Mikl]

I tried that & again, it doesn't give me options to get the pic down to 6.0 KB.

None of the resizing tools will give you the option of getting an image down to a specific numer of bytes. What you specify is the dimensions of the target image, in pixels. You tell it the height and width of the target, in pixels, and then check its size (in bytes) to see if it acceptable.

Unfortunately, there's no formula for converting pixels to bytes in this case. A given image size will require a different number of bytes, depending on the colour depth, the image format, the degree of compression, and other factors.

Mike

[DuncanM]

If you would like to crop an existing picture, the Snipping Tool comes free with Windows 7. I find it more convenient than using Paint with the Print-Screen option because you can pick exactly what you want, instead of getting the whole screen and then trying to fix it later.

On the other hand, if you do not want to crop an image, but simply want to compress or expand an image, then Paint does that. Or GIMP.

[2012]

Duncan, can you give me instructions pls. I'm not an expert, I need to get this pic down to the 6.0 size.

Thanks


Michelle

[xhtmlcoder]

Mich, with Irfanview you should install the plugins: http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm if you want more functionality like the RIOT plugin.

Some images don't always compress that well either without too many compression artefacts creeping in and severely degrading the JPG image quality.

xhtml - (how you doing btw?)

Me, I am fine and was competing in the: /dev/null/NetHack tournament 2012. Throughout November so was mainly focused entirely on that the whole of last month... good brain exercise.

Did you finally manage to get the Avatar looking something half-suitable, or are you still having the same issues with either; size or poor image quality?

[2012]

Hi there,

Did you place in your competition? Hope you didn't hurt your brain at all.

No, I never did get the pic down to what the forum needs size wise or pixel wise.


Michelle

[xhtmlcoder]

<ot>I didn't get anywhere near the top scores but I did get a minor award (for defeating Vlad), well several minor awards. Though only the highest of those you gain count and my brain was running fairly smoothly throughout.</ot>

Well, maybe you could possibly post it as an attachment here depending upon how large it is. Most images of those dimensions 75x by 75px should be able to get down to that filesize limit even though the quality won't be super.

[2012]

Hi there,

Sorry for the delay.

Not sure who Vlad is LOL Glad you had fun.

Here's my pic.

Thanks


Michelle

[xhtmlcoder]

Well, I've managed to create an avatar from that picture very similar to your current one. The photo quality is a little better then your current 75 by 75 pixels: 'redtop-avatar.jpg' and noticeable on my monitor, which has a good display.

Off Topic:

Fun yes...

Not sure who Vlad is LOL Glad you had fun.

Vlad the Impaler a major vampire based mostly on the fictional Count Dracula, who is in turn based on Vlad Drăculea, a 15th century Romanian prince. He carries the Candelabrum of Invocation until you wrest it from his hands.

Faustus: Come on Mephistopheles. What shall we do?
Mephistopheles: Nay, I know not. We shall be cursed with bell, book, and candle.
Faustus: How? Bell, book, and candle, candle, book, and bell,
Forward and backward, to curse Faustus to hell.
Anon you shall hear a hog grunt, a calf bleat, and an ass bray,
Because it is Saint Peter's holy day.
(Enter all the Friars to sing the dirge)

The filesize is approx. 6.00KB so I hope that will small enough? If not I can try again to shave a little bit more filesize though graphic manipulation isn't my forte.

[2012]

Hi there,

Thanks for this.

So it's not really an attached pic I DL, I have to right click & do a "save as" image?


Michelle

[xhtmlcoder]

Probably the easiest; click on that image link [Mich2012.jpg] and it will open in a new tab (depending on browser) and just save as a JPEG image format, or you should be able to right click and save the link as an image. Else click on the link it will open a new page (showing only the image on a default background) and hover the mouse over the image if Firefox; right click "Save Image As..." when it is opened in a new/tab page.

The filename will be Mich2012.jpg obviously and the browser will know it's an *.jpg image file.

[2012]

Oh this is WONDERFUL LOL, it worked. The forum took it. Thank you sooo much

TTYL & have a wonderful day


Michelle

[xhtmlcoder]

Actually you still have the old image as the current avatar here. So maybe you might want to try the 'Edit Avatar' settings and uploading the new image assuming you wanted it for this forum as an avatar? Other than that no problem, you presumably have the image saved on your computer now anyway.

[Webinsane]

Nice online editor:

http://pixlr.com/express/