Do I need ADOBE..?

pizzamandan67 · 15 Oct 2009

Hi everyone

I'm on the verge of buying a new pc after spending what feels like a lifetime reading up on what I'd need. But there's one question that I can't find an answer to, does the new Windows 7 come with any picture/video editing capabilities or do I need to splash out on some £160 ADOBE elements studio software??? (buidling my pc on dell if you were wondering how I got the price...)

I don't do a lot of picture/video editing but always nice to know you can, especially when you're laying out 700quid on the thing!!!

Thanks in advance for any help you can give, much appreciated

Tews · 15 Oct 2009

I use GIMP for all my editing needs... and its free .... get it -=>here

PS... It will not edit video... its similar to photoshop...

QuackPot · 15 Oct 2009

You could download GIMP2 for free.

pizzamandan67 · 15 Oct 2009

cheers for the advice guys, hadn't heard of 'gimp' before but will give it a try!

but out of interest, what exactly can you do on windows 7 alone..? I remember the 'I'm a PC' adverts with some 5yr old boy merging his photos to make one large picture, do I need additional software (like GIMP) to do something as basic as this or is it standard?

Thanks again!

Kari · 15 Oct 2009

The ad you mentioned shows how to make a panoramic picture using Windows Live Photo Gallery, which is a part of Windows Live suite of programs. Windows Live is free, you can download it or individual parts here.

So as you have been told earlier here, there's a bunch of free image editors available. For my basic needs I use Windows Paint and Live Photo Gallery, for some more advanced stuff Paint.net (also free) or Adobe Photoshop which you can test 30 days for free.

Even Live Photo Gallery is not an editing tool, you can do some nice things with it. Here's a couple of examples what Live Photo Gallery can do, unedited panoramas of our village a few days ago. Each is made from 4 to 6 photos. If I would like to edit them, I could do it also with Windows Paint. It is a free application which comes with Windows:

Do I need ADOBE..?-09102009067-stitch.jpg

Do I need ADOBE..?-09102009076-stitch-2.jpg

Do I need ADOBE..?-09102009095-stitch-5.jpg

Kari

pizzamandan67 · 15 Oct 2009

Much appreciated! you guys just saved me 160quid! Which would make anyone happy

Thanks again

Kari · 15 Oct 2009

pizzamandan67 said:

Much appreciated! you guys just saved me 160quid! Which would make anyone happy

Thanks again

I PM you the address where you can send my part of the saved money

Cash only.

Kari

rsvr85 · 15 Oct 2009

I PM you the address where you can send my part of the saved money

Cash only.

Kari

.....good luck!

macgyver2 · 15 Oct 2009

windows 7 also has windows DVD maker if your making videos for DVD. I do a lot of photo/art and video myself and have learned about a lot of free software here. Someone might be able to link the free software thread here (I would but currently heavily medicated) Depending on the type of editing you do or might do could help me suggesting software, like the type of video stuff you would like to do.

Also is this a desktop or laptop? I am using a laptop with Photoshop and I convert peoples home movies to DVD and use the Windows DVD maker, its a little slower then I would like but its free and does some really cool effects for menus etc. oh and the reason I ask about laptop or desktop is you would want to be careful about the laptop getting hot when doing movies.

pizzamandan67 · 16 Oct 2009

ill be sure to send your cash through in the post Kari..! :P

And I plan on getting a desktop, I don't require a laptop so I don't see any point in paying more for smaller technology when there's a huge space under my desk waiting to be filled!

I'm not exactly looking for it to be doing anything too technical in particular, just the standards really...I suppose an example would be editing a dvd of mine. A few years back I did a skydive and paid a hefty sum to get it filmed! Trouble is came with a horrific interviews before and after (with me in a bright red jumpsuit!) so naturally I don't want to show anyone, but would be great to bypass the and get straight to the fall. Will windows 7 come with this as standard? (or do I need to download one of the other programs recommended)