I actually bought this after getting the previous version of it free here, so while I'm not downloading it (I've upgraded to v4 since then) I would like to contribute some tips. I think if you're into photography it's probably the best thing you'll get for free, unless you hate Black and White images of course.

Here's my canned instructions on starting using it:

Load a picture, play with the canned effects on the left side, play with the Film Type on the right side panel (which should start on the “Finalise” tab). At the top of that panel you can choose a colour filter to apply to the original (assuming it's a colour image, the same as putting a filter on the lens and using B+W film), either as a preset or use the sliders (the presets just move the sliders, e.g. Yellow -> 60/120). At the bottom of the panel you can select toning options, which is the same theory of having a collection of presets to set sliders. Changing to "Expert" in the right panel you can add filters from the list at the top, select them in the middle of the panel and tweak their effects at the bottom (may need scrolling down). (I'd ignore that until you are comfortable using it.) The boxes at the top of the left panel filter the effects that are listed in the panel, so ignore them initially. On a faster computer you can use the Eye icon on the toolbar to disable the preview mode and show the final image in the main window, which IMHO is worth doing.
When saving the final image note that the first dialog, where it asks for the title, is going to write that over the image, it isn't the file name.
The main disadvantage is the lack of Undo operations.

Note that although they do add a Photoshop plugin it's under File->Export, not Filters, which IMHO doesn’t really count.

The thing to get your brain around is it a huge pile of image processing tools, which are gathered together into presets in the left pane. All those options do is select a bunch of processing tools and choose options for them, so they are infinitely tweakable in the right pane.

Oh and their stuff does usually involve jumping through a few hoops, but I've downloaded and used successfully all the previous Franzis Giveaways from here, although one did have a lot of issues for a period of the Giveaway.

I have no connection with GAotD or Franzis other than talking to their customer service from time-to-time and saying I like some of their Projects tools a lot (of which BWP is IMHO the best).

JohnL  –  8 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+25)

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I am not a photographer so this is a uneducated opinion but it is still a legitimate personal opinion. Black and White pictures in this day and age is "WHY"? If I was totally colorblind I could understand but other than that it always seems to me as the fastest way to ruin a picture. In the days before Digital photography It seems the only time people used black and white was they couldn't afford color film. Or trying to look through camouflage netting in the Vietnam war before Infra red became common. I've heard the expression that it was ARTSY, but in my opinion it is never and has never been artsy. It is a cheap way for professional photographers to hide flaws before the advent of Photoshop. When out on the social networks everytime I saw a B&W photo I've never upvoted or liked those nude B&W photos it seemed I was voting on women who were in their 90's now. I have never enjoyed a black and white photo sitting beside a color photo of the same picture nor will I like your Black and white photos. If you turn it black and white I don't even want to see it even if it was of some very likable celebrity or Politician or any other person of interest. I just don't care for B&W photos. Besides every photo program can turn color photos to B&W Raw or not. This is a niche program that I find tasteless and a good way to ruin your best photos. If they would have used black and white on that National Geographic magazine photo of that girl in a burqa It would have never show how beautiful her eyes are, nor would it have won Photo of the year. It would have been a meh moment and flip the page to something more interesting. So no no no to this and when I see your B&W you will get a downvote from me for being to cheap to buy color film...Thanks anyway GAOTD but this one is an anathema to me.

nomadss1  –  8 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (-72)

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nomadss1, Seriously, what exactly does your personal opinion and obvious dislike of BW photos have to do with a review of this program?.
Just venting?

nomadss1, Seriously, what exactly does your personal opinion and obvious dislike of BW photos have to do with a review of this program?. Just venting?
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Garpinder  –  8 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+20)

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nomadss1, your first line says it all and we have to read no further

nomadss1, your first line says it all and we have to read no further
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Bruce  –  8 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+14)

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Disappointed with all the hoops I have to jump through to get this software registered. Short of a blood sample they want to know everything about you before they supply with the following two things.
1. A User ID
2. A Registration Code
After entering the above info I was then asked for a 'Serial number' to avoid the software from expiring in 30 days - so it is clear that there are a few more hoops to jump trough. How to overcome this obstacle I have no idea...?

Ferdinand  –  8 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+7)

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Downloaded the Mac version, got the email verifications very quickly, no problem. Then when I put the Registration code in Setup restarted and immediately crashed.

Twice in a row.

Would've loved to evaluation version 3 in order to determine whether 4 was worth the purchase price, but this experience does not make one want to chance the paid for version.

Greg  –  8 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+6)

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