Tech: Editting photos using Picasa

Subject: RE: Tech: Editting photos using Picasa
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 10:21 PM

A couple of minor questions, since we've flushed out a couple of people who seem to actually know something about Picasa:

If you revert back to the unedited version by using "undo save" does this mean that the edited version is lost?

Is it possible to save both versions?

(Just for the sake of curiosity.)

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Editting photos using Picasa
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 08:29 PM

When you've done any alterations to the pics in your folder, click on "back to library," and then, as Bernard says, click on the little floppy symbol ("save changes to disk"), fifth one in from the left at the top of your album. Picasa will then save your altered pics. If you decide you don't like the changes, you can undo them even after you've "saved changes to disk."

Subject: RE: Tech: Editting photos using Picasa
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 07:55 PM

When cropping in a "decent" photo editing program, the parts that are cropped off are discarded, and a new file is saved. The parts removed won't come back (even if you want them to).

In some programs it appears that when you "crop" an image, the removed parts are only "masked" so that they don't show in that program. If you subsequently move the image to a new program the "mask" may or may not go with it. Since I know virtually nothing about Picasso, I can't speculate whether it might have an unusual behavior of this kind.

The most common cause for images "reverting back" to a prior condition though is probably "mis-saving." This is a very common problem with programs that "automatically catalog and index" everything you do, where the default location for saves is some bizarre place you'd never think of looking for them, rather than back to the folder from which the image was opened. When you retrieve the image for another use, you go where you think you put it and get another image - or another version of the same image, while the one you think you're getting is where the program decided to put it because "it knows you're too stupid to do it right" so it has its own way with your stuff. (I have my own opinions about who's stupid in this kind of case, but the program designers continue to ignore me as the market is richer if they concentrate on selling to people who really are a little less than competent.)

Some websites where you post pictures also always save your original, but display a "reduced image" that's modified to fit their idea of appropriate size and resolution. If you edit the posted/displayed version on the site, it probably does not change the "original upload" and in some cases if you "save" the image back from the site you may get the last edited and displayed image, or you may get the original uploaded "full size" version. Some sites let you pick which you want, but even then knowing which one you've asked for can be "obscurely indicated."

With so many people making decisions for you, without telling what they're doing, it's difficult to avoid occasional frustrations, and shouldn't be an embarrassment to you; although cursing is still permitted while cursoring (depending on present company at the time, of course).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Editting photos using Picasa
From: Bernard
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 07:47 PM

At the top of each folder is a little 'floppy disk' symbol - if it's blue, click it to save your changes. The changes are 'non-destructive' - each original is kept in a hidden folder and can be restored if you click 'undo save'.

I use Picasa a lot, so give us a shout if you need some help.

Subject: RE: Tech: Editting photos using Picasa
From: maeve
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 07:34 PM

Mo, when I crop a photo using Picasa I have to click on the "Apply" button to retain the crop. It's possible you forgot to do that. However, since you made a copy before cropping the copy, perhaps you selected and sent the original by mistake?

Subject: RE: Tech: Editting photos using Picasa
From: bobad
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 07:19 PM

Did you save the cropped photo as a separate file or did you somehow email it directly from the cropping program? I am not familiar with Picasa but generally if you save any modified photo as a separate file then it is basically immutable.

Subject: Tech: Editting photos using Picasa
From: Mo the caller
Date: 11 Mar 12 - 07:01 PM

I tried to crop a photo, I made a copy, then used the crop to get rid of a bit I didn't want. And then emailed it as a jpeg.
But looking at my 'sent' file, the bit I cropped off has come back.
So how do I crop it so that it stays cropped?