January 15th, 2009 by 
patia
Polaroid film may be going the way of the dinosaur, but its iconic look is here to stay, thanks to a free, fun software download called “Poladroid.”
Available for Mac and PC, the beta version of Poladroid is a quick download from http://www.poladroid.net. Once installed and opened, the application pops open a graphic version of the swingin’ 1970s instant film camera. Drag and drop images from your photo management program onto the “camera” or import them by selecting Convert JPEG File from the file menu.
Recreate that '70s road trip you never took with Poladroid.
Within seconds, the camera spits out a miniature Polaroid photograph, complete with sound effects and a brownish tone that slowly fades away to reveal the image underneath, just like the real thing. Poladroid’s results are impressively real-looking, too, with random color casts in the cyan to magenta range and post-processing preferences that allow you to select the level of vignetting and fingerprint smudging.
A full-size version of each Poladroid image is saved to your hard drive. With a digital camera and a color printer, Poladroid could be a fun diversion at a slumber party or hipster wedding.
Poladroid’s French developer, Paul Ladroid, AKA Dominik Fusina, clearly has a sense of humor. After processing 10 images, the program pops open a message that says, “cartridge empty!” and requires restarting.
There is a companion Poladroid group on Flickr, as well as support forums and a PayPal donation button.
– By Patia Stephens
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January 15th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I’m dying to try this out.
January 15th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I guess this means I can now officially retire my old SX-70. (May it rest in peace!)
January 16th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
April, I look forward to seeing your pics!
Montucky, I think your SX-70 is now officially a collectors’ item.
January 16th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
This software is amazing! I am Polaroiding pics that I once thought were perfect but now are perfect since now they look like Polaroid’s. But for me, this won’t replace
eal instant films. Since this is only a piece software, there’s not much physical aspect of holding the camera and seeing the picture develop in real life, with all the wonderful variables. Very cool program, but I need to feel the real thing to get the most out of it. But at least my digital cameras can at least look like digital Polaroid’s.
January 16th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Glad you like the software, Sam, even if it isn’t exactly the real thing.
January 17th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
lots of fun!