Appreciate the tip, as I'll be moving to a 64-bit OS fairly soon.

I bow to the master.

I've had similar problems with AV programs which were set up to scan every file operation.  I've also had more than one computer bogged down by HP software.  Please let us know what you find out.

Using Avira, Malwarebytes, and other prophylactic measures makes it easy to practice safe online hex.

Yeah, but since he first has to say it in hex, metric should be easy.

Gotta be a simple job for the guy who programmed Qimage, right?

Agreed.  Emailing this review to a few of the heathens unconverted might get Mike a few more sales.

To my mind, here's the money quote, emphasis added:


Speaking of QU...I note that each of us on this page is identified as "Studio User."  When do we get upgraded to "Ultimate User"?

Thanks, Fred.  My son is getting more serious about photography, so he might be able to make use of the discount.

Some good comments about Qimage vs. GF in this thread:

http://ddisoftware.com/tech/computer-software/qimage-studio-vs-genuine-fractals/

Good to have another fan on board, David.

Just curious: How did you learn about Qimage in the first place?

I just tried the following, which might be a workaround for you.

1.  Switch Qimage to metric units.
2.  Select optimal print placement.
3.  Set your print size(s) and specify a B+ white border of .1 mm.

When I print out the result, the images are tightly nested on the page with a tiny white hairline between them.  My trial print was with all images the same size.  You of course will not get the same tight nesting of images over the entire page if image sizes are mixed

Glad to hear it.  For the first several years I used Qimage, I never printed larger than 8x10, and frankly had overlooked the test strip function.  Since I now have a 13x19 printer, and sometimes order larger prints. I use the test strip function regularly.

That's probably the best way to determine how large you can go with your prints.  Search for "digital camera resolution print size" and you'll find tons of recommendations, most of which in my experience aren't worth much.  As I'm sure you know, it's not just megapixels, it's sensor size, lens quality, viewing distance, and probably a dozen other factors which will affect how large you can go and still get a "good" print.

And Qimage is a major factor all by itself.  I routinely printed 8x10s from my 4 mp Canon G2 on a Deskjet 9650.  Most people said, "That can't be digital."  I moved up to an 8 mp Canon Powershot Pro1 and had no problem going to 12x18 and 16x20 prints, and even 18x24, just by using Qimage's "print to file" function and carrying the file to a local supplier.

Only test prints will tell you exactly what you can expect to get from your camera and printer, and test strips will save you some paper.  Welcome to Qimage.  Write anytime.  Much good advice available on these forums.

Not a chance.  Rule #1 of photographing alligators in Florida: USE A TELEPHOTO LENS.

All joking aside, sitting on the edge of that deck and dangling your toes in the water would not be a good idea.  Snapped the attached crummy gator shot from some distance during a boat ride just up the river from my brother's place.  The other shot is a couple of visitors getting their morning handout.

The "Test strip" function in Qimage will tell you a lot in a hurry.  Printing test strips is practically the only time I use the photo tray (a dedicated tray for 4x6 and 5x7 paper) in my HP B8550.  Before I print on 13x19 paper, for example, I can print a 4x6 section to confirm the quality of the image before I print it large.  It works the same way if I'm preparing a file to be printed by an outside vendor.

Good one, Fred!

Thanks to both of you for your kind words.  Haven't printed this one yet, Terry, but printed a similar shot from the same day before I had Ultimate and wasn't happy with the results.  Will certainly print this one and re-work the other, then have another go at printing.

Terry, I should have mentioned that I tried various levels of sharpening (all by selecting a background tone and choosing EX TONE) and also played with the slider, but finally decided that I couldn't do better than the parameters you had generously included in your post.  Like you, I also tweaked the curve just a bit.  I also had one click of Sharpen and ticked the Shadow noise box, which vastly reduced the noise in the shadow areas.  Camera was a Canon Powershot Pro1, IMHO one of the best p&s digicams ever made, but those tiny sensors are noisy, no way around it.  Probably about a 50% crop.

Photographed in Florida, as you may have been able to infer from the background.  Fred, if you ever want to see those toenails really up close, join me sometime at my brother's home on the St. John's river near Astor.  His vast expanse of decking runs right down to the water's edge, and I can shoot stuff like this while I'm having my morning coffee.  I do not exaggerate.  When he begins cleaning a few fish from his morning's catch, the sky darkens with birds like these.  They land on the deck and walk around impatiently waiting for a handout.  The location is a photographer's dream.  I'm going down for a week in November, and am very much looking forward to re-shooting stuff like this with my relatively new Nikon D5000, a birthday gift from my generous & affluent son.

Terry & Fred, I still have much to learn about TTS, but you guys have opened the door.  Thanks again for your compliments, your patience, and your generosity.