Simple PP software for work

**Another dyemention** · 10-26-2016, 04:34 AM

I am the QC manager at a machine shop and need to take photos of our products from time to time for record keeping purposes. We've been using cell phones but the lighting is bad in here and the tools are usually shiny. So it messes with the exposure pretty bad. Plus we just can't get the detail we need with a cell phone. I've decided to use my k3 and a small light box but I'll need a very basic straightforward program to edit the pictures with. Just something to crop and adjust the exposure. Preferably free. Any suggestions?

Thanks

**BigMackCam** · 10-26-2016, 04:43 AM

What operating system are you using at work? Windows 10's built-in Photos app does exactly what you've described and it's very easy to use...

pete-tarmigan · 10-26-2016, 05:46 AM

Microsoft Office, which includes applications like Word and Excel, also comes with Picture Manager, which does what you're describing.

**Another dyemention** · 10-26-2016, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

What operating system are you using at work? Windows 10's built-in Photos app does exactly what you've described and it's very easy to use...

Unfortunately, we have windows 7 professional. So that won't be an option.

---------- Post added 10-26-16 at 05:55 AM ----------

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

Microsoft Office, which includes applications like Word and Excel, also comes with Picture Manager, which does what you're describing.

I'll check to see what's on the pc. I've only seen picture viewer but I'll look again.

chromo · 10-26-2016, 05:57 AM

I use paint.net 90% of the time. It's easy to use and has a lot of great features.
Also totally free and open source.
Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing

**BigMackCam** · 10-26-2016, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by Another dyemention

Unfortunately, we have windows 7 professional. So that won't be an option.

OK, try an application called Polarr Photo Editor - it's excellent. There are free and paid versions - you only need the free one.

**UncleVanya** · 10-26-2016, 06:08 AM

Polarr is good but Pixlr is more intuitive in my opinion. If you don't need to edit raw files try Pixlr. I managed with it for over a year on a chrome book.

**Skodadriver** · 10-26-2016, 06:15 AM

If you have Picasa already, I find it easy to use and easy to file images away into folders. I have read that it is no longer supported but it is still working fine on my pc. You may be able to download it still, I don't know. I'm not good with this sort of thing which is why I use Picasa, it's so easy to use. Windows photo gallery was supplied with my pc and I use it sometimes but it is not as intuitive.

pete-tarmigan · 10-26-2016, 06:18 AM

Originally posted by Another dyemention

I'll check to see what's on the pc. I've only seen picture viewer but I'll look again.

I forgot to mention that Picture Manager is in a sub-folder of Microsoft Office. On the Start menu, first click the folder called Microsoft Office; second: click the folder called Microsoft Office Tools. This will show a short list of applications that includes Picture Manager.

Picture Manager also enables you to adjust brightness, contrast, midtone, hue, and saturation.

SpecialK · 10-26-2016, 08:46 AM

FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ... is popular and easy. Move your mouse to the edges of the frame for the different menus (editing is on the left).

**todd** · 10-26-2016, 09:36 AM

I recommend Rawtherapee... It seems that some people consider it to have a difficult learning curve, but that wasn't my experience, especially when just for basic raw or jpeg batch edits... It's a great open source option for this kind of thing imho... 64-bit or 32-bit

photolady95 · 10-26-2016, 09:45 AM

Another vote for FastStone, free and has more controls if you need them. Reads RAW and JPG. I've used this software for many years and I have to say it's never corrupted any of my files/photos.

I detest Windows or Office editors. Where you have less control of your photos.

Tako Kichi · 10-26-2016, 09:51 AM

GIMP is free and can do most things that Photoshop can do.

photolady95 · 10-26-2016, 09:56 AM

But GIMP has a higher learning curve.

FastStone can do most things photoshop can do too and it's also free. It has gotten better over the years. In that it can now do layers.

FastStone Image Viewer - Powerful and Intuitive Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter

**acoufap** · 10-26-2016, 10:11 AM

If fast and easy to use everywhere is important, than you should consider an iPad or iPad Mini (good enough display even if not Retina) and the App Snapseed.

Very easy to use, really good results and it even supports local adjustments and raw file editing if I remember correctly.

10-26-2016, 04:34 AM	#1
Another dyemention Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 432	Simple PP software for work I am the QC manager at a machine shop and need to take photos of our products from time to time for record keeping purposes. We've been using cell phones but the lighting is bad in here and the tools are usually shiny. So it messes with the exposure pretty bad. Plus we just can't get the detail we need with a cell phone. I've decided to use my k3 and a small light box but I'll need a very basic straightforward program to edit the pictures with. Just something to crop and adjust the exposure. Preferably free. Any suggestions? Thanks

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10-26-2016, 04:43 AM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	What operating system are you using at work? Windows 10's built-in Photos app does exactly what you've described and it's very easy to use...

10-26-2016, 05:46 AM	#3
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Microsoft Office, which includes applications like Word and Excel, also comes with Picture Manager, which does what you're describing.

10-26-2016, 05:55 AM	#4
Another dyemention Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 432 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam What operating system are you using at work? Windows 10's built-in Photos app does exactly what you've described and it's very easy to use... Unfortunately, we have windows 7 professional. So that won't be an option. ---------- Post added 10-26-16 at 05:55 AM ---------- Originally posted by pete-tarmigan Microsoft Office, which includes applications like Word and Excel, also comes with Picture Manager, which does what you're describing. I'll check to see what's on the pc. I've only seen picture viewer but I'll look again.

10-26-2016, 05:57 AM	#5
chromo Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Coast NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 581	I use paint.net 90% of the time. It's easy to use and has a lot of great features. Also totally free and open source. Paint.NET - Free Software for Digital Photo Editing

10-26-2016, 06:01 AM	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by Another dyemention Unfortunately, we have windows 7 professional. So that won't be an option. OK, try an application called Polarr Photo Editor - it's excellent. There are free and paid versions - you only need the free one.

10-26-2016, 06:08 AM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Polarr is good but Pixlr is more intuitive in my opinion. If you don't need to edit raw files try Pixlr. I managed with it for over a year on a chrome book.

10-26-2016, 06:15 AM	#8
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892	If you have Picasa already, I find it easy to use and easy to file images away into folders. I have read that it is no longer supported but it is still working fine on my pc. You may be able to download it still, I don't know. I'm not good with this sort of thing which is why I use Picasa, it's so easy to use. Windows photo gallery was supplied with my pc and I use it sometimes but it is not as intuitive.

10-26-2016, 06:18 AM	#9
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by Another dyemention I'll check to see what's on the pc. I've only seen picture viewer but I'll look again. I forgot to mention that Picture Manager is in a sub-folder of Microsoft Office. On the Start menu, first click the folder called Microsoft Office; second: click the folder called Microsoft Office Tools. This will show a short list of applications that includes Picture Manager. Picture Manager also enables you to adjust brightness, contrast, midtone, hue, and saturation.

10-26-2016, 08:46 AM	#10
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ... is popular and easy. Move your mouse to the edges of the frame for the different menus (editing is on the left).

10-26-2016, 09:36 AM	#11
todd Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,791	I recommend Rawtherapee... It seems that some people consider it to have a difficult learning curve, but that wasn't my experience, especially when just for basic raw or jpeg batch edits... It's a great open source option for this kind of thing imho... 64-bit or 32-bit

10-26-2016, 09:45 AM	#12
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Another vote for FastStone, free and has more controls if you need them. Reads RAW and JPG. I've used this software for many years and I have to say it's never corrupted any of my files/photos. I detest Windows or Office editors. Where you have less control of your photos.

10-26-2016, 09:51 AM	#13
Tako Kichi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: SW Ontario, Canada (ex-pat Brit) Posts: 1,296	GIMP is free and can do most things that Photoshop can do.

10-26-2016, 09:56 AM	#14
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	But GIMP has a higher learning curve. FastStone can do most things photoshop can do too and it's also free. It has gotten better over the years. In that it can now do layers. FastStone Image Viewer - Powerful and Intuitive Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter

10-26-2016, 10:11 AM	#15
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,187	If fast and easy to use everywhere is important, than you should consider an iPad or iPad Mini (good enough display even if not Retina) and the App Snapseed. Very easy to use, really good results and it even supports local adjustments and raw file editing if I remember correctly.