Art Software
Ranked #5,754 in Arts & Design, #93,645 overall
Art Software List
Please note that listed prices are current from the last time that I checked. I make no guarantee that they are still the same, but will make an effort to keep them correct.
The types of art programs listed on this page:
Painting and Photo Editing software : These types of art program are used for tasks such as editing photographs and producing digital paintings and images.
Vector art software : these art programs focus on the creation of vector images. Some vector art programs are known to include animation features.
Pixel art software : the main difference from this type of art software to all others is its focus on pixel by pixel drawing. They also often implement an animation component.
3D art software : three dimensional graphics are made in an entirely different way to your everyday 2D art. It can almost be described as akin to modeling with clay in real life, depending on the program.
Credits:
Image: savit keawtavee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
How do I know which art program is best for me?
Things to keep in mind.
Most people don't need to go right for the expensive software when a cheaper (or free) alternative program would be all they need. To help you decide on what you really want, it might be a good idea to give a bit of thought to what you really want to do with the software. Keep these features in mind as you browse, but don't be swept away by the extras you won't ever use! The big, well known programs are so expensive because they have a lot of power behind them, and lots and lots of features that the average Joe wouldn't even use a quarter of.
Remember, big brands are all well and good, but do yourself a favor don't spend your hard earned money without looking for alternatives first!
Remember to try before you buy!
Painting and Photo Editing Software
Listed from Free to Expensive.
GIMP
The GNU Image Manipulation Program.
Price: Free! Vist here:GIMP
Commonly touted as the free alternative to Photoshop, GIMP can be installed in many ways, including: Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, openSUSE, Fedora, Mandriva, Mac OS X, Macports, Fink, and Windows. (Some are more supported than others).
GIMP is feature packed and quite decent for a free program, but I find it a little cumbersome to use. But because it is free, it is definitely worth a try.
"It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages."
What do you think of GIMP?
mtPaint
Mark Tyler's Painting Program
Price: Free! Vist here: mtPaint
mtPaint works with GNU/Linux or Windows operating systems! This art program also works really well on older computers, so if other programs are being tough on your computer this one may be a good choice.
"mtPaint is a painting program which Mark Tyler developed from scratch
so he could easily create pixel art and manipulate digital photos."
What do you think of mtPaint?
openCanvas
Price: 5,800 JPY (75USD~) Visit here: openCanvas
openCanvas is a painting program that lets you record and replay what you paint!
NOTE: There is an old, free version of openCanvas available. It does not have the recording feature as far as I know. You can get it here: Free openCanvas 1.1
What do you think of openCanvas?
Paintbrush
The Bitmap Image Editor for Mac OS X
Price: Free! Visit here: Paintbrush
Paintbrush is an art program made only for the Mac OS X! Simple by design, it aims to be a software program that lets its users create simple images quickly.
"Paintbrush is a simple paint program for Mac OS X, reminiscent of Microsoft Paint and Apple's own now-defunct MacPaint."
What do you think of Paintbrush?
Paint.NET
Price: Free! Visit here: Paint.NET
Paint.NET is a fairly simple paint program for Windows, and it has a good amount of power and features behind it. For the wonderful price tag of 'free,' it is worth a try.
"Paint.NET features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools."
What do you think of Paint.NET?
Pixia & Phierha
For full-colour painting
Price: Free! Visit here: Pixia and Phierha
Pixia and Phierha are two art programs that are used mainly for painting. Because you can get them on the same webpage, they have been grouped together for your convenience. Although these programs are natively Japanese, there is an English translation available. Windows only.
What do you think of Pixia and Phierha?
Artrage
Price: 20$ - 80$ Visit here: ArtRage
Uses realistic traditional media styled brushes. If you want to create an image that looks like it was made with traditional media, Artrage is definitely worth a go.
"ArtRage is an easy to use, stylish painting package for Windows, Mac OS X, and iPad."
What do you think of ArtRage?
Easy Paint Tool SAI
Price: 5250 JPY (approx. 60$ - 70$) Visit here: Easy Paint Tool SAI
Easy Paint Tool SAI is a Japanese art program (translated to English), that is, as you might guess, easy to use. I use this program regularly myself, I highly recommend it! It is a joy to paint with.
You have to buy this program in Japanese Yen, but PayPal can make the conversion for you if it is difficult for you to do so. Windows only.
"PaintTool SAI is high quality and lightweight painting software, fully digitizer support, amazing anti-aliased paintings, provide easy and stable operation, this software make digital art more enjoyable and comfortable."
What do you think of Easy Paint Tool SAI?
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Price: around 100$ Visit here: Adobe Photoshop Elements
A cheaper and simpler version of the normal Photoshop. If you're a Photoshop fan, but can't stand the full price tag, the elements version is always a good idea. The average user probably wouldn't even notice the difference between features.
"Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 9 photo-editing software delivers powerful options that make it easy to create extraordinary photos, quickly share your memories in Online Albums and unique print creations, and automatically organize and help protect all your photos and video clips."
What do you think about Adobe Photoshop Elements?
Corel PaintShop Photo Pro
Price: around 100$ Visit here: Corel PaintShop Photo Pro
"Featuring a brand-new RAW Lab and easy batch photo processing, it's the only advanced photo-editing software to combine photo management, creative projects, photo sharing and even HD video slideshows in one package. It's everything you need to get professional-looking results you'll be proud to share. Ideal for DSLR cameras!"
What do you think of Corel PaintShop Photo Pro?
Corel Painter
Price: 399$ (USD) / 799$ (AUD) Visit here: Corel Painter
"Corel® Painter is the ultimate digital art studio for anyone ready to expand their definition of creativity. Working with the most advanced digital painting and natural media tools available, you can create the art you've always envisioned."
What do you think of Corel Painter?
Adobe Photoshop
Price: 699$ (USD) / 1168$ (AUD) Visit here: Adobe Photoshop
"Use Photoshop to create the perfect compositions, vivid collages, and breathtaking scenes you see in your mind's eye. Flexible layers and precise selection and masking tools help you design images that evoke the feelings, set the styles, and make your visions real."
What do you think of Adobe Photoshop?
Pixel Art Software
Listed from Free to Expensive.
AnimPixels
Price: Free! Visit here: AnimPixels
AnimPixels seems to be focused on creating, you guessed it, "animated pixels." This software specializes in isometric pixel art, but there is no reason that you can't do non-isometric art with it too!
"Use your own movie components, or download them from the web, to create an original pixelized animated movie."
What do you think of AnimPixels?
mtPaint
Mark Tyler's Painting Program
mtPaint works with GNU/Linux or Windows operating systems! This art program also works really well on older computers, so if other programs are being tough on your computer this one may be a good choice.
"mtPaint is a painting program which Mark Tyler developed from scratch
so he could easily create pixel art and manipulate digital photos."
mtPaint gets a special second mention because it has a focus on both pixel art and photo editing. To keep things neat you can't comment on this mention of mtPaint, but if you would like to, look for mtPaint in Painting and Photo Editing above!
GraphicsGale
Price: Free! or 1,995 JPY (approx. 25$) Visit here: GraphicsGale
A Japanese art program (translated to English), for Windows operating systems. You have to buy it in Japanese Yen, but PayPal can make the conversion for you if it is difficult for you to do so.
There is a free version (not trial), but they don't allow you save animated sprites with it. The paid version, of course, does allow you to save out (via .gif files) animations. They also have a 30-day trial of the paid version. Another bonus of the paid version is being able to load and save Windows icons and cursor files.
What do you think of GraphicsGale?
Pixel Art
See pixel art in action!
Vector Art Software
Listed from Free to Expensive.
Adobe Illustrator
Price: 599$ (USD), 1003$ (AUD) Visit here: Adobe Illustrator
"Create distinctive vector artwork for any project with Adobe Illustrator CS5 graphic design and illustration software."
What do you think of Adobe Illustrator?
Adobe Flash
Price: 699$ (USD) / 1168$ (AUD) Visit here: Adobe Flash
A lot more than a simple vector art program, Adobe Flash also includes the ability to animate and program.
"Design and deliver expressive interactive content and gaming experiences with Adobe Flash Professional CS5 software."
What do you think of Adobe Flash?
3D Art Software
Listed from Free to Expensive.
Art of Illusion
Price: Free! Visit here: Art of Illusion
For 3D modeling and rendering! Art of Illusion is open source as well as being free, so give it a go! It seems it was last version was released in Jan 2010, but they say it is a stable release and powerful enough for some serious stuff.
"Highlights include subdivision surface based modelling tools, skeleton based animation, and a graphical language for designing procedural textures and materials.."
Blender
Price: Free! Visit here: Blender
If you come from a background of using Autodesk software, this one can be a bit hard to wrap your head around. But once you figure out how it works, it gets the job done.
If you haven't ever used a 3D program before, giving Blender a try is an okay choice... just follow the many tutorials available.
"Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation."
What do you think of Blender?
Wings 3D
Price: Free! Visit here: Wings 3D
Good for modeling, but Wings 3D doesn't support animation. However, if you find it easier to model your 3D objects with this program, you can easily export the model out for animation in another program (perhaps Blender).
"Wings 3D is an advanced subdivision modeler that is both powerful and easy to use. It offers a wide range of modeling tools, a customizable interface, support for lights and materials, and a built-in AutoUV mapping facility. "
What do you think of Wings 3D?
Google SketchUp
Price: Free! (for personal use) or 495$ Visit here: Google SketchUp
Sketchup is Google's solution for a 3D art program. Good for concepts!
"A 3D sketching software for the conceptual phases of design."
What do you think of SketchUp?
Autodesk 3ds Max
Price: 3,495$ USD Visit here: Autodesk 3ds Max
"Autodesk 3ds Max is 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software for games, film, and television development. Autodesk 3ds Max Design is formulated for architectural and engineering 3D design visualization."
What do you think of 3ds Max?
Autodesk Maya
Price: 3,495$ USD Visit here: Autodesk Maya
"Autodesk Maya 3D animation software offers an end-to-end creative workflow at exceptional value, featuring innovative tools for 3D modeling, animation, effects, rendering, and compositing."
What do you think of Maya?
3D Art
Digital Art Tutorials
Some digital art tutorials from YouTube!
What say you?
Liked a program? Know of another? Something else to say? Do Tell!
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ARRRRRRT
Nov 8, 2011 @ 8:26 pm | delete
- What say you on open canvas???
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Satha
Jan 27, 2012 @ 8:13 am | delete
- Oh cool, hadn't heard of that one! I'll add it to the list and probably give it a try myself. :D
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gazellejewelry
Jun 5, 2011 @ 2:17 am | delete
- HI
Great review !!!
Thanks
zvia
Gazelle jewelry
www.gazellejewelry.com
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vanidiana
Jun 2, 2011 @ 6:05 pm | delete
- My favorite is Ulead Photoimpact before it's taken by Corel. It's versatile and easy to use, has photoshop-like features but beginner friendly.
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SquidooKimberly
May 9, 2011 @ 7:33 am | delete
- Great start on a comparison lens! Reading real user reviews, rather than company quotes, may be more effective in helping readers choose a lens. You could even do a cool interview program with artists that gives them a reason to push traffic to your lens and gives you details on why each program is best.
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by Satha
My big interests include art, writing and games! I'm more into the creative side of writing, but I've been developing my informative writing skills (h... more »
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