Gadgetopia

Batch Image Processing - Image Genius: Thirty bucks buys you this batch image processor.

What’s so special about that, you ask? This one includes (1) an FTP upload, and (2) a folder monitor. This means you can find an image, drag it to a specified folder, and it will be automatically resized and uploaded to the images folder on your server. That, my friend, is a handy trick.

Additionally, the interface is fantastic. There’s a concept in interface design of “user models” and “system models.” The user model is how the user thinks your app works, and the system model is how it actually works. The “implementation model,” then, is how the interface bridges the gap.

This one does a fine job by using a “pipeline” metaphor. You create a pipeline of actions and you can watch each action highlight as it’s applied to the image before the app moves on to the next action. In my head, this is exactly how I thought it should work and I’m immediately comfortable with it as a result.

For example, in the picture above right, I have a problem — I’m applying the border after the drop shadow, which means the border runs around my drop shadow as well as the actual image. To change this, I just dragged the “border” action up the pipeline to a point above the “drop shadow” action and let it go. I didn’t have to consult any documentation for this — I just figured this method of doing it made sense, and, sure enough, it worked. The implementation model matches my user model.

I actually bought a copy, and I’m cheap.