Best Free Digital Image Editor
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In a Hurry?
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Introduction
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I love digital photography. I also love when I capture one of those perfect pictures where the subject, composition, lighting, and color are just right. But let's face it, most of the time our photos need a little coaxing to get them to look like we want them. There is a proliferation of free image editing and photo correction tools floating around out there and trying to find just the right one can be a little daunting. After evaluating over 30+ programs, I narrowed it down to a handful. I broke these down into three sub-categories, basic, mid-level, and advanced. The basic category is for those little gems that help you quickly and easily make small adjustments to the overall lighting, colors, and tones of your images without the clutter of a lot of advanced tool sets. These also offer such tools as cropping, sharpening, and red eye correction. The mid-level category offers more advanced tools like layers, adding captions and shapes, the ability to select portions of the image and make ajustments to just those portions, etc. These will also offer filters for applying textures, artistic effects, edge enhancements, boarders and frames. The advanced category will include tools that are comparable to professional programs like Photoshop, or Paint Shop Pro. |
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Discussion
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Basic Editors
Mid-Level Editors PhotoFiltre is a nice basic to mid-level editor with a good feature set. Simple adjustments can be made fairly quickly using the tool bar buttons, or you can make more advanced adjustments by delving deeper into the menus. There is a nice set of tools for selecting parts of images, doing simple painting, and smudging, drawing basic shapes, and adding text. PhotoFiltre also has a good selection of filters to add effects to your images, and can do batch processing of images.
Artweaver - If you don't want the .NET Framework, or simply would like another option other than Paint.Net you should have a look at this. Although it is more focused on being a painting program, it has a very good array of image adjustment tools. Artweaver also has a curves and levels tool that works a little better than Paint.Net, in my opinion. Other than that they are similar programs, with comparable functionality.
Advanced Editors
In A Class By Itself
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Paul Lawrence |
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Is very good like an editor,free and simple.
About Picasa is the subject.
I've found "Paint.NET Megalo Effects Plugin Pack - Over 385 Effects" and "Paint.NET Megalo FileType Plugin Pack - 48 FileTypes" for my favotite app - Paint.net. Just want to share it with you. Easy to install and easy to loose hours in trying all the effects and adjustements :)
This is really great, check it out:
http://paint.net.amihotornot.com.au/Download/PluginsPack/
Cheers, M.C.
Looking for a simple to use grahics editor that you can add drop shadows easily to photos? I just need to be able to resize, crop, and add drop shadows or maybe borders of some kind. What would you recommend?
Give FrameFun a try.
Which is best for working with raw images?
Thanks for the detailed reviews and comments feedback.
However, because of your interest in photography, this category is more "Best Free Photo Editor." I came looking to recommend a Digital Image Editing program to a friend of mine (I use Photoshop) but he wants to do graphics stuff like layered images (cover design) and web output. One can assume such functionality in the mid to advanced sections but you don't really cover that.
I appreciate that many people now seek such programs for photos, but they have a far broader use than that. Or at least, they might. It would greatly enhance the review if you touched on support for layers, vector (not raster) text, and web resolution output.
Thanks!
David
Hi there! What do U think about Icon studio on falcogames dot com?
Your opinion is interesting! )
What do you think here about TwistedBrush Open Studio
(http://www.pixarra.com/)? The feature set looks quite impressive - at least
at first sight.
I've just noticed it was mentioned on the
"Best Free Paint Program" Gizmo page.
Someone mentioned Cylekx so tried it and got my free key, awesome! not looking back now and will be happy to avoid ps in future, Jacky
I tried it and it does seem like a capable product but I believe it's meant for experienced users, it's a bit confusing for hobbyists imo especially with the awkward interface.
I'd like to suggest "StudioLine Photo Basic", it's the FREE version of their commercial "StudioLine Photo Classic", I'm not an expert but it looks like a decent program with interesting features if anyone would care to review it.
http://www.studioline.biz/EN/products/overview-photo-basic/default.htm
~Yaser
Ritho,
I think you should take a look at Cylekx, an image editor which supports layers and offers many other features. Though I use PS mainly, I've tried Cylekx and am impressed.
http://www.cylekx.net/
There's a commercial Pro version too, but the Standard one is very capable.
Marc
Hi Ritho, i'm glad you find Cylekx usefull. If you would like to help promote this new app in return for latest full version (3.1), just contact me though our site. Thanks, Ian
Excellent selection of software as alternatives to Photoshop. Thanks for the list.
Is there a freeware version of Adobe Bridge?
Thanks
Are you are asking if there is a version of Adobe Bridge that is free, or a freeware alternative to it. There is no free version of Bridge I am aware of. If you want a freeware alternative, well, yes and no. Bridge has several different functions, but basically it is a media viewer / manager. For a freeware alternative to do those things see http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-digital-image-viewer.htm and http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-digital-photo-organizer.htm
If you combine a couple of different freeware programs you can probably come up with the functionality you are looking for. Although one may do it depending on what your looking for.
Bridge integrates with many of Adobe's other products and borrows from and "bridges" their functionality as well. If you are looking for something that will also integrate with those products, you may be out of luck.
You may want to check out BlueMarine as it is often cited as an alternative to Adobe's Lightroom which is similar to Bridge, but is more focused on photography. Find it here http://bluemarine.tidalwave.it/
-Ritho
(editor)
Great work Paul. I currently use Irfanview and Picasa but think I'll now give some of these programs a run.
Any chance we can have a list of the ratings and categories for some more of the 30+ programs you evaluated?
Thank you. While I did not include ratings with these or put them in categories (too time consuming) I put a list of 31 other image editors I looked over. See them above in the Related products section.
-Ritho
(Editor)
You might want to try ActivePixels at http://idea-systems.net/.
It seems to be a capable program.
Can anyone recommend a free program for setting the colour hue on an LCD monitor Something like what I think Pantone Huey does ?
Please ask questions like this in the forum. There is a section called "I want a freeware program that.."
You might also try --> http://www.displaycalibration.com/
-Ritho (editor)
I use Photoscape, does everything I need and more. :-)
Paint .NET is my favorite one and I don't think that
"Requires Microsoft.Net Framework to be installed"
should be considered a con or a flaw, A LOT of applications require .NET framework these days and it comes integrated into Windows anyways.
I did not intend it to be seen as a flaw. For whatever reason some people don't like .net programs, and it was meant to warn them. (As if the name Paint.Net is not enough) In my evaluation of Paint.Net I did not count that it runs on the .net framework against it, and it still received the top pick in the mid-level editors. I will, however, change it so that it does not appear as a flaw.
Thanks for commenting
-Ritho
Editor
Have you ever tried IrfanView http://www.irfanview.com/?
Though IrfanView has adjustment tools it is more of a image viewer type program and will not be included here. You will find it already featured in the Best Free Digital Image Viewer category. http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-digital-image-viewer.htm
Newest IrfanView has limited paint functions.
irfanview. is fab.
I enjoy using Google's Picasa for the last four years and have edited around 700 to 800 photographs successfully. Picasa has all the facilities to update photos for corrections.
I agree, Picasa is great for editing your photos. It's easy, user friendly and free. It's what I look for in a software program.
Thank you for your suggestion!
Yes I agree that Picasa's tools are very simple to use, but it really fits under the Photo Organizer category and is already featured there.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-digital-photo-organizer.htm
I have now included it under the "related products."
- Ritho (editor)
1. May I know does any image editor software in your review list do have the Clone Stamp Tool function of PhotoShop?
2. Have you also tried a freeware called "NeoImaging" by the Chinese? It's brillant, probably should be on top of your list of "Mid-Level Editors"
Ron
All of the mid-level editors and the GIMP have clone/stamp tools. If you are looking for something more like the healing tool the only freeware I am aware of that has something like that is the Photo!Editor reviewed above.
I am not aware of NeoImaging is it the same as nEO iMaging at http://www.neo-imaging.net? I don't beleve they have a freeware version, just a trial. Do you have a link?
-Ritho (editor)
there's also NeoImage for frequently used photoshop processing.
PhotoScape should definitely be included!
I tested PhotoScape among the 30+ programs for this review, while it does have a very attractive and unique approach to working with photos, including many very good tools, I left it out because of its non-traditional interface design which a am afraid might confuse some users.
But you may have a point that it should be included since it does many things that the others don't. I will consider putting it in a class by itself.
-Ritho (editor)
Hello,
Does anyone know any program that can remove objects, people, from a photo?
Thanks
Adanacs
I use Image Mender because it works really well. It is shareware, but when I downloaded and installed it, it was free for the day at http://www.giveawayoftheday.com
They've offered it more than once so keep checking. You can find more info and/or download the trial version at http://www.phibit.com/imender/
It can also be found on several other common 'download' sites.
this is what i use,great for removing objects or spots and wrinkles from a face.
http://photofiltre.free.fr/download_en.htm
davy
Thanks a lot. I will give it a try.
Adanacs
Thanks for the recommendation of GIMPshop! I use to be a fan of Paint.net but I've been looking for alternatives to .NET apps and removing .NET entirely. This site has been very helpful and I am now .NET free!!!!! I thought nothing could be worse than Java but Microsoft has given it's all with .NET :)
Agreed, very useful finding
thanks
Someone in México City
Hi, I need a programme that will allow me to tidy up my figures for a scientific journal. Basically I need something that will let me draw circles and squares and add text, so not too many bells and whistles. I used Powerpoint before but apparently that's not up to standard. I think the main image formats I will be using are tiff and jpeg. Any recommendations?
An image editor to keep a watch at is Paint.com. Released in late December of 2008 it is already a very capable product supporting layers and Photoshop Add-Os. Ritho please take some time to review this on. It can be found here:
http://www.rw-designer.com/image-editor.
Main Features:(From Neowin News)
* layers with assigned effects
* many tools (magic wand, transformation, brush, rectangle, ellipse, polygon, ...)
* pattern and gradient fills
* all the basic filters (blur, drop shadow, bevel, color corrections, ...)
* gamma-aware blending, sub-pixel accuracy
* create your own filters and effects using javascript
* compatibility with Photoshop plug-ins
* collaborative web help - http://wiki.rw-designer.com/RealWorld_Paint.COM_Help_Index
It is already getting some good reviews and followers:
http://fediafedia.deviantart.com/journal/22208693/
Screenshot:
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll99/extrabigmehdi/vista-screenshot.j...
Plus something extra... Here is 7-zip icon developed using Paint.com.
http://fediafedia.deviantart.com/art/7-zip-icon-107528914
Looks pretty good by the looks of it. Credits to the original developer of the icon ~fediaFedia
GIMP is for chimps
paint.net rules for basic work
If you can get along with GIMP's "ALIEN" GUI, here is another choice for you guys to have a try.
paintstar 2.7
home
http://wang.zhenzhou.googlepages.com/
download
http://wang.zhenzhou.googlepages.com/paintstar.zip
the download size is about 2.57M. Layer supported. Many features. Unlike Gimp, which once require additional download of GPL libaries, paintstar's 2.57M download is final.
The annoying thing is that in the context menu it will show the thumbnail of the image......
it will not show the thumbnail - in the tools menu > preview in
context menu you can disable it
in my opinion paint star is a lot better then paint.net - it doesn`t
need net.framework, and is far more stable - i worked much with layers
in pain star and paint.net, and while having no troubles at all in
paint star i had constant crashes in paint.net - i wonder if it has
something to do with net.framework
paint star with its tiny dimensions and great capabilities is a little
gem - i am surprised that it is so little known
It is really and outstanding software, except the several minor place need to be polished. The functionality of the tiny program can reach most of the other programs listed here do.
If you download it from the freewarefiles.com, you can see the download count of it is very high.