I recently downloaded trial versions of both Genuine Fractals and Qimage for upsizing my images to the 16x20 range. My images, in the Qimage program were distorted (9 smaller images arranged on a page or color bands running through them) and many showed up as blanks. I wrote to them and they indicated that I had to re-save my images in photoshop. Well all my images are saved in Photoshop CS3, so I am confused as to how this would help.
On the other hand, Genuine Fractals worked perfectly. It produced clear sharp enlargements. However, it is significantly more expensive than Qimage. I'm willing to spring for GF, but I want to hear of other peoples' experiences with both programs before I make a decision. (Going with Qimage would mean quizzing their tech department more intensely to avoid having to re-save all my photos. That is something that I will not do.)
Thanks for your input.
Posted by Richard Wong on August 8, 2007 at 2:32 PM
I've used GF, Alien Skin Blow-Up and PhotoShop Bicubic Smoother and think Alien Skin does the best job, but I didn't bother buying either after the free trial expired as I didn't feel the difference was significant enough to waste my money.
Posted by Paul Burwell on August 8, 2007 at 10:09 PM
Nick,
For Qimage, try saving your images as non-layered TIFFs and running them through Qimage. Or, make sure Maximum Compatibility is set in Photoshop and resave the images.
I have been using Q-Image for 5+ years and never had the problem like you describe. Question: Are you making all of your adjustments in Photoshop, saving them and then printing in Q-Image?
Most of the time, we do very little in Photoshop. Typically, if all I am trying to do is print an image without making color corrections, I will use Q-Image to crop and then sharpen the image. Almost everything we shoot is in a raw format and Q-Images puts the adjustments into an "overlay" file. I have also adjusted the brightness and contrast using Q-Images with good results.
I do not believe I have ever tried printing with Q-Image saved in Photoshop after adjusting color levels. Most of the time I save work in Photoshop as .PSD files as TIFF files are much bigger. To the best of my knowledge, Q-Image does support .PSD files.
Posted by Bill Chambers on August 15, 2007 at 8:33 AM
I've been playing with both programs for the last couple of weeks Nick, and am thinking along the same lines as Richard. Even looking at comparisons under a 10x loupe, I'm not sure there's enough improvement over regular bicubic smoother to warrant buying either program. Of the two programs, I think GF is by far the more user friendly, and if I were plannng to enlarge to extreme sizes I would probably choose it over Qimage, but just enlarging to 13x19 there really doesn't seem to be a need IMO.
Thanks Everyone,
After further testing, I agree with you - not enough improvement to warrant spending the money. I'll put my dollars aside to buy a new lens instead.
I am continually gratified by the willingness of NPN members to help each other and to share their knowledge. Yea!
Discussion
5 repliesOn the other hand, Genuine Fractals worked perfectly. It produced clear sharp enlargements. However, it is significantly more expensive than Qimage. I'm willing to spring for GF, but I want to hear of other peoples' experiences with both programs before I make a decision. (Going with Qimage would mean quizzing their tech department more intensely to avoid having to re-save all my photos. That is something that I will not do.)
Thanks for your input.
For Qimage, try saving your images as non-layered TIFFs and running them through Qimage. Or, make sure Maximum Compatibility is set in Photoshop and resave the images.
I have been using Q-Image for 5+ years and never had the problem like you describe. Question: Are you making all of your adjustments in Photoshop, saving them and then printing in Q-Image?
Most of the time, we do very little in Photoshop. Typically, if all I am trying to do is print an image without making color corrections, I will use Q-Image to crop and then sharpen the image. Almost everything we shoot is in a raw format and Q-Images puts the adjustments into an "overlay" file. I have also adjusted the brightness and contrast using Q-Images with good results.
I do not believe I have ever tried printing with Q-Image saved in Photoshop after adjusting color levels. Most of the time I save work in Photoshop as .PSD files as TIFF files are much bigger. To the best of my knowledge, Q-Image does support .PSD files.
After further testing, I agree with you - not enough improvement to warrant spending the money. I'll put my dollars aside to buy a new lens instead.
I am continually gratified by the willingness of NPN members to help each other and to share their knowledge. Yea!