VSO Image Resizer is a small image resizing program with a full set of features, including shell menu integration, processing of images in batch, and format conversion.
It features easy management of image conversion tasks through the creation of custom profiles.
It is a rare week that I don’t encounter at least 2 new free batch image resizing programs.
Most of these I typically do not find noteworthy in any way; however, VSO Image Resizer offers a number of useful, well-implemented features that made me instantly like it. Here’s a summary:
- Batch processing: by now this is standard for this kind of program but has to be mentioned nonetheless.
- Shell integration: right click on the VSO command in the right click menu to process the image. Works for single, multi-image selections as well as folder selections.
- Profile creation: you can create and save named profile for re-use. For example, I created a “Thumbnail” profile that processes images to exactly the size I always work with, maintains aspect ration, and converts the image format to Jpeg format at 80% quality setting. From this point onwards I need only select this profile from the pull down menu in order to use it (I can also set it to be my default profile). Note that the program comes with a number of pre-defined profiles (so many, in fact, that its a bit cluttered). You can delete any of these if you dont want them.
- Format conversions: to Bitmap, JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, or as original.
- Filtering: offers low, medium, and best filter settings. Using the best filter setting will produce the best picture quality while a low or medium filter will likely produce a lower quality
picture that is smaller in size. My advice: always use the high filter. If you want a smaller size file play with quality (below). - Quality: lets you set the % quality of the resulting images. (Playing with quality is an easy way to reduce image file sizes without making them smaller (in resolution); depending on the image, you can achieve significant file size reductions with little or no visible loss of quality).
- Watermarking: VSO will let you use an image file for watermarking and allow you to determine placement and transparency.
- Filename masking: output converted filenames exactly as you want them. This is a sophisticated tool that will allow you to add numbering, timestamps, and other info to the resulting filenames.
- File creation settings: will let you define a destination folder for processed files or same folder as original. You can also set it to either create a copy or overwrite (or move) the original.
picture that is smaller in size. My advice: always use the high filter. If you want a smaller size file play with quality (below).Combine (a) this program’s full set of features with (b) shell integration, and (c) the clever use of user-defined profiles, and what you get is a winner. I recommend this program wholeheartedly.
Version tested: 1.0.12
Compatibility: “Optimized” for Windows 2000, XP, VISTA. May work with other versions of Windows.
Go to the program page to get the latest version (approx 2.85 megs).
