Slowly and steadily MS Paint and Adobe Photoshop are being replaced by stronger and more popular freeware. Our list includes all the popular digital painting software, free download links as well as professional painting software, free download sources.
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These help you either convert digital images into paintings or make your own paintings from scratch using the latest tools and techs.
1. PowerPaint
'Paint.NET delivers a cost-effective alternative to pricey commercial software.' HostingAdvice.com About Paint.NET is image and photo editing software for PCs that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools.
Paint Maker Software Windows 10
A sound replacement of MS Paint and other well known but cumbersome photo editing software programs, this one is a complete image editor with all the tools and presets required to edit photos, images and add loads of textures to them too.
- Compatible with almost all current Windows OS versions.
- Includes a separate Image Dropdown menu with a plethora of features.
- Pre-set shapes, lines, banners and charts.
- Tons of graph features.
2. Corel PaintShop Pro (32 Bit)
- This Mario Paint inspired composer tool is easy and fun. You can create simple and beautiful songs right in your browser and share them with the world!
- A free online tool that turns any image of your choice into a paint by number.
- Tux Paint is a free paint software for kids through which kids can learn painting with fun.
One of the few trail version software which come with complete feature sets of the real deal. This software is ideal for painting on and editing all photos and images with a touch of expertise.
- Indulge in quick fixes using the Express Lab and the Smart carver or try out the tons of different tools and options to create professional grade photos.
- Main set of tools include RAW Lab, Express Lab, Advanced Tools, Smart Carver and Integrated Tools.
3. Pint.NET
This is a free to use photo editing software which supports multiple layers.
- Advanced settings to turn your images into oil paintings and sketches.
- Work on several images side by side.
- Record a history of changes and processes for easy removal of effects and edits.
- Easy shortcuts for functions.
- One touch optimizing and retouching of all images using a bunch of free and integrated tools.
4. EZ Paint
This is an extremely easy to use software which is a free alternative to MS Paint. It comes with more tools and options as well.
- Easy drawing of line, arcs, curves and accompanying editing tools.
- Has more than 30 custom built-in shapes.
- Aimed at regular users who require something more than paint but less complicated than Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw.
- Compatible with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
5. Tux Paint
A very popular paint software which has been sought after by all young image editors, graphic designers and digital painters. The interface is extremely child-friendly and hence is very well suited for all budding talents.
- Colorful and simple interface with minimal commands.
- The bunch of features include Tux Paint Stamps, magic designs, colors, effects and a variety of brushes.
- Includes over 100 brand new stamps.
- Includes autosave and recover features.
6. Fresh paint for Windows 8
Abbyy finereader pro 12 0 6 – complete ocr solution. This is a free app for all windows users who want to add a touch of hand drawn painting to all their photos and images. This can edit BMP, JPEG and TIFF images without any trouble whatsoever.
- Perfect for Windows 8 users and ideal for touchscreen devices.
- Blend and mix colors to create new shades.
- Realistic painting effects.
- Fun graphical interface well suited for all age groups.
7. Tux Paint Stamps 2009-06-28
The Tux Paint Stamps are ideal for the creative souls who also love fun in art. This adds an easy charm of pop-art to your creations.
- Free and easy installation.
- A huge collection of free, cool stamps.
- Easy to access and implement.
- Compatible with Tux Paint Software (and other versions).
- Compatible with Windows 7, Windows 2000, Windows Vista and Windows 8.
8. Mario Paint Composer
This software comes with an air of creativity and freedom of exploration. This one is ideal for all the new and daring painters and designers who are looking for a lot more than MS Paint.
- This is an extremely fun way to “paint” music using symbols like flowers, automobiles, airplanes and cute hearts.
- Ideal for kids and teachers who want to add some fun to their classes.
- Authentic SNES experience.
9. TAG: The Power of Paint
A very unique creation, this gaming software is used for making all kinds of creative graphic designs. This is in sync with the growing popularity of graffiti and wall-art.
- Bold and creative way of creating new designs and clearing each level of the game.
- New tools and paint as ammo to obtain different powers and make your move.
- Jump, throw, boost your speed using different colors and by drawing different patterns.
10. PaintTool SAI
A drawing utility software which is ideal for all levels of painters and designers who use their Windows device to power their creations.
- Has all basic image editing tools including airbrushes, paintbrushes, watercolors, erasers and pencils.
- Ready to use shapes and clip-arts.
- Supported by simple interface and navigation.
- Supports PSD, JPG, BMP, SAI, PNG and TGA formats.
- Supports layers and canvases.
Here we have presented to you a huge array of software programs which revolve around painting; they include editing software as well as gaming software which use paint as a level boosting feature.
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Paint.net is a free open-source image editing software for Windows, and often compared with the likes of Photoshop and GIMP. It packs in a ton of useful features, including support for layers, special effects, a variety of different tools and unlimited history.
But what’s really cool about Paint.net is that it lets you add features to the software using community-sourced plugins. There are quite a few plugins available on the Paint.net forum, but if you’re not sure which ones to get, we've got you covered.
In this article, I’ll talk about 5 essential Paint.net plugins that you must download in 2019. But first, let’s take a look at how you can install plugins in Paint.net.
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Read MoreHow to Install Paint.net Plugins
First things first, Paint.net offers two different types of plugins - File Types and Effects. While the File Types plugins add support for a variety of different file types, the Effects plugins add new effects, filters, and adjustment tools.
The plugins are available in two forms: either as a direct installer with an .exe file extension and installation wizard install it or as compressed zip folders with a .zip extension which you must unpack it. Let’s take a look at both methods:
Install Paint.net Plugins with .exe Extension
To install plugins with an .exe extension, first make sure that Paint.net is not running on your system and then follow these steps:
Step 1: Double-click on the .exe file to start the installation wizard. That will open up a window listing everything that the plugin will add to the software. Select the effects/file types you want to add and then click Next.
Step 2: In the following window, choose the user(s) you wish to install the plugin for, check the terms and conditions checkbox and click on Install.
Step 3: If the plugin includes any effect/file type that’s already installed on the software, it’ll bring up a pop-up asking if you want to install the feature again. Just check the Apply to add files box and click on Skip.
Click on Finish in the final screen and open up Paint.net. You’ll find all the installed extensions within various menus in the software with a plugin logo right next to them.
Install Paint.net Plugins with .zip Extension
To install plugins with a .zip extension, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Extract the files from the .zip folder using 7Zip or a similar tool.
All the plugins in the folder will have a .dll extension and need to be placed within specific folders based on the type of the plugin.
![Software Software](https://images.wondershare.com/images/multimedia/video-editor/jahasha.jpg)
Step 2: To install the plugins, navigate to the Paint.net App Files folder, and paste the plugins within the Effects or FileTypes folder, based on the type of plugin.
Step 3: Right click on the plugin you just pasted and head over to the plugin properties. Under the General tab on the Properties menu, click on the Unblock button to start using the plugin. Skip this step if you don't see an Unblock button.
Step 4: Close Paint.net if it was open and then start it again to use the installed plugins.
Essential Plugins You Must Have
Now that you know how to install plugins in Paint.net, let’s take a look at some essential plugin packs that you should install right away:
1. BoltBait’s Plugin Pack
BoltBait’s plugin pack consists of 43 essential plugins that significantly increase the software’s capabilities. With the pack, you’ll get a bunch of adjustments and effects.
You even get access to a handy rainbow palette, a variety of different shapes, and more. The Bevel Object plugins is one of the coolest ones that you get with this pack and you can use it to make 3D objects. Head over to the forum post from the link below to see a complete list of all the plugins in this pack.
Download Boltbait's Plugin Pack2. Pyrochild Plugins
Pyrochild Plugins is another great pack that you can go for if you want even more effects. The pack includes an impressive Curves+ plugin that improves upon Paint.net's native Curves adjustment feature.
Along with that, it has many effects like Gradient Bars, Film, Jitter, etc. The Color Match plugin is definitely one of the cooler ones included in this pack. With it you can edit your photo to follow another photo’s color scheme. Visit the forum post from the link below for a full list of the plugins in the pack.
Download Pyrochild Plugins3. Simon B’s Plugin Pack
Piano game software. Simon B’s plugin pack features a good mix of effects and file type plugins, that can really come in handy if you want to make the most out of Paint.net. With the pack, you can add support for custom brushes, seamlessly edit layers in another program, and add GIFs to your project.
It also includes a cool Editable Text effect which you can use to add text to your project easily, and then edit it at a later stage, something that you can’t do by default. For a complete list of all the plugins included in the pack, head over to the forum post from the link below.
Download Simon B’s Plugin Pack4. dpy’s Plugin Pack
If you’re looking for some cool effects, to spice up your images, then you should definitely get dpy’s plugin pack. It includes some amazing adjustments and effects that will help you create images that you probably won't be able to with the stock tools alone.
With the Black and Alpha+ plugin, you’ll be able to change any image into B&W and easily change bright areas to transparent. The perspective effect is also quite cool and will let you change the perspective of any image to make it look a bit more dramatic. Check out all the plugins installed in the pack by heading to the forum post from the link below.
Download dpy’s Plugin Pack5. MadJik Plugin Pack
Rounding off the list is the MadJik plugin pack, which contains an impressive 78 plugins in total. The plugins range from simple effects like gradient blur to more complex ones like a fractal curly tree that makes use of a fractal algorithm to draw a curly tree.
It's also one of the most frequently updated packs out of the list, so you'll keep getting cool new plugins ever so often. Follow the link below to head to the forum post and see all the plugins you'll get with this plugin pack.
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#Photo Editing Apps
Click here to see our Photo Editing Apps articles pageGet These Paint.net Plugins Right Away
While Paint.net is a pretty capable image editor just by itself, these plugins can really help you achieve more with the software. So, what are you waiting for? Download and install these plugins right away and make sure to share your artwork in the comments section below.
Next up: If you’re new to Paint.net and want to learn how to make transparent backgrounds with the software, check out the next article for a quick and simple tutorial for the same.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Make Background Transparent in Paint.netAlso See#image editing #images
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