15-Minute Reviews :: DropBox Image Processor v1.00

Hello all and welcome to another 15-Minute Review! Today’s application is DropBox Image Processor version 1.00 by Nufsoft – A photo manipulator which allows for drag-and-drop functionality from the desktop.

Software Description

As Giveaway of the Day states:

“Save your valuable time with DropBox Image Processor where you can easily edit your photos by dragging your photos from File Explorer or Image Browser and dropping it into DropBox.

DropBox Image Processor performs various image editing processes such as rotate; flip; resize; adjust color; adding watermark, text, frame, or shadow; red-eye fixer; etc. You can also combine multiple processes to achieve more complex process, and the good thing is you only need to drag-and-drop !”

Quick Pros

• Concept of drop box handy idea
• Lots of functions
• Ability to build your own multi-step batches with functions
• Skins for different look (But not that different)

Quick Cons

• Interface looks great but could use some work
• Should be able to set the 8 presets’s destination rather than original
• Watermarking could use auto-sizing of text and image

Expansion

This application offers a unique twist on the common batch image manipulator formula. Instead of a full-blown window with previewing and all the bells and whistles, this application keeps the idea of keeping batching simple by offering up a drag-and-drop box with an array of small icons and other presets that you can manipulate; The box can be hidden on the edge of the screen, only to pop up when mouse movement comes close to the edge of the box off-screen. It is an interesting concept, especially for those who may handle images frequently and want some quick manipulations before uploading or printing proof sheets, etc.

Besides the 8 presets (3 rotation, 2 flips, auto-level, auto-contrast and red eye removal), there are also space below to include your own presets that you can build yourself. By default, the application comes set up with a resize preset; Brightness and contrast preset; RGB adjustment preset as well as a HSL adjustment preset, all of which can have their values altered right in the main window. There are also two presets below that which give you the ability to add a ‘picture frame’ to your images, as well as retro colors. All of these can be manipulated or removed outright; A good place to launch your configuration of the tools.

For your own presets (or if you use the ‘Custom Processing’ button) there is a long list of functions which you can apply each by themselves or as a full batch. Rotate and flip; Brightness and contrast (Including auto level and auto contrast or defined settings); RGB, HSL and gamma; Text and image watermarking (including 9 preset positions, opacity settings and shadowing); Image resizing including an army of resizing filters (Something I’ve not seen in other applications recently); Canvas resizing (Useful for adding a border on an image); Relative and fixed cropping; Drop-shadows; As well as a set of filters and effects as well. All of these can be used to build your own batch processes; The ideas are limitless here.

While the application is great, the interface and overall experience could be expanded further. The hints for each button I feel should still pop-up even when the application doesn’t have focus; For example, during only the mouse-down state so that when you’re dragging in images, you can quickly help new people to the application identify the icons. While I memorized these buttons quickly, if this was used in a photo studio similar by a few people, it may not be as clear as one may hope. As well, another idea popped in my head; Why not set up the window so that it can be set so that it only shows when the System Tray icon is used, or when the mouse moves over in a mouse-down drag state? This would mostly eliminate the chance of accidental activation and frustration. As well, there should be a clear progress bar on the window; An idea I had was a progress bar that went vertically along the left (or right) side of the window with some color to it. As well, I would also make sure the dropbox window would not ‘hide’ until the process is done, another visual cue of it processing, or only hide to the vertical progress bar only.

A few other things I must note; First of all, the 8 presets at the top of the window should be able to give the option to choose a destination if you choose not to overwrite the original images. Default the ‘Save’ window to the folder that the images are in, but allow a choice if they click not to overwrite; Many of times I would like my image manipulation changes to be temporary, and these buttons at the top would likely either be unused by myself or end up having to make copies of folders in the first place.

Watermarking, as I usually ask for as a feature, is that there is options offered for auto-sizing the text and images as a percentage of the image. I do handle different sized images often, and I would much rather see my text and image scale to the image size, rather than having to resize the image itself or choose a different font size each time, as is the case with this application.

Final Verdict

While the interface could be built on, I like the concept of the drop box, especially if you handle images a lot (And I do). The interface does need some reworking in my opinion, and this application could benefit from a video tutorial as well. While free, this is a great item to pick up, especially if you’re looking for an alternative to the common crop/resize/retouch tools. As for paying $19.95 for this title, I feel that it is worth the price for what you are offered here; Even moreso if they did improve the interface even further. This application is geared towards people who do a lot of image processing and want a quick and easy way to do basic functions without having to break Photoshop, GIMP or a clumsy tool out each time. For a version 1.00 title, it isn’t a bad start; I’d love to keep an eye on this title.

Posted by BladedThoth on Tuesday, September 04, 2007