There are many graphics programs that can rotate, size, and change the file format of a graphic. What's special about ImageWell from Xtralean Software is how fast and focused it is. That makes it perfect for a Web writer's workflow because it requires the absolute minimum number of mouse clicks. This is great software.

To use ImageWell, now at version 3.7.5, just drag the image of interest to the "well," a window pane inside the app. Then, just resize it and send it to a designated directory. Step three? There is no step three, as Jeff Goldblum use to say in the old iMac ads. (See the image below.)

Image Well app

Of course, if you need to, you can click the popup to change the file type (.jpg, .png, .tif), edit the file name at the top, rotate it with a menu option, or click the popup below the well to change the target directory.

I like the ability to have a popup of defined locations. Most of the time, I shoot the final graphic over to a directory that has all my articles. But sometimes I want it to go to my desktop.

Edit Target Locations for popup

The app is designed so that once you have it set for some basic defaults, the operation is as simple as drag, size, and save - which is what I mostly do for the graphics I publish.

However, if you do want to do some more serious image editing, there is another more extensive mode, somewhat like Graphic Converter, that allows you to insert text, change the brightness, contrast, sharpness, and so on. I've just touched the surface on that.

Extensive Image Editing if Needed

Finally, I'll note that one can watermark the image in various ways. That comes in handy when we have a scoop image and want to remind other publications that the image belongs to The Mac Observer. Image

Watermarked image

ImageWell 3.7.5 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later and is priced at US$19.95. It comes with a fully functional seven day free trial, then you can just buy a license and activate your already downloaded copy forever.

I've been using this app for several years now, and I couldn't live without it. On the surface, it looks too simple for a $20 app, but the power is deceptive: hidden, just under the surface, so that you can use it as intended -- a quick, lightweight image editor that fits into a fast, efficient workflow.