There's not a built-in "set as desktop" feature like Picasa has, but it's not difficult.

I created an Export preset called "Export to Wallpaper", which sizes the image(s) to my screen size (1920x1200) and saves them to the folder where I keep all my wallpaper images ("Public Pictures" in my case, on Windows 7).  So I select one or more images in LR, and choose Export->Export to Wallpaper.

Then just use normal Windows features to select your wallpaper images.  In Windows 7, I usually use the right-click->Personalize shortcut or you can use the Control Panel. (Note also that Windows 7 lets you select multiple images as wallpaper, and it will rotate thru them like a slide show - nice!)

What resolution do you need? Check your screen solution. Wait for LR4, it will have anti-virus, firewall and whole other free stuff.

You don't need to know pixels per inch. Just export at the size of the screen in pixels, and then the image will just fit.

Hal

Bob12312321 wrote:

 

If you had read the title you would know my os is NOT modern!

and lightroom advertises itself as being a complete workflow!  for me setting as desktop background is PART of a complete workflow.

I can't tell if you are being serious or not. Let's try again:

Any OS that a recent version of Lightroom runs on can display background images from any local folder. Make a publish service that publishes to that folder.

Publishing images to your computer desktop will never, and should never, be considered part of any photographic workflow. If you need to stare at your own images so much, find a way to do it with exported renditions.

You just need to export a JPEG at the correct dimensions -- something only you know. The resolution in pixels (or "dots") does not matter for on-screen images.

What you need to really care about for desktops, other than dimensions, is contrast and sharpening. You need enough of each, but not too much.  Once you have learned this, grasshopper, it will be time for you to leave us.

Here is step by step instruction on how to check for your screen resolution on Window Vista. I'm using WinXP, my system is even older than yours.

http://www.vistarevisited.com/2008/11/30/adjust-your-monitors-screen-r esolution-in-vista/

Here's a much easier way to determine your screen resolution setting:

http://www.whatismyscreenresolution.com/

Make sure it is set to the "native screen resolution" by referring to the manufacturer's specification in the manual, or check your display model # online.

You can also setup a desktop slideshow in Vista, but why wouldn't you just use Lightroom's slideshow module?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/create-a-desktop-backgroun d-slide-show

The only time I see the desktop on my system is on initial startup and shutdown! Actually with Vista and Windows 7 in Aero mode you can see a tiny portion of the desktop through the transparency at the top of the application. But IMHO it’s hardly enough to worry about what's on the desktop background.

IMHO the desktop background should be as neutral as possible, so it doesn’t interfere with processing your pictures when it is visible!

Brightness is not measured in Kelvin, color temperature  is measured in Kelvin.

Screen luminance or brightness is measured in candelas per square meter, Cdm2.

R Owens wrote:

 

Brightness is not measured in Kelvin, color temperature  is measured in Kelvin.

 

Screen luminance or brightness is measured in candelas per square meter, Cdm2.

You are absolutely right. Now my joke is not funny and ruins everything. I will hang my head in shame.

Bob12312321 wrote:

 

True.  seems a little strange though.

Since Lr doesn't /really/ know if you are exporting your images for print or screen (you could be exporting cheap and cheerful test shots or something) the resolution setting is always available.

On a fixed resolution device like a screen, it just doesn't matter. Only when interpolating those pixels on some other device does the resolution come into play.