PhotoSlate vs Qimage

[dan.carter]

Anyone using PhotoSlate? How does it compare to Qimage? Qimage printing is superb, but the interface needs help...

 

[Glen Barrington]

If you mean the ACDSee FotoSlate Plug-in. I use it and I like it a lot. Even though it is considered an ACDSee Plug-in, it can also be used as a stand alone program. I like the automatic resizing of photos, and how on most templates, they reserve as much room as possible for text. You can also save the pages for quick printing later.

I've never used Qimage.

Anyone using PhotoSlate? How does it compare to Qimage? Qimage
printing is superb, but the interface needs help...

--
G. Barrington
Teradata Certified Professional

 

[Rupert Woodman112098]

I've just downloaded and tried Fotoslate3. I've also used QImage.

I'd agree with you on the UI issoe of QImage, and tho Fotoslate looks a lot nicer, I still found the user-interface rather unintuative (printing to A4 paper size for example had me frustrated for a good few minutes, and the option of fit to page seemed a little bit too tucked away for my liking).

However, with my setup (Canon G2, Canon S800, WinXP Pro) I got distinct banding on the prints created by Fotoslate - no other application (QImage, Photoshop) I've used for printing has done this. If this was sorted, I'd probably buy the program as the prints it does are very vibrant (I've only tried a couple of different pictures so I'm not sure if certain types of photos may not look as good, tho I've got no reason to expect that to happen).

I've sent a note to tech support so it'll be interesting to see what response I get as I'm only using the trial package.

I must admit, it does seem odd to me that someone hasn't produced a package with a very simple interface - select the paper size (which should default to the paper size in the selected printer), select a photo, a checkbox for expand to fill page and a print button.

That aside, I'd probably recommend that you download the trial version and give it a go - the banding issues my just be a problem with my setup. I'd be interested in other peoples results.

rgds

 

[Glen Barrington]

Personally, I've never encountered banding.

I've just downloaded and tried Fotoslate3. I've also used QImage.

I'd agree with you on the UI issoe of QImage, and tho Fotoslate
looks a lot nicer, I still found the user-interface rather
unintuative (printing to A4 paper size for example had me
frustrated for a good few minutes, and the option of fit to page
seemed a little bit too tucked away for my liking).

However, with my setup (Canon G2, Canon S800, WinXP Pro) I got
distinct banding on the prints created by Fotoslate - no other
application (QImage, Photoshop) I've used for printing has done
this. If this was sorted, I'd probably buy the program as the
prints it does are very vibrant (I've only tried a couple of
different pictures so I'm not sure if certain types of photos may
not look as good, tho I've got no reason to expect that to happen).
I've sent a note to tech support so it'll be interesting to see
what response I get as I'm only using the trial package.

I must admit, it does seem odd to me that someone hasn't produced a
package with a very simple interface - select the paper size (which
should default to the paper size in the selected printer), select a
photo, a checkbox for expand to fill page and a print button.

That aside, I'd probably recommend that you download the trial
version and give it a go - the banding issues my just be a problem
with my setup. I'd be interested in other peoples results.

rgds

--
G. Barrington
Teradata Certified Professional

 

[RTWhite]

Dan,

QImage is very capable, very sophisticated, very confusing. It is essentially an application that has grown by a committee of its users who request more and more from Mike, the author. I have always been partial to ACDSee programs for their reliability.

Here are some other photo printing programs with very simple and intuitive interfaces:

Easy Photo Maker: http://www.directlogic.com/
Photo Paper Saver: http://www.fpdoctor.com/pps/main/main-j-0-0.html
PhotoMix: http://photomix.fcoder.com/
PhotoPrint: http://photoprint.fcodersoft.com/
PhotoPrinter: http://www.firmtools.com/products/photoprinter/
PicsPrint: http://www.picsprint.com/
PrintPilot: http://www.colorpilot.com/print.html

RTWhite

Anyone using PhotoSlate? How does it compare to Qimage? Qimage
printing is superb, but the interface needs help...

 

[LarryRz]

I've been using PhotoSlate 2.0 for a year. I use it as a stand-alone tool, mainly when I want to print several (many) images on one sheet. It works pretty well and the new version 3.0 has added some very nice features. I'm trying out the evaluation before I decide whether or not to upgrade. It is very easy to make new page layouts and Ver 3.0 lets you even modify layouts with photos...a nice feature (though I may have come across a bug).

I have not had banding problems printing with a Canon S900 usually printing on DD PHGPP. I use the "High Gloss Photo Film" setting. Seems ok on Plain Paper setting for proofs too.

The image editing sub-package is ok for easy stuff. Auto levels usually works but trying to adjust individual colors, brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc. is not as nice as PS Elements.

Uncle Lar

Anyone using PhotoSlate? How does it compare to Qimage? Qimage
printing is superb, but the interface needs help...