ABRUENIN  It is just the swiss knife of photo editing. Even if you have PS CS4, you will need GC. I do not now a second program which has such rich metadata manipulation functionality. It also has geo tagging functionality ... there are other programs for about the same price which just offer geotagging and nothing else.  
(Version 6.5.2)

AWADO  After ten years of using the (paid) version I still wish it would get a bit more structured in its preferences window. I spent more time searching for a special setting in GC than for an image file on my disk.  
(Version 6.5.2)

POLSEN  Create preview does not work.  
(Version 6.5.2)

NAOH  It appears version 6.5.1 is a minor bugfix for the Universal Binary version.

So far all other variants are on version 6.5.  
(Version 6.5.1)

TANKKNIGHT  Download link takes you to gc website to select a mirror, but nothing happens when you select mirror.  
(Version 6.5)

TALATHARB  Please add this feature NOW:

when in slideshow random mode, pause the slideshow.

now pressing spacebar shows the next random picture, but arrow shows the next picture in alphabetical order.

BUT "next picture" only takes in account the filename.

It MUST use the full pathname instead.

Try to browse your Travels folder by random. At picture Travels/Italy/Toscany/pic023.jgp you pause and want to see all the other Toscany pictures.

But otherwise not dumb GC shows pic023.jpg from Travels/Egypt/pic023.jpg.

This is plain wrong, isnt it?

please mr. lemke, fix this  
(Version 6.4.2)

BLABLABLA@DODGIT.COM  I don't *love* GC, but I like it enough to use it as my main photo management application. (instead of iPhoto.) I paid the $34.95, which is an absolute bargain. I have contacted the developer twice with feature requests. Both times, he responded immediately. One feature turned out to already be in the application, and the other he added and sent me a link to download a beta version with the added feature only days later!! Wow.

This app does a lot, but many of its commands are only to be found by right-clicking. It has been around for a long time, and its features have been added, and added, and added on top of a basic structure that seems inadequate to present them all in a simple and productive way. That's fine with me. It's a little like Eudora used to be... not great (and sometimes downright ugly) in the UI department, but it'll do damn near everything you can think of, so as long as you're patient and not afraid to take a little time and learn how to make it do what you want it to do.

And I love the fact that it'll actually open a TRS-80 graphics file. That's totally awesome!  
(Version 6.4.2)

KAIDOH  Other Reviewers have mentioned it: GC is getting bigger and bigger. But on the other hand this gem is getting better with every release - and updates are coming pretty constantly. Being around for a real long time this app might be a little behind according to GUI polishing but it is still a formidable workhorse I keep coming back to in spite of the new kids on the block (Acorn, Pixelmator and alike - which are fine applications of their own). Everybody interested in serious image processing should give it a try. The functionality you get for the money is hard to beat.  
(Version 6.4.2)

FIREMIN  Thorsten Lemke has been slowly tweaking and adding features to this fantastic app for years. Online support has been fantastic. Several versions ago, I did something unusual with a very large file that caused a crash and he worked very quickly to fix the cause. He offers a genuine shareware product not a half crippled version. It is THE program for opening a wide range of image formats. Despite regular updates, only 1 major revision has required an upgrade fee in the years that I've been using GCon. Thumbs up from Down Under!  
(Version 6.4.1)

KILLER KLOWN KAR  Jeez, once again what a bunch of whiny little bitches. Too many features, too many interface issues. Boo hoo hoo. The interface conforms to Apples guidelines. If that is an issue, Apple needs to revise their interface guidelines. I have used GraphicConverter for ages and still do. It's multi mode batch processing is unequaled for quickness and simplicity. I can quickly crop, size, unsharp mask, convert etc. The concept that it is a 'poor mans Photoshop' is a little off. I suppose a Miro is a poor mans Ferrari. Both have different uses and priorities. Both are good.   
(Version 6.4.1)

TRANCE  97mb !!!?? ....wtf!??

can this get any more bloated?? .....gone from the ridiculous usual 65mb in the last version to somehow adding on a extra 30mb!  
(Version 6.4.1)

TALATHARB  Please add this feature NOW:

when in slideshow random mode, pause the slideshow.

now shows the next random picture, but arrow shows the next picture in alphabetical order.

BUT only takes in account the filename.

It MUST use the full pathname instead.

Try to browse your Travels folder by random. At picture Travels/Italy/Toscany/pic023.jgp you pause and want to see all the other Toscany pictures.

But dumb GC shows pic023.jpg from Travels/Egypt/pic023.jpg.

This plain wrong, isnt it?

  
(Version 6.4)

ST00P!D M0NK3Y  I still hate the program's icon with an angry passion. Ugly as sin. Amazing application though and the interface is much more streamlined and Mac-like.  
(Version 6.4)

BUGSMAN (I ZAP GERMS)  I began using GraphicConverter before OSX had been invented, on an OS8.x machine. It was great then, so I imagine that it's much much better now.

Having invested in Adobe PhotoShop I now have little use for GC other than the occasional mis-configured tif file sent to me by a Windoze client, which PS cannot handle. Open and save in GC and the problem is fixed - amazing.

For anyone who wants a Swiss Army version of a poor-man's PhotoShop, this is the one.   
(Version 6.4)

THEBRIX2008  Graphic Converter X is probably the definitive example of "doing complex things requires a complex interface". It is intimidating, with masses of options to play with, and requires quite a bit of learning, but there is probably nothing else that could cope with my task - managing an archive of nearly 20,000 photographs and producing picture libraries, redistributable slideshows and similar. It turns out that, in this situation, anything Web-based is appallingly slow, even with broadband, compared to a desktop application: for what GCX does, it is cheap.

XnView MP is a promising start, and clearly takes some features from GCX, but is an early alpha (v0.12) at present.

I am impressed by the way GCX manages to grow slowly over time and take on new tasks without becoming a complete muddle; although the appearance is a bit dated (that said, not being bombarded with HUD palettes and other superficially impressive features is a blessing) it is surprisingly slick once the learning curve is got over.  
(Version 6.3)

DRDUL  I'll echo RPAEGE's comment. I own the current version, but rarely use it (like maybe once every six months). The user interface and organization are just too brutal. Doing anything with GraphicConverter is like trying to find a tool in a box into which a few hundred tools have been dumped. Other apps offer an experience more along the lines of picking a tool out of a well-organized tool chest, so I end up using other apps instead of GraphicConverter.  
(Version 6.3)

CYBERBRENT  When buying a software program, one has to think for just a little about the after purchase service. Graphic Convertor was AMAZING!

I lost a serial number in a rebuild of a Leopard Mac and within a couple hours they emailed a FREE updated serial number to the UPGRADED version 6.2 from my 6.1 expired serial. They did not probably have to do that and many programmers would have said pay the upgrade price etc I'm very sure.

Hats off to a great product that is the swiss army knife of graphic file converting + the awesome service.  
(Version 6.2.1)

PAULNOJUSTPAUL  If you ask me, this app is the granddaddy of sanely priced graphics apps. I'm been hppily using it for at least five years now.

As the name suggests, it'll read and convert pretty much any graphic type, and has a really capable feature set. I find it's the app I always reach for if I need to do any graphics cleaning and frying.

Updates happen almost weekly, keeping it on top of its game. True, it may not have as much eye candy as its (much younger) competitors such as Pixelmator, but for my amatuer needs it's just fine.

Thanks, Thorsten'n'co!  
(Version 6.2.1)

RPAEGE  I simply refuse to upgrade from version 5 until this thing enters the 21st century GUI-wise.

I suppose one day it will break and I'll be forced to find another slide-show program with move folders, but until then I just can't justify the cost of upgrading this hideous beast of an app. Maybe there should be a light version. /shrug  
(Version 6.2.1)

ITTY  Amazing. The best keeps getting better. Not only that but still supports the old PowerPC architecture.

I'd give it more than 5 stars but I can't.

Been using this app since the old

System 7 Days.  
(Version 6.2.1)

PAT320  I loooooooooove Graphic Converter !  
(Version 6.2)

::MILE::  Still good...but also still ugly, still bloated...! :(

It's all been said before, so I don't want to get into it again -- and Thorsten Lemke doesn't really seem to care about the criticism anyway...

Or maybe he just doesn't know where to start if he actually were to re-design the app...?!

But then again, what's the alternative to GC?!? So far I haven't found any...there's a few picture viewers that don't do more than the Preview app and a few self-proclaimed image editors like Acorn etc, which mostly shine with the kind of pretty interface that GC is s sorely missing...but I haven't found any app that could replace GC for me yet...

Anyway, once again it has to be said though -- GC needs a major overhaul and considering the price tag and the money the developer has (deservedly) made it should happen real soon...!  
(Version 6.2)

JAMUS  Great app for what it does. My only real negative is how it seems to be handling Text overlays lately. A little buggy and inconsistent.  
(Version 6.2)

GRYPHONENT  Please rework the graphical user interface... it's so ugly. Especially the browser.... aaargh.  
(Version 6.2)

ODDSBODKIN  Oh yeah, another thing: 43MB. Bloated? By todays mega storage standards?!  
(Version 6.2)

ODDSBODKIN  Look: How can you get legal with ANY other graphics software that does what GraphicConverter does best for less than 35 US bucks? I use the batch converter frequently - it is much faster than Photoshop. GC converts the most arcane application specific image files. Image editing features are constantly being added and tweaked. Photoshop rules, and most likely always will, for image editing and graphic arts. But for grunt work I'll take GC any day. Waddya want for the money??

Odds  
(Version 6.2)

::MILE::  Yeah, it's a great app and all...but would you please stop bloating the file size by including all those useless PDFs within the application package...!?!

Why not just put them into an associated folder or make a separate download out of them...?!  
(Version 6.1.2)

PASCAL3  Yes I agree with many comments here.

GC is, with photoshop, the greatest image treatment app in the whole world (I don't know if there is anything like it on pc's).

Yes, the app is ageing and looses its glamour and elegance into more and more complex functions I simply don't understand how to use (the 350 pages of manual is of little help)

But it is thousand times better than any other IPhoto or other dirty apps that spoil our computers.

It needs revamping, clean up, modernising, simple help.

The slide viewer is one of the best since it offers random viewing, size adaptation, music and so on.

The only problem is when you try sophisticated features (so sophisticated !!!!) you never know what xill happen, why it did not do what you expected...

I think that it would be a real good surprise if GC came back with a real up to date appearance and structure, more intuitive, more user friendly, better structured, cleaned up, clearly sorting very expert functions and everyday features.  
(Version 6.1.2)

GRYPHONENT  Been using GraphicConverter for more than 10 years... but it does need a new and more Mac-like layout. The browser layout sucks big time. And all those features need to be sorted better. GraphicConverter has become too bloated for its own good.  
(Version 6.1.2)

DOUGEDDY  I have used Graphic Converter for years. I have tried a number of other products and still find this the easiest and most effective of all the products. The developer is constantly upgrading the program. It is very easy to use. I find this along with Text Edit Plus to be the two best values $ for $ I have on my Mac. Bravo for a great program with excellent support.  
(Version 6.1.1)

GOODINUF  Re: Comments on viewing images. I regularly use GraphicConverter as an image viewer. One method: drag a folder icon containing the images you want to view on to the GC application icon. The folder opens in a "proof sheet"/browser view with all you icons laid out in thumbnails with adjustable thumbnail size. Click a thumb nail to see a large image on the side. In this view you can also rotate, print, open, discard, file images and more.

Another method: open a folder with images you want to view, right click on an empty area of the folder window and choose, "Show in Slide" or "Show in Browser" from the GraphicConverter pop out menu.  
(Version 6.1.1)

IGREG  What I want is a good image viewer. I am still looking. Been looking for years and have not found one.  
(Version 6.1)

SMTIPS  I'm appalled to come her and see people bashing GC so much. It's a great app, it does FAR more than any other app of its kind on the Mac, the dev has always stayed right on top of updates for compatibility, and it's still the best app of its kind available.

Unless you just want to view photos...which I think these bashers are talking about. And there are about a hundred apps for Mac OS X that will do that.

iPhoto is CHEESY. Just my personal opinion of course.

The powerful scripting/exporting/batch conversion in GC is UNRIVALED and I challenge you all who are blasting away at this great program to actually USE a lot of the features you know nothing about then try to find something that does it better - or at all - that doesn't cost you $499 such as a lot of these unbelievable GOUGERS charge for certain Photoshop plugins that have poorer functionality than the same features in Graphic Converter.

You guys are just...BAD. Stop it...here is a developer who has stayed on board and provided a great app which is STILL a great app - if you know what to do with it and not just open a JPG once in a while - for the Mac.  
(Version 6.1)

IMITCH  Very funny Ben77,

What language do you speak, except the one your mother told you when you were 3?   
(Version 6.1)

IMITCH  A lot of bad reviews...

Well, maybe Mr. Lemke is not really interested in his app anymore.

On his home-page you can read about „over 1,5 million users“:

30 (averaged over the years) $ Shareware price x 1.500.000 users = 45.000.000 Dollars

I assume that might be enough for the rest of his life...

Of course he could give his app a proper rebirth, redesign it etc., but it seems he don’t will.

To poor, as long as there are image files on Macs, something like this will be needed.

But, who knows, maybe he simply don’t know how to optimize it, maybe he worked so long on it, that he can’t see the wood for the trees anymore.

Once it was a great app, you’ve nearly never seen a Mac without GraphicConverter. It could have been what iPhoto now is...

GraphicConverter was always hardware-friendly, while Steve-Jobs-Apple spreads new cheap apps to sell expensive machines, in two years you need a QuadCore to simply write a letter or scale an image with iWork or iPhoto... The same with Adobe and MS.

So in fact we need independent developers or they continue to squeeze out the last of our bucks for the simplest all-day tasks.

GraphicConverter is a bit out of form, needs a clean-up, but I hope Mr. Lemke will continue it in a reconditioned appearance, with userfriendly and optimized workflows.

____________________

...sorry for my bad english  
(Version 6.1)

SIMONM  It's kind of sad to see this aged software still trying to cling to life. It still looks and feels like an OS 9 app. This software has been well-and-truly trounced by the fantastic Pixelmator in the light image editor category. To the developer...please let it die with dignity...it's had it's time and should be remembered fondly...not like a gollum living beyond its years greedily trying to trick people into giving up their gold.  
(Version 6.1)

BEN77  I don't kno wei all mei users weeping about ze interface, it is wery guut, because I have no problems with it. So it will stay as it ist.

Zey got lost in the prefs dialogs? No one can handle ze batchfunktion in a reasonable time? But it is guut as it ist! Are they all tu stupid for mei genious wörk?

- Yes, that was satyre -

Those were they days of very good german apps: Toast, DVDStudio, Logic Audio, Cubase, Nuendo, etc..

All were bought by big players years ago, - but what about GraphicConverter? Anyone?...

The time to overhaul the interface is now, not in 2 years, especially the prefences and the batch function needs some serious work. It would be like birthday for all paying customers.  
(Version 6.1)

DOC RENAUD  When, but when, in the name of God will you update your interface to look like a real OSX app ???????  
(Version 6.1)

JURIMA  So get GrahpicConverter, the old milestone an Mac, you get:

An ugly cluttered Interface, with nearly redundant pref-entries on different places • Disorganized menus •

Zoomed windows are jumping around •

Toolpalette jumping, no fixed position, always have to find it after window-switching • Zoomed Images partly hidden under toolpalette (just not in fixed position, size-changed windows hide behind it) • Stupid and absolut useless filtereffects with incorrect preview, big blast - no use • No gradation-curve, only primitive sliders for tonal-corrections • No definable colorcorrection, unuseable for photo-finetuning, just no color-finetuning • Selections can't be combinated/expanded and are very rough • Batch/action-functions very bad implemented, no chance to understand by just trying • Diashow without picture-previewzone only primitive filelist (diashow-filelist in white color - very eye-cancer-friendly in the dark/black diashow-enviroment) • No simple layer-function implemented, must still be to progressive in the new millenium.

Conclusion: absolutely not state of the art in 2008, time seems to stand still here, - since the early 90ths. Back to the future with CraphicConverter...

Was and is just an primitive imageconverter with halfbaked added useless features, - after nearly two decades of development.

Best to say: GraphicConverter is cheap in all means.   
(Version 6.0.4)

BLACK EAGLE  The interface is a bit of a mess, but the application does the right stuff and works fine.

I had to batch convert 2000 textures from .dds to .png's for one of our games and Graphic Converter did this nice and quick.  
(Version 6.0.4)

KP.GORES  very slow: trying to do a randomized slide show over 20000+ images takes several minutes to scan the folder hierarchy. Other apps are faster.

buggy: universal version leaks on PPC

feature missing: slide show by name definitely should sort by full name (with path!)   
(Version 6.0.4)

JOHN SAWYER CJS  I say stick with GC's current GUI--nice and clean, like the Mac's original programmers/human interface guidelines people intended. It's refreshing to see an occasional reminder of how unbloated a UI the Mac used to have.  
(Version 6.0.3)

JMSUIJKERBUIJK  Does anyone else miss the popup menu to choose a font in the font tool dialog in this version (6.0.3 UB)?  
(Version 6.0.3)

::MILE::  Yes, it's a great app, more than unseful and I have been using (and paying for) this ever since I got my very first Mac ages ago...! But...

1. Can't you finally find a way to just update the app by downloading a patch within GC itself, just as so many other apps do nowadays?! Having to dl the whole app each time is really unnecessary and kind of outdated...

2. Could you please, please stop bloating this app by stuffing the multilingual documentation inside the package...!?! Why not offer the documentation as a separate download...?! Each time I dl GC I have to manually remove all that mess, which makes up almost 2/3 of the actual size of the download...

And yes, a major GUI overhaul would be more than welcome, but I guess that's kind of redundant to mention by now...!? ;)  
(Version 6.0.3)

ARGLBORPS  I haven't bought the upgrade to v6 yet. It just doesn't offer anything that rectyfies paying for that again.

Now what I think GC really needs is a UI geek who can overhaul the user interface of GC to something that is less abhorrent.

Functionality is pretty good so it's been my trusty workhorse for converting images, but I think now that we have core image, core video etc. Implementing those technologies and giving it a really well don UI would make this application the killer app.

Until then I'll stick with version 5...  
(Version 6.0.3)

NUG  Always been one of my most-used programs. I actually don't often have to use the conversion facilities, but it's nice to know they're so comprehensive. This program has grown to the stage where it's starting to rival GIMP in functions. My only gripe has been that the conversion to SVG doesn't work very well.  
(Version 6.0.2)

DREMWKR  Overall, I give it 4 stars. I have been using GraphicConverter for several years. Yes, I have the other graphic programs, but I have found that this program is essential. If I have a graphics file I have no idea what it is, GC is most likely to figure it out. For some graphics needs, GC is prefect for those "quick and dirty" jobs. Its price is reasonable, and over the years the developer has continously improved the product, and for that is to be commended.

It has two areas that need to catch up with the rest of the overall excellence of the product:

1. The interface, this needs to be made easier to use for people new to the Mac and needs to be rethought out. It just needs to more closely follow Apple's Human Interface Guidelines.

2. The graphics manipulation features need to be upgraded. #1 one on my list is the ability to handle 16bit/Channel images.  
(Version 6.0.2)

MIXEL  Talk about a load of old stick-in-the-muds.. :)

I've not had any issues with 6, and it's functionally not that different to 5 - I mean, these are minor interface things & rearrangement which shouldn't take more than a few minutes of adjustment.

If anything it would benefit from more radical change.. But enough people have made that point already!

The main thing I'd like to see is buffing up of the edit features - the framework is all there.. All it needs is a few tweaks and added features and GC would be excellent for pixel graphics (once you can manipulate layers & animation frames better)

Lemke seem right to concentrate on the conversion features - it does incredibly well for that, but I've converted everything I have now, so better image creation would be nice too. ;)

Pixen seems dead.. If GC could pick up the "affordable pixel graphics app" flag that would really be something. :)  
(Version 6.0.2)

GARY30  I just paid for my upgrade to 6.0.2 from 5.9.5 and have noticed a much quicker launch speed and all of the features I use seem rock solid. I like the modest changes to the interface. I think the inclusioin of the various language users manuals in the package and the Universal Binary has resulted in its being larger than previous versions.

This program continues to be among the very best values in the Mac software universe. I especially like the lossless jpeg cropping and constantly improving support for cameras as well. Also, they keep up with bug fixes, etc. Don't think this is a good release? Buy something like Adobe Elements and then we'll talk.  
(Version 6.0.2)

TAS50  Hey Lemke,

Perhaps you've noticed that everyone hates 6.0. It's slow. The interface is a giant step backwards. Worst yet the layers are just BAD (as in they make working in GC awful). I've paid for GC twice (that's how much I loved it). I just want to download 5.9. It worked and it worked great. 6.0 isn't even worth pirating. Give me a 5.0 download.  
(Version 6.0.2)

KP.GORES  On my G4 Dual 1GHz the recommended UB after some time of simple usage (just browsing) eats up all my memory (1.25GB) and the system swaps until being no more responsive. The PPC version works just wine. Known problem?

Please: modify the slideshow order "by name" such that the string taken for sorting is the full path to an image plus name, not just the name!  
(Version 6.0.2)

WHYME?  I wish I could get a download of my paid version 5.95 too, as other have wistfully remarked. It worked better for me all around. It was easier to open files and manage the work. Now when I reduce the size of a photo to make it smaller the pictures turn green. Little things are a hassel. I wouldn't mind paying for an upgrade if there was an obvious improvement, but for me the software is becoming more difficult to do simple tasks. I keep returning to Macupdate to see if there is a real update. I tend to use it less now, maybe 4 times a month. I look to other software for solutions.  
(Version 6.0.1)

KILLERKAT  I've just tried to enter the SN that came with my MU bundle, and it didn't work, so I came here and saw new SN will be emailed, but I haven't received anything :( what can I do?  
(Version 6.0.1)

DINOWARRIOR  For all those people out there complain about the size of the programs written in UB then buy Xslimmer. I recommend it I saved over 2 GB of space by eliminating that pesky Intel Code. This is a real comment from a real person also Graphic Converter does all of my immediate graphic needs faster than Adobe Photoshop. But the upgrade price I will not recommend.  
(Version 6.0.1)

CORPSECORPS  HOLY CRAP!

5.9.5 = 33.6 MB

6.0.1 = 101.3 MB + an upgrade fee!

If it were bug free and had a real OS X UI, i'd snap it up, but YIKES!  
(Version 6.0.1)

KLAUSKINSKI  When I open the PPC 6.0.1 version on my PPC, a dialog window says that the UB 6.0.1 version would run faster on my PPC! This should have been emphasized in the download info. And in the image browser, there is still no "play" button for animated GIFs!   
(Version 6.0.1)

ARGLBORPS  Graphic Converter has been a very trustable workhorse and for the money it does a great job. From a functionality standpoint it is great value for the money, but what GC now is in dire need is a complete overhaul of the user interface.

GC has been a usability abortion for most of its lifetime, but with Cocoa and interface builder you've got the tools to make a great UI easily.

I won't upgrade to 6, because I just don't see the point in supporting GC anymore unless the developer will bring the app to a minium level of Mac OS X usability. But then again there's little hope, because even the redesigned website is pretty much an abortion from a usability standpoint. Maybe he needs a partner who knows something about GUI design...  
(Version 6.0.1)

FANTAMIX  The old graphic horse at version 6.0.1.

Great tool with many features.  
(Version 6.0.1)

DAN_EX_JAPAN  I use it. I have paid for it twice since 1994 or 1995. It works. I do too. It isn't pretty. Neither am I. If I could get the same results in Me that I get for GC for an extra $35.00 I'd be the ultimate happy man and I'm a pretty happy guy any way.  
(Version 6.0.1)

JAMUS  My download was coming down as 79.4MB for the v.6.0.1. That seems a little bloated compared to previous versions.  
(Version 6.0.1)

SPLUNK23  I HATE the new ugly toolbox! Bring back the old one or else!  
(Version 6.0.1)

DAVID HEWITT  Generally I don't mind paying developers for upgrades - but this really is'nt an upgrade. I much prefer version 5.9.5, which luckily I had archived and could reinstall, maybe there are some benefits too V6 - but non that I could & certainly not that justify $35.  
(Version 6.0)

CORPSECORPS  _

While it's true that this can do an unbelievable variety of things, and has costed nothing for the umpteen thousand updates since buying it in the dark ages of OS 8.6, i can't see paying $35 dollars to upgrade to 6.0 unless it gets a SERIOUS OVERALL DEBUGGING, and UI REDESIGN.

It's gotten so frustrating i hardly use it any more.

.  
(Version 6.0)

PROGRAMHAPPY  Where the heck is the 5.9.5 download? I need to re-download my PAID version of 5.9.5!  
(Version 6.0)

DASHER  This is great App. For a few bucks you get more features than some programs that you pay hundreds for, and it can open just about anything. This program has gotten me out of numerous tight spots. For those that complain about the interface, so what if it a bit dated, at least it works. So my advice is this, get over it and use it, or go find something else that can do the same stuff as Mr Lemke has created. Good Luck!!!  
(Version 6.0)

PHILIPZ  The author is already working on this app for many many years, and it continues to improve and features get added. Kudos to the developer; the best bucks I ever spent on Mac software.

It could use a re-styled interface, but I don't care too much as long as it does the job.  
(Version 6.0)

ORION MK. V  GC remains one of the most robust and flexible graphic apps ever put out on the Mac (Classic or OSX). It's interface may be dated and some of its features are scattered all over, but it's a wonderful swiss army knife that opens just about any format known to man and still does things it would required 3-4 other programs to do.  
(Version 6.0)

RAMPANCY  If all of these people seem to truly hate and revile Thorsten Lemke and GraphicConverter, as much they seem to, my advice is to just stop complaining, and don't use it. GC is an app subject to constructive criticism of course, but the level of complaining here about it is just plain ridiculous.

No one is forcing you to use or even like GraphicConverter. If you don't, use something else. With the level of complaining about this program, Thorsten could be giving away a Mac Pro with GraphicConverter and people would still find something to whine about.   
(Version 6.0)

BEBDABHRHBRWEFG 3R§5Y5H4WTEDSFB  i agree with previous posters. this app urgently needs an interface overhaul. with each new iteration it becomes more dated and ugly looking. surely the developer's time would have been better spent working on a new GUI for version 6 than adding a couple of obscure features hardly anyone is likely to use.  
(Version 6.0)

FARIBORZ  I would like to thank Lemke Software and also Macupdate for their precious collaboration in resolving the upgrade issue. This clearly shows the care of both company for their customers and is a nobile example to follow in our crowded software market. Again many thanks and all the best for a prosperous career. Fariborz AMIRSHAHI - Verona (Italy)  
(Version 6.0)

PROGRAMHAPPY  Let me get this straight, Lemke: you are punishing the people who patronized your company BEFORE January 1, 2007 by making us pay for the upgrade? Unless that changes, you won't see another penny from me, ever.  
(Version 6.0)

RIDDLER  I'm sure this has been mentioned before but the UB download includes 50Mb of non-English PDF documentation. Surely making this available as a separate download would drastically reduce hosting costs and download times for users?  
(Version 6.0)

ROBERTOAVANZI  Also got my 6.0 upgrade code in the email. Kudos to Thorsten Lemke and MU.   
(Version 6.0)

STEVE90254  I purchased this app a little over a year ago from Lemke directly and have been very happy with it. I do have to agree with others here who complained about the interface, it really never felt like an OS X app to me. I use it on a daily basis and it performs very well. However, after testing Version 6 today, I find it hard to justify paying for an upgrade. It feels like a minor bug fix release with a few new functions, nothing major. I am not a developer and have no idea how much work/time goes into what I refer to as 'minor stuff', but as a user, it just doesn't feel like a big thing, not worth paying for. I'll stick with 5.9 for the time being.  
(Version 6.0)

RAMPANCY  I just got my Bundle upgrade GCX6 license key in the mail a few minutes ago. Thanks both to Lemkesoft and to MacUpdate for their continuing efforts on our behalf.   
(Version 6.0)

PORPENTINE  It's not often that fairness prevails so quickly. Many thanks to all at MU for their efforts to sort out the bundle/upgrade fee mess and to Lemke for seeing sense. Honour is restored and goodwill reinstated. Well done.  
(Version 6.0)

DLWHITE  The Developer Has Spoken! MacUpdate purchasers (like myself) QUIT WHINING! You're being taken care of! (and you know... they're under NO OBLIGATION to give us free upgrade licenses... they're doing it because it's GOOD customer service and generates goodwill! BRAVO!)   
(Version 6.0)

SHERMAN  "An obvious cash grab"? Give me a break! I paid for this shareware gem so long ago I can't remember, and every single update, major and minor, since then has been absolutely FREE. GraphicConverter is a workhorse for many people. A $20 upgrade fee after many years of free and significant improvements hardly counts as "an obvious cash grab." Look to companies like DataViz or whoever it is that currently markets Endnote if you want to see prime examples of that. Lemke is one of the good guys in this business.  
(Version 6.0)

RONALD PRICE  It has been ~6 years since I purchased my GraphicConverter licence but I seem to recall some mention of unlimited free updates until version 6. Sure enough, each new version has been a painless update until now. Considering how inexpensive it is, how well it works and how much I use it I don't mind one paid update after all this time.  
(Version 6.0)

THORSTENLEMKE  MacUpdate bundle customers will receive a new license key for version 6 within the next days.

I have to wait for the list of customers from MacUpdate first.  
(Version 6.0)

BITSMITH  When I saw the notice this morning, I first said to myself, "Aha! So that's why GraphicConverter was put into the MacUpdate Bundle!" I was curious to see what improvements went into v6.0. There were some significant enhancements that I could see possibly deserved a major version number bump. But what I also saw that made me quite unhappy with both Lemke and MacUpdate was a large number of bug fixes and no way to upgrade the current version... the only choice was to re-buy the new version at full price. So there I was stuck with the now old version and no way to get the bug fixes. And Lemke went out of their way to point out that there was no upgrade path for the MacBundle purchasers; the only upgrade path available was for people who purchased directly from Lemke or non-MacUpdate 3rd parties. Very poor customer service and very poor business ethics as well.  
(Version 6.0)

STORMCHILD  Insignificant update, hardly worthy of the "6.0" moniker. An obvious cash grab.

Once upon a time, this program was great, but it's been a disorganized mess for many years now. It has never felt like an OS X app, and the developer is either unaware of how awful and outdated the user interface has become, or simply unable to fix it himself.

Lemke needs to either hire a great UI designer, stat, or put this old dog to sleep. It's not that it's useless -- it's just that it's no more useful now than it was 5 years ago, and no less ugly.

And seriously...what's with the ripoff upgrades? I'll give you money when you deliver an upgrade that's actually worth paying for.  
(Version 6.0)

IDJSTER  This is still the best editing app out there barring Photoshop, and one can't even compare them due to price. It has a huge amount of functionality, and, rather than get into a fight as to whether or not it deserves a full number upgrade, I upgraded right away. Some of the new features and improvements are valuable and useful to me. Does it need a facelift? Well, yes, but for my money I'm happier that the developer spends time on features rather than GUI. Personally, it's just not so important to me that all my apps look the same. Just my .02.  
(Version 6.0)

ROBERTOAVANZI  Yep. Too fast. Let people enjoy your program a bit longer, then treat them with an upgrade. Very unfortunate timing and, sadly, a bit purposeful.  
(Version 6.0)

RAMPANCY  For those of you complaining about what LemkeSoft did: this is pretty much why the devs of the apps of the bundle agreed to be part of that deal in the first place!

As the classic saying goes, "TANSTASAFFL". If they didn't do this they'd obviously be losing money - hence making shareware development more of a losing proposition for them.

This really isn't new - Delicious Monster and Macromates are both doing this with their products which were with the original MacHeist bundle (the reason why it hasn't happened yet is because of the delay with Leopard).  
(Version 6.0)

KENNY.GARLIC  OK, this one was easily foreseeable, one reason developers participate in bundle promotions is to secure future upgrade fees from new customers.

HOWEVER, this was way too quick and makes Lemkesoft look pretty bad, in my opinion.

I wouldn´t mind paying an upgrade fee when migrating to OSX 10.5 or for the next GC-version since I really like the program. But if the current policy remains intact, I know I´ll delete the app and Lemke won´t see me as a regular customer.  
(Version 6.0)

SJJ_PUBLIC  I didn't buy the mupromo bundle, but if I had I'd be royally pissed, at Lemke, but even more so at MU. Incredibly lame, especially given how quickly after the bundle deal this payment-required upgrade arrives. I'm sure we'll shortly see payment-required upgrades for all the other software that was in the bundle too, and many who bought it will feel ripped off. Not so sure this was a good move on anyones part. Oh, and yes, GC needs a major facelift and other major improvements. It remains far too clunky.  
(Version 6.0)

FRIBHEY  way to screw over your customers Lemke. what you did to the people who bought the mupromo bundle, the people who support mac developer, was completely dishonest and shameless. you are the black eye of the mac community and will never get another dime from me.  
(Version 6.0)

MACINTOSH SAUCE  This is one application that I could not do without - I use it every day. It will take a long time to get to version 7 so I don't mind paying for an upgrade, because I know version 5 was around for quite some time.

This is a must have application for any Mac user that doesn't want to purchase Photoshop.  
(Version 6.0)

GRYPHONENT  Well, this was expected... following the bundle deal some days ago. However, I agree with previous reviewers: GraphicConverter needs a major facelift! The app has become convoluted and is stuck in the mid 90's. I was expecting GUI improvements and I'm disappointed that they didn't happen. Being a customer since version 1 of this excellent app I have to say that I won't upgrade just yet. Also, GraphicConverter has been replaced by other useful tools and these days it's not that much about "converting" anymore but about "sorting and tagging." And it's here where GraphicConverter just doesn't cut it.  
(Version 6.0)

AFMAC  I will not upgrade this time. This app needs a lot of work on the UI it seems to be stuck in OS 8. to jump to 6.0 it should have received a face lift.   
(Version 6.0)

PORPENTINE  The main reason I bought the MUPromo bundle was because I thought a GC upgrade fee was imminent. It never occurred to me that we'd have to pay again within days of shelling out for the bundle. That really stinks. It's unethical and risks destoying all the goodwill both MU and GC have built up.

Great programme, contemptible business.  
(Version 6.0)

MAREK  I am highly dissapointed. It looks like Lemke was out of version numbers, and called another MINOR update a "new version". GC 6.0 still got that crappy ANCIENT interface and the only visible difference between 5.95 and 6.00 verions seems to be its new (ugly) toolbar in photo editor.

Shame on you, Lemke...  
(Version 6.0)

APPLEHC  Be careful: Users who bought Graphic Converter 5.95 with the MacPromo-bundle a couple of days ago will not be able to use version 6.0 without buying another full upgrade.   
(Version 5.9.5)

LIGHTFOOTADV  I bought this through the MU promo (I'm sure a lot of people will be commenting on apps they just bought).

It does look a little old-fashioned, but I'm not sure that's a big problem. Features are generally more important. It can open and save into files I've never heard of before. It can do probably more things than I've even noticed so far.

One problem I noticed is that if you pick "vectorize" (something that sounds like an interesting feature) it opens a save as window. If you then push cancel when you get back to the program the tool palette is empty.

The save for web features are something I want to try out more throughly. I wonder how it compares to Imageready CS1. It has a live preview in the JPEG saving window, which is good.

It seems like an effective choice if you need something special, or if you don't want to shell out the $$$ for Photoshop/Imageready (or buy an upgrade just for Intel versions) and you can handle something smaller, lighter, and don't need certain PS features.

One big thing it would be nice to see added was the option to use the Mac OS X colorpicker. The fixed color palette would be nice in certain situations, but it would be nice to have some color sliders, etc.  
(Version 5.9.5)

DRDUL  I just switched to a Mac from Windows, and quickly discovered that iPhoto wouldn't work for me (the library-based organization is not what I want). I use Photoshop and Bridge for heavy-duty work, but wanted something fast and easy, and that my wife could use for her photos. in my Windows days I used ACDSee, and was looking for something similar. I tried a bunch, and GraphicConverter was by far the best. Too bad about the name, though, as it really fails to describe the full range of features the application offers. Highly recommended!  
(Version 5.9.5)

M.U. MOORE  Simply the best.

Bought my license about 3 years ago, received free updates until today.

A program for everyday use, especially when it comes to quick tasks like cropping images, scaling images down, converting them to another format or enhancing the brightness/contrast. Great slideshow mode and image folder browser, too.

Just the GUI is a bit cluttered, maybe due to the fact that GC has just tons of features ;-)

Oh, and it starts *much* faster than Photoshop Elements, Gimp, or anything similar - big plus!  
(Version 5.9.5)

GETSOMESAUCE  Does anybody know what $32 buys you? Are there free upgrades? If Lemke releases v6.0 tomorrow, would we need to cough up another $32 for it?  
(Version 5.9.5)

FINGERJAZZ  This is a very useful program that does many of the same things commercial programs do, but with extremlely useful conversion functions.

But there is this one (possible) bug that I'm having difficulty trying to explain.

I would very much appreciate this if someone can do this test: Open a multi-page tiff (tif) file, and then "Save as" a (multi-page) tiff file with a new name, and then see if your original file is still on your drive.

This is a very simple test, but it requires you to create a multi-page tiff file, which can be done with the "Convert & Modify" menu option in GraphicConverter.

If anyone is curious, "SmartScore," which I use to digitize printed music, works with multi-page tiff files.

Thanks!   
(Version 5.9.4)

FANTAMIX  A handy app to manage complex graphic works!  
(Version 5.9.4)

CORPSECORPS  _

Once upon a time i used this very heavily and found it indispensable, though the lack of instructions on the use of some of the more obscure functions left me confused.

It now does vastly more than when i was using it heavily, and i find it less and less usable.

So many functions have no undo and overall, the UI has really become a dreadful mess. Far too many unintuitive menus, keyboard shortcuts, arcane widgets, and settings, along with elements looking like they range from windoze to Mac OS 6, 7, 8, 9 and not enough from X, have made it the most confusing piece of software around.

Every time i break it out and try to use it for some operation i know it to have that no other software does, i find it more riddled with quirks and buggy behavior, including a tendency to crash easily on my Mac Pro under OS 10.4.8.

A few years ago Graphic Converter was always an easy five stars. Now it feels like a poorly designed windoze 98 app and has a horrible lack of documentation.

The array of functionality is tremendous, but all aspects of the UI need a bottom-to-top overhaul, and a very intensive piece by piece debugging of every piece of functionality would help greatly.  
(Version 5.9.4)

ARES  It is the best image viewer. It can open damaged files other softwares can't read. Great converter too. Photoshop is better for image manipulations, Graphic Converter is the best for file manipulations.  
(Version 5.9.4)

SIXTYK  Whiny nit-picking, I know...but technically, it was "System 7" not "OS 7". *grin*  
(Version 5.9.4)

MARSVIOLET  Very useful for many years, but please do something about the Convert & Modify dialog. It's like it's stuck in System 6 — clunky and annoying to use.  
(Version 5.9.4)

IGREG  I do not use it anymore, I found it much too confusing and it took forever to figure out how to do basic stuff. I put this program in the same class as photoshop, it could do a lot, the problem is figuring out how to do it.

btw, it had a tendency to take over graphics files. Icons on various files I never used with Graphic Converter would end up with GC icons.  
(Version 5.9.4)

RAISTLIN-SAMA  The best graphic application I have tried. A must for image displaying/converting. It can read all the most common formats, and I think almost all the uncommon ones (until now, it has opened every format I've tried) and convert them into more portable formats, with negligible losses.  
(Version 5.9.4)

RBEFOREE  This is a great app. Whenever I get a file format with which I am unfamiliar, GraphicConverter always understands! This should be in everyone's Application folder, even if you have other graphic apps... this is a great tool.  
(Version 5.9.3)

THREEDEE912  Not bad. I remember this back in the OS 7 days. The interface is a bit messy, but it can open almost every single image format in the world!  
(Version 5.9.2)

DOTMACX  Nothing beats it for simple and quick image manipulation.

I can open, crop, and scale an image in GraphicConverter before Photoshop is even open.

While the interface is not cocoalicious, it's decent. And very workable.  
(Version 5.9.2)

MACINTOSH SAUCE  I just want to make a small comment on Graphic Converter.

This program is the best graphic conversion program that I have ever used. I have used GC since I started using a Mac with Mac OS 7.5.5. Now that I actually have some disposable income, I recently paid the registration fee for this wonderful application. I pay for all Shareware applications that I find I cannot do without.

The interface may indeed need an update, but instead of complaining about it here, why don't you email the programmer? That would make more sense IMO.  
(Version 5.9.2)

AFMAC  hmmmm... Crashed after 3 minutes of use when applying filters. This used to be a great program back in the os9 days but now it is a Buggy mess If you cant get the Apple filters to work You should remove them from your program.  
(Version 5.9.2)

DOM21  I love it that they are still supporting Panther! Thanks, Lemke.  
(Version 5.9.2)

OHERICORD  great features.....awful GUI....

Looks like a First age carbon app.

too bad.  
(Version 5.9.1)

MACGNUS  I'm done. Ever since the Universal version came out, I have to re-enter the registration code each time an update comes out. The "too frequent" updates with this app and VueScan have just become too annoying.  
(Version 5.9.1)

ARES  GC is a must have for viewing files (even corrupted ones Photoshop can't open) and converting images.

OEM version http://www.lemkesoft.com/en/gc_oem.htm  
(Version 5.9.1)

WHATSTHAT  Please do never again offer a shareware version of a program as an update. It's annoying. I will avoid lemke software for this bad trick.

best regards  
(Version 5.9)

SHOTGUNWEDDINGS  Regardless of the filetypes some people say it doesn't support, it supports all the ones I care about !

And it works, it's been rock solid for me over the years and sure makes life easier when you get cross-platform filetypes you've never even heard of.

For the amount of power and flexibility, there's no comparison to this invaluable tool!

The batch conversion tool will always be my favourite!  
(Version 5.9)

SIXTYK  I have been using this program since I found it on my old Mac User Group in the mid 1990's. It has always been a useful, solid and stable program and well worth the surprisingly low shareware price.

I work for a printing company and we occasionally get images from customers in strange, non-Mac formats. This program has converted every one of them into something we can use and edit and that is only scratching the surface of what this program can do.  
(Version 5.8.2)

RAZZ  GraphicConvertor continues to be a superlative value for graphics designers, artists and developers. Don't be led astray by singleminded complaints from one-issue users. This app is appreciated by tens of thousands of users world-wide. It is an essential tool in our toolkit.  
(Version 5.8.2)

NOANOA  The documentation is right there on the download page....for free.....and he'll probably get round to converting Gimp files soon, if there is the demand, seeing as it can handle just about anything else.  
(Version 5.8.2)

PIAKO  this program is COMPLETE garbage. The company provides NO documentation you have to pay for a manual! What nonsense. Also, GC does not work with gimp xcf files with multiple layers so if you want to convert a gimp file with say many layers u must flatten the image first and then convert in graphic converter, but that would be a waste of time since GIMP which is FREE will convert to other formats in the application. SO basically there is no documentation to graphic converter you have to pay for a manual and then on top of that the convert function will not handle gimp files with multiple layers. Stay AWAY!  
(Version 5.8.1)

SMTIPS  Just a note...would be nice to have mirror locations posted on this site. Whenever a new version of GC comes out Lemkesoft is down because it is always overloaded, and the only way to see the mirror site list is...yep you guessed it, at Lemkesoft ;) Or it would be nice if MacUpdate actually hosted this program.  
(Version 5.8.1)

E_COMMERCE  It seems the preference to always open graphics at 100% is broken; even with this set my files frequently open at 24%, 17%, etc. It gets very annoying having to keep hitting Command-= every time.

And don't get me started on the Intel version not importing preferences from the PowerPC version...  
(Version 5.8)

KLAUSKINSKI  GC's picbrowser is cool, but has no playbutton for a selected AnimGIF -- so that we always have to open every GIF to watch it playing. ;-( Please just insert asuch a playbutton, dear Mr. Lemke.  
(Version 5.8)

HANDYCAM  OK, you can just go to the Lemkesoft web site and download a version without manuals, 12mb -- not 50mb.

If having the extra languages in the program bothers you, do a "get info" and delete them. Although that only saves you 2mb.

The various read me files only add about 500k or so. Lighten up.  
(Version 5.8)

SUPERMATT  I must agree. I've been a faithful GC user for years, but installing a whole bunch of different languages within the package that I don't need or use at all is not a good thing. A choice to use the language of choice woulb be much wiser.  
(Version 5.8)

ZEUS1  This version has grown due to the inclusion of several pdfs and foreign language plist files. Version 5.7.4 was 14 MB, and this version weighs in at 50 MB. Tried to trash all these superfluous files, but trashing one results in disappearance of also the English language files.

To the developer: please refrain from this Apple-stratagem (see the iLife programs that do likewise), and provide a tool to only install the necessary files as per the language needed.  
(Version 5.8)

CALLE  What is really so fantastic about GC? I've never got the hype.. sure it's fascinating that it is still updated for Classic, but that doesn't mean the interface should stay Classic in all versions. Using GC is actually rather non-intiutive, I'd say.

Good app, sure, but there is huge room for improvements.  
(Version 5.8)

S P L A T !  im having some problems with "Show in Slideshow" contextual plug-in feature... in some folders with a lot of image on it... GraphicConverter say:

"The slideshow will be cancelled because the media with the files seems to have been removed. File not found in mypictsfolder"...

this folder with the old version of GC works fine (Show in browser, Show in Slideshow, etc )

please, FIX

THANX!  
(Version 5.7.5)

E_COMMERCE  Not much of a "Universal" binary when it's incapable of reading in preferences from the previous version. How much testing does it really take to catch a problem like that?  
(Version 5.7.5)

JMH1  My favorite program for quick image editing.

My favorite program to print from.

I love the addition of the Print Preview.  
(Version 5.7.5)

BRIAN KENDIG  A followup to this: go to the Lemkesoft web site and download the copy of Graphic Converter that is *not* the Universal Binary version, and the non-UB version will read the old preferences file just fine.  
(Version 5.7.5)

BRIAN KENDIG  The name of the preferences file has changed in version 5.7.5. Previously it was "com.lemkesoft.graphicconverter.plist"; now it is "com.lemkesoft.graphicconverter.powerpc.plist". Version 5.7.5 doesn't appear to read a previous version's preferences file; this is why it thinks it's unregistered when you launch it. (Though if you give it your registration number from a previous version, it accepts it.) I tried renaming my preferences file from the old name to the new name, but something in it makes GraphicConverter crash on launch. There appear to be a few bugs here to work out.  
(Version 5.7.5)

E_COMMERCE  Version 5.7.5 does not appear to import preferences properly; my license key and all of my settings are gone after updating to it. Any other program, this wouldn't be a big deal, but when you have several DOZEN screens full of preferences, it's a real PITA.  
(Version 5.7.5)

JWENRICK  please backup your claims with reasons

I disagree with DremWKR after he says "GraphicConverter is feature rich, and a great value". GraphicConverter has always been extremely fast to load. It loads instantaneously on my Quicksilver 933MHz G4. And I've never had speed problems when doing "save as". Yes, GC is feature rich, being able to do an extraordinary number of things such as: photo editing,browse folder, print folder, Twain acquire, and a whole host of other things.

It's graphics software that no one that does digital photography or mapping or any other kinds of graphics should be without.

And, it doesn't load a whole host of itsy files when it loads or a whole host of stuff on your hard drive.

Just get it!

Jack W  
(Version 5.7.5)

DREMWKR  GraphicConverter is feature rich, and a great value but the interface needs to be overhauled to make it easier to use. It also takes a really long time to ordinary things like "Save as" and boot up. Its stablity is not a as good as it used to be either.  
(Version 5.7.4)

PWEBBER  GraphicConverter is a fabulous program. It can open any valid image file and SAVE AS any other. It doesn't support layers, but it is better than Photoshop in subtle ways. For example, it allows precise control over "sharpen edges," and it allows much simpler merging of images. Simply open and select one image, expand the image size of another image, and paste the first image onto the second. The first image remains selected and can be moved incrementally by dragging, or by using the arrow keys, to the desired position. Click anywhere in the image and the pasted image is fixed in place. Not right? Select "Undo" and try again. The "Slideshow" feature is great; it will even play a sequence of MPEG video files. GraphicConverter is a great program. It is an "energized" color MacPaint. And it is shareware which costs only $30!!  
(Version 5.7.4)

NICOLASD  just want to echo the fact that this program is a bargain beyond belief, but its interface is in dire need of an overhaul. put these features into something as pleasant as apple's pages app or barebones' text wrangler and i'll be in heaven.