What Windows software can make a large A1 photo collage from hundreds of images?
Asked 9/30/2010
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I want to create a collage from 365 photos for a photo-a-day project and print it at about A1 size (594 × 841 mm). I’m using Windows. I thought Photoshop CS3 and Illustrator CS2 couldn’t handle a document that large, and I’m also concerned about working with hundreds of images at once. What software or workflow would work for building and printing a collage this size?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
6
Picasa will do it.
As an experiment, I opened a folder of 423 jpegs (about 6 MB each) and pressed the "Collage" button. It produced a collage in less than a second. Task Manager indicates it never used more than 129 MB RAM total. You can choose different formats for sizing and arranging your collage and you can drag and drop the pieces around as you wish.
Picasa outputs collages at 5120 pixels on the long side (for A4 page size). If you print at A1 size this will translate to a resolution of at least 155 pixels/inch. At A0 you are now as low as 105 ppi. From a distance, 105 ppi may be fine but for preserving detail close up you will want at least the 155 ppi resolution.
Originally by user1356. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1356
15y ago
0
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You may not need different software at all: an A1 print at 300 dpi is about 7015 × 9933 pixels, which Photoshop CS3 should be able to handle. The bigger issue is likely memory usage if you try to open all 365 source images at once, especially on a 32-bit system. A simpler workflow is to place, resize, and position images one at a time.
If you want easier collage tools on Windows, two options mentioned were:
- Picasa: can automatically build a collage from hundreds of JPEGs very quickly, with several layout options and drag-and-drop adjustment. Its output is limited to about 5120 pixels on the long side, which is roughly 155 ppi at A1. That can be acceptable for viewing from a distance, but it won’t preserve as much detail for close inspection.
- FastStone Image Viewer: its Contact Sheet Builder is configurable and may work well for a grid-style collage.
So: for maximum print resolution, Photoshop should still work if you manage memory carefully. For speed and convenience, try Picasa or FastStone.
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