Hi Roxanne,

Depending on the version of Picture It! Publisher you have you could install Microsoft's Virtual PC 2007 on Vista (free from MS) and install and run it from within Virtual PC, or there's a patch ( but thats only for the 2002 versions of Picture It!)

Virtual PC is here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/virtualpc/default.mspx

OR

The patch is here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316861

Hope that helps.
Regards,
Damian.

Hi Roxanne. I think the thing you are looking for is the built in templates and stuff that Picture It had.

Trouble is I don't believe there is really a free 'clone' of that program available.

For many years I worked in the sign industry and when clients wanted desktop publishing stuff to go along with their signs, I always used Corel Draw/Photopaint for the same things you describe you would like to do.

I do the same things now with Inkscape & Gimp. I've also dabbled in Scribus as well, but always find myself back with Inkscape / Gimp. It really comes down to creating your own templates by laying out vertical & horizontal guides. There is a bit of learning to do with each program, but that's just a product of the huge versatility of them.

The best part about Inkscape & Gimp is that there are tutorials and detailed manuals for both programs and some great help in these 2 forums if you get stuck and need help.

http://www.inkscapeforum.com/ http://www.gimptalk.com/

These applications have come a long way in the last year or so, and the current versions are pretty close to the best commercial retail apps...Last year I purchased CorelDraw X3 for $300 and now I barely use it at all now. Unless I need cmyk colour separations which is rare for me.

Best of luck in your search.

The closest I can think of, other than the serif software (which is very nice)is Scribus.

Scribus is open source Desktop publishing software. It comes with many predefined page sizes, but only a few predefined templates- Newsletter, brochure, and presentation.

However, if you have the patience, you can make your own templates. Just go to File->Document Setup choose a document type (like A4 for example) and input the size you need, margin widths, etc. Then, click OK. After you have the size you want, just save the document as a template.

I run on XP, but according to their webpage, Scribus is compatible with vista. Just be sure to follow the install directions carefully. You have to install ghostscript first and then scribus. It will also take awhile to locate your fonts on the first run.

Here is the Wiki. It has links to video and other tutorials so you can see if this is what you are looking for before you download it:

http://wiki.scribus.net/index.php/Main_Page

Here is the download page for the windows version. Please be sure to read this whole page carefully, it tells you which ghostscript file you need to run to install Scribus:

http://www.scribus.net/?q=windows

I hope this helps you!

Rune.. glad to see I'm not the only one using Serif! I've got all their programs since they first came out. (Draw Plus, Photo Plus, Page Plus, etc.) And GOOD suggestion.. go back to XP.. there are so many things that don't work on Vista that it's a shame so many people were stuck getting it!

Sorry 'bout that. My bad. As one of many Vista resistas, I fear my bad habit of skimming turns a blind eye to the V-word, both when someone lists their specs and when I'm looking at system requirements.

HOWEVER, Serif is so good, before giving up, you might want to read their VISTA COMPATIBILITY page.

OTOH, you might want to seriously consider UPGRADING to WinXP. :-)

@RunesageMagi - Serif's suite sounds GREAT, however, it doesn't work on Vista. That's the problem with PIP.

I'll keep an eye out and see if they upgrade it for use with Vista.

Hopefully someone will have a suggestion that works with Vista.

Thanks,
Roxanne

That's a lot to ask of freeware. As someone who bemoaned the loss of Micrographx Draw (until someone here unearthed a workaround), and who now uses a conglomeration of low cost and free products (including Scribus and a package given away here several times already called Businesscards MX), I think you'll find Serif's suite fits your needs.
Their free (lite) versions will give you virtually everything you asked for, and the full versions are ridiculously low priced. Pay particular attention to Serif PagePlus and its free Design Packs.

What you are describing is desktop publishing sofware. I don't know anything about this item, but it may be useful to you. I found it on an opensource site that Freewarefan linked to in a post I noticed.

http://mashable.com/2007/09/23/open-source/
Look for scribus in the Graphic Design and Modeling tools section of the list.

Hope that helps.

I had Microsoft's Picture It! Publisher and LOVED it. Unfortunately, Vista came along and it's not compatible. I need a program where I can make brochures, business cards, flyers, greeting cards, banners, etc...

Photo editing software will not do. I need different outputs. Postcard, card, business card, flyer, banner, poster, etc...

I've looked at so many of the photo editing software listed here on the site, but they are just that. For manipulating PHOTOS, not creating the things I need to create.

Can anyone help with a free alternative to Microsoft's PIP? PLEASE don't tell me to go get the free trial of their "newest version". I don't want free trials. I've already paid for this software and refuse to spend hundreds of dollars when there must be free alternatives out there. It's the principle.

Thanks for any help anyone can give. I've been through the list of Graphics software listed here in the forums, so please don't link back to that. I'm wasting hours downloading and finding out that it's not anything I can use.

HELP!!!

Roxanne