Full of features

Photoscape includes just about everything you need to view, optimize, edit, print and have fun with your photos. In fact, it's so complete that many would call it a free Photoshop alternative. Sure, it's not quite up to the level of Photoshop, but it's truly a great alternative to Adobe's big shot - and it makes photo editing a lot more fun!

Easy to use

From the program's main window you can choose what you want to do: view pictures, optimize those that didn't come out so well, print several photos on a single page collage-style or perhaps add any of the dozens of filters and special effects included in the program.

Smart interface

One of the first striking elements in Photoscape is its uncommon interface design. The application is very striking and in many ways it's easier on the eye than Photoshop.

Conclusion

There's really nothing negative to say about Photoscape. Just download it, test it, love it and keep it forever. It's free!

Download Photoscape 3.6.3 in Softonic

Probably the most notable new feature is the Content Aware tool which makes editing Photoshop more "intelligent" plus there's a new design and a streamlined interface. In addition, basic video editing functions have been added for the first time.

When you first open Adobe Photoshop CS6, the most eye-catching thing is the revamped colorful user interface. However, if you don't like the new look, you can revert to the old grey interface via Preferences - Interface. Beyond this however, there are some useful new features.

Content Aware

Content Aware intelligently moves selected objects and adjusts them accordingly with the background or surrounding objects. This enables you to simply drag and drop objects in Photoshop much more easily without having to readjust the background. Don't like the position of a person in an image? Just move them to another position instantly and the background automatically adjusts.

Video Editing

Adobe Photoshop CS6 brings video editing to Photoshop for the first time. Its integrated with all of Photoshop's traditional tools which makes it very powerful when it comes to retouching scenes, adjusting colors and filter sets etc. It also allows you to add audio tracks although it's not very advanced otherwise.

Bridge file browser and Mini Bridge

Adobe Photoshop CS6 features a more powerful file browser which allows you to sort and manage pictures according to specific metadata. The fully integrated file browser with thumbnail previews photos quickly and opens them instantly for easier library management.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 brings some interesting new features to this powerful photo editing software. Particularly interesting is the Content Aware function which makes retouching and manipulating photos incredibly easy.

Download Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended 13.0.1.1 in Softonic

If you've ever wished you could spice up some of your photography or digital artwork, you'll want to take a look at a paint program to do it.

PaintTool SAI is one of your options, and it's a good one in many respects. The program has a simple interface that's easy to navigate. PaintTool SAI also contains the basic tools you'd expect to find in a paint program, such as airbrushes, a paintbrush, watercolors, pencils and an eraser. In addition, PaintTool SAI has more advanced features, like layers, that can really add depth and neat effects to your graphics.

While PaintTool SAI's interface is simple to navigate, learning all of the paint program's features will take some time, as with almost any graphics editing program out there. The simple interface is also quite plain, which might put off potential users who would prefer a little more panache in their paint program.

Overall, PaintTool SAI is a competent tool that lets you edit and enhance photographs and other graphic images.

Download PaintTool SAI 1.1.0 in Softonic

You’ll find a complete set of tools in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite: CorelDRAW, an intuitive vector-based illustration tool; Corel PHOTO-PAINT, a powerful image editor for all sorts of graphics; Corel PowerTRACE, a bitmap-to-vector converter; Corel CAPTURE, a simple, one-click screen capturing tool; and finally Corel CONNECT, a file browser especially designed to help you manage all your media in the Corel suite, the computer or the local network.

All the apps in the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite are designed with ease of use in mind. Not only do they feature clear, intuitive interfaces, but they are also thoroughly documented. Though created for professionals, advanced amateurs can also benefit from CorelDRAW Graphics Suite and all its features: clean workspace, customizable menus, and lots of filters and effects.

The only thing we missed in CorelDRAW Graphics Suite was better integration between all the apps included in the suite.

These days professional designers and photographers seem to choose Adobe products over Corel ones. But CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is undoubtedly a great pack of designing and editing tools that’s well worth a try.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a excellent collection of apps for professional design, vector illustration and page layout.

Download CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 in Softonic

Just bear in mind that Adobe Photoshop CS2 is an older version of the app. If you want the latest Photoshop, click here.

Though complex at first, Adobe Photoshop CS2 is almost limitless once you get to grips with it. Features like layers, filters, the new tool to manage vanishing points, the red eye corrector and the integrated
Adobe ImageReady (to produce Web-optimized images) makes any professional project much easier and quicker. Less experienced users will have to switch to simpler photo editors or make use of Adobe Photoshop’s extensive documentation.

Adobe Photoshop CS2 is not really a revolutionary version, but it does include some interesting new characteristics, the most outstanding one being a new interface design that improves the program’s flexibility and enables you to create your own custom working space.

Adobe Photoshop CS2 is the industry’s standard in professional photo editing and retouching.

Download Adobe Photoshop CS2 9.0.1 in Softonic

With Microsoft Publisher you can create, edit, customize and share all sorts of marketing material with ease of use and professional results. From simple greeting cards to more elaborate newsletters, Microsoft Publisher includes everything you need for your work.

One of the most outstanding elements in Microsoft Publisher is the amount of templates it includes to get you started; you’ll find one for almost anything: brochures, business cards, calendars, labels, flyers, award certificates and more. Besides this material, Microsoft Publisher also lets you work with images, clipart and predefined shapes.

The text and image tools included in Microsoft Publisher make document layout easier and more creative. You can see results in real time as you change text fonts and apply new colors. And once the document is finished, Microsoft Publisher gives you a wide range of options to save or export it, such as PDF or JPG. On the downside, the program still lacks support for InDesign and QuarkXpress documents.

Microsoft Publisher is Office’s application for designing, customizing and sharing all sorts of publications in an easy way.

Download Microsoft Publisher 2010 in Softonic

After the release of any program bugs will crop up sooner or later. Even if they aren't very serious, they can still hinder your work. Photoshop 7.0.1 is no exception. Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1 Update eliminates these problems and brings improvements such as:

- Fixes scale errors

- Improves compatibility with QuarkXPress

- Accelerate the opening of multiple windows

- Stores JPEG metadata correctly

If you use Photoshop 7.0.1, the Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1 Update is an essential download.

Download Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1 Update 1.0 in Softonic

The new Adobe Illustrator CS6 uses the same interface style as the rest of applications in the Adobe suite: a clean, almost minimalist window with reduced toolbars, nested windows and support for tabbed documents – which makes it easier for you to work on several projects simultaneously.

Adobe Illustrator is the perfect tool for all kinds of design. Whether you’re a professional web designer or you just want to create a poster and some invites for a friend’s party, your creativity will be boosted with Adobe Illustrator's impressive set of drawing tools, brushes, color processing tools and gradient effects – not to mention the wide array of filters and special effects with which you can add the final touch to your drawing.

As with any other vector drawing tool, Adobe Illustrator feels really complex for first-time users: toolbars full of strange icons, many new functions and features to learn... Luckily the program includes a bunch of templates to get you started, as well as a thorough help section where you'll find the answer to all your doubts and problems.

Adobe Illustrator is seamlessly integrated with other Adobe tools (such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Dreamweaver), something that makes your work more powerful if you're already used to working with Adobe apps.

Adobe Illustrator is the reference when it comes to vector designing and drawing. It features an impressive set of tools, filters and effects and is perfectly integrated with other Adobe apps.

Download Adobe Illustrator CS6 16.0 in Softonic

Most notable is the Content Aware tool which makes editing Photoshop more "intelligent" plus there's a new design and a streamlined interface. In addition, basic video editing functions have been added for the first time.

When you first open Adobe Photoshop CS6, the most eye-catching thing is the revamped colorful user interface. However, if you don't like the new look, you can revert to the old grey interface via Preferences - Interface. Beyond this however, there are some useful new features:

Content Aware

Content Aware intelligently moves selected objects and adjusts them accordingly with the background or surrounding objects. This enables you to simply drag and drop objects in Photoshop much more easily without having to readjust the background. Don't like the position of a person in an image? Just move them to another position instantly and the background automatically adjusts.

Video Editing

Adobe Photoshop CS6 brings video editing to Photoshop for the first time. Its integrated with all of Photoshop's traditional tools which makes it very powerful when it comes to retouching scenes, adjusting colors and filter sets etc. It also allows you to add audio tracks although it's not very advanced otherwise.

Bridge file browser and Mini Bridge

Adobe Photoshop CS6 features a more powerful file browser which allows you to sort and manage pictures according to specific metadata. The fully integrated file browser with thumbnail previews photos quickly and opens them instantly for easier library management.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 brings some interesting new features to this powerful photo editing software. Particularly interesting is the Content Aware function which makes retouching and manipulating photos incredibly easy. Please note however that this beta version may be unstable and if you need a reliable version, its recommended to use the stable Adobe Photoshop CS6 or Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Download Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended 13.0 Beta in Softonic

GIMP has been around for over two decades and development has been stable over the years. The newest update for GIMP gives a slew of new features and a glimpse into the future for this incredible open source image editor.

Features

All the features of GIMP are still present. You can create your own images with tools for airbrushing, penciling, cloning, and creating gradients. Power users can create their own brushes and patterns to use later. GIMP also allows users to manipulate images imported into the program. You can crop, add text, resize, and create nested layers. There is even a way to animate your creations.

New additions

GIMP has now been updated with many user interface tweaks to make the application accessible to newbies. The biggest interface addition is the ability to edit in a single-window. GIMP versions of the past drew criticism for their confusing interfaces, but the developers are addressing many of these issues in this newest version. While single-window mode is great, it is also disappointing that there is no way to view multiple projects side by side.

Other updated features include easier text editing, nested layer groups, and a shift to using the Generic Graphics Library (GEGL), which is a more sophisticated image processing framework. GEGL was introduced a couple of years back in a developer version and has now made its way into the sable, consumer version. GIMP developers hope to move entirely to GEGL by version 2.10. One of the major advantages of GIMP using GEGL is the ability for non-destructive editing and high bit-depth images.

GIMP now only saves to its own XCF format to retain layers and other file manipulation information. Users can still choose to save in formats like JPEG and PNG but will have to "export" the project instead of saving. This follows in the footsteps of Adobe Photoshop.

The latest GIMP is better than ever. Its developers are taking the user experience into serious consideration and are speeding up development for this already great photo editor.

Download GIMP 2.8.4 in Softonic

This nicely designed image editor features the simple interface everyone loves to have in applications, but at the same time offers a surprisingly wide array of tools and options you would only expect to find in large graphic suites.

Paint.NET lets you work on several images simultaneously, has support for layers, keeps an action history that lets you undo any changes, and includes a variety of drawing tools (brushes, geometrical shapes). You'll also find several special filters and effects that can turn your image into an oil painting or a pencil drawing in just one click.

That said, don't expect Paint.NET to be some kind of free Photoshop alternative. If you use the Adobe app to work on your images, you'll surely miss many tools in Paint.NET. For everyone else though, this is a perfect tool for daily simple image editing.

Paint.NET sits somewhere between a basic editor and a complex graphic suite, featuring a nicely designed interface and a bunch of handy tools for quick photo optimization and retouching.

Download Paint.NET 3.5.10 in Softonic

Aviary Photo Editor is a straight forward and concise graphics editor for Windows 8. It doesn’t have the level of effects and customization as Photoshop or GIMP, but is intuitive enough for novice users. Aviary Photo Editor is powerful for a free app and will be a practical, no frills addition to your library.

Features

Aviary Photo Editor contains several staple features found in most image software. You can change a picture’s orientation, crop, or adjust contrast and brightness. Aviary Photo Editor has filters and effects to uniformly change hue or create lighting. These filters can be applied multiple times, further magnifying the intensity. Overuse of Aviary Photo Editor’s filters will quickly make pictures appear surreal or haunting.

There is a sticker option to add rasterized images such as hats, ties, and arrows. However, all of these stickers are so blatantly cartoonish that they contrast any photo, regardless of filtering. Aviary Photo Editor contains text and drawing tools, but the lack of feathering and limited color palate will generally result in unbelievable images.

Finally, Aviary Photo Editor has tools to remove red-eye, whiten teeth, and add blemishes. These tools have rather large diameters, making it difficult to precisely edit on smaller images. Aviary Photo Editor is better for fast and simple jobs rather than detailed projects.

Usability

Aviary Photo Editor’s layout is unusual for a photo editor. The image you’re editing in placed in the middle of the screen with the utility bar underneath. The most obvious omission is a lack of zoom or scrolling an image. This makes it very difficult to properly edit small images, or apply detailed editing to larger ones. Aviary Photo Editor's drawing tools only have six sizes, with the smallest size generally being too big for most jobs.

Aviary Photo Editor’s strong point comes from it other tools such as crop and sliders. The crop tool is separated into a three by three grid, making it easy to see just what will be included and cut. If you don’t wish to draw out an area you can also quickly select a preset dimension.

Brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness are all controlled by large sliders. Using these will offer a preview of the applicable adjustment. It’s very easy to back out and cancel any changes you’re not happy with. You don’t need to save or name any images as each job is saved automatically.

Quality

Aviary Photo Editor’s appearance matches other Windows 8 Modern UI apps. Large rectangular icons are presented against a dark gray background. As more edits are saved they will appear in a grid on the right. You can scroll through this to easily compare images or find what you’re looking for. The quality of finished images depends on the original image. Even without any save settings images are compressed into small size PNG files.

Conclusion

Aviary Photo Editor is a good editing tool for novice users that want to edit quickly. It lacks the detailed precision of other photo software, making it unsuitable for complex projects. If you want to simply crop, adjust levels, or change orientation and want good compression Aviary Photo Editor will prove to be a handy app.

Download Aviary Photo Editor 1.0 in Softonic

There are a lot of desktop painting programs out there available to download. Some even come as standard when you buy a new Windows PC.

PowerPaint's developers post that PowerPaint is "the best tool to replace Windows Paint." By all accounts, it certainly boasts more features than its stripped down counterpart. Even in the "Image" drop-down menu alone, you can turn your drawing or photograph gray, halftone, invert the blacks and whites within the picture, adjust the brightness and contrast and much more. PowerPaint also comes with a bunch of pre-made basic shapes, lines, arrows, stars and banners. These are just simple examples of clipart, but it's certainly convenient to have them already installed.

In addition, PowerPaint has different types of texture brushes to add special effects to your images. You can fill in the background with a specific color and even insert an additional photograph into the image you're already working with.

It's no substitute for the more powerful programs like Paint Shop Pro or Adobe Photoshop, but PowerPaint is a pretty handy and free image editing alternative.

Download PowerPaint 2.50 in Softonic

Just like the original program, Photoscape Portable is an excellent photo editing tool that includes just about everything you need to view, optimize, edit, print, and have fun with your photos. Its free and runs from your USB stick without having to install anything, and without leaving any trace.

Photoscape Portable catches the eye from the outset with its unusual interface design, where a round-shaped menu gives you access to all the tools included in the program. You may want to browse photos, optimize those that didn't come out so well, print several photos on a single page collage-style or perhaps add any of the dozens of filters and special effects included in the program.

Other extra tools featured in Photoscape Portable are a file renamer, a color picker, a screen capture tool, a RAW converter and even a tool to create animated GIFs.

We really have nothing negative to say about Photoscape Portable. Just download it, test it, love it and keep it forever!

Download PhotoScape Portable 3.5 in Softonic

With Adobe InDesign you'll be able to create all sorts of documents, from simple flyers to complete ebooks, as well as labels, brochures, presentations, certificates, newsletters and more. This new version also lets you adds interactivity to your creations by inserting video and sound, and then exporting the result as Flash (SWF) or an interactive PDF.

The latest version of Adobe InDesign includes important new features that will enhance your workflow and boost your productivity. The new simplified object selection, for example, makes it easier to control objects in your document. Also, the perfect integration of Adobe InDesign with the new Adobe CS Review (part of the new CS Live online services) helps you share your work and receive feedback from colleagues and customers in a very easy way.

Like in any other Adobe application, the learning curve in Adobe InDesign is quite a steep one, but the results are worth the effort. The program is thoroughly documented, so as long as you're willing to learn, you'll be making the most of Adobe InDesign in a relatively short period of time – especially if you're used to other Adobe apps, as Adobe InDesign makes use of the same interface style.

With Adobe InDesign CS6 you'll be able to design professional-looking layouts both for printing and digital publishing.

Download Adobe InDesign CS6 in Softonic

The program includes 18 different effects that change the visual attributes of the photo like contrast and brightness.

XnSketch isn't a photo editor, though. It's more of an effects program to add a different look to your pictures.

If you want to add cartoon or sketch effects to your photos, XnSketch is a good option.

Download XnSketch 1.14 (64 bits) in Softonic