Nautilus Image Convert: A GNOME Linux Menu for Easy Image Converting and Rotating

After writing a recent review of a small utility called Nautilus Sound Converter, which allows users of GNOME (a Linux desktop environment), and the Nautilus file manager in particular, to encode audio files without opening up a different program, I decided to look for other, similar utilities. I found that being able to initiate the encoding process directly from the Desktop, was a huge time saver. Why not try to save more time in another area? And so I installed and began using another script, this one called "nautilus-image-converter" (at least that's the name in Ubuntu, although the package could possibly be called something else in a different distribution), and as might be obvious from the name, it is a utility for manipulating images.

And it really couldn't be any simpler. To call it up, simply right-click on an image (or a large number of images, as nautilus-image-converter is excellent at performing batch operations), choose the "Resize Images..." option near the bottom of the contextual menu, and wait for a dialog box to appear.

Once it does, you'll see a few options. You can choose a specific target size or select a ratio. If you have a number of images, you might not have a particular size in mind... you just know they need to be half as large as they are. Simply choose the scale option and select 50 percent, and each photo will be resized to half its original size. If any of the presets or the scale option isn't enough, you can choose a custom size.

One note: it might not be incredibly obvious, but if you select 1024x768 as your target size, there's a decent chance your image won't end up exactly that size. Why not? Because in reality you're not giving the program the exact dimensions you want, but telling it to fit the existing image - without changing its proportions - inside the target size. So, for instance, if you have a scan of a movie poster that's 1800 pixels wide by 2400 pixels tall, and you tell nautilus-image-converter to resize it to 1024x768 (because it might make a good desktop wallpaper), you might be surprised to find that it will actually be only 512 pixels wide (and 768 pixels tall).

In addition to choosing the size, you can pick a renaming scheme for your modified image. By default, nautilus-image-converter will not write your modified image on top of the original, but if you prefer this, simply select the "Resize in place" option and it will do just that. Once ready, simply hit the "Resize" button and a window pops up, showing you your progress.

Judging by the name, you might think that's all nautilus-image-converter does. But it does have another function. It also acts as a very fast image rotator, so if a digital photo came out of your camera on its side, simply right-click, then choose the "Rotate images..." option and another dialog appears. On this one you can choose the angle the image should be rotated (again choosing between existing presets or your own custom angle, as well as how the new image should be named.

All in all, I think nautilus-image-converter is a nice addition to the toolbox of anyone who has a need to perform basic edits on images, and wants to accomplish the job without opening a big photo editor just for a couple tweaks. I use it for modifying screenshots for my articles; maybe you'll find a use for yourself as well.

Older versions of nautilus-image-converter can be found at its home page, or else your distribution's package manager might already have it available.

http://www.bitron.ch/software/nautilus-image-converter.php