Is there software that will automatically pad JPGs of odd dimensions so I can print to 4x6 format without losing image area?

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

So I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on how I can run a few
hundred pics through a software that only pads the pic with blank
areas to achieve an aspect ratio of 2:3.

Wally

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

So I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on how I can run a few
hundred pics through a software that only pads the pic with blank
areas to achieve an aspect ratio of 2:3.

Wally
--

Regards,

Eric Stevens

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

Wally

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:53:34 -0700, Wally wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

Wally

Yes please, how!. I've been using Paint Shop Pro for years. I'm currently using
PSP X, version 10. I often run into the same problem the OP is asking about. How
can you force PSP to create a 4x6 or maybe 5x7 size print? Thanks in advance.

On 2012-11-27 12:42:07 -0800, said:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:53:34 -0700, Wally wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

Wally

Yes please, how!. I've been using Paint Shop Pro for years. I'm currently using
PSP X, version 10. I often run into the same problem the OP is asking
about. How
can you force PSP to create a 4x6 or maybe 5x7 size print? Thanks in advance.

I don't see it happening without a downsize and a crop, unless the
native aspect ratio is obtainable out of the camera. All that would be
needed then, is a batch resize. Then you are also making the assumption
that every one of those shots has the composition you desire, and
doesn't need a custom crop.

The problem that exists is the random nature of arbitrary crops not
meeting the shooter's vision of his/her prints.

Just setting up PSP, LR4, or any other editing software to batch crop
and resize 100's of images, removes the editing power of the crop from
the shooter, much as any print lab would. If that is what you are
prepared to sacrifice then go ahead.

I believe you could selectively apply a batch crop to a large
percentage of images in a 100 shot batch without seriously damaging
composition intent. However, you will certainly have to review the
entire shoot to select those for batch cropping and those for custom
cropping. There is no free ride if you want to retain some control of
your work.

The OP has some work to do.

The magic wand is a nice idea, but it doesn't exist.

--
Regards,

Savageduck

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:53:48 -0800, Savageduck
wrote:

On 2012-11-27 12:42:07 -0800, said:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:53:34 -0700, Wally wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

Wally

Yes please, how!. I've been using Paint Shop Pro for years. I'm currently using
PSP X, version 10. I often run into the same problem the OP is asking
about. How
can you force PSP to create a 4x6 or maybe 5x7 size print? Thanks in advance.

I don't see it happening without a downsize and a crop, unless the
native aspect ratio is obtainable out of the camera. All that would be
needed then, is a batch resize. Then you are also making the assumption
that every one of those shots has the composition you desire, and
doesn't need a custom crop.

All the shots have been edited and are as desired, for viewing on
screen -- but are mostly not 2:3, therefore not suitable for printing
to 4x6".

The problem that exists is the random nature of arbitrary crops not
meeting the shooter's vision of his/her prints.

Just setting up PSP, LR4, or any other editing software to batch crop
and resize 100's of images, removes the editing power of the crop from
the shooter, much as any print lab would. If that is what you are
prepared to sacrifice then go ahead.

No, I don't want to crop at all. Instead of cropping, I want to fill
or pad to get the images to 2:3.

This is harder than I thought.

Maybe I could use Irfanview to batch upsize them all so the short
sides are all of consistent size, say 2000 pixels... then fix the
canvas size so the other side is 3000 pixels. Might have to run that
twice since vertical and horizontal shots might be treated
differently.

W.

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:53:34 -0700, Wally wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

You specify the paper size and set the print options to "Fit to Page".
If you don't want to print to paper immediately you can set 'Print to
File' but you must have the appropriate print driver for the printer
you intend to use.
--

Regards,

Eric Stevens

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:53:34 -0700, Wally wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

Here is a scan of a 6" x 4" test print I happened to have lying
around. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31088803/Image1.jpg I presume that
this is the sort of thing you want. The length of the panoramic image
has been fitted to the paper and the top and bottom has been padded
with white space.

If the image was taller than it was wide then the top and bottom of
the image would be fitted to the paper and it would be the sides that
were padded.
--

Regards,

Eric Stevens

On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:24:40 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:53:34 -0700, Wally wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

Here is a scan of a 6" x 4" test print I happened to have lying
around. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31088803/Image1.jpg I presume that
this is the sort of thing you want. The length of the panoramic image
has been fitted to the paper and the top and bottom has been padded
with white space.

If the image was taller than it was wide then the top and bottom of
the image would be fitted to the paper and it would be the sides that
were padded.

OK, it looks good. Will have to give it a try. But I gotta admit that
JS PhotoPrep sounds exactly right and real simple too.

W.

"Wally" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:24:40 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:53:34 -0700, Wally wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:35:55 +1300, Eric Stevens
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:27:40 -0700, Wally wrote:

I have a couple hundred JPG files of different aspect ratios. Hardly
any two are alike in dimension. Mostly they are approx 4:5, but that
is rough. They were just cropped over the years for best display on
the screen.

Now I want to make prints of them, and the prints need to be 4x6 inch
because that is the standard and cheapest, and will fit into the most
common albums.

The places that print JPGs allow me to crop the pics to fit 4x6, but
in most cases that will crop picture area that I don't want to lose.
Instead I would like the whole file printed, leaving white margins (or
some other color) on either side. But those places won't allow me to
do that.

I can go into software and edit the pic to do this, leaving nice gray
margins on either side. But it's not practical to do a couple hundred
like this.

Irfanview supports batch jobs, and allows setting the canvas size to a
desired size in pixels. But that won't work for me, because the
original files don't have consistent dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro seems to be similar - I can set the required dimensions
in pixels or in length units, but that won't work if the origs have
many different sizes.

Paint Shop Pro will do what you want and let you print to either a
printer or a file.

How?

Here is a scan of a 6" x 4" test print I happened to have lying
around. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31088803/Image1.jpg I presume that
this is the sort of thing you want. The length of the panoramic image
has been fitted to the paper and the top and bottom has been padded
with white space.

If the image was taller than it was wide then the top and bottom of
the image would be fitted to the paper and it would be the sides that
were padded.

OK, it looks good. Will have to give it a try. But I gotta admit that
JS PhotoPrep sounds exactly right and real simple too.

I agree, and at $15 US it's a lot cheaper than PR Genuine Fractals. I
thought it seems what you are looking for.