TWAIN compliant graphics editor?, Part 2

Recall --

A few weeks back, Infopackets Reader Brad B. asked if it was possible to transfer his digital camera photo software from his work computer to his home PC:

" Dear Dennis,

Many years ago, I bought a digital camera that came with the software program called 'Camedia'. Unfortunately my computer crashed last year and (worse yet) I can't find the CD to reinstall it on my PC! Before I lost the disc, I managed to install Camedia on the computer at work, and thankfully, it's still working fine. I have tried copying the Camedia files from the work computer to my home computer, but it won't run. Is there some sort of program I can use to transport Camedia onto my home computer without having to use the installation CD? "

In my original response, I stated that copying a program (file by file) from one PC to the next wouldn't work -- simply because there are dependencies (.DLLs and registry values) that would prove difficult (if not impossible) to extract and may not be compatible with the other PC.

As a workaround, I suggested that Brad use a TWAIN compliant graphics editor in place of Camedia, since most digital cameras today use the TWAIN interface.

Side note: " Though the real story [which defines the acronym 'TWAIN'] may never be known, the purpose of TWAIN is quite clear: it is a graphics and imaging standard that allows companies to make drivers for scanners and digital cameras. Nearly all scanners on the market today are TWAIN compliant, meaning the way they interact with your computer is based on the TWAIN standard. " (Source: Sharpened.net)

Gareth A. from the UK had an alternative suggestion:

" The solution to having 'lost' the program which communicated with the digital camera, may not involve TWAIN after all. Older digital cameras use the serial port to communicate with the PC, this is very slow, particularly when one of the larger memory cards has been installed.

The solution is to buy a card reader which plugs into the USB port of the PC: remove the memory device from the camera, and then insert it into the reader. These readers are now very reasonably priced and often allow use of several varieties of memory. Windows XP instantly recognizes the reader without installing any drivers, creating another lettered drive. (earlier versions of Windows end up there after you have run the installation CD). "

Nicholas W. (with many other Readers) pointed out that older versions of Camedia may still be obtained from the Olympus web site:

" Camedia is a Olympus product and is for use with their camera's. Depending on the geographical location of the user, he can log onto the Olympus site and download a new copy of this software free of charge. Geographical location is important as it will direct you to the correct site and offer the correct model range to select your camera from (model range differs from USA to Europe and Japan). "

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_downloads.as

http://www.olympus.co.jp/

And, Ronald O. from the 'Diablo Valley PC Users Group' writes:

" Dennis, [the latest version of Camedia (4) can be purchased from the Olympus web site] at $19.95 plus shipping, handling, and sales tax. There's also a Pro version that's $39.95 ... [By the way, I've used a program called Aloha Bob's PC Relocator to port a program from one PC to the next] ... I've used it as have members of our users group, and we've all found it to work very well [$29.95 / home version]. "

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/camediamaster4_buy.as

http://www.alohabob.com

Freeware TWAIN graphics editor suggestions

Quite a number of Readers sent in their suggestions for TWAIN-compliant editors.

Infopackets Reader Ernie7643 from the Philippines writes:

" Good day, in response to my fellow Infopackets Reader Brad B. (Re: TWAIN compliant graphics editor), I'd tried to search the net and found this freeware program on webattack called PhotoPlus. From the web site, it states: ' PhotoPlus 5.5 has the features you'll need... from importing or creating pictures and animations, through manipulating colors and effects all the way to final export. Built in support for TWAIN scanners and cameras makes it easy to bring in your own photos, while comprehensive import filters let you open just about any standard bitmap image. '

Note: The software requires free registration. "

http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/serif/ph/ph5/index.asp

Side note: This software looks very impressive.

Die-hard Infopackets Reader 'Pippie' provided a few suggestions:

" IrfanView (also recommended by many Readers): Freeware image viewer and editor that supports all major graphic formats. In addition, it features drag-and-drop support, directory viewing, TWAIN support, slide shows, batch conversion and modifications such as color depth, crop, blur and sharpen.

ImageForge: This program gives you a set of powerful painting tools. Create and edit images, acquire pictures from your scanner, digital camera or other Twain-compliant device, apply special effect filters, produce your own photo albums and simple slide shows, and much more. Upgrade your ability to edit images with this free paint program.

Painter 23: A paint program with many features. Includes filters, gif and jpeg optimizer, gradient text, bitmap fonts, trace, emboss, mirror, flip, crop, TWAIN scanner support, screen capture, airbrush, morphing, and many more features and options. "

http://www.irfanview.com

http://zeroplus2.tripod.com/graphed.html

http://www.jansfreeware.com

Dietmar S. writes:

" I have been using Formati 11 ever since its release from Jans Freeware, and always was happy with the results. From their web site: ' Formati 11 (19-October-2002 size:701kb): Formati 11 is a (batch) graphics file converter ... Features: 34 effects including buttonize and seamless; Shape and Text tool; Twain scan; GIF and JPG optimizer ... Icon Manager, create and edit (multi-image) icons and icon libraries ' "

http://jansfreeware.com/jfgraphics.htm

Donald T. suggested a program called XnView:

" I recently downloaded a very good piece of software, called XnView which allows you to perform simple editing, such as rotate, crop, copy, move or delete images. It also allows adding some simple effects. Most important to me is that the viewing of thumbnails of all images in a folder, rename them individually or in batches, and generate quick contact sheets. "

http://www.xnview.com

And, Todd H. recommended a popular Unix program (now for Windows), called 'The Gimp':

" You asked about freeware TWAIN compliant graphics editors. I've used The Gimp for Windows on a Windows XP machine quite successfully. It's of course, a port of the popular Linux application. "

http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/stable.html

Thanks to all who wrote in!