|
 I was a relatively new Mac user with an LCIII (Mac OS 7.1) charged up to the max with memory (remember the days of 36 MB RAM?), and starting to explore the world of photo manipulation. Try outs were frustrating because it seemed like a lot of HD space to take up for something that never allowed you to print out or save. Through MacFormat I chanced upon a shareware version of Graphic Converter which allowed printing and saving, but more importantly, being a home Mac user and my office environment PC, it gave me some limited capacity to convert Pict files to PC equivalents. I took the plunge and bought my first ever shareware for the equivalent then of $NZ60. That was version 2.1, back in 1995 and I haven't looked back.
I have continued to run this program on a Performa (OS 8.1), an iMac (OS 9), and have now made the transition to the Carbon version on an eMac. The upgrades to date have been free, though the change from version 4.4.4 to 4.5 has seen an additional charge laid to existing registered users. This is related to Lemke Software's need to licence LuraWave and the new JPG2000 format. This is the first increase in the registration fee for some time and it is 'promised' that upgrades for the next few years will be covered by this cost.
 |
For an amateur user I find it has a very simple interface that follows Photoshop and has a PDF User Manual that is clear and logical. Earlier versions have a self opening document. One of the beauties is that it runs many Photoshop compatible plug-ins. The two key pieces of hardware this has given ease of use to has been my scanner and digital camera. While each has its own software which is matched to the device, the ability to process all my photographs and scannings, as well as digital images from on-line and Kodak Photo CD's means that I can guarantee a consistent output on screen and print. It also means I only have to master one set of key strokes for all my image manipulation. Even the Visual QuickStart Guides, or the Manuals with some of the larger applications make life difficult until you know what exactly you are looking to do.
It has the common features for dealing with graphics files such as brightness and contrast, levels, colour depth, dithering, mode and resolution, but also has redeye, gamma correction and plug in effects (these being dependent on what you have installed on your machine). It is able to load plug ins from either the actual plug-in in the folder or from aliases present, which allows you to gather all your plug ins into a common folder for your other applications to use as well. It also has a basic set of draw functions, and while these are best used for touch up work, it is possible to do creative artwork yourself.
The three functions I use Graphic Converter most for are browser, image conversion and slideshow. Browser allows you to view thumbnails of folders as well as a larger preview of an image prior to opening. Connected to the Digita Desktop of my camera it allows me to access photos directly from my camera. (I know iPhoto does this, but as I have already found out if you know one system well you can produce consistent results, and so far what has been printed off under GraphicConverter is still of acceptable quality to my untrained eye.) The Browser has saved me a lot of time going through the large collection of images (tiff, eps and photos) I am amassing as I regularly have to look for clipart and photos to illustrate talks. Once again, there are the dedicated catalogue programs which you can browse through, but having found the picture "which CD was it on again?" This way I can drag and drop files from the browser onto the Desktop and sort through the pictures using the browser again to make the final selections.
 |
"I took the plunge and bought my first ever shareware for the equivalent then of $NZ60. That was version 2.1, back in 1995 and I haven't looked back." |
The first use I made was the conversion function which gives a large range of options. I have been able to open just about any picture file and convert it to any other format. It works without having to open the file and has a batch function so that whole folders can be processed. When I had some work published I was able to make use of this function to create a range of graphic options for the printer, who, while he had a Mac based firm, required the graphics ready in his formats depending on the style of document being created. GraphicConverter made that simply and easily available. Subsequently I have been able to send picture formats to friends who run a variety of systems and graphics programs. At the present time it recognises over 160 formats and can convert them to 71 saveable formats including Photoshop psd format.
Another natty feature which I have made good use of, especially with the iMac and eMac, has been the creation of slideshows with a selection of transition effects and adjustable timing for all aspects of the show. It has the facility to include animated gifs and to play QuickTime movies with sound.
From time to time I experiment with the tryouts from the commercial software makers like Photoshop and Freehand and find that for my needs they have far too many functions which become overwhelming. At the other end of the scale are the PhotoDeluxes and AppleWorks type applications which do a good basic job but don't quite get there. From my experience GraphicConverter fills the gap.
Installation? After downloading from the site or getting it off any one of a number of Mac mags CD's, unstuff and drag the folder into your Applications folder and you are ready to go. Plug-ins or their aliases are placed in the plug-in folder. There is a startup screen which goes away after payment and the receipt of a code number. It has been so long now I can't remember what if any functions are disabled if you don't pay. I think I was so impressed at the range of functions he gave that I saw the value of this piece of shareware.
Note from Phil - The GraphicConverter site also provides access to older versions, such as 'Classic PPC version (4.4) for Mac OS 7.5.3 up to Mac OS 7.6.1' and even a GraphicConverter 68K version (4.1)
Alistair McBride is an Apple using minister in Hamilton. One of his missions in life is to bring churches in touch with the creativity that only Apple can offer in the presentation of visual, audio and multimedia experience. The original LCIII (10 years old) is still in operation supporting SkiFM in Ohakune to do their office work. The current system is a brand new eMac, 700 Mhz and 384 Mb RAM.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
