Every day we offer FREE licensed software you’d have to buy otherwise.
Black&White projects 5 elements (Win&Mac) was available as a giveaway on March 5, 2019!
B&W projects 5 elements offers the unique new opportunity to transform digital color photos into grand masterpieces – all while utilizing intelligent tools with an efficient, crystal clear workflow. Many well recognized photographs are in Black & White and often it is the Black & White versions of a photo – that are remembered the most!
Minimum: Windows 10/ 8/ 7 (32 Bit), Prozessor Core Duo, 2 GB HDD, 1.280 x 1024 Pixels Screen Resolution, Graphic: DirectX-8-compatible, 128 MB, 32 bit colour depth; Mac OS X ab 10.7 (64 Bit), Prozessor Intel/G5, 2 GB HDD, 1.280 x 1024 Pixels Screen Resolution
224 MB
$29.95
10 attempts to download it says wrong Reg. code Then 12 hours later another attempt and it registers !! why is the GOTD application so difficult?
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Went thru the hoops and still wants serial #......UGH
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Over the years, I have achieved a b+w look to photos using just my garden-variety photo editing programs. I just played with the color scales until there was "no" color - just b+w. What am I missing here about the need for this product? Thanks for any info!
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I click on Setup_Win.exe.
I say Yes to "Do you want this program to make changes to your computer?"
Then ... absolutely nothing. I have repeated this several times. Same thing.
I'm running 64-bit Windows.
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Michael Largey,
Try installing this program in 'Safe Mode with Internet". It sounds like you have computer issues
namely something is blocking the executable from launching. Could be antivirus/malware/spyware program.
Anyhow, I was able to install this without a hitch. This is a great program and my third one from Franzis.
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Jumped thru an unusual number of hoops to install and validate and program still asks for a serial # . Not ready for prime time! Uninstalling. Life's too short.
BAH!
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If you want to see what is updated since version 4 then go to the homepage for this product.
Good to see plenty of choices then choosing a suitable Black&White format.
Also good to have the manual included with the download.
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I already had created an account with publisher when I picked up the previous version (ver 4) of this software. As such registration was no big deal and went smooth and fast. This version installed just fine on my Win 7 64 bit system..
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I put the ID and registration code into the appropriate boxes, clicked on register, the box disappeared and then - nothing. I've tried twice with the same non result. Oh, well, must have been too good to be true and life is too short.
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I don't know where the registration code is going, but it isn't arriving at my inbox. Tried for longer than the software is worth.
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B&W film had [has] different characteristics than color that can distinguish the right shots as more artistic. The way our brains work also comes into play -- a B&W version of an originally color photo can have quite a bit more drama. Much is lost if/when you simply open a photo in whatever image editing app & do a simple conversion to B&W, where extra data is just tossed out, & whatever you're left with, that's it. Importantly, Black & White Projects tries to use All the data from your color shots.
Black & White Projects works similarly to the B&W conversion tools in Photoshop / Lightroom and other, more capable editing software [including The GIMP], but its presets can make life [sometimes much] easier. You're controlling how different parts of the color spectrum get mapped to the shades of gray, and how much influence each of those parts has in the overall picture. As you might guess, without presets showing the basic results, that can involve a lot of trial & error.
Black&White projects 5 elements also lets you mimic the characteristic looks [e.g. grain] of several B&W films. What's missing from B&W Projects [including the top of the line B&W Projects 6 Pro] is the rest of an image editing app -- that means your work is limited by the characteristics of your original shot. If you were to do a similar B&W conversion in a full editing app, you could for example edit the curves to change the original beforehand -- while not everyone is going to go to that amount of work / bother, that can make a sometimes very big difference in the final result. While it won't be quite as interactive as using the editing app's conversion engine, using B&W Projects as a plug-in should still get you there.
It's nice that Franzis is [finally] coming out with newer versions of its giveaways -- I feared that we'd be forever seeing the same older versions. If you find yourself really liking any of the Franzis giveaways, it can take a while, but sooner or later Franzis will run a sale on the current pro version upgrade that takes away a lot of the pain moving to their current, most capable versions. I've never seen any Franzis software rated best-in-class by pros, but it's generally in the top 5. The most common complaint I've seen is that their software can be harder to use than their competition.
Their software is also easy to deal with practically speaking, not sending its roots deep into Windows like some competing software -- B&W Projects 5 Elements is something you should grab while it's on GOTD if you do any image editing at all, even if you're unsure whether you'll really use it, because there's really little reason not to. And FWIW, when I installed a new version of win10 on a new drive in this PC, I simply copied the Franzis folder, re-registering all the individual apps using the GOTD keys I'd gotten.
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.
[ mike ],
Thanks.
I like filtered grayscale from FREE Google Picasa -- like retaking a color photo with "black-and-white" film but through your choice of a color filter from a rainbow of choices, red and green are particularly revealing in their stark differences generated from color photo originals, and all other whole-picture adjustment can be made before and after, such as contrast, gama, saturation, highlights, midtones, shadows, sharpening, even film grain, and once happy, adjustments can be copied to other photos or groups of photos, and the originals NEVEr get touched.
Lookie here at this ONE picture through RED filter, GREEN filter, and in COLOR:
RED filter B&W: https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterblaise/3570467381/in/dateposted-public/
GREEN filter B&W: https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterblaise/3571276186/in/dateposted-public/
COLOR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterblaise/3570466867/in/dateposted-public/
Though, as you say, without color filters, FREE IrfanView can drop to grayscale, and allows significant pre-adjustment to "curves" before and after -- contrast, gamma, and saturation, including color replacement, effectively color filters, and can batch operate on single, multiple images, and multiple folders, also leaving the originals intact.
And neither "sending its roots deep into Windows", whatever that means.
FREE stuff is hard to beat.
Even Adobe Photoshop is FREE direct from Adobe ( older non-subscription versions, web search for them ).
Franzis software may be fun to play with once, but I've never felt compelled to open ANY Franzis program a second time, because ( a ) they are one-trick-ponies, and ( b ) their controls are unique unto themselves and awkward and obtuse.
I'd rather use all-purpose programs like FREE Google Picasa and FREE IrfanView that offer what Franzis offers, and more, all the time, with prototypically standard and easy-to-use user interfaces
And no registration and membership hoops to jump through..
.
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mike,
Didn't read all you said BUT I have a couple of programs that a simple click turns a Color pix into B&W or Grey scale VERY well..........
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totally can't figure out how to register this thing. I read the readme and followed directions, got an email... clicked the link, filled out the info, hit send, even logged into my created account... I think.. lol .. where's the registration code? worked on this for like 30 min this morning and again now for like 30 min. Call it user error. I'll just grayscale my photos instead of black and white them
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I found it best to open a new directory, and place the photos I want to convert into it. It takes the program ages to scan in a directory with lots of pictures, It also adds the B&W version (if you give it a different filename), and a "projects" file, as well as a directory for each photo converted with the photo's data. I don't know if it would overright the colour version if you don't save it under a different name
It does work wonders!
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Entered the registration code where it says serial no a dozen times and just get a message telling me its the wrong serial no. Am I wasting my time
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KH, uninstalled the software. went through the whole process again and the registration code worked.
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Solved ... I reloaded the program, and this time when it asked for "serial Number" I entered the long "registration code" and it was accepted.
You should use the same terminology everywhere, not two different terms for the same thing.
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Franzis software is world class.
The first time you download software from them, the registration process might seem a little convoluted, but it really isn´t.
1. Double click the setup file
2. You will get a popup screen asking for your license Nº. ALWAYS click on the "internet" button. This will open your browser and take you to the franzis website.
3. If it´s your first time downloading software from them you will have to register. This is a onetime process and from now on you can always use the same email and password to log into their website.
4. Once you are registered, they will send you your user ID and registration code for the software you just downloaded.
5. Copy / Paste that info into the very first screen you got from the setup file. The one with the internet button.
6. Follow the prompts to finish the set up.
7. Run the program, it will ask you for your registration code again. Paste it and you´re done.
I have a collection of franzis software which I have downloaded thanks to giveaway of the day:
Analog projects
black and white projects
Color projects
Cut out
Focus projects
HDR projects
If you are a photography enthusiast or even a professional, franzis software will always deliver world class results. They keep improving their software with each release. Not like other software companies which just slap a different number on the box just to sell more copies of the same stuff.
Enjoy!
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Christian, I agree that FRANZIS Book and Software Publishers operates a most professional business. To me,as a very old hand in the IT business, it appears that everything FRANZIS does (products, services, website, support) is first class.
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Christian, I followed your process through to #7, but even though I have a Franzis account and other software, and I asked for - and received - three copies of the registration code, I'm unable to get past the Serial Number trap. It keeps saying "Wrong serial number! Please enter the correct serial number."
If anyone's solved this riddle, please share your answer.
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convoluted registration
read prior comments, so decided to download anyways
read setup and decided to pass on the activation
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Managed the Product code copied and paste the personal user I/D copied and paste the Registration code which you have kindly sent me 8 times told that it is the wrong registration !!!!
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Hi I have made this comment before. I do not think it is just me but although the GOTD looks amazing I am totally confused on how to get it, copy this, paste that add an I/d put in the password go here go there. Look if the gift is really a gift then please why make it so difficult to get more so when others provide just give a password and the jobs done. Love the chance just finding it to difficult.
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Glyn,
Yeah, the 1st time I took advantage of a Franzis giveaway I wound up spending a bit of time with Google translate. But I saved the email address & password I used, and it's been much easier since. While I eventually got used to it, for quite a while I felt that whomever was behind the byzantine process should be hurt, physically, because to me it made/makes no sense. And it's only the giveaways -- if you buy Franzis software everything works as expected.
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Entered personal customer number, and registration code info, launched the program, now it asks for a serial number. Where might that be located?
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Rodney Blank,
Hi, it's a registration code, You have to paste it again (use it twice). Good Luck!
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Rodney Blank, Your registration code is your serial number. That is explained in the read me text.
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That's what I figured, but when I copy and paste the code ist says:
Wrong Serial Number!
Please enter the correct serial number !
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this is a great program! Thank you Franzis and GAOTD for sharing!❤❤❤
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Thanks for this giveaway.
Is there any advantage over photoshop's abilities?
Also, what is the diff between Elements and Regular version?
Thanks
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AR, comparison:
https://www.projects-software.com/compare/3/22,21/black--white-projects-4-elements-vs-black--white-projects-4
Although 4 is somewhat old and the later ones have quite a number of advantages.
It's a long way ahead of what you can do in Photoshop without a ton of work, and even then IMHO better.
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Oh and it's a v4 comparison as they don't have Elements 5 in their comparison options at present...
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AR,
Black & White Projects gives you presets so you can find the look you want, or close to it, then tweak settings. In Lightroom or P/Shop camera raw you have to experiment, though Lightroom does include a relative few B&W presets along with many more for color. The advantage of using Photoshop / Lightroom, or any more capable image editing software, is that you can adjust the original color photo, which can greatly effect any B&W conversion.
"what is the diff between Elements and Regular version?"
projects-software[.]com/compare/3/22,21/black--white-projects-4-elements-vs-black--white-projects-4
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I have a train to catch, but I do think the Pro version of B+W Projects 6 is the best B+W converter out there. I think Franzis have two stand-out tools, meaning I can't see better elsewhere - B+W and Sharpen, and some other really handy ones (e.g. HDR, Color). Anyway I wrote this for BWP4 and I'll repost (with a couple of quick tweaks) in case it's of help...
Okay, they are only giving away the Elements version, and it's an old version (6 is just about out), but it's free and I'd highly recommend it, hey I paid for it, well the Pro version. (Plus apologies in advance for what a pain it is to register - you can use a temp e-mail like 10minutemail.net for the download but I'd use a real one to register as it'll be a big help next time you get one of their giveaways. BTW I'm apologising as I'm suggesting you do this, I don't work for Franzis so not my fault.)
Note they will send you their newsletter, and they still forget from time-to-time and send English speakers e-mail in German. Don't stress about it. (They seem to be getting better though.)
Here's my getting-started instructions on using it:
Load a picture, play with the canned effects on the left side, play with the Film Type on the right side panel (which should start on the “Finalise” tab). At the top of that panel you can choose a colour filter to apply to the original (assuming it's a colour image, the same as putting a filter on the lens and using B+W film), either as a preset or use the sliders (the presets just move the sliders, e.g. Yellow -> 60/120). At the bottom of the panel you can select toning options (which would be a printing technique back in the day), which is the same theory of having a collection of presets which set sliders.
Changing to "Expert" in the right panel you can add filters from the list at the top, select them in the middle of the panel and tweak their effects at the bottom (may need scrolling down). (I'd ignore that until you are comfortable using it.) The boxes at the top of the left panel filter the effects that are listed in the panel, so ignore them initially (although using the favorites stars to select presets you like and then filtering on them is handy). On a faster computer you can use the Eye icon on the toolbar to disable the preview mode and show the final image in the main window, which IMHO is worth doing.
When saving the final image note that the first dialog, where it asks for the title, is going to write that over the image, it isn't the file name. That is the point you do cropping though.
The main disadvantage is the lack of full Undo operations.
Note that although they do add a Photoshop plugin it's under File->Export, not Filters, which IMHO doesn’t really count.
The thing to get your brain around is it a huge pile of image processing tools, which are gathered together into presets in the left pane. All those options do is select a bunch of processing tools and choose options for them, so they are infinitely tweakable in the right pane once you're up to speed (and if you want to).
BTW I bought a copy of BWP retail some time ago, but when they had a discount price - which they do quite often, so I'd say rather than paying the full price for Franzis' stuff sign-up for the newsletter and see if a deal appears. Basically 99% of the B+W images I post online came out of B+W Projects.
I suspect they haven't updated the installer and so only have an old version of the Raw file reader (for Raw files saved by digital cameras). To add raw support for more recent cameras download this (if you're running 64-bit Windows):
http://transfer.franzis.de/projects/RawImageDllprojects_Win64.zip
and replace C:\Program Files\Franzis\BLACK WHITE projects 4\FreeImage.dll (note I guessed the path, elements may go somewhere very slightly different) with the dll file it contains.
If you're not running the 64-bit version of Windows, i.e. your computer doesn't have a directory "C:\Program Files (x86)" then the file you want for upgraded raw support in 32-bit Windows is: http://transfer.franzis.de/projects/RawImageDll_projects_Win32.zip
If you have a Mac you'll need to get the OSX version of FreeImage from SourceForge and replace the existing one, wherever it might be.
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JohnL, Oops, the comparison:
https://www.projects-software.com/compare/3/22,21/black--white-projects-4-elements-vs-black--white-projects-4
Says you don't get raw in Elements, so ignore the last bit about DLLs, sorry...
It works okay with JPGs, but I'd be tempted to turn the Raw into a Colour 16-bit TIFF if you work with Raw images (in whatever software you use) and use that for any serious work. Note start with a colour image as you can do a lot more work that way (plus simulate using coloured filters, which serious B+W photographers use in real life sometimes).
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Oh and it's a comparison using v4 versions as they don't have Elements 5 in the comparator...
https://www.projects-software.com/black-white/comparison
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Okay, I really really have to go, but the Photoshop Export filter was in v4, you might get a proper one in v5 Elements as the Pro version does. (There isn't a comparison, as I said.) Maybe someone can comment?
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JohnL, Today's give away of Elements was able to open raw files from both my D7000 and D810.
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BobbyA, Thank you, then you probably want to do the DLL update (I have no idea how recent a version of the Raw DLL it comes with, but it wouldn't hurt).
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"although they do add a Photoshop plugin it's under File->Export, not Filters, which IMHO doesn’t really count."
What I do with any of the Franzis apps is place the plug-ins [assuming they're included] in the app's folder, then put a shortcut to those in the proper folder for whatever image editor. I'm not sure why, but they seem to work better, or may only work at all that way, including in P/Shop.
"... the previous GOTD version"
I've got v. 4 Elements [3/7/2017] & v.4 full [5/31/2018]
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rww, I don't know as the GAotD history doesn't go that far back. I originally got a Silver Projects giveaway here, which is what B+W Projects was called prior to v3, and then bought B+W Projects 3 Pro (which is of course the result that both parties are aiming for) as it was so good.
https://www.giveawayoftheday.com/silver-projects-pro/
(12th Oct 2015.)
I do think B+W Projects Pro 6 (which I am now on) is the best B+W conversion software currently available.
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Just installed the program.
And just loaded some pictures and save them with a filter, without any extra settings.
The original and results can be found in(click on Preview to see it in an easy way):
https://ootjegotd.stackstorage.com/s/L5EeYjiimKjNvAg
And from 2 years earlier:
https://ootjegotd.stackstorage.com/s/SPd8zImyOn33Y4o
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Too many complicated hoops to jump through.
Why cant it be less time consuming and simple.
Thanks anyway.
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Hi, it is always better to log in first (provided you already have Account with them) BEFORE entering Setup and pressing that 'Internet' button. Otherwise it can be a 'loopy' procedure.. Best to go here beforehand:
https://reg.franzis.de/en/account
If you haven't Account with FRANZIS yet and are creating one - keep taking snapshots as you fill that form, so you remember e-mail address and password you give them (these latter two best saved as text form in notebook), save e-mails you receive from them, and create Folder to keep it all for next time..It DOES save time (and nerves), trust me! On 'sunnier' side of it all:) - some great Software they keep making and offering for free too. And Black&White projects 5 is one them.
When I'm in a hurry and working in Corel PSP for instance - I tend to create b&w pics out of coloured ones by de-saturating them to zero, so I can apply other effects easier (they never turn out really great, so further adjustments needed..), but Software like this one that Specializes in turning colour to b&w is naturally far superior.
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fran, sorry, no,.....still asking for a Password in that link.
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HERALDO ORTEGA,
Hi, did You have it and lost it?? Can You ask for another? Happened to me in the past, so they sent me another one. Good Luck!
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HERALDO ORTEGA,
I forgot to add in my last reply to You - I used the same e-mail address that I created my FRANZIS Account with, and only clicked 'forgot your password?' line. If You use English try to do it on English translated page, otherwise You could be pressing something else, hence the Loop. Hope You'll get there! E-mail from them might be still in German, as almost all of them, but I'm sure You'll figure it out if asked to confirm.
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In a Loop,...... will not let me create an account without a Password.
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HERALDO ORTEGA, every account(mail, bank, FB . . . ) has a password to be sure who is using it(you).
After giving a real mail-address, you'll receive a mail with a link to be sure it's you.
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don't miss this one guys, well worth the price, and an easy download if you read the read me file
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What the Differents with Black&White projects 4 and this version?
This version have a B&W "standard" automatic optimalization pre-set for old B&W photos?
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Dezso from Hungary,
If you have a full version of Black&White projects 4 from a previous giveaway, keep it, because it has more presets than Black&White projects 5 elements does.
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