App Review: PicFrame

PicFrame from developer ActiveDevelopment, the same developer behind picfx, is a Diptic like app, but is cheaper and does not require an in-app purchase to enable different layout ratios, but what's it like?

The App

Launch PicFrame and you are presented with a choice of 16 layouts across 2 screens. The default ratio is 1:1, however you can select 3:2, 4:3 or 3:4 by tapping the ratio icon found in the top right-hand corner of the screen. It is here that I spotted my first niggle. If you select a ratio that is not 1:1, then the layouts do not reflect this change, for example if you select 4:3, then the layout view does not change, and you are still presented with 1:1 layouts, although if you select a layout and move forward to the photo picker stag, then the correct ratio is displayed.

Having hopefully explained the layout/ratio issue, lets move on to the photo selection stage. So having launched the app and selected a frame/layout you move on to the "Adjust" screen, and it is here you can tweak the frame, making the left or right windows of the frame smaller or larger with the use of the frame adjustment slider control, and/or adjust the corners of the frames from square to curved by tapping the "Corners" icon in the top right and adjusting the slider.

It is at this second screen that you select a photo for each of the frames. This is done by simply tapping the frame and selecting a photo from your photo albums. Once selected and loaded, you can position the photo by touching and dragging and/or pinching and zooming the photo within the frame, and you continue to do this for each of the frames.

At this stage, you can also rotate or mirror any, or all you your photos, by touching and holding each in turn within their frames; and here is where I found my second niggle. At times, whilst trying to adjust the framing of each photo, I found that the app confused my touch to drag or pinch to zoom with a press to hold, and the rotate/mirror option kept popping up.

So having selected and adjusted your frame, loaded up and positioned your photos, all that remains, is to change the frame style [if you want] and save.

By tapping the "Style" icon, you are presented with several options. You can choose to keep the default white frame boarder, opt for a black one, or adjust the slider controls to select a colour, or choose 1 of 12 patterns.

Finally when complete tap share to either save to the iPhone's library [please note, that due to the different ratios, the saved images will be different sizes and high-res, but not full-res], or share via email, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr or Twitter, and that it, your done.

So what do I think of PicFrame?

Well apart from the two minor niggles, this is a nice easy to use app, that does exactly what it says on the tin, and at a bargain price, and just as with picfx, this app would make the perfect companion for any Instagrammer wanting to create and share diptics on Instagram.

App Store Link: PicFrame; Price: £0.59/$0.99/€0.79

If you would like to try this app, then I have a number of promo codes available, so if you would like the chance of winning one, then post your request in the comments section, and I will randomly select winners over the next day or two.

Update on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 5:15PM by Glyn Evans

*** OFFER HAS NOW ENDED ***

Well done to those who won, better luck next time for those who didn't.

Comments

[Oniontears]

I'd like to try it out, thanks

[phil]

Hi Glyn,

Thanks for the informative review. I also own Diptic and love it. But that being said, I would also like to give this app a try since it brings a few new things to the table. Cheers!

[Mickael LIBLIN]

I ve discovered your blog last month. I love your way of show new product.
This one seems to be fine.
Thank you.

[Jem]

I'd appreciate a promo code please :)

[Robert-Paul]

Thanks for another great post. I would like to try this app.

[Phil]

Hi Glyn
I love Diptic but this sounds like a cheaper alternative. I'd also like to be considered for a promo code. :)
Phil (currently in Taiwan)

[Görkem Erbilgin]

I would like to try, thanks...

[Le]

I started a iphonegraphy gallery blog because of your site and been chosen as one of the 160 prints at the hipstamatic prints exhibition!

would love one of the codes

thank you
~le

[Jo]

I would like a chance to try it out.

[Mickael LIBLIN]

I would to try to win promo code too ;)

[Mia]

I would like to try... Please!!!!

[Lisa]

I already bought and tried this, as well as Diptic. In my opinion, this is a great app, and as good as Diptic.

[Kreg]

I want one! :)

[Artur]

Please offer me a promo code so i can try this new app :)
Thanks!

[Toby]

A picture is worth a thousand words, but framing them makes them unique - i would love this app to frame my pictures that i have taken

[Scott]

Thanks for another in the continuing series of informative reviews. I am a professional photographer/photojournalist and have just recently been introduced to the amazing capabilities of the iPhone. I would definitely be interested in trying this app.

[Axel]

I'd like to try it!
Thank you for the post!

[HK Tech Phooey]

Would love to have one to test it out. Been using Diptic and quite like it, this seems to have more varieties.

[Mennenia]

This looks really good! I'd also like to try it out :]

[Holly]

I'd give it a try, thanks!