Image editing software

[Vincenzo]

I am looking for image editing software (preferably free) that will allow me to resize images by clicking on a corner and dragging to change the size.

I need to make some collages and banners with about 5 or 6 images in each, and my version of Photoshop will not let me put a bunch of photos on a canvas and resize them in that manner as far as I can tell, I need to select the image, go into Image Size and manually change it. Not really user friendly when I have a bunch of pictures that I am trying to put together to make an interesting layout.

Being able to make adjustments to the image (contrast, saturation, etc) would be a plus, but not necessary. But I would need to be able to crop to specific sizes, or at least resize to specific sizes.

Thanks

[Lugh]

For your first 2 paragraphs, a word processor [WP] or desktop publishing [DTP] will do the trick. DTP is specifically designed for what you describe, but modern WPs have a lot of DTP ability too.
So if you have Word, Publisher or similar, do a test run.

My Word [no, not an exclamation!] has crop and 'Size & Position' choices when I r-click an image.
If you don't have WP/DTP already, I probably have some info in my notes.

Your last para is getting into image editor territory I'm afraid, if the Word crop/size basics won't do.

Here are some rabbit holes for you from a quick search:

The best free photo collage maker 2018

Best collage maker tools for creating photo collages

How to Make a Photo Collage Using Windows

Astonishing Collage Maker Software for Any Windows User

Collage Maker : Picture Collage

PS you might want to ask for this to be moved to the Graphics/Multimedia forum if you want more expert input.

[mngerhold]

If you had Office I'd say that Powerpoint was your friend, but how about Impress from LibreOffice?

[access-mdb]

Irfanview and XNView do batch conversions. I've never used them to do batch but it might do what you want. And they're free.

[Vincenzo]

Thanks for all the ideas.
i'd not thought of using Word or Powerpoint for this. But when I tried them, it turns out the only size adjustments I could find in them was in inches, and I need pixels. So I had to rule them out.
I've got Publisher on another computer here, I'll take a look there.

It didn't occur to me that "collage maker" was a term that would be searchable. Thanks. I took a quick look at the below links, my concern is that they may be to basic, but I will give them a more serious look.

Here are some rabbit holes for you from a quick search:

The best free photo collage maker 2018

Best collage maker tools for creating photo collages

How to Make a Photo Collage Using Windows

Astonishing Collage Maker Software for Any Windows User

Collage Maker : Picture Collage

PS you might want to ask for this to be moved to the Graphics/Multimedia forum if you want more expert input.

I looked before posting for a more suitable forum, somehow I missed that. It would be fine with me to move it there. Thanks

[Vincenzo]

Irfanview and XNView do batch conversions. I've never used them to do batch but it might do what you want. And they're free.

I don't need batch conversions, but I used IrFanview years ago, maybe I'll give it a look.
Thanks

[AdamKertesz]

Try FastStone:
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
Free and very user-friendly

[JoeP517]

Check out Paint.NET. You can resize in pixels. Plus the software is free.

[mngerhold]

i'd not thought of using Word or Powerpoint for this. But when I tried them, it turns out the only size adjustments I could find in them was in inches, and I need pixels. So I had to rule them out.

I was assuming you could make the collages in Powerpoint, in which case you just resize (scale) the images with the mouse by grabbing a corner. You can crop also, but that is by typing offsets (in cm in my old 2000 vn, anyway - later vns seem to allow mouse cropping).

But IrfanView is free and easy to crop images with the mouse, resizing (actually changing the number of pixels) requires some typing! I use it all the time. It has many image adjustments.

[Lugh]

Vincenzo, what's the desired output format, digital or print?

Re last 3 posts, FastStone is my preferred image viewer, Paint.net has a great rep for serious editing, and I've used Irfanview for ~15 years for most image editing which doesn't require layer work. For the latter, I pick up PaintShop Pro once or twice a decade for ~$30 during one of its regular 80%-off sales—beats Photoshop hands down for value, ie performance v price.

I used XNview briefly as a viewer, nice. There are a lot of very good image software choices out there, and some of the best are free.

[td47]

I have found that a German software company with an odd name - "Ashampoo" have a raft of specific software titles for specific functions, and their Photography section is no exception. They have a very good support/response reputation too. I saw a link for a FREE version of one of their Photo Commander levels here (that has a collage option I see):

https://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/pin/...commander-free

However, I see an offer for Photo Commander 15, a good paid for version, for around $20.

[Vincenzo]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I am sorting through these options.

I've just tried Paint.net, it seems very similar to photoshop, but it does not allow resizing by dragging a corner a far as I can tell.
I think I'll try irfanview next when I get a moment. Or maybe PaintshopPro. Thanks

[Vincenzo]

Vincenzo, what's the desired output format, digital or print?

I am only interested in digital output, thanks.

I just installed GIMP. It does allow resizing by dragging, using the Scale tool. And it even shows the size in pixels as you are dragging.