Playing with SmileBox

I was browsing some teacher websites and saw something cool to share.   Check it out at http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a6b324d4445304d7a673d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link.

(Here's the teacher website - http://teacherweb.com/OH/SylvaniaCitySchools/abauer/apt11.aspx)

So, I decided I had to play around with SmileBox.  I clicked on the Make a SmileBox link on the first website above.  It asked me to download SmileBox to computer, so I did.  It walks you through the process and opens SmileBox right up after downloading.  You do have to create and account, but it is free - don't pay for the premium.  Once you've created your account, you can start creating.  The program takes you through each step from choosing your template to uploading pictures from your computer.  Please note - some of the templates are only available for premium accounts, so choose a free template.

I finished my slideshow in less than 10 minutes, wrote up this blog post and embedded my SmileBox in 20 minutes.  It is a simple tool for dressing up those class photos, showcasing student projects or giving parents a tour of your classroom.  You'll look like a tech guru in no time!

Create a slideshow

PicMonkey: The New Picnik?

Challenge #3 of the 12 for 2012 Wiki asks participants to work with Picnik, a free online photo editing tool.  Sadly, April 19, 2012 saw the closing of the ever popular Picnik site.  However, to my great delight, I found out about a new alternative - PicMonkey.  After editing a few pics, I think this editing tool has more free features to offer than Picknik.  You can do the basics - crop, rotate, sharpen, reshape and tweak the exposure & color.  Then the fun begins!

Original Photo

Edited in PicMonkey

 You can mess around with various special effects like soft focus, boost, cinerama, film grain, focal zoom and more.  On photos with people, you can remove blemishes, white teeth, remove red-eye and lose weight.  You can add text to your picture choosing from over 30 fonts.  Finish your picture off with stickers, a picture frame and textures. 

This editing tool is user friendly and intuitive.  It does not change the original on your computer, so if you don't like what you've created, then just start over.  When you are finished, name your photo and save it to your computer.


Image Source:  "Gold Fish out of water" by Flickr user kainr under a CC License, http://www.flickr.com/photos/434pics/3732732390/lightbox/.