want advice for free offline photo editor/markup tool

caffeine · May 11, 2024

Windows 11 23H2

My goal is too create and print tutorials using libreoffice writer for sharing with friends with limited computer savvy. Libreoffice draw user pdf guide is more complex (392 pages) than I wish to tackle for now. I have already experimented with screen clip, clip champ, MSpaint, and greenshot. My complaints with them ranges from textbox borders being too thick to being awkward.

I am looking for callouts, textboxes, circles, arrows, etc. to simulate the quality of tutorials on this forum. Does anyone have advice meeting these criteria?

Thanks in advance for helpful replies.

regards,
caffeine

Ghot · May 11, 2024

@caffeine
These will do that, but I believe there's easier ways. These are free though...

Paint Shop Pro 4.12 and 7.04 and 8.1 and 9.01

Due to popularity, powerful features and ease of use, here are: Paint Shop Pro 4.12 and 7.04 and 8.1 and 9.01 These are all free, legal and fully functional. These work flawlessly on all versions of Windows from 7 to 11. Paint Shop Pro 4.12 and if memory serves, 7.04 also work on Windows XP...

www.elevenforum.com

There are programs (I dunno if they're free or not), that does exactly what you're looking for.
Maybe @Edwin knows what it's called. Or maybe @Brink knows.

I think this is one of them... (not free)

Features | Snagit | TechSmith

Snagit's features allow you to grab an image or create a quick video of anything on your computer screen. Get an inside look and try Snagit screen capture software for free.

www.techsmith.com

idgat · May 11, 2024

caffeine said:
libreoffice writer

You're obviously using the LibreOffice suite (don't have MS Office?), so why not try Libre Draw and/or Libre Impress. Not compatible with, but between them, the nearest thing you can get to MS Publisher.

Will do all of these

caffeine said:
I am looking for callouts, textboxes, circles, arrows, etc. to simulate the quality of tutorials on this forum. Does anyone have advice meeting these criteria?

Wisewiz · May 11, 2024

Have you looked at ScreenPresso? Callouts, text boxes, circles and arrows are a snap in ScreenPresso, and a lot more. I haven't checked out the Pro version, because the Free has met all of my needs so far.

https://www.screenpresso.com/download/

Oh, yeah. And you needn't study the manual for ScreenPresso. It's intuitive and easy.

caffeine · May 11, 2024

idgat said:
You're obviously using the LibreOffice suite (don't have MS Office?), so why not try Libre Draw and/or Libre Impress. Not compatible with, but between them, the nearest thing you can get to MS Publisher.

Will do all of these

nope, no MS Office --->I won't buy in to Microsoft's subscription game. As stated previously, Libre Draw has a 392 page pdf guide. I scanned through it and tinkered with it for a bit. It has too many moving pieces for me to learn right now. I need to get on with the projects at hand. I definitely will return Draw later when I don't have more important priorities.

regards,
caffeine

antspants · May 11, 2024

Ghot said:
There are programs (I dunno if they're free or not), that does exactly what you're looking for.
Maybe @Edwin knows what it's called.

ShareX?

Pretty big thread about it here and it has advanced since the thread began.
It is Free and Open Source

ShareX - Screen capture, file sharing and productivity tool

ShareX is a free and open-source screen capture and file sharing software. Why ShareX? • Free • Open source • No advertisements • Lightweight • Over 13 years of active development • Easy screen capture sharing • Supports over 80 destinations • Customizable workflows • and much more Release...

www.elevenforum.com

ShareX - The best free and open source screenshot tool for Windows

ShareX is a free and open source program that lets you capture or record any area of your screen and share it with a single press of a key. It also allows uploading images, text or other types of files to many supported destinations you can choose from.

getsharex.com

pparks1 · May 11, 2024

caffeine said:
nope, no MS Office --->I won't buy in to Microsoft's subscription game.

You don't have to. You can buy a regular copy of the application. I prefer Office 365 though, think it's a great deal.

antspants · May 11, 2024

ShareX

Edwin · May 11, 2024

caffeine said:
I am looking for callouts, textboxes, circles, arrows, etc. to simulate the quality of tutorials on this forum.

Screenpresso would be a good choice, which has a free version.

idgat · May 11, 2024

caffeine said:
It has too many moving pieces for me to learn right now.

Then Scribus is obviously not an option .....

(Well, it is a perfect option, but a mammoth sharp learning curve ....)

Canva
Gimp

antspants · May 11, 2024

Edwin said:
Screenpresso would be a good choice, which has a free version.

I thought you were a fan and avid user of ShareX?

Wisewiz · May 11, 2024

ScreenPresso meets all of OP's requirements (plus) and has essentially NO learning curve. Easy-Peasy.

Edwin · May 12, 2024

antspants said:
I thought you were a fan and avid user of ShareX?

That's correct, I am..., however, Screenpresso annotation characters are much more refined than any other free program.
ShareX is still my go-to because it's fast and easy.

ShareX..., fast and easy, but...

Screenpresso...

caffeine · May 12, 2024

Thanks for all the options. Give me a few days to tinker with them, and I'll get back with you.

regards,
caffeine

Edwin · May 12, 2024

As a side...,
TechSmith Snagit is probably one of the most powerful and professional utilities, with a host of options and templates available.
Free to try/Paid.

Wisewiz · May 12, 2024

Just one more thing about Screenpresso — and yes, I finally noticed that it doesn’t have a capital letter in the middle — is that if you’re willing to put up with the need for two clicks to launch it, it doesn’t have to be installed.

caffeine · May 22, 2024

I haven't forgotten about this. Family health and car issues have been my top priorities. I will pursue this topic when the top priorities have been put to rest.

regards,
caffeine

caffeine · May 24, 2024

Finally!!! All other issues have been put to rest.
I found time to tinker with ShareX, Paint Shop pro, and screenpresso. Screenpresso became the winner. I liked it so much that I opted to upgrade to the pro version. The combination of Screenpresso Pro and Snipit work great. With a little practice I can improve my skills. I wrote a short tutorial for a coworker and have included a screenshot of part of the tutorial with this post.
Thanks for all the help.

regards,
caffeine