Can only Import three files at a time into PhotoImpact

[pennbooks]

Hi. I am evaluating the trial version of PhotoImpact and ran into a snag. I use FotoStation as a front-end workflow application but I need PhotoImpact to do the Image editing. I just tried to import some photo files directly from FotoStation into PhotoImpact. It worked except that only three files will open at a time. Then I get the error message "unable to open the file..." Why am I only able to import three files into PhotoImpact?

Thank You
Polly Penwell

[heinz-oz]

Good question. What are you trying to open them on? Do you have enough memory?

[pennbooks]

I don't think the problem is memory. No matter how many times I try I can only import three images. It can be ANY three images, and just yesterday I OPENED nearly 30 images in PhotoImpact and worked on them without any problems. But I can only IMPORT three. I tried it again today but same problem. Then I selected 8 files in FotoStation and tried importing them into Photoshop Elements and all 8 of them were imported perfectly. I really want to use PhotoImpact, though, because of its Batch processing capabilities. However, I have to work on hundreds (and sometimes upwards of a thousand) files at a time, which I need to transfer directly from FotoStation. I couldn't get anything done if I could only import three images at a time. Is this by chance a limitation of the trial version? I had already planned on buying PhotoImpact but I hadn't realized that there was an import issue. I would have to know that it can handle the workload. I couldn't find any information on ulead.com about trial limitations for this product. Is that what this is? or is this just some wierd, unfortunate limitation of PhotoImpact in general?

The number of the error message I keep getting is: [800.93.5062]

Thanks

[heinz-oz]

Sorry to be a pain, but I don't understand the problem. I never import images, maybe that's why?

Why do you have to import? Are your images of a format that PI doesn't understand otherwise?

I just open my images in PI, in PI 11 even all my RAW images. In the past I had to import my RAW files but PI 10 did not understand or support the format, so I stopped doing that. There is no problem now with PI 11.

[pennbooks]

No, they're just jpgs. PhotoImpact understands them. It always allows the import of just three of them, although those three import perfectly. I want to import them as opposed to open them because I have just manipulated them in Fotostation and I am trying to find a program that will allow me to seamlessly move from step to step in my workflow format. I am trying to fully automate the process. I have to work with so many files that I found it necessary to seek out a workflow solution that will keep the files moving along. I know it sounds unncessary when I explain it but it really is. The import should work perfectly, and does in Adobe Photoshop Elements, so I know the problem lies somewhere in PhotoImpact's receiving of the files. It's probably some small thing. Maybe just a limitation that was built in to the trial version, but I need to know that for sure. Can you find that out for me? PhotoImpact will always accept three files, regardless of file size, so that seems to point to a set limitation.

Thanks.

[heinz-oz]

Sorry, I fail to understand what you are trying to do. In all my installed versions of PI, the only choice I get for importing images is "Raw" and I can only select 1 image at a time.

What is the percieved advantage of importing a jpeg image over just opening it?

[pennbooks]

Hello. Whether you understand what I am trying to do is not the point. I explained in my last post that even if importing the images into PhotoImpact seems unnecessary it really isn't. FotoStation is set up with a linked series of actions -- they are lined up right down the column (ie, Sort, Rotate, resize, open for Editing (this is where the photos should import into PhotoImpact). I have the entire process set up to run in a linear, workflow fashion. FotoStation performs one step and then moves onto the next. If I have to break the workflow and manually switch over to PhotoImpact to open the files then the process will no longer be automated and it won't call the next procedure, which won't call the next procedure...etc. The workflow process is designed for each step to initiate the next step, so the workflow cannot just stop and then resume automatically. I am trying to automate the entire process, and that is a GENUINE advantage, not simply a perceived one. Since FotoStation has the capability of IMPORTING images into any other imaging program -- and since PhotoImpact has already proven that it can accept and recognize imported files then there is no reason why PhotoImpact should be limiting the number of files that can be imported. I just need to know whether or not this is a built-in limitation of the trial version, or if not then HOW to change the settings in PhotoImpact so that it doesn't limit the number of imported files it can receive. As a Ulead representative who answers peoples' questions about PhotoImpact, isn't there someone you can get answers from when you don't know them yourself? Surely they provide you with a means for being able to answer customers' (or potential customers') questions. And this is a question I really need to have answered before I can buy the product.

Thank you for any information you can obtain for me.

[heinz-oz]

Why don't you just use PI's Batch Processing feature? You can define any task that needs to be performed on any image, even whole folders, right in PI. No need for a separate program.

I don't know why you feel that "they" should prepare me for such questions? I'm just another user, not an employee of ULEAD. Maybe your question should be directed to Ulead customer support.

Sorry about not being able to be of further help.

[JenT]

At the top of this page it clearly states this is the "Ulead User to User Web Board." Just FYI-Even the moderators here are PI users, not Ulead "representatives".

I also have to say that I don't understand the advantage of Importing JPG (as opposed to importing RAW files) rather than opening them in the workspace, but that's my limitation. Personally, after I'd set up the Task in PI's Quick Command Panel, I'd be using PI's Batch Task to accomplish all the tasks you mentioned. That's probably because I know PI best and have not found the need to involve another program.

So it goes. Hope you find your answer.

[2log]

If the reason why you do not use "Open" to get your files into PhotoImpact is that you think that by using that, you'll have to do it one by one, it is not actually the case.

You can open multiple files at a time using "Open". You can even highlight all the pictures you want in Windows Explorer then drag them into the PhotoImpact workspace.