Graphics software
Contents
Links to free graphics programs for Windows
Photo editors
- PhotoScape http://photoscape.en.softonic.com
Photoscape is a suite featuring an album, basic editor,size converter, animated GIF creator
- GIMP http://www.gimp.org/
GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. Fully featured editor sometimes known as "The Free Photoshop". Steep learning curve but has everything you need. Regular program updates. The drawbacks are that the program does not support 16bit images, does not allow gif animation creation, and does not feature adjustment layers.
- Paint.NET http://www.getpaint.net/
Paint.net is a nicely featured image editor, and a worthy alternative to the paid for Photoshop Elements range.
Pixia was originally intended as a program for use by creative manga artists, and that is where it's strengths still lie. However, it does have a useful range of tools for photo editing and is included in this list as it is one of the few free photo editors which supports layer masking.
- Photo Pos Pro http://www.photopos.com/
Photo Pos Pro is a fully equipped photo editor, almost at the same level as GIMP. More than enough features for most, but let down by a very dated looking interface..and the lack of keyboard shortcuts.
- Serif PhotoPlus SE http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/
Serif Photoplus SE is a stripped down version of Serif Photoplus.......a paid for program which would be my first choice for those who wish to effect comprehensive editing without incurring the expense of Adobe Photoshop. Unfortunately, this stripped down version is lacking some important tools such as dodge and burn options, and it does not support keyboard shortcuts. Nevertheless, this is the one I would recommend for newbies to editing.......you can cut your teeth on this program and learn all that you need, and produce great results.
- Irfanview http://www.irfanview.com/
IrfanView is an image organiser and basic photo editor which is unique in that can also play video and audio files. Can handle a wide array of image formats and convert between these formats. Editing possibilities are limited to such as crop, rotate, adjust contrast and brightness....but it can produce screensavers and slide shows and can be used as a resizer. A small, fast program for preparing images to view rather than a full editor.
- Picasa http://picasa.google.co.uk/
Picasa is not a true photo editor as it cannot make changes at pixel level. It is in reality an image organizer and album with some basic editing tools such as straighten, rotate, resize etc. but it does have emailing options. One for the person who wants to share images without delving into the realms of heavy editing.
Screen Capture
- Lightshot http://app.prntscr.com/en/
Lightweight & fast screen grab tool that allows customised selections.
3D modelling.
- Blender http://www.blender.org/
Probably the most popular application among free 3D design software packages, Blender is fully functional. Capabilities are 3D modeling, character rigging, shading, animation, rendering, physics and particles, imaging and compositing. If you are new to 3D creation, there is a very steep learning curve.....but the results make that worthwhile.
- Google SketchUp http://sketchup.google.com/SketchUP,
Originally designed as a tool for architects, makes 3d modeling very easy to do, and has a user friendly interface. Beside freehand tool, there are line, arc, rectangle, circle and polygon tools for creating any desired 2d shape and push/pull tool give them the 3rd dimension.Simple and very effective, with a wide variety of plug-ins available for those special effects.
Drawing tools
- Inkscape http://inkscape.org/
Fully tooled vector graphics creator and editor. Look no further.
- Serif PagePlus http://www.serif.com/desktop-publishing-software
Painting tools
- Tux Paint http://tuxpaint.org/
A delightful program specially designed for young children. Very easy to use, with large, colourful and smiley buttons, tools and palettes. Can achieve very goods results.......and is fun.
- Dogwaffle http://www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/free/
A wonderful paint program and easy to use! with a huge range of brush and media types. Results can be saved only in TGA (targa) or BMP (bitmap) formats which is unfortunate.
Icon creators
- Icon-Editor (Windows only) http://www.free-icon-editor.com/
- Icon-Maker ( on line app.) http://www.sherv.net/icon-maker/
- Icon-Maker ( download app.) http://www.sherv.net/icon-maker/
Colour pickers
- Pixie http://www.nattyware.com/pixie.php
- ColourPic http://www.iconico.com/colorpic/
Font managers and creators
- Font Explorer http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptfonts.asp
View all the fonts on your computer
- FontCreator http://www.fontcreator.com/
Edit fonts and create new fonts
Image resizer
- Image Resizer for Windows http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/
Image Resizer for Windows is a utility that lets you resize one or more selected image files directly from Windows Explorer.
--Tuftedduck 06:43, 28 December 2011 (GMT)