Photo mosaic software programs
Photo Mosaics are pictures made up of many smaller images. The small tile images can be seen up close, but at a distance, you see an entirely different picture. To create a photo mosaic, you will need 100 or more digital photos, and some photo mosaic software to have the digital images arrange into photo mosaic tiles.
Now you can create your own photo mosaics -- also called photo montages -- and you don't need any special equipment, just some photo mosaic software, digital photos, and your imagination. Voila! you've got a totally custom work of art suitable for framing and hanging.
Features you'll want in the photo montage software
Photo mosaic software programs are based on similar principles. How the software recognizes and selects digital photo features is what differentiates the programs, and also the user controls within the software itself.
Most photo mosaic software programs will allow you to download a trial version to test. Things to consider are:
- Ease of use: can you find all the features you need, and is the menu laid out well. Does the program have a wizard to get you started with your first project?
- Color tone adjustment: of each image to match the color of the primary image.
- Ability to import digital images in .bmp or .jpg (jpeg) format.
- Export to .bmp or .jpg format for best flexibility on how to use the photo mosaic. You don't have to just print the photo mosaic, if you save it as a .bmp, you can create a computer desktop background, or screensaver image.
- Finished photo mosaic picture size: what is the largest picture size. If you just want to create postcards, then a smaller, less featured photo mosaic software program will probably suit you. However, if you are going to create 16x20" posters, make sure the photo mosaic software has the capability.
- File size of the finished photo mosaic image: each photo mosaic software program will render the final image in a different way, with a resultant difference in file size. Avoid any software programs that create files bigger than you can burn on a CD-ROM. Otherwise, how will you print the photo mosaic?
Here are a few photo mosaic software programs to look at:
- QuickStart Photo Montage Studio
- PhotoMosaic
- Serif MontagePlus
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