How to convert rgb jpg to cmyk?

[David4321]

Hello,

I downloaded this program to convert rgb jpg's to cmyk. I installed ImageMagick-6.3.9-1-Q16-windows-dll.exe, which installed IMDisplay 1.0. I don't see any way to convert the mode, color space, or file type. Am I missing something? Can this program do this?

I know some gpl programs under development are not user friendly. This one seems to say it is. I am not a programmer.

Thanks

[el_supremo]

Don't use IMdisplay. Use the convert program that is also part of the ImageMagick package.
To convert file type all you need to do, for example from jpg to png, is:
convert input.jpg output.png

I haven't played around with colourspaces and modes but convert does those too.
For a list of the switches for convert see:
http://imagemagick.org/script/command-line-options.php
and for extensive examples of using convert see:
http://www.imagemagick.org/Usage/

And BTW. Windows also has a "convert" program which can cause problems on the command line - it has nothing to do with image conversion. I avoid this by renaming the ImageMagick convert to imconvert.exe.

Best Wishes
Pete

[David4321]

Thanks for the reply Pete.

Where do I get the converter?

As I said, I'm not at all a programmer - so I can't make much use of the link you offered.

Will I be able to use this program as a non-programmer?

I installed from "ImageMagick-6.3.9-1-Q16-windows-dll.exe"

The desktop shortcut only opens the IMdisplay.

All Programs folder also only has IMDisplay and a web link.

Thanks

[el_supremo]

The path to your installation's convert program will probably be c:\Program Files\ImageMagick-6.3.9-1-Q16\convert.exe

You don't need to be a programmer but you will need to know how to use the command line in a DOS window (which you start with
Start|All Programs|Accessories|Command Prompt )

Pete

[David4321]

Thanks again Pete.

Oh, I get it.

There is no graphical interface. The whole thing takes place in dos. Sorry for not reading more carefully at first.

Have I got that right? I've never worked like this before.

Something else is still not right. I click on convert.exe and it opens a dos window, runs a bunch of text too fast to read, and shuts itself down. The other .exe's do the same thing. I'm on Vista.

And if I get it to work, how does it know where the file is. The examples just use filenames - should one use the whole path?

Also - there is a simple colorspace command, and then "For a more accurate color conversion to or from the RGB, CMYK, or grayscale colorspaces use the -profile option."

I looked and I don't understand the -profile thing. Anyone have any insight on how to make the -profile option understandable to someone less familiar but bright? The paragraph about this is pretty cryptic to me.

It's all kind of a lot to try to learn just to do this one type of conversion. I can do it if someone can provide a complete example for me, and I'll plug in the particulars.

Otherwise, do you happen to know of anything that will do rgb to cmyk conversion - that's free or cheaper than full photoshop, and works like a typical intuitive interface program?

Many Thanks and Best Wishes to you...

[el_supremo]

There is no graphical interface. The whole thing takes place in dos.

That's correct

I click on convert.exe and it opens a dos window, runs a bunch of text too fast to read, and shuts itself down.

You can't run it like that, it doesn't have a graphical interface. You have to start the DOS window as I described in my previous post and then you type commands.

I think you have a very steep learning curve ahead of you.

Pete

[anthony]

Once you do get a dos window runing with IM convert, you will also need a couple of extra files.. Color profiles. These files define the colormapping used within a JPEG or TIFF image. For some example of doing this see IM Examples, Color profiles
http://imagemagick.org/Usage/formats/#profiles