Need help, mass thumbnail image processing

[cstreit]

Hey gang, could use some help on this.

I've got about 1000 thumbnail images that vary in size from 50-125 pixels. they are not uniform. (ie some are 50x75, others 100x102, etc...)

I would like to transform them all to a consistent size and add a basic border around them. That will mean making some larger, others smaller, and centering/filling the images then adding the border. (ex. I want them all to be 100x100. An image that is 75x90 will need to be centered, the resulting canvas filled with white, then the border added on top.)

Can anyone tell me what software I need to batch process this? I've downloaded 20+ images processors and none can do everything.

Thanks,

Chris

[gassy]

Do you have Photoshop? If you do, you can assign an "action" and I think you'd be set.

[stomachmonkey]

Photoshop and record an action to run as a batch.

You do have a decision to make.

Since the aspect ratios are different you need to decide if you want to be consistent on height or width then let the other fall where it may.

Or you can go a bit farther and separate by portrait or landscape to maximize the image area.

Here are two from my site where the canvas is a consistent size but the portraits fill the height and the landscapes fill the width

http://southpeakgames.com/source/sites/default/files/lbox/pc/Bx_Igor_PC.png

http://southpeakgames.com/source/sites/default/files/lbox/ds/Bx_Igor_DS.png

The canvas is 123x164 so the portrait has transparent pixels l/r while the landscape has transparency top/bottom.

Building the action is nothing more than;

Create a new one

Start recording

Go through the steps

Save the action

Run it as a batch on a folder

[cstreit]

I don't have photoshop. I was told that Gimp could do it but I can't figure the damn software out well enough. Looking for something open-source or free, I don't want to buy $ software for this experiment.

[slodave]

You can try and get this 3rd party app for Gimp. I used Gimp under Linux and the batch processing is more command line.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~hodsond/dbp.html
There are a couple of links under "Where do I get it?" for the Win32 versions.
Not my SW, we just share the same first name.

[cstreit]

Thanks! Can someone walk me through how they'd recommend actually manipulating the images? The only program I've worked with is Fireworks for basic image resizing and editing.

[stomachmonkey]

Do you still have access to Fireworks?

http://www.communitymx.com/content/article.cfm?cid=5F655

[stomachmonkey]

Question, is this for the web?

[slodave]

I think it's porn related

[cstreit]

Slo - Gotta organize the collection by subjectmatter.

StomachMonkey, yes. In fact like your icons posted, these are "category" images for an ecommerce site. My issue is that they all have solid white backgrounds. It's fine if my customers choose a white background template, but if they like the dark one, the inconsistent image sizes and lack of border make it look very messy.

I'll check out that latest link, thanks!!

[stomachmonkey]

You should be able to give them a .png or .gif for their sites. Will allow for a transparent background so it does not matter what their color scheme is.

Both examples I sent you have transparency on either the sides or the top/bottom.

[cstreit]

SM - Well the images were provided by a vendor... I actually want a white background on them with a simple rounded rectagle border. This way they will work on both dark and light templates. I'm not a big fan of transparent bakground for light images on dark background, too many little pixel artifacts that make them look messy. I found a good tutorial on batch and have been able to get 99% of the way there. A few more hours of work and I should have it!

Nice site BTW, I need to hire a template designer later...

Thanks again.

[stomachmonkey]

If you need guys I let mine freelance.

The art director I had on this site is also a car freak that is designing an aftermarket product that has potential and my programmer is 1st rate, also a car guy.

PM me and I'll put you in touch with them.

[cstreit]

PM sent, thanks!

[911Rob]

Google "IrFanView" and pick up the free software.
you can also do a search of it here and find where some good fellow recommended this to me about a year ago; I think it was Hugh? not sure?

Anyway, its great and simple; made my life so much easier managing my 20,000+ photo collection.

Cheers,

[slodave]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

Anyway, its great and simple; made my life so much easier managing my 20,000+ photo collection.

Cheers,

Porn?

[911Rob]

Ha, ha. No not porn Dave, just thousands of pics of houses and more houses.

[widebody911]

Shell script and ImageMagick