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Paul:  linky no worky!

ugh

Download here research.microsoft.com/.../Details.aspx

This is a Microsoft Research project

The home page for it is at research.microsoft.com/autocollage

@"lotsamystuff" - Care to expand on that thought? What a re you "ughing"?

My though is, why not roll this simple task into one of the Photo Managment suites that MS sells...like Windows Photo Gallery or Windows Live Photo Gallery.

--tayme

"My though is, why not roll this simple task into one of the Photo Managment suites that MS sells...like Windows Photo Gallery or Windows Live Photo Gallery."

Part of the Photosynth technology (image detection routines, rotating images based on POV, etc.) made it's way into the panoramic photo stitching option in WL Photo Gallery, so that's not entirely out of the question.

I would say  "ugh" because things like this create images with no heart or soul and/or are just plain tacky.

Fun...I was skeptical, but I tired it and it was so easy and so much fun that I was impressed.

@scoobyclub: Exactly. This kind of automated crap just empowers people to make more junk, rather than give thought to what makes images and design so powerful.

To be fair, it's the same "ugh" I give to this kind of garbage that got shoved into the latest version of iMovie as well. I go back far enough that I remember how CorelDraw "empowered" bad designers to create absolute sh** that we're still recovering from.

You're right, "scooby". It has no soul. I watched the demo, and the resulting "collage" looks like bad elementary school Photoshop "design".

Microsoft Research does some amazing things, but this isn't one of them.

Waiting for derisive comebacks (I'm guessing mikegalos or Wae will be first) in 3, 2, 1...

Actually, lotsa

As a former fine art photographer I like seeing the whole image as intended and don't like collages or "Ken Burns" effect video work.

The technology, though, is amazingly good with it picking out key layout designs and making sure faces are visible and picking a key main photo. Really cool stuff for people who DO like collages.

As for it having a soul, it's a freakin' piece of software. If you find one that DOES have a soul, speak to a theologian (or possibly a good therapist)

God Mike you really are unbearable and speak like a true blinkered technologist. Try reading a post instead of thinking how can I spin this to give MS credit. I clearly refer to the pictures and talk about "soul" not "a soul".

Music can have soul, cars can have soul, art can have soul etc... and I clearly state that I am talking about the pictures it creates not the software. People who truly like collages would hate this as it takes the creativity out of creation.

Read, understand then comment  instead of just commenting FFS

Scooby

Lindy was the one saying the software "has no soul" and since I addressed the message to Lindy, why did you think it was about you?

I trust you'd have the same to say about all autogeneration software and would say the same if it were called iCollage since you, at least, looked at the demo (if not the actual software) before whining about it not fitting your taste.

Something seriously weird going on here cause

A) I can't see any posting by Lindy on this thread.

B) I appear to be first to use the word "soul" in this thread.

C) It's hard to know where you draw the line between whining and criticising.

Whatever...

Software with soul. :-)

Haven't heard that one. I understand music and art having soul, but software? I don't know about cars either.

@scoobyclub,

How is it for you to judge whether a series of images or a collage has or lacks soul when the images presented were examples? To you, a third person that has no clue what the images mean or represents, it would come off lacking any true meaning. Its like being presented a map with no legend, few topographical details or any kind bearing.

On the otherhand, to the person that has an invested memories, persons, places, or event attached to a collection of photographs, a simple collage may have tons of meaning which you might never understand. Its to easy to look at something and dismiss it. Perhaps with the right storyteller to give the images some meaning which creates the emotional depth. Its very easy to look at something and dismiss it. Its like looking at photographs from an era passed and it lacking any social or cultural relavence to 2008.

I think this is a great tool for personal use to create things for family. Perhaps a really good professional that can stitch these images better. However, without understanding what these pictures mean, I really don't think its for me to say that it lacks soul or not. I wasn't there. IMO.

@scooby:

OK. I think you mean the output of the software has no soul. At least, that's my understanding from reading subzero's post. I guess it's all relative. Some people think hip hop and R&B  have soul. I don't.

OK. I must admit I'm being a little hypocritical by  posting this, but I thought this was relevant considering that Paul usually does not write about Windows Live stuff. (I wonder why.)

Windows Movie Maker is finally being moved out of Windows to join Windows Live Photo Gallery and other Live applications:

www.liveside.net/.../movie-maker-to-join-windows-live-family-with-wave-3.aspx

"How is it for you to judge whether a series of images or a collage has or lacks soul when the images presented were examples?"

I think he was referring to how tacky it looks when you slap a bunch of pics together, fade the edges and call it a collage. And he was right.

"I think...referring to how tacky it looks when you slap a bunch of pics together, fade the edges and call it a collage."

Absolutely, "mum". Thanks for putting it together better than I did.

Do any of you have kids that made a collage for you in grade school? Or, did any of you make a collage for your parents when you were younger. Did you or they call it "tacky"? Or have any of you ever tried to put together an anniversary party, graduation party, even a 4th of July party invitation, and want to include multiple pictures showing some past events? I don't think that MS is after the professional photographer here...just the average, everyday user...who may have several needs for making a collage. Hopefully it ends up as a feature of one the the photo management packages that MS already has.

--tayme

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