QImage This has got to be the best!!!

[minime9us]

Has any of you heard of Qimage? If you havent youre in for a real treat. I discovered it a month ago from tips from another forum. I tried it and all i can say is wow. My first print was the sharpest thing that has ever come out of my canon i9900. I thought the i9900 was already outstanding and thought that it had seen its full potential. Then i use Qimage to sharpen and print and its sharper and clearer than anything i ever post processed and printed from photoshop CS2 by a long shot. It has a 30 free trial too. My trial just expired and im purchasing it. I never purchase anything over the net. Thats how good this thing is. Dont take my word for it. Go here and download it and then go find a picture that youve been trying to sharpen in photoshop. Use Qimage to sharpen and print it. It makes photoshop sharpening look kinda sick and its automatic, theres no fixing anything the program does it you just set the quality to max and you may find out max sharpening is too sharp and want to back it down some. None of those little oversharpening artifacts like in photoshop either. Actually during took the whole month of free usage ive tried every tip ive seen in this forum to try to make photoshop do what Qimage would do in hopes that if i could i wouldnt buy the program after it expired. Well im not sad to say that i will be buying it, not sad cause its only 49 dollars. The site explains why its better at printing sharp pictures better than photoshop as well as shows some Qimage/Photoshop side by side comparisons. There's even a test you can print out to see if 300 PPI is high enough for you printer and it told me that my prints should be at 600 PPI and once you set that in Qimage it stays there for all your prints. Anyway sorry for the long post this is the most important part

http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/

If you dont like the whole PS post processing to get sharpness and clarity this is for you. It is for me.
Please let me know i you all like it. I would really like to know that i have contributed something worthwhile to this forum.

[dmp-potn]

I agree. Qimage is wonderful. If you send your images to a place like mpix.com for making larger prints (16x24, for example), you can also use Qimage to upsize them first before uploading by using the batch conversion option. Just apply a filter first that scales the image. The results are generally better than what you could get with resize in Photoshop.

[minime9us]

I just scanned these 2 prints that came out of my i9900. No photoshop was used at all on either photo. The only thing i did to print the Qimage one was open Qimage and tell it to open the file then click the settings i wanted to sharpen then hit the print button. Can you see a difference? The difference is much more apparent than you can see in this example. Im still figuring out my scanner, but i scanned both at 600DPI.

[minime9us]

dmp potn why do you have both of those 70-200's trying to figure out if you can live without the 2.8 before you sell it?

[mbze430]

yes, been using Qimage for ages. great software. we use it to print above 24"

[DayHawk]

I quote
"Normal software sends your file to the printer driver and lets that handle it to produce the print. The printer driver software then sizes the file to whatever it needs (perhaps 720 dpi at output size) and handles the other things needed, such as the conversion from RGB to CYMK.

QImage does the interpolation to the required size before sending the data, sending your file at the optimum size. In doing this it can make use of better interpolation procedures than those incorporated into the printer driver, and the result is significantly better prints."

This is what a review said about the program, well If you have used CS2 and you know just abit about what you are doing when you print you can do all of these things in CS2 aswell.
what else does this software do? right now I am not convinced :) but that's just me

[minime9us]

I quote
"Normal software sends your file to the printer driver and lets that handle it to produce the print. The printer driver software then sizes the file to whatever it needs (perhaps 720 dpi at output size) and handles the other things needed, such as the conversion from RGB to CYMK.

QImage does the interpolation to the required size before sending the data, sending your file at the optimum size. In doing this it can make use of better interpolation procedures than those incorporated into the printer driver, and the result is significantly better prints."

This is what a review said about the program, well If you have used CS2 and you know just abit about what you are doing when you print you can do all of these things in CS2 aswell.
what else does this software do? right now I am not convinced :) but that's just me

Hey if you have tried it and dont think its worth it then this post is not for you. I simply could not get CS2 to create the same quality no matter what i did. If i could i would not be buying this. Since ive been trying for just about a month to get photoshop to match it while the free subscription was in effect and couldnt i kinda figure the measly 50 dollars and no hassle might be worth it. It was more than just the 720DPI thing also. I took the time to read the site and they compared it to photoshop and i can still see a big difference. Its because they use more than just bicubic. When i used it i didnt use bicubic at all i used something called lanczos sorry if misspelled and it blew me away. I had to take a second look at my printer kinda wanted to reprint all my already fabulous photos again. Just hoping to help someone else along the way who might be looking for an alternative that i find to be a great cheap program. I still use photoshop to post process but i have something better in my opinion to print. CS2 is now only used to correct image and fix cosmetic flaws and Qimage to sharpen and print. The best of both worlds.

[DayHawk]

Hehe well I am not trying to pick a fight :) but IMO those 50 bucks would have been better spent on a good photoshop book, PS is the best program to print in my book, it just happens to be one of the hardest to learn aswell. I really do not belive that a program like Qimage can match a big player like photoshp.

- Nick

[minime9us]

Dayhawk did you go to the site and read it? Photoshop might have been able to sharpen it as good but after a whole lot of post processing and guessing, and fixing halos if oversharpened. Ive been there mostly taking recommendations from people in these forums and still i havent been able to sharpen as well in photoshop as Qimage does, and it does it by me hitting about 2 check boxes. Even if photoshop could match it the process would be 10 times as long and each photo at that. One more thing, im an amateur so what do i know, but you see those other 2 posters who posted just before you did, do you see all that "L" glass, to me that says PROFESSIONAL and when a professional with that kind of glass uses it then it might warrant a little attention by an amateur like me. One of them like me uses CS2 as well. So maybe just maybe it worth the 50 bucks. Again if you dont like it, then its not for you. I'm just trying to help other members who just might be looking for a little something they may like, you know an alternative. I'm not a salesman so i am not going to try to convince anyone to use anything. I am just hoping i can pass a little something along that made me happy in hopes that they may find a little themselves.

[minime9us]

I quote
"Normal software sends your file to the printer driver and lets that handle it to produce the print. The printer driver software then sizes the file to whatever it needs (perhaps 720 dpi at output size) and handles the other things needed, such as the conversion from RGB to CYMK.

QImage does the interpolation to the required size before sending the data, sending your file at the optimum size. In doing this it can make use of better interpolation procedures than those incorporated into the printer driver, and the result is significantly better prints."

This is what a review said about the program, well If you have used CS2 and you know just abit about what you are doing when you print you can do all of these things in CS2 aswell.
what else does this software do? right now I am not convinced :) but that's just me

I just had a thought. Why dont you post those directions to make CS2 interpolate the required size so i can make CS2 do what Qimage does automatically, then i can print out comparison photos. One question though and im not knocking CS2 cause i like it too. That point you make about Qimage interpolating before sending to the print driver making for better photos, why didnt CS2 do that if its a better way to print? You think the makers of CS2 didnt think i wanted the best prints of my photos? And if it was important to them for me to get the best prints why wouldnt that interpolating thing be set as the default for CS2. Maybe the point here is that although CS2 may be the best at somethings its designers were not so concerned about other things and that there just might be better programs for things like printing. Just a thought.

[DayHawk]

Ok first of all having L glass doesn't make anyone a professionel, that makes them rich ;) I too have an L glass and I am amateur with a big A, so just to clarify that, The gear doesn't make you a pro, experience does.

I can find you a couple of other programs that does the same as Qimage does, It has a set of presets, so when you hit those 2 check boxes it apply's those presets every time, with PS you have so much more versility (sorry couldn't spell that).
you can get the same and even better results with PS2 then Qimage, I guaranty it, you just have to learn the program (sounds easy right? but it takes years! :) )
I am not saying this program is crap, just that it's 2 completely different programs.
Photoshop is properly the best Photo editing program out there (used by allmost every professional photographer in the world) but it is just as hard to learn as riding a bike for the first time ;) it takes time and effort.

on a side note, one of the best photoshop beginner books out there IMO is by Scott Kelby

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735714118/103-3675138-9686209?v=glance&n=283155

helped me out alot!

[ScottE]

You are correct, they are two different programs. In my experience Photoshop is much better for image correction and manipulation. Qimage is much better for resampling, cropping and printing. Also, Qimage does not make any changes to your original image when doing that.

My usual work flow is to convert using RawShooter Premium to adjust colour balance, exosure, levels and curves. If the image has any dust spots or needs any other corrections I do that in Photoshop before cropping and printing with Qimage. If the are no corrections, I go directly from RawShooter to Qimage. Use each tool for what it is best at.

My only problem with Qimage is that if you use the top rated resampling methods, such as Pyramid, it take a long time to print a picture, and since the resampled image is not saved, it take just as long to print another copy tomorrow.

[minime9us]

[quote=DayHawk]Ok first of all having L glass doesn't make anyone a professionel, that makes them rich ;) I too have an L glass and I am amateur with a big A, so just to clarify that, The gear doesn't make you a pro, experience does.

I can find you a couple of other programs that does the same as Qimage does, It has a set of presets, so when you hit those 2 check boxes it apply's those presets every time, with PS you have so much more versility (sorry couldn't spell that).
you can get the same and even better results with PS2 then Qimage, I guaranty it, you just have to learn the program (sounds easy right? but it takes years! :) )
I am not saying this program is crap, just that it's 2 completely different programs.
Photoshop is properly the best Photo editing program out there (used by allmost every professional photographer in the world) but it is just as hard to learn as riding a bike for the first time ;) it takes time and effort.

I think youre right in saying that photoshop is the best photoediting program out there, i felt that way before i found Qimage and never said anything to the contrary, i just dont think its necessarily the best for printing what youve processed with it. Hey but you said you can guarantee it. Even if youre right it will take me a lot of time to figure out how to do what i can and have done with Qimage from the start. I dont like wasting unecessary time, and if photo shop can do the same thing however it takes 10 minutes to do it after i spend my time learning it just to get the same result as Qimage why bother? So i can say look I know photoshop? I think not. I dont care what programs or program i use so as long as i get the result i want i am not partial to anything they are not paying me. I know what ive been doing and i know what ive found to work. Thats both programs. Since you seem to have a knack for what youre doing in photoshop i suggest you keep doing what youre doing. Apparently this post isnt for you. So skip it. Dont buy it. Ignore it. But someone might find it useful and thank you for your input.

[vjack]

on a side note, one of the best photoshop beginner books out there IMO is by Scott Kelby

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735714118/103-3675138-9686209?v=glance&n=283155

helped me out alot!

I have Kelby's book and agree that it is wonderful. However, I have seen superior effects from using third-party products for downsizing (e.g., FM Web Presenter Pro). Part of the power of PS is that it can utilize plug-ins and actions.

[DayHawk]

[quote=DayHawk]
I think youre right in saying that photoshop is the best photoediting program out there, i felt that way before i found Qimage and never said anything to the contrary, i just dont think its necessarily the best for printing what youve processed with it. Hey but you said you can guarantee it. Even if youre right it will take me a lot of time to figure out how to do what i can and have done with Qimage from the start. I dont like wasting unecessary time, and if photo shop can do the same thing however it takes 10 minutes to do it after i spend my time learning it just to get the same result as Qimage why bother? So i can say look I know photoshop? I think not. I dont care what programs or program i use so as long as i get the result i want i am not partial to anything they are not paying me. I know what ive been doing and i know what ive found to work. Thats both programs. Since you seem to have a knack for what youre doing in photoshop i suggest you keep doing what youre doing. Apparently this post isnt for you. So skip it. Dont buy it. Ignore it. But someone might find it useful and thank you for your input.

I know where you are comming from m8, and yes if I wasn't aiming at doing this for a living someday I would prolly have done the same thing as you :)

and for ignoring this post... Don't post in this forum and then afterwards tell people to ignore the post and tell them that it ain't for them, just a piece of advice.

- Nick

[DayHawk]

You are correct, they are two different programs. In my experience Photoshop is much better for image correction and manipulation. Qimage is much better for resampling, cropping and printing. Also, Qimage does not make any changes to your original image when doing that.


It might be easier, but not better :) hehe im just stubborn :P we all have our own opinions and I respect that.

- Nick

[DayHawk]

I have Kelby's book and agree that it is wonderful. However, I have seen superior effects from using third-party products for downsizing (e.g., FM Web Presenter Pro). Part of the power of PS is that it can utilize plug-ins and actions.

yup, after getting to know actions it has made my workflow so much easier...
and plug-ins is alot of fun :)

[minime9us]

[quote=minime9us]

I know where you are comming from m8, and yes if I wasn't aiming at doing this for a living someday I would prolly have done the same thing as you :)

and for ignoring this post... Don't post in this forum and then afterwards tell people to ignore the post and tell them that it ain't for them, just a piece of advice.

- Nick
I said to ignore it if its no use to you. It was a bit of advise to save you some time and who are you to tell me what not to do? I did not tell people anything i told you. It seems like your desire to be heard by someone maybe yourself in insisting that you would rather spend your 50 dollars elsewhere is reason enough to ignore it and press on and go buy that lens instead of continuously giving your opinion on something meant for people interested in it. I think i understood that you found this program a waste of money but i have noticed at least 5 others that use it. So maybe everyone isnt as talented as you are with photoshop and i happen to have read a ton of posts where people just didnt like photoshop and was looking for an alternative to sharpen their photos. This was meant for people like that. See this is what happens when you try to help someone out. Some know it all continues to post useless crap that no one wants to hear. This is totally fruitless, and im surprised at you. You are probably the first negative person i have come across in here. And im absolutely justified in telling you to ignore it since your common sense isnt kicking in on its own. Again dont buy it since you said its a waste of money, and ignore the post if you find my advice useless. Oh by the way i still think it prints much better than photoshop. Happy photo taking.

[DayHawk]

Damn you take my post's pretty harsh, it's called freedom of speech my friend, I am not trying to rag anyone down at all, I am just giving my 2 cent's, I posted 1 reply and a couple of people quoted me and hence we had a perfectly good discussion going, if I am not mistaken that is what this forum is for :)
Don't take it all so personal, I am not attacking anyone, this program seems pretty good, I am just giving my 2 cent's in this.

- Nick

[vjack]

For what its worth, I wasn't particularly impressed with PS sharpening until I starting use TLR's actions. I find them to be an outstanding and fairly simple way to unleash the power of PS. See http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/TLRProfessionalSharpeningToolkit.htm

[DayHawk]

For what its worth, I wasn't particularly impressed with PS sharpening until I starting use TLR's actions. I find them to be an outstanding and fairly simple way to unleash the power of PS. See http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/TLRProfessionalSharpeningToolkit.htm

I agree fuly, those scripts are really sweet.

Mine tend to oversharpen sometimes though, when I use all 3 scripts, ever had that problem?

- Nick

[vjack]

I agree fuly, those scripts are really sweet.

Mine tend to oversharpen sometimes though, when I use all 3 scripts, ever had that problem?

- Nick

Never had that problem, but I usually lower the settings below the default like it suggests in the manual.

[taygull]

I have an HP 450C Large Format Printer, has anyone used this software on a printer like this? Results?