I encountered a bad link--when doubleclicking the download link I was shown the dialog for copying text, When I rightclicked the link it sowed a zip but would not download (0 bytes). I am uusing Opera which I have used forever with GOTD. The time was 11:23 pdt Sept 26. I tried the same on IE9 and Chrome with the same results. It was not my modem nor internet connection because I could download EXEs from bitsdujour during that same time. I tried different options until 12:05 pdt. I reside in Northern California and never have encountered this on the GOTD site before. I don't normally write and submit comments. Because of the unique nature of the Magic Collage giveaway, I'm wriiting to see if anything can be done. Thanks in advance.

This is a good freeware program! Thanks GAOTD & MagicCollage!

As for @33, you need to be THANKFUL, not STUPIDIOUS! Giovanni is not self-proclaimed KING OF FREEWARE but proclaimed as such by myself and the many other readers of GAOTD who don't have the red ... !! Get some Vaseline, man! It will not only help what you sit on, BUT your ATTITUDE as well

Get my drift?!
Dr. Keith D. Swartz

Please help me. I am not yet able to install it as it says some of the files could not be created.

@ Giovanni

Could you please stop posting irrelevant and confusing stuff when you are dispensing your pseudo advice regarding alternatives to the daily giveaways?
Today you blew it again by suggesting a number of alternatives which in fact are not alternatives at all. Most of them are completely different tools with completely different purpose and different functions.

I must say that as a self-proclaimed super king of freebies you did a very poor job with your “advice” today.

When did this site become Giovanni of the Day? It just seems I could go to any of many free-site compilers if I was looking for an exhaustive freebie list(but I won't make a lengthy list of them here).

Don't personally care for collages. It seems like one step short of throwing the pics in a garbage can, but I have used the Magic Skin Filter title and thought it was a fun, descent bit of picture enhancement for the casual user.

An example of real (true)collage maker could be one of so called scrapbook makers CraftArtist (freeware):
http://www.daisytrail.com/free_stuff.html
As you can see scrapbooks are photo collages with (some times too much?) frames, clipart and other embellishments added.
Several free templates (called "digikits") are included and more can be downloaded (but most of them are not! free)
But, of course you can make your very own scrapbooks from scratch.
For any of many other similar programs just search for scrapbook maker or so.
Another tip: pretty powerful photo editor (making a collage is just one of its many capabilities)
Photo Pos Pro (free, ad supported)
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/Photo-Pos-Pro.shtml
From menu choose File/New/Collage ...

Good luck!

@ #2 and others - I have found that the GOTD software given away reverts to trial status under two conditions: 1) Updating occurs to the software (turn off auto updates or don't allow software to communicate with the web) and 2) Important registry keys are deleted by mistake when cleaning the registry. There may other ways for it to happen, but I've only encountered those. - George

I think the program, barring the yellow user interface (?!), is pretty great. I used the text feature and loved what I came up with.

I'm confused with the output size functions though. At first I thought that the biggest collage output size was 5000px, which is way too small for print size, but that option only makes your photos 5000 pixels, I guess. I wish there were an option to export the collage to a size I chose inside the program, and not have to import the collage into another graphics program to crop or resize. I also think it needs a zoom tool so I can see how the photos look closeup. Some of my images were not very large, and once I set the picture size to 5000 pixels (so at least I would have the largest possible collage to size down in Photoshop), many of them lost quality. I had to export the collage several times because everything is such a guessing game inside the program. I'd like to have an option to set the pictures to inches as well, for print purposes. Not everything lives on the web :)

To improve this program, it needs an option for inches for sizing the photos, output sizing options inside the program itself for inches and pixels, a zoom tool, a way to know how large the entire collage is as you work, and and a gray interface that won't compete with the collage image. I may have more after playing a bit, but I don't have time for much more than that right now :)

Thanks for the giveaway!! I'm sure I will use this. I already have something I am trying to size for printing after first use. :)

I found that SHAPE COLLAGE and GOOGLE PICASA (both of which are FREE) provide me with easy to use tools to create photo collages to suit my needs. I'm finding that most of the "giveaways" have a free alternative if you just search the web and do a little investigation.

I found this program list in my programs installed but when I tried to open it I got an error trying to install it. Either I deleted it or it was reoved some way.
I just finished downloading with no problem & registered it once I figured out the correct steps.

WOW ! Though I have to agree on the aged and color of the interface... this program is very cool indeed. Easy to use, tons of adjustments can be made, and the results are a really great quality ! I just made the largest picture EVER,11636 x 8636 pxls. and it took about 45 seconds to produce. Any program that I can use as easily and quickly as that, gets two thumbs up from me. Thanks so much ! KEEPER !!

To add to my comments already applied...

If you want a large assortment of shapes for a Collage without having to go through and create silhouettes, try using the TEXT feature of this program. I just noticed it, and it does quite well in interpreting the odd fonts out there.

An interesting Font I have installed and used to test this feature was "Ancientry Design" or "Wing Dings" and various versions of it used as text, etc.. Some interesting patterns can be obtained.

Good freeware alternative: Picasa. I have made some nice collages with it. And Picasa has many other photo editing, optimizing, and organizing features as well.

Giovanni, do you have any suggestions for COLLAGE makers? The suggestions you made were for MOSAIC makers.

I would love to have the name of a topnotch, tested COLLAGE program, even if it costs money.

Installed and registered fine. Waiting to be tried.
One thing is: how can I change the gory yellow/organgey skin of the
program. It's hurting the eye.

Pandine: ... and it can expand the output image to room size posters if you are so inclined, without loss to quality.
Well, that's not entirely true (see their examples), but I'm certainly impressed by Photo Zoom Pro! Thanks for the tip.

Is there any secret of getting rid of the "Magic Collage - Trial Version" at the bottom when you print the.JPG? Tnx GAOTD!

If you need this sort of thing to create Collage Patterns for tiling, it works great...and isn't that the point of the manufacturer creating this opportunity for you, so you can test it for nothing.

No Bugs, No Glitches...did what was expected of it.

Some of the above, "How would you improve Magic Collage 2.3?" suggestions tells me that people didn't even try the software before making a suggestion.

I made a few Patterns using photo editing to create the same style Black Pattern/White Background, and they all work just fine as import templates. So, the ability to make your own "IS" possible. Changing the density does a good job of enhancing the pattern used based on number of images processed.

Processing is not done in the blink of an eye, but well within a reasonable time limit. This of course would depend on your computers graphics processing ability.

The Output of 96dpi suffices even if you did not have a program that can take it well beyond that point, such as http://www.benvista.com Photo Zoom Pro. I happen to have Photo Zoom Pro and it can expand the output image to room size posters if you are so inclined, without loss to quality.

Image processed using the output as produced by the Magic Collage:
Results Maximized:
Increased to 12500dpi
Print Size: 10416.6667 x 10416.6667
Uncompressed Size when saved : 2.73tb

I of course did not save it, but programs to do such things are out there.


WIN7 Ultimate 32/64

Just uninstalled it, it requires .NET Framework. Not for me.

@#8 - Giovanni's contributions are altogether superb and as informative as they are copious. Why the barb, especially as the site he referred to DOES offer a collage-maker on its landing page?

Google "good manners" and "helpfulness". He apparently has.

When this was previously offered, I set it going on a huge number of images (something like ten thousand, if I recall) and let it crank. It ran for four and a half days and ultimately produced a fascinating output image. So the program certainly works - this was a preposterous test and the program passed with flying colors.

I'd guess collages are not going to be of frequent use to most of us, but this program can fill that need.

Art

@Giovanni,
the excess size of the program is due to the new GOTD wrapper. I think that all of the .zip folders we download are now about 7 MB bigger than the downloads from the developers' sites. Thanks for the alternatives.

Check out the mosaizer page and you will see they do have a collage maker.

This college look good, If it save as a fotoshop file do I need fotoshop to make it work ? I'll give it a try. thank

Actually just used it as I needed a collage for a website slide. Saved me a considerable amount of time and doesn't look too bad. Although, I would prefer if the output image resolution could be increased even further so it can be used for print media as well. But thanks anyway. Saved me some time :-)

Installed and registered without problems on Win 7 64-bit.

Nice. Everything works and the results are pretty good. Took a while to load 550 MB worth of highres photos but oh well. Ended up with a roughly 9000x6500 px image and it looks decent. Unfortunately output is at 96 DPI so don't get your hopes up when printing it as a poster... There's no control over this, unless maybe you'd export to PSD, but I haven't tested this.

One flaw imho though. The horrible interface and the lack to change it. I know this is somewhat geared towards children and their parents but still.

Nevertheless, thumbs up from me. Thanks PixelApp Studio and GOTD.

I too found my previous installation of the same version had reverted to a "trial version". I just used the "reg. key" included with this download to re-register.
As it's the same version, not sure how long it will last this time, but worth a try.

10 out of ten for this GAOTG. Installed and registered with no problems. No unwanted toolbars or adware. Easy and intuitive to use - I produced my first trial collage within a couple of minutes.

I thought this might be a bit gimmicky but can now see myself using it for greetings cards etc. It's dead easy to use: you just select the shape or outline you want the collage to take and then select the photos you want it to be composed of. Click a button and your collage is created and ready to be saved as a .jpeg file.

There are advanced options if wanted and you can also create your own graphics for outlines. A really neat little utility.

@TK
I just did a test collage, saved it as a PSD and opened it in Abobe CS5. Lots of layers, of course. Turning some of them off enables you to remove images you don't want.

Maybe your "problem" has to do with the way PSP7/X2 handles layers. The layers in CS5 come up fine (for me).

#1 Your alternatives are MOZAIC software, not COLLAGE makers. This a SHAPE making COLLAGE maker, which is different again. Your Googling needs much improvement (haha).

As a collage SHAPEMAKER this is very good. Apart from the gallery provided, which is very limited, you can add your own shapes by using the editing feature.
If, like me, you are hopeless at drawing shapes you can Google for silhouettes and use them instead. There are thousands to be found.
The best feature is ability to have a transparent background as well as adding your own. Saving with a transparent background means you can put your collage shape over any picure you want later in different photo software.
The shaped photo output doesn't look like much until you print it out on a large scale. The posterize output, found in most printers now along with cheap internet ink, means you can print a large multi-page photo collage shape that is ideal for parties etc.
This is a thumbs up for me and will join my collection of collage and mozaic makers.
IMPROVEMENTS
Add ability to move and resize the shape to fit in better with background picture.
Add abilty to zoom into the finished collage shape before saving.

@ Giovanni
Loss of opportunity:
DreamSuite Mosaic - http://www.autofx.com/freeplugins/mosaic.asp?id=21

Installed on Windows 7x64. No problem. Created a collage from a random picture folder, saved it as a PNG and it's brilliant !

@Giovanni

I find your alternative suggestions very useful'
However, in this case, most of the free alternatives you mention are for creating mosaics, not collages. There's a big difference between the two.

Having said that, I will download and try this GOTD. It looks better to me than the "effectmatrix/Free Photo Collage" thing.

I had version 2.1 from an earlier giveaway. I opened it up to see how it was different from this version. I was surprised to find out the program was an unregistered trial version. I installed this version into the same folder, went through the registration process and now have version 2.3 registered. Only time will tell if it "sticks". BTW, to register, make sure you select "Internet Automatic Registration" and then enter the provided key.

This GAOTD is a pretty good and very easy to use tool which does what it claims pretty flawlessly, namely create photo collage automatically from graphic and text. Best feature is undoubtely the ability to preview the final output in real time. However on Softpedia this software is just 1.1 MB in size and I wonder why!!!

BEST (and in my view BETTER) FREEWARE ALTERNATIVES:

* Mosaizer Pro 9.2 (==> My Personal First Choice)
http://www.mosaizer.com/

* (Portable) Andrea Mosaic (==> Excellent Tool)
http://www.andreaplanet.com/andreamosaic/

Screenshots:
http://www.andreaplanet.com/andreamosaic/screenshots/

* MosariZer
http://sourceforge.net/projects/mosarizer/

* Foto-Mosaik-Edda
http://www.sixdots.de/mosaik/en/index.php

* PhotoMosaique
http://www.photofiltre-studio.com/freeware/photomosaique-en.htm

* JImage Mosaic
http://jimage-mosaic.sourceforge.net/about.php

* Scrapbook Flair
http://www.scrapbookflairsoftware.com/

* E.M. Free Photo Collage
http://www.effectmatrix.com/Free-Photo-Collage/index.htm

Of course, you can also create a photo mosaic online for FREE if you wish to:

http://www.easymoza.com/

Want a professional FREE PHOTO MANAGER APP DESIGNED to keep track of your digital photos to edit them as only professional photographers usually do, before sharing them on the most popular Social Networks websites with a couple of mouse clicks??

No problem:

http://www.heliconsoft.com/safe.html
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Digital-Photo-Tools/Windows-Live-Photo-Gallery.shtml

Giovanni's final verdict: Oh yes, this is another super SATURATED FIELD so...ki$$ your wallet goodbye. Get the drift, folks? LOL!!

Enjoy!!