I've seen some time limited GIS software that allows you to easily calculate image area but I haven't been able to find a free utility...

I don't think its a hideously complicated problem to solve. I'd like to be able to import a graphic file and then draw a polygon on top of it. The program has to return the area of the polygon and probably the perimeter.

Does anyone know of a free, legal, program that will do this?

It has to allow me to trace on top of a graphics file so I can outline a feature on a map (eg. lake, island, etc....)
Units of measure is not really a problem thats a simple conversion.

It would be a useful utility for a mappers bag of tricks....



Sigurd