Paint.NET - Free Download
In a previous article I wrote about a bit of software that goes by the name GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) that I found when my use Photoshop for basic photo editing began to get me down. The problem being Photoshop is an very sophisticated application with a broad variety of uses and with its hefty price tag and tendency to suck up most of my system resources I began exploring other avenues.
GIMP is ideal for many home users as it is a small and free application which boasts a large number of features that would probably prove sufficient for who needs something slightly more than Microsoft Paint but less than Photoshop. My only reservation with the application was that the UI (User Interface) was a little bit inconsistent with the overall feel of Windows and as a result it takes a while to get to grips with and often feels alien to the average PC user.
I came along a different very proficient piece of software named Paint.NET that like GIMP is free to acquire and use. Regrettably it is somewhat less powerful than GIMP but for most users will be reassured by the interface being similar to that of a run of the mill Windows application and as a result is much easier to learn to use. Most people will find the functionality of Paint.NET sufficient for average photo editing but a variety of tasty tremendously helpful tools have also been included.
First and foremost the application supports layers; unless you've ever used layers it's difficult to explain in words exactly what they are and how they can help you. The simplest analogy would be to think of them as a number of transparency slides, which when all stacked and viewed together form the basis of a whole image. If one of slides in changed individually the image as a whole will be changed, with no alterations to other slides. This means that changes that you make to one layer which are later altered won't result in a trial of obvious damage to the image caused by previous alterations.
Another nice feature is the way that the application handles multiple images; rather than having a number of windows that can be minimised and reopened as and when necessary, Paint.NET also features a very nice tab based interface. To switch between an open file all that is required is a click of a thumbnail of the image from a scrollable selection on the top right hand side of the screen.
Additional features, updates and bug fixes are released on practically a monthly basis and there is an active forum that offers a number of plug-ins, should you require any extra functionality that isn't provided as standard.
With regards to special effects, the programme has a substantial number built in out of the virtual box; ink sketch, oil painting, blurs, distortions, red eye removal, sharpening, softening and so on. The image can also be changed using adjustments such as hue, saturation, level, brightness, contrast and sepia controls. A competent set drawing and selection tools are provided and of course the intensity, tolerance or size of these tools can all be easily manipulated as necessary.
One selling point of GIMP was that it is cross platform compatible however Paint.NET can only be used in Windows and more specifically in the later versions, either XP or Vista. This is unlikely to be a problem for most my readers so if you found GIMP a little confusing and don't have the time, patience or money for Photoshop then I would urge you download this tiny 1.6mb application by visiting www.getpaint.net.
About the Author
Chris Holgate writes a weekly article of all things tech related. He is a director and copyrighter of the online computer consumables business Refresh Cartridges who sell cheap ink cartridges,
toner cartridges
, computer hardware and other computer consumables online. An archive of his work can be found at
www.computerarticles.co.uk
.
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