Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editor for working with raster and vector images and videos. The program is optimized for Windows and macOS, and there are also versions for iPad and mobile devices.
Photoshop is loved by novice designers because it has a free trial period, and there are courses and video tutorials online on how to use it.
What you can do with the Photoshop graphics editor:
- Improve photo quality and color reproduction; create collages – fragments of different photos glued together;
- retouching photos; create mock-ups – images that are used to show the customer the product design or corporate identity;
- restore old photos or images;
- prepare the image for printing;
- to process text elements.
Benefits of Adobe Photoshop
The advantages of Photoshop – support for all major file formats, a large set of tools, the availability of a library of effects and filters and the ability to create your own.
Cons of Adobe Photoshop
There are some disadvantages:
- first, Photoshop requires a lot of power from the device, otherwise it can “hang”;
- Second, the official version of the program is quite expensive.
- After a one-year trial period, the cost of a monthly subscription goes up.
Artweaver
Raster-based graphics editor optimized for Windows. The interface is similar to that of Adobe Photoshop. There is a free plan with limited functionality, which is good for novice designers.
The set of functions is the same as in Photoshop:
- image editing;
- creating gradients;
- creation of filters for image editing.
Pros of Artweaver
- support for many image formats;
- large library of brushes with the ability to change them;
- there is a free version.
Cons of Artweaver
- outdated interface;
- support for only one operating system;
- The free version is slow and cannot be used in commercial projects;
- the functionality for a large design project is not enough.
Krita
Raster graphic editor with open source code. It can be installed on any operating system. Krita has a large number of brushes and has a brush editor, so it’s great for painting.
In the editor, the graphic designer can create bitmap illustrations and logos, as well as frame-by-frame animations.
Pros of Krita
- it is a free editor;
- huge library of brushes, you can use brushes created by other users;
- it supports many file formats and works with HDR technology.
Cons of Krita
- no tools for retouching images;
- weak tools for working with text.
Photoscape
Free program for image editing and formatting. Suitable for Windows and macOS. Photoscape has a large number of tools for processing photos. Suitable for beginners as the interface is very simple and clear. Photoscape is a free graphic editor for editing and formatting your images.
In Photoscape you can:
- process photos (including batch processing);
- create collages;
- create animations;
- quickly convert files from RAW to JPG.
Pros of Photoscape
- free editor;
- does not take much space on your hard drive;
Cons of Photoscape
- One of the main disadvantages is that the editor has ads. Also, you can’t work with more than one file at a time.
- graphic designer from scratch to PRO
- profession
- graphic designer from zero to PRO
Inkscape
A professional vector graphics editor for Linux, Windows and macOS devices. The tool is free and has open source code. Files are created in SVG format.
The functionality is the same as in previous programs:
- changing the shape and color of pictures and text;
- formatting raster images into vector ones;
- working with drawing tools (ellipse, star, spiral, or gradient);
- collaborative design.
Pros of Inkscape
- free access; rendering: you can draw static elements into 3D objects;
- tool is used in movies, commercials, video games, or to create architectural 3D visualizations.
Cons of Inkscape
- relatively slow;
- exporting bugs can occur.
GIMP
A free raster-based image editor that can be customized. Partially supports working with vector graphics. In it, you can create logos, scale and crop photos, retouch images and convert them into different formats.
Thanks to this application you can quickly perform simple tasks: crop images, remove red-eye effect, crop illustrations and add text to them.
The good points of GIMP are
- a wide range of tools for image processing;
- It is able to open PSD and PDF formats, which are the most often used by clients or other designers.
The disadvantages of GIMP are
- it is not possible to adjust each image layer separately and apply effects to it;
- does not support CMYK color format, which limits the printing possibilities.
Figma
A simple and free online graphics editor that is suitable for drawing vector graphics, web design, mobile application prototyping and logo design.
The program is mainly used for web design, but there are features that are suitable for working with graphic images:
- adjusting color saturation, brightness, contrast; use of Google Fonts;
- arranging design objects with the help of a modular grid; drawing vector shapes.
Pros of Figma
- clear modern interface;
- automatic saving in the cloud and the ability to easily revert to previous versions;
- sharing.
“A lot of designers now work in Figma: the program is easy to use and several people can work in it at once”
Figma disadvantages
- weak text editor you cannot work offline;
- you can’t customize keyboard shortcuts.
Renderforest Graphic Maker
Online service for graphic designers with cloud storage and free version.
The main functions of the service are:
- creating and editing images;
- work with fonts and animation;
- Creation of presentations and intros for videos;
- there is an opportunity to superimpose music on the animation and video.
Pros of Renderforest Graphic Maker
- A wide range of features (animation and video creation, logo development and website and app prototyping);
- very simple and intuitive interface;
- A large number of templates with the ability to sort them by topic.
Disadvantages of Renderforest Graphic Maker
- not enough memory;
- limitations on the format of the video import in free mode;
- the free version leaves watermarks on the files.
Pixlr
This is a cloud-based image editing toolkit that includes several photo editors and a photo sharing service.
Like other bitmap editors, Pixlr lets you:
- retouch photos;
- change the saturation and temperature of a photo;
- work with highlights and shadows;
- Create collages from photos;
- apply filters or special effects.
Pros of Pixlr
- a large number of opportunities for photo processing;
- The created objects can be published on social networks directly from the program.
Canva
Cross-platform service for graphic design. The editor gives access to a large number of design templates, illustrations, fonts and stock photos.
The basic functionality is like other online editors. But Canva has a lot of ready-made file templates:
- presentations;
- cards;
- business cards;
- posts for social networks;
- videos; logos;
- posters;
- infographics.
Pros of Canva
Canva is loved for its large number of templates – it creates posters, presentations, booklets, and gift certificates. Most of them are free and comply with modern design trends; it is possible to work in the service on different devices.
The disadvantages of Canva
- not all fonts are adapted to Cyrillic;
- in the free version of the program can not change the size of the image.
