Compiled MUST-HAVE applications list - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

lisahoo · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005

I've compiled my list of "must-have" tools for digital scrapbookers & added a few from other posts. (Thanks, Pesto & Haley!)
I didn't include any of the Graphics Editors (PhotoShop and the like) or filters & plug-ins. They should probably be discussed in the appropriate board here.
Also, I listed the free programs/tools first -- most of the paid ones have a trial available -- check the publisher's site for details.
If you have an application/tool that you'd like to suggest, please post to this thread with the following info: Program Type, Name, Price, Download/purchase site (the publisher/author's site preferred) and Description.
Later on, this thread can be the basis for a really comprehensive resource list or tutorial.

Hope this helps y'all out!

BROWSERS & ADD-ONS
Firefox
FREE
http://www.mozilla.com/
Awesome web browser

Flash Got
FREE
http://addons.mozilla.org/
“Grabs” links from Firefox & passes them to an external download manager

FlashGet
FREE
http://www.amazesoft.com/
external download manager

Free Download Manager
FREE
http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/
external download manager

FILE COMPRESSION UTILITIES

ZIP Reader by PKWARE
FREE
http://www.pkware.com/home_and_small_office/downloads
File Compression Utility – the FREE version of PKUnzip

WinRar
$29
http://www.rarlab.com
File Compression Utility, handles .ZIP and .RAR file formats

Winzip
$30
http://www.winzip.com
File Compression Utility – a 45 day trial version is available

FILE NAMING UTILITIES
ReNamer
FREE
http://www.redbrick.dcu.ie/~den4b/Projects/
file renaming tool

Downloader Pro
$30
http://www.breezesys.com/
camera to PC auto rename, download, etc

FILE UTILITIES -- OTHER

Double Killer
FREE
http://www.bigbangenterprises.de/en/doublekiller/
finds duplicate files, even with different names

FONT TOOLS

AKFontViewer
FREE
http://www.aksoft.net/progs/akfontviewer/
Font Browser & print utility

The Font Thing
FREE
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~scef/tft.html
Browse fonts, Load (and unload) any number of fonts for temporary use

COLOR UTILITIES

ColorMania
FREE
http://www.blacksunsoftware.com/
Color selection utility

PHOTO MANAGERS

Hello
FREE
http://www.hello.com
Google's instant messenger with photos -- can also integrate with Picasa & Blogger

Irfanview
FREE
http://www.irfanview.com
for quick photo viewing/batch renaming and batch rotating - lossless

Picasa
FREE
http://www.picasa.com
Image browser, organizer, light edits, too.

ACDSee FotoSlate
$50
http://www.acdsystems.com
for printing layouts and photos in layouts how you want them

Qimage
$35/$50
http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage
Batch printing and processing

Thumbsplus
$50/$90
http://www.cerious.com
Image database, thumbnail viewer

JavaMama · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005

Great list - you have many of my favs. I have one to suggest -

Program Type: Photo Manager
Name: FxFoto
Price: FREE
Download/purchase site: https://www.fxfoto.com/sddownload.htm
Description: Imports, organizes and edits photos. Has the usual edit tools like red-eye and crop plus blemish removal and clone brush all for FREE.

This is a good organizing and editing program for beginners. They do have paid versions which have lots of filter effects and let you do digital scrapbooking too

Happy scrapping!

Tracey R (Haley64) · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005

Great list Lisa but the descriptions on Hello and Picasa are flipped..hehehe
I will hopefully have something to add to this list shortly...I like filters and such so I will try get a list together for those that run for many programs!

jacquel · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005

I just d/led and used Doublekiller... wow! I really cleaned things up!

Thanks for the tip. :-D

lisahoo · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005

Doesn't double-killer ROCK? Great for when you rename files (like when designers don't put their NAMES in the filename!!), but DoubleKiller still recognizes them as being the same file!!

And I fixed those descriptions of Hello & Picasa! (D'oh!!!)
Thanks Haley!

And a running list of filters, brushes & other plug-ins (and the apps they work with) is a great idea! Since I am using PSE, a lot of those tools don't work for me, so I don't know much about most of them, so lead on!

shelleyrae · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2005

Program Type: DOWNLOAD MANAGER
Name: Download Accelerator Plus
Price: Free and payfor versions
Download/purchase site: http://www.speedbit.com/
Description: Preview, accelerate teh download of and extract zip files

Program Type: FILE COMPRESSION UTILITIES
Name: Extract Now
Price: Free
Download/purchase site: http://www.extractnow.com/
Description: Extract multiple files quickly using drag and drop

Program Type: UTILITIES
Name: ScreenHunter
Price: Free
Download/purchase site: http://www.wisdom-soft.com/products/...unter_free.htm
Description: Free Screenshot capture tool lets you choose selective screen areas

Program Type: UTILITIES
Name: PDF995
Price: Free and commercial versions ($19.95)
Download/purchase site: http://www.pdf995.com/
Description: View and create pdf documents

717sherry · #7 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005

This is great- I hit the motherload with this thread. I didn't know all that stuff was out there to use. I've been making things difficult on myself. I'll be downloading forever. Thanks everyone!

LauraKK · #8 (**permalink**) 12-15-2005

I use these two constantly:

Program Type: PS Tools
Name: Grants Tools
Price: FREE
Download/purchase site: http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Cha...ols/Files.html
Description: align layers, add guides, mask layers, channels

Program Type: Photo filters
Name: Virtual Photographer
Price: FREE
Download/purchase site: http://www.optikvervelabs.com/
Description: apply any number of photo filters including black and white, sepia, newsprint, radiant, etc.

Thanks for starting this thread!
Laura