A newer version of Picasa is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
Features
- Editor's Rating:
- Average User Rating:
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Downloads:
2,043,571
- Operating Systems:
Windows Me, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Additional Requirements:
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
- Limitations:
No limitations
- Date Added:
January 18, 2005
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Previous Versions:
Publisher's description of Picasa 2
From Google:Transfer, find, organize, edit, print, and share images, all with this easy-to-use product. Watch Picasa automatically organize all your pictures into elegant albums by date. Having all your photos in one place means no more time wasted searching for folders or files. The program works with JPEG, GIF, BMP, PSD, and movie files and is compatible with most digital cameras; it detects your USB driver and imports pictures into albums. Editing tools include cropping (standard or custom), removal of red-eye, and enhancing--even switching from color to black and white. Create slide shows set to your MP3s. Integration with Picasa's free Hello instant picture-sharing software lets you share hundreds of photos in seconds and chat in real time. E-mail photos with Picasa's built-in client to take the guesswork out of compressing images, and order photo-lab quality prints or print at home with no mistakes. Picasa is owned by Google.
New features in version 2.0 include the ability to make instant backups to CD (or to other hard drives) of your photo collections, to organize your photos using labels and stars (just like with Gmail), to write captions for all pictures, and to organize videos as well as pictures.
Editor's review of Picasa 2
stars
- "Make your pics look good with Picasa"
- Version reviewed: Picasa 2
This photo organizer strikes us as the picture of simplicity. Although not the most powerful image manager on the block, Picasa has the distinction of being the prettiest, with an easygoing demeanor we don't usually associate with good looks.
Picasa has only gotten better over time. Its editing tools now allow you to see your photo tweaks as you make them--no more rendering delays. Multiple levels of undo make it a snap to revert to the original image if you decide you don't like a certain change.
Picasa really shines when it comes to organizing pictures, with improved search capabilities and a time-line slide-show function for beautifully displaying your photo collection. It also automatically resizes your photos for e-mailing. You get several options for storage and sharing. You can burn albums to DVD or CD, print pictures at home, or use links to several online companies, including Ofoto and Shutterfly.
The latest version provides easy access to Picasa Web Albums, so it's easy to post your photos online, and supports geotag information. One caveat: Picasa eats a lot of memory by default, and even more each time you add a thumbnail, so users with older computers may experience a performance drag. In other respects this free program is a good choice for amateur shutterbugs with plenty of photos to share.
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User reviews of Picasa 2
- Average user rating: 4.1 stars out of 375 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 96 user reviewsSee all 96 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
15 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Version: Picasa 2
"Visually pleasing with many editing features"
Pros: It has a visually attractive interface. Good picture tagging. Great picture editing ability. Can generate a slide show on CD. While you can automatically reorder your pictures in several ways, manual reordering can also be done - with beautiful visual effects! Fast lookup when doing picture searches. Keywords can be attached to pictures for fast lookup. You can play a folder of MP3 files in the background.
Cons: No flexible zooming, e.g., no ability to do a point or box zoom using the mouse. The picture caption display is unreliable (sometimes it displays and sometimes it doesn't). The font, size, or positions of captions can't be changed. There are no transition effects, although there is a nice fade between pictures. The picture background can't be changed. Limited EXIF picture camera data. No EXIF picture text data (Image Description, Photographer, User Comment). No choice in assigning pictures to layout boxes when printing them, and only 6 layouts available. An audio file can't be associated with
a specific picture.
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13 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Version: Picasa 2
Pros: The original Picasa was a very good photo management tool with a few shortcomings, but version 2 really puts it ahead of the pack. The interface it so well done that it makes working with all of your photos fun and enjoyable. I especially like the non-destructive editing capabilities, meaning that Picasa doesn't alter your original photos. The new version ads support for RAW format, extending its reach into the ranks of semi-pro photographers. The export options are all well-done--you can create movies, slideshows and even screensavers from your photos. The fact that all of this comes completely free makes Picasa 2 a true standout.
Cons: It's a RAM hog. Don't attempt to use this on older computers. I also wish that the export/create functions allowed for more customization. For example, the create movie function doesn't allow you to modify the the title of the movie, which is simply inherited from the album/folder name. Since the title actually is inserted into the beginning frames of the movie, it's a major oversight.
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Version: Picasa 2
"Excellent Photo Editing Software"
Pros: Easy to use interface. Can do most functions that some other programs can do. Similar to machines at Photo Centers, without some features.
Recommended for Beginner - Expert level. Photo wizards will probably need higher level software.
Cons: Zooming isn't good.
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8 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Version: Picasa 2
"Great for sorting bulky folders filled with photos"
Pros: Great photos & movie clips organizer, plenty of features to fiddle around with, & a good photo CD creator. Pretty easy to learn and use for even the basic user.
Cons: Probably could use a little more customization options for users, such as when creating photo cds.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Picasa 2
Pros: i rate this a 5 cus it does what it needs to and works great. it is like a real free adobe photoshop and adobe is 800 bucks. easey to use and grewat for digital cameras
- See all 96 user reviews Write review
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