KDE Image Menu or KIM is a free software by Charles Bouveyron. It is actually a plugin for Dolphin file manager, and a front-end for ImageMagick software collection. One advantages from KIM is it allows you to manipulate (convert, compress, resize, rotate) many image files simultaneously by one click. This article introduces how to use KIM for those manipulation activities including some examples. KIM is available for KDE 4 and 5. So every Kubuntu version can use it for now.
Advantages
For those work with image files (such as graphic designers), KIM has many advantages:
- Allow you to manipulate (convert, compress, resize, rotate) many image files simultaneously by one click.
- Allow you to manipulate images one by one too.
- Support many image formats (thanks to ImageMagick).
- Reduce your bulk-images manipulation times significantly.
- Manipulate images with custom values for resize (pixels) and rotate (degrees).
- Pretty faster use KIM than GIMP for the 4 manipulation activities mentioned.
KIM Installation
- For KDE 4: http://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2016/05/how-to-install-kim-kde-image-menu-in-kde-plasma-4.html
- For KDE 5: http://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2016/05/how-to-install-kim-kde-image-menu-in.html
Basic Use
KIM can handle one single image file or many image files simultaneously. Manipulate one file by selecting one file then select a KIM's menu. Manipulate many files simultaneously by selecting many files then select a KIM's menu. KIM makes use of ImageMagick software. So what KIM do for you is basically ImageMagick service.
Warning from KIM:
Compress
KIM can compress image quality. Main purpose of this compression is to reduce the file size. KIM makes use of ImageMagick to give you compression options: 75%, 80%, 90%, and custom. The result is a new image file with same format. You will be asked to replace the old one or rename the new one. Example: suppose you have big size image (1 MB) and you want to reduce it. You may compress (reduce its quality) without converting the image format by select the file > Actions > Kim – Compress > Compress 75%. You may select another percent value or determine it yourself in custom option.
Resize
KIM (based on ImageMagick) gives you resize templates starting with 300x225 until 1400x1050. You have custom option too. Example: suppose you have 1000 images in 1024x768 resolution and you want to reduce them simultaneously into 800x600. Select all files > Actions > Kim – Compress & Resize > Resize (800x600 pixels).
Convert
KIM (based on ImageMagick) gives you target image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and PDF. Example: suppose you want to convert 1000 image files in JPEG into PNG. Select all files > Actions > Kim – Convert > Convert to PNG. For another purpose, select another format option.
Rotate
KIM gives you rotate options vertical or horizontal, templates (90, 180) or custom. Example: suppose you want to rotate 1000 photo files 90%. Select all files > Actions > Kim – Convert & Rotate > Rotate 90°.