Best Free Digital Image Editor
We used to recommend The Gimp, but after I received dozens of letters from newbies who couldn't manage to install it or work out the idiosyncratic user interface, I decided to confine that recommendation to more experienced users. If that's you, and you are patient enough to learn the product's occasional "quaint" ways, then you may not need to consider anything else.
If you are accustomed to Photoshop, you might like to look at GIMPshop, which changes the user interface of GIMP to something more familiar. Although this will not allow the use of Photoshop plugins it can use all GIMP plugins and has a good look and feel of Photoshop. As to what version of Windows this will run under, for Vista users the best opotion at the moment would appear to be to use an XP emulator. If anyone has used GIMPshop on anything other than XP perhaps they'd let me know so that we can include details here.
For other less experienced users there is Paint.net, an amazingly sophisticated piece of work from computer science students at Washington State University. It's not quite as powerful as The Gimp, but it's a lot easier to use and install. It's also getting better; the new V3 beta continues this product's impressive development record. However, V2.x is for Windows 2000 only, while V3 requires XP SP2. You will also need Microsoft's bulky .NET framework installed on your PC.
Another possibility is Serif's PhotoPlus from the same stable as DrawPlus (in the Best Free Vector Graphics Editor category). It's an impressive piece of work; it installs easily and it's loaded with features, including layer support. In fact, it looks and feels like a "lite" and slightly clunky version of Adobe PhotoShop. Note: You need to register with your email address to get PhotoPlus, and you may receive promotional material as a result. Version 6 is the most current free version, however there are more advanced commercial versions.
Recently, I've had a lot of positive reader feedback about a French product called PhotoFiltre. It's available in a number of languages, including English, and ( for a digital editor) is a tiny 1.6MB download. Like PhotoPlus, it looks and works like an old version of PhotoShop. It can read and save files to JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PNG, RLE, and comes with an impressive range of tools, brushes and filters. However, it can't handle layers. That said, it offers a lot of functionality for a small program.
The GIMP
Website: http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/
Download page: gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html
Author: Tor Lillqvist
Date: 11/2/2008
Version: 2.6.2
Download File size: 15MB
License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991
Operating systems supported: Windows 2k,XP,2003,Vista
64 Bit Capable: n/a
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: yes
Additional Software Required: no
GIMPshop
Website: http://www.gimpshop.net/
Download page: www.gimpshop.com/download.shtml
Author:
Date: 06/26/2008
Version: 2.2.8
Download File size: 7.5MB
License: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991
Operating systems supported: Windows XP, Vsita with XP emulation
64 Bit Capable: n/a
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: no
Additional Software Required: no
Paint.net
Website: http://www.getpaint.net/
Download page: http://www.download.com/Paint-NET/3000-2192_4-10338146.html?part=dl-PaintNET&subj=dl&tag=button&cdlPid=10837963
Author:
Date: 05/01/2008
Version: 3.31
Download File size: 1.6MB
License:.Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License
Operating systems supported: Windows 2003/XP/Vista
64 Bit Capable: yes
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: no
Additional Software Required: .NET Framework 2.0
Website: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/default.asp
Download page: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/commence-download.asp?CommenceDownload=photoplus&navproduct=photoplus
Author:
Date: 06/26/2008
Version: 6 Download File size: 19.5MB
License: Requires registration
Operating systems supported: Windows 2000/2003/XP
64 Bit Capable: n/a
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: no
Additional Software Required: no
Website: http://photofiltre.free.fr/
Download page: http://photofiltre.free.fr/utils/pf-setup-en.exe
Author:
Date: 10/30/2008
Version: 6.3.2
Download File size: 1.6MB
License: Freeware
Operating systems supported: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
64 Bit Capable: n/a
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: no
Additional Software Required: no
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Paul Lawrence
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What about Pixia, Photoscape and Image Analyzer?
I just noticed that the link for GIMPshop is wrong... It reads http://www.gimpshop.net but it should be http://www.gimpshop.com
I agree. gimpshop.com is the correct URL.
I have to say that I downloaded Gimp the other week v2.62 and it is a vast improvement on the interface. Lets hope that they keep on improving it. It is much better
Tony
The only problem I see with your recommendations is that you fail to mention that the newer versions of Paint.net require the .NET framework 3.0 or higher, which means they won't work on W2K or lower.
Artweaver http://www.artweaver.de/
Serif DrawPlus is a Raster Graphics Editor !
And not a Vector Graphics editor ! It support own project files and ( JPEGm PNG, GIF, and others ) but doesn't support any VG file format !
But it looks like a VG editor !
Active Pixels ( http://idea-systems.net/ ) is a great image editor, too
It support many image file formats and support layers and many good and powerfull features, but it is in a non stable versions, yet. I test it ... has many bugs and even slow down system , but I think will improve and will be one of the best and free image editors
Something worth trying -- all of them support layer, which is missed from Photofiltre free version:
Artweaver: support layer, lua script filter is very customizable, the old psp or ps style arrangement is good. Add text operations is a little weird (still works, but many clicks). www.artweaver.de download size 8M
Paintstar 2.7: from this version it is free. The download size is only 2.57M, it is hard to believe it integrate so many features in a stand alone program. However, the GIMP style interface is inconvenient. The second popular download under Home >> Graphics >> Editors on www.freewarefiles.com
http://wang.zhenzhou.googlepages.com/
Pixia: http://park18.wakwak.com/~pixia/download.htm..... powerful but not pretty-looking (at least for version 3.3a). The download is 4.8M for v4.2a and 3.8M for v3.3a.
I use a combination - faststone, XNview (it can load Photoshop filters) and Artweaver (whose format can be supported by xnview)
VicMan now offer a photo retouching toolkit with an intuitive interface that seems great for Compleat Dummie newbies like me.
http://pho.to/editor/features.php
------------------------------------------
GOOGLING NOTE: This "Photo! Editor" (currently version 1.0) shouldn't be confused with VicMan's earlier programme of the same name (version 8.x is still available at http://www.vicman.net/vcwphoto/), which has a very different interface and a slightly messy feel.
Is there a free app that enables the addition of text to an image - and is simpler than GIMP?
You could easily use a vector graphics program, like Serif or Inkscape. Serif is simpler and their photo software will add text simply as well.
All free and worth a try. I have used Serif 4 to do this years ago and works fine . All info --->
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-vector-graphics-editor.htm
Tony
irfanview
Very easy to add a quick bit of text, multiple fonts, szies, colors, etc.
It's also excellent for overall image manipulation, but not for pixel-level editing.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-digital-image-viewer.htm
Microsoft Paint, app for whole family (children). Or maybe you want something easier?
Has anyone checked out Photoscape? It seems like a nice little program.
Thank you for your suggestion, it's excellent and very easy to use.
Thanks for recommending Photofiltre a while back. It has saved me countless times thanks to its quick and intuitive interface. It yields very good results, even for those new to digital editing.
It's an online app, but I'd like to submit fotoflexer here. There is yet to find an editing job I wasn't able to get done with it.
Cherif
GIMP's interface is designed for aliens. I would never consider installing again unless they redesign its interface. And I heard that they indeed will for the next version.
A big thanks to Serif for making photoplus v6 free. It is surprisingly feature-rich. I love it.
I just got Serif's Photo Plus, and love it. Very flexible and robust. I also have Paint Shop Pro X2, and I think for people who cannot afford the expensive big name programs, Serif products are a Godsend. Photo Plus is on par with Paint Shop Pro in both ease of use and creative flexibility Photo Plus6 and and other older versions of Serif products and are offered FREE or for a very small amount (depending on the age). For some one who is starting out and unsure whether they will like graphic arts to make an investment, or on a limited income, the free programs allows one to learn without having to dig deep in the pocket to do so. I discovered Serif years ago when I went looking for a cheap version of Pagemaker. I found it in Serif's Page Plus. Over the years Serif has improved their products and expanded the number of products, but have kept the policy of giving away older versions and modestly pricing their latest ones. The latest versions of both Page Plus and Photo Plus (which are now X2) for example, will fit many a pocket book with the slim price tag of $129.00 each. Thumbs up to Serif for putting out a great product, making older versions available free, and offering the newest ones for such a skinny price. Wish more companies would take note and do the same.
gimp does have a portable version available at portableapps.com
Photo Filtre from belle France should be the first choice for almost anybody out there...
Cheers
Mario, Germany
or just go to a torrent site and download photoshop cs3 for free but thats illegal right?! lol
A relative newcomer but meriting consideration is Photobie. http://www.photobie.com/ There ae two versions, both free: Photobie and Design Studio. Design Studio is more advanced, containing elements normally included only in the Pro version of other photo editing software.
Increasing the value of this software is the very active forum http://www.photobie.com/club/forum/index.php and the help provided by users and the program's developers. Ask a question about how to accomplish something with either version and you will get a quick response.
Another vote here for Photofiltre. I've been using it for years and continue to be amazed at how functional and intuitive this program is (and in such a small package). I have it on my taskbar as a quick launch button and it takes no more that 2 seconds to load (great for pasting images on the fly). An Excellent tool for quick photo touch ups or even light paint work.
P.S. You can get a portable version from portableapps.com
I have found Photoscape a pleasure to use for over a year now.
PhotoFiltre is a nice & light app.
Softpedia -> Portable PhotoFiltre Free 6.3.1 -> Last Updated: May 23rd, 2008
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Portable-PhotoFiltre-Download-8023...
A Portable version of Photoscape appears to be available as well.
I use PhotoFiltre and have done for a couple of years. and though the v6 "free" may not have "layers", the "Studio" v9 certainly does. It's a brilliant piece of work, and is a solid and user friendly, entry level piece of software for those who want to get into digital imagery. Also is able to utilise Photoshop plugins/filters (8bf), by pointing it to the appropriate folder location through Tools>Preferences>8BF
Faststone Image Viewer is also one of my recommended, complimentary programs, not only for viewing collection, but has many innovative tools, including "batching", and some simple, yet effective editing capabilities.
For the newbie or novice on little to no budget, each are worthy additions to consider having. The "pro" version, PhotoFiltre Studio, is very competitively priced and worth considering, for the extras.
You are being too kind to GIMP! Even for experienced users it is inconvenient to use.
I appreciate not only the recommendations above but also the mini-details you give.
And I would like to add another. Although it is not as powerful as some of the big names, Photoscape http://www.photoscape.org has served me well on more than one occasion. I particularly like the "Backlight" adjustment that helps me automatically boost all those underexposed shots that my point-and-shoot hands me. (The LCD is deceiving because it it much brighter than the camera's sensor.)
- CyGuyJG
Photofiltre is available in several languages: http://photofiltre.free.fr/frames_en.htm
Authors is Antonio Da Cruz.
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