Thumbnail Editor / Photo Editor?

[MachKneel]

Folks what is everyone using for creating their thumbnails on YT?

I have been using a free version of Canva but think it is time to level up? I'd like some cool features that the free version doesn't have but before I spend (MORE) money, I want to make sure I purchase the right thing!

All advice appreciated as always!
Thanks

John

 

[BikeFather]

Affinity designer or affinity photo. They are similar to Photoshop but have a one off cost

 

[Drakhen99]

I use GiMP to create all my TNs. I have used Resolve to make a couple of them, but GiMP is easier for me.

-John

 

[HippoDrone]

I use the GIMP too, it is free and does much more than just thumbnails too, really handy for creating .png images too

 

[Baldbiker]

I use my videopad photo editor from a screenshot in the video. It automatically saves it to a PNG which is the easiest to upload as a clear thumbnail, and easy to put the big letters on it.

 

[YBGuy]

Folks what is everyone using for creating their thumbnails on YT?

I have been using a free version of Canva but think it is time to level up? I'd like some cool features that the free version doesn't have but before I spend (MORE) money, I want to make sure I purchase the right thing!

All advice appreciated as always!
Thanks

John

I use a mix of canva and photoshop 2020. I am still a student at my local community college so the monthly student pricing helps out.

 

[Moto Mengy]

I use a free program called Inkscape. It's probably not ideal but I am familiar with it and it's free, works great for my purposes!

 

[LandyVlad]

Again no need for paying for anything here.
Gimp and Inkscape are great options.
Plenty of easy to follow tutorials of how to do thumbnails on these programs on - yep you guessed it - youtube.


Also most video editing programs will allow you to build what you want and then save it as a still frame. I know Resolve can.

 

[Riderguide]

I use Canva paid version. Love it!

 

[Skyd]

I'm using Canva Paid version and have been for quite some time. I have a couple of websites as well so I use it for lots of stuff.

I also use Paint.net a fair amount as well. GIMP is a good program but I haven't used it in a while.

 

[MachKneel]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it didn't fall on deaf ears, just been experimenting a lottttt.

Think I will go with GiMP. The program seems great, exactly what I was after in terms of functionality, but also it is free. Given the money we have pumped in to our hobby, I'd be keen to keep costs down! haha

thanks again all!

John

 

[SighBored]

Tried out GIMP after seeing a few comments.. Had to watch a YT tutorial a few times to use it, not bad.

 

[YBGuy]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, it didn't fall on deaf ears, just been experimenting a lottttt.

Think I will go with GiMP. The program seems great, exactly what I was after in terms of functionality, but also it is free. Given the money we have pumped in to our hobby, I'd be keen to keep costs down! haha

thanks again all!

John

Yes, this hobby is hard to keep the cost down on! But we try (sometimes).

 

[WaltInPA]

I tried GIMP on my iMac but it doesn't like the software (I read that there is a known performance issue that hasn't been corrected yet). My method lately is kind of a mess.

I edit the photo in Snapseed (iOS App). Then I use Union (another iOS app) to mask one image over the other. Then I export the newly created image to Procreate (another iOS App). From there I trace the subject to get that "Outlined" effect. Then I export yet again and upload to Canva. That is where I finish it up (I have my template stored there).

Like I said - its a mess...

 

[LandyVlad]

I have a stand alone of photoshop elements but do you think I can find the damn code for it? (changed ocmputers)

 

[MachKneel]

I tried GIMP on my iMac but it doesn't like the software (I read that there is a known performance issue that hasn't been corrected yet). My method lately is kind of a mess.

I edit the photo in Snapseed (iOS App). Then I use Union (another iOS app) to mask one image over the other. Then I export the newly created image to Procreate (another iOS App). From there I trace the subject to get that "Outlined" effect. Then I export yet again and upload to Canva. That is where I finish it up (I have my template stored there).

Like I said - its a mess...

Wow - what a workflow, just for the thumbnail! ha

I haven't used GiMP for a published video TN just yet but have done a few drafts and I really like it. Some of its features are trickier to use than they need to be but think I will get the hang of it eventually!

 

[Drakhen99]

Wow - what a workflow, just for the thumbnail! ha

I haven't used GiMP for a published video TN just yet but have done a few drafts and I really like it. Some of its features are trickier to use than they need to be but think I will get the hang of it eventually!

So very much, THIS! Why oh why is GiMP so obtuse when it comes to simple things? That said, I've done enough TNs with it now that I probably couldn't spell out the steps, but I just do them from muscle memory.

-John

 

[Dewey316]

Gimp is good, I use a copy of Photoshop that is many years old now, but it has one feature I love, and that adaptive delete. If you do enough photo work, that feature alone can justify the cost.

But gimp does 95% of what PS does.

My TN's I use a template now, to it is easy, drop in photo, move gradient filter for horizon, change text.

 

[LandyVlad]

@Dewey316 adaptive delete?

(re GIMP) That said, I've done enough TNs with it now that I probably couldn't spell out the steps, but I just do them from muscle memory.

Please think about it and spell out the steps - we'd all be grateful!

 

[Dewey316]

@LandyVlad

It will let you delete something and it examines the background and auto fills it in. It is pretty amazing for removing things like power lines or poles or anything. I use it to rove things in the foreground, like a curb when I parked etc.

It uses their content aware fill, I think they don't call it adaptive anymore, I think all their branding is "content aware"

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/content-aware-hide-objects.html