18 best graphics editors that don't cost a dime

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 16:39

Programs and services for working with vector, raster and 3D graphics on different platforms.

The most advanced graphics editors like Adobe's tools cost a lot of money. But there are free and quite decent alternatives that will be enough for most users. Here are vector, raster and 3D graphics applications for all occasions.

Free vector editors

Designed for creating and editing logos, interfaces and other scalable graphics.

1. Gravit Designer

Platforms: web, Windows, macOS, Linux.

Gravit Designer, formerly known as Gravit, is a fully featured vector editor. It is suitable for everything from interface and icon design to presentations, illustrations and animation.

The neat and intuitive Gravit Designer interface is customizable. The graphics editor contains tons of tools for creating beautifully detailed vector images. These include non-destructive (undoable) Boolean functions, Knife and Path Graph tools, many fill and blend modes, and a powerful text engine.

If you need to get access to work on the go, the Gravit Cloud will allow you to return to the project on any device.

2. Vectr

Platforms: web, Windows, macOS, Linux.

Vectr offers all the features you need to create vector graphics, as well as many options for using filters, shadows and fonts. This is enough to handle most of your day-to-day design tasks. Co-authoring and syncing capabilities are especially useful, allowing you to work in tandem with others anytime, anywhere.

3. SVG ‑ Edit

Platform: web.

If you need to quickly create or edit a simple SVG file, there are several online editors that are just as good as Adobe Illustrator. The best of these is SVG ‑ Edit.

This graphics editor is entirely built in HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript and does not use servers to process data. SVG ‑ Edit is open source. Therefore, if you wish, you can download it and modify it to create your own version of the program.

SVG ‑ Edit has all the basic vector editor tools. But only supports SVG format.

4. Inkscape

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

This powerful graphics editor offers many tools and features that are often not available in other similar programs. These include alpha blending, object cloning, and markers.

Full support for various color models makes Inkscape a worthy alternative to Adobe Illustrator for both web design and printing. With all the simplicity of the interface in this program, you can create complex works.

Features such as bitmap-to-vector conversion, variable-width strokes, and support for Illustrator files deserve special attention.

5. BoxySVG

Platform: web.

A simple tool for creating scalable vector graphics that is useful for novice web designers and developers, as well as professionals. BoxySVG runs directly in the browser and copes with its tasks as well as desktop editors.

The application has an intuitive interface and high speed of work. The arsenal of settings and functions is not as large as that of professional software, but it includes all the necessary tools, including pencils, brushes, text, cloning, shapes and much more. BoxySVG supports hotkeys and all popular file formats for exporting finished projects.

Free bitmap editors

Designed to create and edit any non-scalable drawings and photographs.

1. GIMP

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Free open source graphics editor. GIMP comes with a rich set of functions for painting, color correction, cloning, selection, enhancement, and more. The GIMP interface differs from the popular Photoshop, but you won't have to search 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, there is a built-in file manager, similar to Bridge from programs from Adobe.

2. Photo Pos Pro

Platform: Windows.

If you're on Windows and don't need as many tools as the GIMP, Photo Pos Pro might be your ideal editor. The latter is designed with an eye on image manipulation and does an excellent 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 at your service.

3. Krita

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Another open source graphics editor. Krita has been around since 1999 and has been constantly evolving to meet the needs of concept artists, illustrators, visual effects, add-ons and textures.

The program includes a set of different 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 lines, a loop mode for creating seamless patterns and textures, and a pop-up palette for quick color selection.

4. Paint. NET

Platform: Windows.

Paint. NET is an alternative to Paint, which is built into all versions of Windows. But don't be confused by the similarity of the names: this is a much more advanced and useful editor.

The development team focuses on ease-of-use and improves Paint. NET's image editing features rather than graphics design capabilities. However, Paint. NET allows you to manipulate perspective, manipulate pixels on the canvas, clone selected areas, and so on.

With support for layers, a wide range of selection tools and adjustments like brightness, contrast, and curves, Paint. NET can be seen as a worthy replacement for Photoshop.

Free photo editors

Designed for processing, retouching, as well as adding effects to any photo.

1. Pixlr

Platforms: web, iOS, Android.

Pixlr offers over 600 effects, overlays and frames. In this service, you can do everything that should be expected from a photo editor: resize images, crop them, remove red eyes, whiten teeth and much more. If you're familiar with Photoshop, you'll quickly get up to speed with Pixlr for the web. The interfaces of these editors are very similar.

2. Canva

Platforms: web, iOS, Android.

Canva is a popular online editor with a huge range of features that will help you prepare any image with just a few clicks. You can create collages, posters, infographics, social media content, videos and much more right in your browser.

You have a large number of templates, fonts and various design elements at your disposal that you can combine with each other. Canva's intuitive interface makes it quick and easy to use. And rich export options allow you to save the project in the desired format.

3. RawTherapee

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Powerful graphics editor for working with RAW files, providing access to advanced functions. The abundance of settings makes it rather difficult for beginners to master, but more advanced users will find a lot of valuable options for themselves.

RawTherapee will allow you to change the smallest details of the photo, adjust the sharpness and color rendition, remove noise, and also adjust exposure, white balance, curves and a lot of other parameters. At the same time, thanks to non-destructive tools, the original image remains unchanged until the moment the work is ready.

Free 3D graphics editors

Designed for working with 3D-models, effects and animations.

1. SketchUp Free

Platform: web.

SketchUp Free is the ideal entry point into the world of 3D graphics. This editor friendly introduces the newcomer to the course and forgives him all the mistakes he makes. You can start by simply drawing lines and shapes, and then convert them to 3D objects.

If you need inspiration, you can download models of various objects from the 3D Warehouse library for free using the search form on the SketchUp website.

2. Daz Studio

Platforms: Windows, macOS.

With the help of Daz Studio, you can customize, move in space and animate various 3D objects such as people, animals, objects.

You can create unique characters, worlds, various design elements, and more. But Daz Studio lacks the modeling and texturing capabilities available in the paid alternatives. For a detailed table comparing editors, see the project website.

3. Hexagon

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 ‑ mapping (applying flat textures to a three-dimensional object), advanced painting tools and 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.

4. Blender

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Blender is an advanced free open source 3D graphics editor available for all major platforms.

Blender is constantly being developed by the developers. It supports all possible operations with 3D-graphics: allows you to model, texture, animate, render and compose objects.

5. ZBrushCoreMini

Platforms: Windows, macOS.

If you're interested in the art of digital sculpture, try Sculptris from Pixologic. It works equally well for any skill level. Newbies get a straightforward starter tool, and experienced digital artists get a platform for quickly and easily implementing 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.

6. Houdini Apprentice

Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Houdini is a 3D animation and visual effects tool that is often used to create movies, TV shows, and other media content.

The cost of an editor starts at $ 2,000. But the developers of the program - Side Effects Software - allow you to use the Houdini Apprentice version for free. Thanks to it, you can access all the functions of the full version and hone your skills on personal projects. Only Houdini Apprentice is intended solely for non-commercial and educational purposes.

Text updated on February 4, 2021.