Search problem free graphic editors(or, to put it another way, image processing programs) is not only to discover a truly functional product, but also to avoid accidentally running into even bigger troubles than with hacked versions of paid programs. On the Internet, many sites offer to download all kinds of free graphic editors directly from their resources. For me personally, such a proposal is the first sign that something is wrong here. Offer download a free program for working with photos on Windows 10(and not only) right here and now makes me suspect the creators of such a site of bad intentions.
Through much trial and error, I finally found several completely legal, serious and free graphic editors. As a rule, they were recommended to me by friends who are involved in programming or work as systems engineers. Of course, they are still arrogant, but sometimes they give good advice. The adequacy of the programs they recommend is evidenced by at least the presence of articles about these software products on Wikipedia.
Over time, I developed a simple approach to free programs: I download and try, for example, free graphics editor for Windows 10 only if it is written about on Wikipedia. This, of course, does not provide a 100% guarantee of reliability, but still my observation shows that dubious programs are not written about in the Internet encyclopedia.
All image processing programs that I will talk about below:
- Completely free.
- They have a wide range of capabilities.
- They complement each other perfectly, and all together they can give Photoshop a run for its money.
- Reliable and completely legal.
So, let me begin. The graphic editor that is installed by default on my computer and laptop for opening images is a little-known program and my favorite one PhotoScape.
Its capabilities and ease of use are impressive. It allows:
- Change the size, brightness, contrast, color balance of the image.
- Crop pictures.
- Apply all sorts of effects to images (blur, watercolors, etc.).
- Create collages from several photos.
- Insert pictures into ready-made frame templates.
- Overlay one image or text on top of another (with the overlaid image and letters maintaining a translucent effect).
- Divide the photo into several parts.
- Create GIF animation.
- Print images.
These are just some of the possibilities of this, in my opinion, simply invaluable and at the same time absolutely free image processing programs - graphic editor for Windows 10 (8,7).
For clarity, I took several screenshots, which allow us to judge this completely free product much better than from my laudatory reviews.
The screenshot shows the main screen of the program. From it you can conveniently and quickly enter any of its sections, each of which allows you to perform specific tasks for working with images in Windows 10, 8, 7 absolutely free of charge. You can enter the sections by clicking the icons in the center located around the PhotoScape logo, or by going to tabs at the top of the screen. I prefer the second method, but this, as they say, is a matter of taste.
Viewer tab
I will not dwell on it in detail. As the name “Viewer” implies, it allows you to view images. For example, it is very convenient to look at pictures one by one from a folder where there are a lot of them.
Editor Tab
The most frequently used tab in the free PhotoScape program. It performs the main function of any graphic editor - it allows you to view, edit, crop, apply various color effects and filters, change brightness and contrast.
Different actions here are carried out in different sub-tabs. They are located at the bottom of the editor window.
In the " Home"(circled in the picture above) you can add a frame to the image, smooth corners, desaturate, resize, adjust proportionally to the desired size in pixels in height or width, change sharpness, color, brightness. In general, there are a lot of possibilities. If you download and install this free graphics editor for Windows 10, I advise you to immediately thoroughly study all the capabilities of this program - otherwise your eyes will run around from the abundance of buttons. Personally, everything seems clear to me now. True, I rarely use all the program’s features.
The only thing that took me a long time to get used to was the fact that to crop an image you need to select the area to be saved and then click the “crop” button.
Tab " An object» allows you to insert various objects on top of the picture: another picture, text, line, arrow, geometric figure. After adding objects, to further work with the resulting image (for example, if you want to crop it in the next tab), you need to click “Photo + Object”. This connects the different layers into one drawing. Otherwise, all actions performed will be performed only on the main layer.
Next tab " Trim" In it, we first select the fragment that we want to leave, and then click “Crop”. You can also save the original image in its original state, and save the selected area as a new file.
By the way, any action can be canceled with the “Return” button. It is located on the right.
The last sub-tab in the “Editor” tab is called “ Tools" Translated, these are “auxiliary tools.” Personally, I use them very often. In particular, the “Clone Stamp” tool is very convenient, allowing you to copy a section of an image to another location. This is especially useful when you need to retouch a photo or remove unnecessary inscriptions and details on it.
I think you can look at the other tools in the “Tools” subtab for yourself.
Batch Editor Tab
To be honest, I use this tool quite rarely, but that doesn’t make it any less useful. It allows you to process photos in batches, that is, many pieces at once. For example, take a hundred images and with one click put some logo or inscription on top of them.
Also in batches in this tab you can change the brightness, contrast, color of images, and apply various effects. In general, an excellent and quite professional tool.
Page Tab
I don’t know why exactly “page”, but in this tab of the free PhotoScape graphic editor for Windows 10 (as well as other versions of this OS) you can quickly create a collage of several images. On the right, collage templates are selected (for example, for three photos), and the size and thickness of the lines between the photos are indicated. Having created a collage, you can click the “Edit” button and modify it in the “Editor” tab.
Of course, this tool is not distinguished by a large number of settings and professionalism, but for some basic needs it is quite suitable.
Combination Tab
Just like the previous one, it allows you to combine several images into one. For example, like this.
Print Tab
This tab provides an incredible number of options for printing images. In the screenshot, for example, I print several identical pictures on one sheet at once.
Concluding my short review of the free PhotoScape program - a graphic editor for Windows 10, I note that several more options are not presented on the tabs at the top. They are available only on the main screen of the program - I remind you that it is in the very first tab. In particular, there is an excellent photo divider. Suppose we need to print an image the size of whatman paper on an A4 printer. Using the divider tool, we can split the image into fragments and print the overall image in pieces. This tool can also be used for the favorite separation of VKontakte photos to create a beautiful collage on your page on this social network.
Article about PhotoScape on Wikipedia
Official website of the PhotoScape program
Other free image editors for Windows 10: Paint.Net and FastStone Image Viewer
As I said before, PhotoScape is the program I use for working with images by default. However, it lacks some features I need. For example, the famous “magic wand” effect, which allows you to select and cut out unnecessary background from an image. I found it in another free program Paint.Net.
Wikipedia about the program Paint.NetPaint.Net
Official website of the program Paint.NetPaint.Net
In another program - FastStone Image Viewer I discovered a convenient tool for batch removing metadata from photos, as well as more extensive capabilities for batch processing and renaming, as well as converting photos from one format to another (for example, from .jpg to .png).
I also advise anyone who is looking for free, safe and functional graphic editors for Windows 10 to try it.
Wikipedia about FastStone Image Viewer
Official website of FastStone Image ViewerFastStone Image Viewer
That's all. I told you about three graphic editors, which together allow me to completely do without the famous Photoshop for a long time. Of course, many of the professional options are not available in them, but considering that they are all completely free and legal, they exceeded all my expectations.
If you like these programs, then I think you will find a lot of things in them that I don’t even know about. For example, quite recently I learned about the existence of various extensions that can significantly increase the list of capabilities of the Paint.Net program. I don’t really need them yet, so I haven’t looked into them. When I need them and I understand them, I will definitely tell you about it on the pages of this site.
