The most advanced graphics editors like Adobe's tools cost a lot of money. But there are free and quite worthy alternatives, the possibilities of which will be enough for most. Creative Bloq, a photographers and design publication, has chosen The best free graphic design software the best among similar programs and services.
Free vector editors
Designed for creating and editing logos, interfaces and other scalable graphics.
Gravit Designer - formerly known as Gravit - is a full featured vector editor. It is suitable for any task: from interface design and icons to work with presentations, illustrations and animations.
Gravit Designer's clean, intuitive interface is customizable. The editor contains a lot of tools for creating beautifully detailed vector images. Among them are non-destructive (their action can be canceled) functions for working with Boolean operations, the Knife and Path Graph tools, plus many fill and blend modes, as well as a powerful text engine.
If you need to access your work on the go, Gravit Cloud lets you return to your project on any device.
2. Vector
- Platforms: web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
Vectr offers all the features you need to create vector graphics, plus many options for using filters, shadows, and . This is enough to handle most everyday design tasks. Particularly useful are the co-editing and synchronization capabilities, which allow you to work in tandem with other people anytime, anywhere.
- Platforms: web.
If you need to quickly create or edit a simple SVG file, there are several that will do the job just as well as Adobe Illustrator. Among the best of them is SVG-Edit.
This editor is entirely built on HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript and does not use servers for data processing. The SVG-Edit code is open. Therefore, if you wish, you can download it and modify it to create your own version of the editor.
SVG-Edit has all the basic tools of a vector editor. But it only supports SVG format.
This powerful editor offers many tools and features that are often not available in other similar programs. Among them are alpha blending, object cloning and markers.
Full support for various color models makes Inkscape a worthy Adobe Illustrator for both web and print design. Despite the simplicity of the interface in this program, you can create incredibly complex work.
Features such as bitmap-to-vector conversion, variable-width stroke creation, and support for Illustrator files deserve special attention.
Free raster editors
Designed for creating and editing any non-scalable drawings and photographs.
1. GIMP
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, .
Free open source graphics editor. GIMP comes with a rich set of features for painting, color grading, cloning, selection, enhancement, and more. The GIMP interface differs from the most popular Photoshop, but you won’t have to look for the right tools for a long time.
The GIMP team has taken care of compatibility so that you can work with all popular image formats without any problems. In addition, GIMP has a built-in file manager similar to Adobe's Bridge.
- Platforms: Windows.
If you're on Windows and don't need as many tools as GIMP, Photo Pos Pro might be your ideal editor. The latter was created with an eye on image editing and does a great job with typical tasks like adjusting contrast, lighting, and saturation. But Photo Pos Pro is also suitable for more complex manipulations.
This program boasts a very friendly interface and detailed help that helps beginners to understand. If you want to make Photo Pos Pro even more functional, there are many extensions and plugins at your service.
3. Crita
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Another open source editor. Krita has been around since 1999 and is constantly evolving to meet the needs of concept artists, illustrators, visual effects, rendering and textures.
The program includes a wide variety of brushes and supports many plugins: from advanced filters to auxiliary tools for working with perspective.
Some of the most interesting features include brush stabilizers that smooth out lines, a loop mode for creating seamless patterns and textures, and a pop-up palette for quick color selection.
4. Pixlr
- Platforms: Web, iOS, Android.
Pixlr offers over 600 effects, overlays and frames. With this service, you can do everything you would expect from : resize images, crop them, remove red-eye, whiten teeth, and much more.
If you're familiar with Photoshop, you'll get up to speed on the web version of Pixlr very quickly. The interfaces of these editors are very similar.
- Platforms: Windows.
Paint.NET is an alternative to the Paint program built into all versions of Windows. But don't let the similarity of names fool you: Paint.NET is a much more advanced and useful editor.
The development team focuses on ease of use and improves Paint.NET's photo editing features rather than graphics design capabilities. However, Paint.NET allows you to control perspective, manipulate pixels on the canvas, clone selections, and so on.
With support for layers, a wide selection of selection tools, and settings like brightness/contrast and curves, Paint.NET can be seen as a worthy replacement for Photoshop.
- Platforms: web.
Sumo Paint is fast on the web and performs just as well as desktop editors. But you will need Adobe Flash Player to run it. So Sumo Paint is not for iOS devices.
Sumo Paint's arsenal of settings and features includes pencils, brushes, text, gradients, cloning, shapes, and more. All this is always in view on a floating panel like the one you might see in .
Free 3D graphics editors
Designed to work with 3D models, effects and animations.
- Platforms: web.
SketchUp Free can be called the ideal entry point into the world of 3D graphics. This editor kindly brings the newbie up to date and forgives him for all the mistakes made. You can start by simply drawing lines and shapes and then turn them into 3D objects.
If you need inspiration, you can download models of various objects for free from the 3D Warehouse library through the search form on the SketchUp website.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS.
With the help of Daz Studio, you can customize, move in space and various 3D objects like people, animals, objects.
You can create unique characters, worlds, various design elements and much more. But Daz Studio lacks the modeling and texturing capabilities available in paid alternatives. A detailed table with a comparison of editors can be found on the project website.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS.
Hexagon is a free 3D modeling tool. It has everything you need to create detailed models ready for final rendering.
Among the tools and functions of the program you will find the ability to quickly import from Daz Studio, presets for various objects, brushes for manual modeling, UV-scan (applying flat textures to a three-dimensional object), advanced drawing tools and instant shading (instant ambient occlusion).
Daz Studio and Hexagon are created by the same developer and complement each other. Together they make up a complete free 3D graphics suite.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, .
Blender is an advanced free and open source 3D graphics editor available for all major platforms.
Developers are constantly developing Blender. It supports all possible operations with 3D graphics: allows you to model, texture, animate, render and compose.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS.
If you're interested in the art of digital sculpting, try Pixologic's Sculptris. It suits equally well for any level of training. Beginners get a good starting tool, and already experienced digital artists get a platform for quick and easy implementation of ideas.
Sculptris is based on the same developer's ZBrush editor, the most popular digital sculpting application. When you're ready to take it to the next level, you can easily switch to ZBrush.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Houdini is a 3D animation and visual effects tool often used for film, TV and other media content.
The cost of the editor starts at $2,000. But the developers of the program - Side Effects Software - allow you to use the version of Houdini Apprentice for free. Thanks to it, you can access all the features of the full version and hone your skills on personal projects. Only Houdini Apprentice is for non-commercial and educational purposes only.
There are times when you just want to convert a certain image to a vector and this is where the best will come in handy. image vectorization software .
Depending on what you want to achieve, image vectorization software is better than starting from scratch because it's more accurate and cleaner if you're not a pro at it.
Have you tried any of these programs? If so, let us know which one and how it worked out best for you by leaving a comment in the section below.
So what are the best tools for vectorizing images?
1. Vector extractor
This best image vectorization software converts raster images like pictures or maps and others like photo logos and illustrations into vector format.
The program saves the converted images in DXF, WMF, EMF, EPS, AI or SVG vector formats, which can be imported into popular vector graphics applications such as Corel Draw, AutoCAD and Illustrator, and others.
Some features and tools include zooming, scrolling, color selection, TWAIN support for image import, automatic recognition of lines and arcs or circles, conversion of color and black and white images for recognition, built-in vector editor for editing. vectorization results, Bezier splines for creating curves, and more.
2.Inkscape
It is a free and open source vector graphics editor tool that includes tools for editing photos, images, and text, as well as support for most graphic formats such as SVG, PNG, WMF, PDF, and many more.
Whether you are an illustrator, designer, web designer, or just want to create vector images, this is the best image vectorization software.
3.WinTopo
It is a high-quality software for converting image files in various formats such as JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF or TIF and scanned images into useful vector image files suitable for CAD, GIS and CNC applications.
It comes in two versions: Freeware and Pro .
The first, WinTopo Freeware, is completely free for everyone, but still gives better results than most commercial alternatives, which are quite expensive, and has over 10 million users worldwide.
On the other hand, WinTopo Pro, the professional version, has more processing options and finer control when converting images to vectors or vectorizing images.
It includes pre-processing options that help you achieve optimal results, as well as a more advanced vectorization engine built over years of programming, design, and imaging.
Each of these versions comes with one-touch vectorization, arc detection, polyline smoothing and reduction, previews in options windows, automatic scaling, and various vector save formats.
However, the Pro version has more features such as geotagging, batch processing, negative and brightness options, hole filling, spot removal and cropping.
4 Vector Magic
It is one of the most popular image vectorizing software that you can use to quickly convert bitmaps to vectors and prepare your drawings for printing or embroidery, cutting and other processes.
With this tool, you can automatically convert images to real SVG, EPS and PDF vectors online by downloading them without having to install software and you will get instant results.
It also comes with a desktop standalone image vectorization application, supports AI or DXF file formats and output, and pairs well with Illustrator, Corel, and other programs.
Vectorization happens automatically when Vector Magic detects your image, analyzes and provides the appropriate settings for vectorization, and then traces the shapes in full color, after which you can view the result.
Other features include sub-pixel accuracy where you can track every bit of information and precise slice pixels to recreate the intent of the original image, the right number of nodes placed in great places makes it easy to work with the result, easy to use options to edit results online and in desktop application, as well as image tracing to highlight shapes and create a real vector image.
There are other services on the web that claim to vectorize images, but in reality they just embed pixels without tracking them across vectors, leaving a blurry file when scaled up.
Vector Magic always traces your bitmap, carefully identifying the underlying shapes, and gives you a true vector image with all its benefits.
In contrast, there are many services available on the web that claim to convert bitmaps to vectors, but in reality they just embed pixels without tracking them as vector shapes.
5.Vectorizer
This image vectorizer converts bitmap images such as PNG, BMP and JPEG to Scalable Vector Graphics or SVG.
Vectorizer converts these bitmaps without any loss in graphic quality, making them highly scalable. Some examples include logos, tattoos, clip art, stickers, and t-shirt designs.
6. BoxySVG
BoxySVG is a relatively easy to use tool. Unlike the tools listed above, this program does not offer advanced features, but it is ideal for beginners.
Once you get the hang of this tool and learn how to create vector images, you can play around with the typography and geometry options. Once you are satisfied with the results, you can export SVG files to other formats.
Graphic editor designed for processing graphic images on a computer. How you edit images depends greatly on how the image is encoded on your computer.
The method of encoding information using a sequence of bytes is called a format. A graphic format is a way of recording graphic information. All graphic formats are divided into raster and vector.
Raster format characterized by the fact that the entire image is divided vertically and horizontally into fairly small rectangles - the so-called picture elements, or pixels (from the English pixel - picture element).
In addition to the size of the image, information about the number of colors encoded in the file is also important. The color of each pixel is encoded with a certain number of bits. Depending on how many bits are allocated for the color of each pixel, it is possible to encode a different number of colors. If only one bit is allocated for encoding, then each pixel can be either white (value 1) or black (value 0). Such an image is called monochrome. If four bits are allocated for encoding, then 2 4 = 16 different colors can be encoded, corresponding to combinations of bits from 0000 to 1111. If 8 bits are allocated, then such a pattern can contain 2 8 = 256 different colors. 16 bits - 2 16 \u003d 65,536 different colors (the so-called high color). And, finally, if we allocate 24 bits, then potentially the picture can contain 2 24 = 16 777 216 different colors and shades ( true color).
The process of dividing a color into its constituent components is called color model. Three color models are used in computer graphics: RGB, CMYK and HSB.
The most common color coding method is the RGB model. With this coding method, any color is represented as a combination of three colors: red (Red), green (Green) and blue (Blue), taken with different intensities. The intensity of each of the three colors is one byte (that is, a number in the range from 0 to 255).
AT vector format the picture is presented as a combination of simple geometric shapes - points, line segments and curves, circles, rectangles, etc. At the same time, for a complete description of the picture, it is necessary to know the type and basic coordinates of each figure, for example, the coordinates of the two ends of the segment, the coordinates of the center and the diameter of the circle etc.
This coding method is ideal for drawings that are easy to represent as a combination of simple shapes, such as technical drawings. At vector graphics many merits. It is economical in terms of disk space required for storing images: this is due to the fact that it is not the image itself that is saved, but only some basic data, using which the program recreates the image every time.
In addition, the description of color characteristics almost does not increase the file size. Vector graphics objects are easily transformed and modified, which has almost no effect on image quality. Scaling, rotation, warping can be reduced to elementary transformations over vectors.
Graphic editors designed to work with raster images are called raster editors. The most common editors are Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Paint, which is part of Windows.
Designed for working with vector images vector editors. Among them are Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, 3-D Max and others.
A graphic editor is a special program designed for viewing on a computer. In addition, such software allows you to make drawings yourself. For the first time, the presentation of data in graphical form on a computer was implemented in the 50s of the last century. It was at that time that graphic programs for computers were developed, which were used in the military and scientific fields. At the moment, there are three main types of graphic editors - raster, vector and hybrid.
Basic functions of graphic editors
The main functions of graphic editors include:
- in the editor, it can be created both manually and using special tools (stamps, curves, etc.).
- Converting an already finished image. Photos and pictures can be moved, rotated and scaled. Also, such programs provide the ability to work with individual parts of the image. For example, a function such as deleting a fragment of an image is usually available. Pictures can also be copied both completely and in parts, as well as glued and colored.
- Entering text into an image. In this case, you can usually use a variety of fonts - both modern and stylized "antique".
- Working with external devices. The drawn or edited image, if desired, can be printed on a printer without leaving the program. Of course, the file can be saved to any folder on your hard drive or external drive.
Raster editors
A raster graphics editor is a tool designed primarily for processing ready-made images. This software guarantees the most accurate transmission of tones and semitones. It is made up of many dots called pixels. Raster images are characterized by maximum realism. Quality is determined by the number of pixels, as well as their ability to convey color. The more dots of different shades an image contains, the clearer it is. Raster graphics editors have one small drawback. Free scaling of images using them without loss of quality is impossible. The fact is that each picture contains a strictly fixed number of points. So, let's say that as you zoom in on the image, the dots just get bigger. That is, the picture will lose clarity.
Most often, a bitmap image is saved in. However, most editors also support such common formats as bmp, gif, tif, etc.
Vector graphics editors
A vector graphics editor is a program designed to create high-precision images. These can be, for example, drawings or diagrams. Such images are much more clear than raster images. All elements are described mathematically. Therefore, an increase in such a picture can be performed absolutely without loss of clarity. However, a vector editor cannot provide such realism of an image as a raster editor.
Graphic editors of vector graphics allow not only to perform drawings manually, but also to convert raster images into schemes. For this, the so-called tracing method is used. Thus, for example, an ordinary photo can be converted into a stylish poster. The files in which vector drawings are saved are small compared to raster files.
Hybrid graphic editors
In a hybrid graphics editor, you can use both raster and vector tools to create an image. The main disadvantage of such programs can be called the complexity of use. Therefore, they have not yet received particularly wide distribution.
Raster editor Paint
So, a graphics editor - what is it? This is a very convenient software, an indispensable tool in the work of artists, photojournalists, engineers, architects, etc. Today, there are editors both very complex, designed for professionals, and simpler, used by ordinary people. The latter include Paint, a single-window raster editor that is available on almost every home computer. Most of the window of this program is occupied by the drawing area. in Paint is on the left. The program allows you to freely draw, scale pictures, change their color, erase unnecessary details, and also cancel all these actions with almost one click.
Raster editor Adobe Photoshop
Like all raster graphics editors, Adobe Photoshop is designed to work primarily with digital photographs. This program was developed as a tool for professionals, but very quickly gained popularity among amateurs. Its main distinguishing feature is a truly unlimited list of tools. With this program it is easy to cut out individual parts of images, create masks, change the proportions of images and their individual parts. If desired, you can apply a variety of effects to a photo or picture, change their color, brightness, saturation, contrast, etc.
Vector editor Corel Draw
The working tools of the Corel Draw graphic editor are, first of all, geometric shapes that can be converted to any other images, as well as curves. Using the latter, it is easy to bring a hand-drawn picture to perfection. You can paint over the resulting images in a variety of ways. If desired, it is allowed to use both simple colors and various patterns and textures.
Drawings in Corel Draw are created on a worksheet placed in the center of the window. The toolbar is located on the left side.
A graphics editor is a thing that can be useful in a variety of situations. Learning how to use at least the simplest is definitely worth it. With the help of such software, you can turn any nondescript photo into a real work of art, make a caricature or draw an interesting picture and send it to your friends.
Graphic editor- these are computer tools for obtaining and processing graphic images: drawings, pictures, drawings, diagrams, graphs, etc., which are obtained on a monitor screen and can be printed.Please note that in modern graphic editors, as a rule, it is possible to work with both raster and vector objects. For example, use Bezier curves, text symbols in raster editors. However, the predominant focus on working with graphics of a certain type remains.
Editors for working with vector graphics:
Adobe Illustrator allows you to create vector images of any level of complexity, using standard drawing tools and color management capabilities in this area. A clear interface and easy access to all application functions provide a professional level of control over the entire graphics creation process.
Corel Draw- one of the most powerful packages designed to create vector graphics. With the help of CorelDraw tools, you can create illustrations of varying complexity, booklets, logos, etc. The program has tools for editing curves created with the mouse.
macromedia freehand- a unique multi-page environment for creating complex illustrations and layouts for publication in print. Unlike Adobe Illustrator, the program supports working with multipage documents, which allows it to be used for layout. Starting with the eleventh version of the editor, SWF movies can be inserted into a document.
inkscape is a free vector editor. It has flexible drawing tools, a powerful text tool, and allows you to use Bezier and Cornu curves.
Editors for working with raster graphics
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP is the undisputed leader among professional graphic editors due to its widest capabilities, high efficiency and speed. This editor has all the necessary tools for creating, correcting, editing and preparing images for printing.
The main purpose of the program is the creation of photo-realistic images, working with color images, retouching, color correction, collage, etc. Adobe Photoshop has all the tools for working with bitmaps with the ability to work with multilayer images.
PAINT- a simple raster graphics editor from Microsoft, which is part of the Windows operating system. Features an intuitive and innovative user interface. The new version of Paint.NET introduces layering, infinite undo, special effects, and a wide variety of other useful tools.
COREL PHOTO-PAINT designed for processing raster photographic images. With it, you can professionally prepare images for publication, both in print and on the Internet, also in PDF format. It has tools for creating non-standard program interfaces, Web-graphics, creating images based on montage, collage, drawing with brushes and ready-made objects.
It does not have the same popularity as Adobe Photoshop, but is comparable to it in terms of technical capabilities. GIMP- freely distributed graphic raster editor that supports more than thirty image formats, contains tools for working with layers, masks, filters and blending modes. The arsenal of the program has a huge range of tools for color correction and processing of any photos and images. The functionality of the graphic editor can be supplemented with numerous plug-ins and extensions written specifically for GIMP. Usually they are created not by eminent companies, but by ordinary programmers, but despite this, some plug-ins have no analogues even in eminent programs for drawing and photo editing.
GIMP supports filters, brushes, gradients, and palettes. Brushes can be vector, raster and animated. There is support for Photoshop brushes.
Everyone uses image editors in their own way. Some process photographs, others draw, others make promotional materials. Each task needs a different interface.
GIMP supports graphic tablets and other input devices, allows you to reconfigure the interface for the specific needs of any creator. For example, you can easily reassign any hotkeys without even going into the settings menu.
GIMP is a program built for millions. To process photos, it has created numerous tools, filters with a user-friendly interface and informative panels. Artists will enjoy working with brushes that can respond to pressure, direction, and speed across the canvas.
As you know, little things create the overall picture, there are plenty of small "conveniences" here. For example, the first time you start GIMP, it will detect the language of your operating system and communicate with you in your native language.
It just so happens that GIMP is free software. This means that a team of professionals is engaged in its development; enthusiasts who work on a voluntary basis.
GIMP, unlike Photoshop, is a completely free graphic editor, and thanks to the GNU GPL license under which it is created, it can be copied and distributed without any restrictions. It can be used both in educational institutions and in any commercial organizations.
Key terms
Computer graphics- This is a field of computer science that deals with the creation, storage and processing of various images (drawings, drawings, animation) on a computer.
Raster graphics- a way of representing images as a collection of individual dots (pixels) of different colors or shades.
Vector graphics- a way of representing objects and images, based on the mathematical description of elementary geometric objects, usually called primitives, such as: points, lines, splines, Bezier curves, circles and circles, polygons.
Pixel- the smallest element of the image, a point.
Image Resolution- the degree of image detail, the number of pixels (dots) allocated per unit area.
Physical image size- height and width of the image in pixels (for display on the screen) or in units of length (millimeters, centimeters, inches) - for printing on paper.
color model- description of color shades by mixing several primary colors.
File format- the structure of the file, which determines how it is stored and displayed on the screen or when printed. The file format is usually specified in its name, as a part separated by a dot (usually this part is called the file name extension).
A list of key terms is provided at the end of each module. They are designed so that the student can check their understanding and define each term.
Teachers use a list of terms in oral questioning.
All key terms are also defined in a glossary at the end of the course where they are defined, and in an index to help locate where they are described.
Brief summary
Computer graphics is a field of computer science that deals with the creation, storage and processing of various images (drawings, drawings, animations) on a computer.
Computer graphics are divided into vector and raster.
A bitmap is a way of representing an image as a collection of individual dots (pixels) of different colors or shades.
In vector graphics, all images are described as mathematical objects - contours, i.e. the image is divided into a number of graphic primitives - a point, a straight line, a broken line, an arc, a polygon.
Both of these methods of encoding graphic information have their own characteristics and disadvantages.
The degree of detail of the image, the number of pixels (dots) allocated per unit area is called resolution.
The physical size of an image can be measured both in pixels and in units of length (millimeters, centimeters, inches). It is set when the image is created and is stored with the file.
Color models describe color shades by mixing several primary colors. Any color can be decomposed into shades of primary colors and denoted by a set of numbers - color coordinates.
RGB color model (Red (red), Green (green), Blue (blue)).
To describe a specific shade, you need to describe in brackets the amount (intensity) of each of the primary colors: first red, then green, then blue. For example, (240, 160, 25) is orange.
CMYK color model (Cyan (cyan), Magenta (magenta), Yellow (yellow), Black (black)).
The model is used to obtain a printing print. HSB color model
Model HSB (H - Hue ( hue ), S - Saturation ( saturation ), B - Brightness ( brightness ))
