deviantART: Kikirini's Journal: Free Image Editing Programs.

Journal

Update 7/1/09: Added Seashore for Mac. Still working on the long list of programs to test out. This programs list will be a huge one by the time I have tested all the programs.

I personally am asked a lot about free programs. While there are plenty of lists in DA forums of free programs available for download, it doesn't make it much easier to find out what program best suits what you are trying to use it for. So I've compiled a list of what I've personally tried out, with links to download locations.

Why should I use a free program instead of something everyone uses, like Adobe Photoshop?

According to Adobe.com, Creative Suite 4 Master Collection goes for $2,499 USD. Photoshop CS4 by itself goes for $699 USD. Thanks to that ridiculous price, a lot of people who could use the program can't even afford it. This is done because Photoshop sets the standard for image editing programs, and since it was developed, lots of popular programs had to completely change to keep up with it. But bear in mind, Photoshop is not an "art" program. It's for image editing.

That means that, while Photoshop is certainly handy for digital artists, it's not designed for them alone. Photoshop is made to tackle everything from label design, typography, photography, graphic design, and so much more. Some digital artists don't know this, and are in danger of, if they haven't already, dishing out a lot of money for a program that, while excellent, has more tools than they may need. Thus free programs, which not only cost nothing, but just might be designed perfectly for what YOU need, not what everyone needs. So I've made this list of programs I've tested out personally and reviewed to help you find what you need.

Review layout example:

Program name linked to its website (Operating system it works on) Screenshot of the program|Download link

Review of the program, and any tidbits you may need to know about installing the program.

That being said, here are the programs.

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Paint.NET (Windows) Screenshot|Download

Paint.NET is called "comparable to Photoshop" on its site, and rightly so. It has a lot of features that Photoshop uses(such as filters and layers), and is even built similarly to PS. Those who are used to PS might find this program handy because of that. I did not experiment with this personally, but it may be handy for those wishing to dabble around in design as well as regular art. Regarding tablet use: Paint.NET does NOT recognize tablet pressure sensitivity unless you are using a tablet PC.

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Twisted Brush Freeware (Windows) Screenshot|Download

This program is somewhat limited in the free version, but still is ideal for people who want to imitate traditional coloring methods, such as with pastels, paints, and oils. Its ability to emulate those styles is very impressive. Another nice feature of the program is the fact that, if you should accidently close the program, it will automatically save your work for when you open it again.

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Art Rage (Windows/Mac) Screenshot|Download

Art Rage is definitely a neat little program that, like Twisted Brush, emulates realistic art tools, even down to their ability to blend when used together. While digital painters who have difficulty in Photoshop might find this program to be godly and perfect, it otherwise seems like a shined up Paint with some extra tools. It's definitely fun to mess around in, if you're bored.

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GIMP (Windows/Mac) Screenshot|Download: Windows|Mac

I personally didn't like GIMP, but my program needs are very specific. This program starts out with the preferences set perfectly for digital painting. The brush lines are thick and translucent, good for rough drafts, and realistic painting. However, it's a little difficult to change the preferences to suit a specific style. If you have difficulties adjusting a program to your specific needs, this definitely isn't for you. However, GIMP does have a lot of neat tools that may come in handy, like Adobe Illustrator, it has premade brushes like crosshatch, fire, and others, which can prove to be handy. Also, this is one of the few well-known art programs that also works for the mac. Gimp also has the ability to make animated files.

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NekoPaint (Windows) Screenshot|Download

NekoPaint is a pretty neat program, and downloading the full version actually gives you two programs, NekoPaint and its grayscale version, GureNeko. SAI fans would love this program, because like older versions of SAI, NekoPaint takes almost NO space on your harddrive. You simply unzip the folder, and it's done. While not completely translated, this program has a lot of customization features, especially with the brush settings, that allow people to use the program however their style dictates. NekoPaint is initially set up for digital painting, though. Bear in mind, though, that some parts of this program are not set up or labelled as programs normally are, and if you plan on using this program, it will take some experimentation.

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NecoDouga (Windows) Screenshot|Download

Like Adobe Flash, but can't afford it? Consider NecoDouga. This program is made by the people who created Neko Paint, and works very similarly to Flash. Unfortunately, the program is almost entirely in symbols, because it has not been translated into English. BUT, do not be discouraged, both by the language barrier, and if you're not very good with Flash. By playing around with all the controls in the program, I was able to figure out how everything worked fairly quickly. Not to mention, I am positively terrible with Flash, but I was able to make a decent animation in NecoDouga after a few tries. However, NecoDouga seems to be aimed more toward hand-drawn animation than Flash is. Consider trying it, and if you're into translating programs, translate it for the rest of us.

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Pencil (Mac) Screenshot|Download

This program has a lot of features for something that is completely free. It supports both digital painting and drawing, and at the same time, animation! It also works well with tablets and has several tools that can aid the artistic process well. It has separate layers for bitmap and vector works, and a timeline that makes it very easy to try and animate your work. The best part about this program is its size. Most mac programs I download require installation, but this one I unzipped and it was ready. Because of this, deleting it was even simpler. If you are a mac user, check this program out!

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Seashore (Mac) Screenshot|Download

Mac OSX comes with no basic art programs, not even something akin to Microsoft's Paint. If you are a seasoned Paint lover, or someone just needing a small, simple art program, then Seashore is for you. It works almost exactly like Paint, except it has a few small additions, such as textures. Mac users who need a Paint-esque program should use this.

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Cheap Art Programs

So, you've tried out all the free programs listed, and they're just not cutting it... but before you work yourself to death just to buy Photoshop, considering trying (and possibly buying) some of these great and very cheap art programs.

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Deleter Comicworks (Windows) Screenshot|Try it|Buy it for $100

Comicworks is something I personally use. It is a great program for people looking to make published or web comics without buying a lot of expensive materials, such as pens, comic paper, screen tones, and others. It has preinstalled formats for popular types of comic paper, and can save in formats that printing companies will recognize and be able to print. As for the tools of the program itself, CW boasts being easy-to-use, especially for people who are used to making comics by hand. In it you can make a whole comic page from rough draft, to inking and tones, and even to text and such. It even keeps handy tools such as a filter to make perfect speed lines, the ability to turn the paper around like you could by hand, and tones that cannot overlap or be "pasted" incorrectly. A nice feature is also that Comicworks is designed to work with Wacom tablets, so upon opening the program with your tablet, it is set to recognize pressure sensitivy and such. VISTA USERS: Installing the program will not work normally. You have to go to the Program Files folder to install it from there.

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Paint Tool SAI (Windows) Screenshot|Try it|Buy for $52

Sai is a great program for people who are digital painters, or trying to learn how to digital painting. While it might be a bit overwhelming to try at first (I, as well as a few other users didn't know where to start when we opened the program), it has a lot of impressive tools to use. Sai works well with tablets, and I personally find it to be one of the best programs to sketch in. It has neat tools such as the water color brush -- if you press down hard with your tablet while using it, it will paint the color, but if you press lightly, it will blend it. In short, it works considerably like real painting, with some digital twists. And the best part about the program is IT'S TINY! Despite all the neat features Sai takes up a tiny amount of space on your hard drive, and thus can work very smoothly.

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openCanvas (Windows) Screenshot|Try it|Buy it for $60|Free (1.1)

openCanvas is an impressive program. It, too, is made for digital painters, but has the capabilities to do other styles. Its tools are designed to be like real tools (pencils, pens, etc) but have the capacity to be modified to suit your personal needs. Along with these tools, it too has tools photoshop coined, like filters and the magic wand. Having used it, I have to agree with other users: this program is fun to sketch in. Also due to its ability to "ink" over a drawing, it may be handy for people hoping to make an online comic, while it's coloring and sketching abilities make it handy for painters as well. It's a very versatile program for both serious use and fun. According to a user, OC 1.1 (the free version) has the ability to make animated files, and connect to other users of the same version.

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DELETER CG Illustrator (Windows) Screenshot|Try it|Buy it for $95

If you like anime soft shading, or digital painting, this program is for you. DELETER designed this program for anime artists specifically looking to softly shade their work, and caters to people who are experienced in coloring and blending. I, personally, like to cell-shade my work so I tested the program to see if it could do other anime coloring styles without much trouble. Like other DELETER programs, you have the ability to customize and save settings, including if you want the program to do exactly what it's not designed to do. However, despite my knowledge of these programs, I still had difficulties trying to customize my settings. So, if you're not prepared to play with settings, you might not want this program. But if anime soft shading is your forte, this is likely to be the perfect program for you. The program even includes example files that artists made, so you can watch their process.

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QUESTIONS? WANT ME TO REVIEW OTHER PROGRAMS? Then just comment in the journal with the name of the program you want reviewed.

--Kiki