Multiple images on a page

[albertrn]

I was able at one time to print a pageful of small photos on a 6x4" page, quite a useful mini contact sheet, but I don't seem to be able to do so anymore. I used HP Image Zone Express but following their wizard shows only one picture on the screen when 4 are selected.

I also have Picasa 2, which offers only a few template options not including what I want, and Photoshop 7. When a multiple image option is selected in Picasa I also only see one picture on the screen.

As both these programs are acting in this way could it have anything to do with the printer software? It is an HP Photosmart 7260. If any other readers have ever tried to get anywhere with HP's 'help' pages they will understand why I need to ask fellow readers of Web-user for assistance.

I have re-installed IM Express so that ought to be OK.

Any thoughts?

[Fusion]

Why not try the printing wizard within XP:

Open My Pictures for instance, you may have another folder which holds your photos.
Highlight them all then look over to the left pane in the Picture Tasks, and click 'Print the selected pictures'.
You'll now see a printing wizard, click next.
All the photos you have selected are ticked, next.
Choose your printer and/or preferences, next.
Under the available layouts, highlight 'Contact Sheet', next.
You should have your printer getting ready to print your photos and hopefully print them out.

In photoshop:

Go into File | Automate | Contact Sheet II | Browse for your photo folder | then experiment with the other settings.

Either way you do it will prove if the printer software acting up.

Good luck.

[albertrn]

Thanks for that.

The error seems to be in the HP software - the bit that covers album printing. I have reinstalled it but it that part still doesn't work. I have spent hours trying to reinstall in from HP's website and the CD but there are repeated failures and I have given up and accepted the 95% working version from the CD. At least the other parts work.

As for PS the 'contact sheet' option seems to just allow you to print a pageful of pictures from a folder, not a page of small images of one picture - unless you know otherwise.

[Fusion]

A contact sheet generally means to print a page full of 'different' images perhaps to use as small thumb prints to show to a client, or to view yourself to choose the best ones for enlargement without printing the larger version thus wasting ink.

You perhaps need the Picture Package (Photoshop) which again is accessed via File | Automate | Picture Package.
Experiment again with the settings in particular the 'Layout'. Choose (20) 2x2 and see if that's what you're after.

Regarding the HP software, I have never used any HP soft/hardware as they seem to have their own unique problems which you could do without.

Sorry I can't be of much help to you.
Don't settle for a part working version of any software, if your not happy, get shot.

Photoshop is a wonderful tool which is well worth looking at. It can do what you want, but not in the way you desire.

[albertrn]

Thank you. Picture Package works nicely on three sizes of paper, which I'll settle for.

I couldn't agree more about the HP software, as would anyone who tried to use a refilled cartridge, although it does produce nice prints when working 100%

I also agree about Photoshop and I will persevere although it is a bit like a degree course. Good fun though.

The Picasa settings for multiple printing are acting up too which makes me suspicious that they are sharing some software with HP album printing (the bit that is corrupted). These things seem to interact oddly sometimes ... I deleted a Lexmark program some time ago when I got rid of the printer but had to put it back because it had control of the spooler.

Thanks anyway. I'll try to talk to someone at HP.