I created a Hubpage a few days ago offering advice on how to create an awesome 35mm slide frame collage. I indicated that, although rewarding, it was an intricate and time consuming effort. (Click here to read that hub.)

Someone advised me that Picasa 3 had a pretty cool collage creation feature and recommended that I try it out. So I did and I'm here to tell you that it is incredible. It gives you the option of creating 6 different types of collages. But the possibilities are endless because you can modify each collage type in a myriad of ways.

Best of all it only takes a few minutes to create the collage of your choice. I've provided examples of each basic collage type below.

Designed to look like a pile of scattered polaroids. Millions of background color options. Three framing options and multiple page format options including HDTV 16:9. Photos can also be shuffled and rearranged.

Designed to automatically fit pictures into the page.

Arranges pictures into regular rows and columns. Grid spacing is adjustable.

Creates a mosaic with a prominent center picture.

Thumbnails with an informative header.

Allows you to superimpose pictures over one another.

I love Photoshop but Picasa is an absolute winner. Best of all it's free! Click here to download Picasa 3. Click here to see my other collages.