The major developers might not agree with us but the rise of open source equivalents to large, expensive packages has arguably been the most exciting development in the software industry in the last few years. The GIMP and Mozilla Thunderbird are two leading lights of the open source phenomenon and have collectively saved users millions as alternatives to their big-budget rivals.

Artweaver certainly has the credentials to take on the big players and comes stacked with an ample range of brushes, which can be tweaked and customized easily to suit your designs. Just like its more illustrious rivals, the brush selection can be beefed up through plug-ins, although the range of available brushes is pitiful compared with those you can download for Adobe Illustrator. Nevertheless, it's promising to see freeware products embracing extendability in this way.

Other welcome features include a mighty effects selection, layers and transparency functionality, plus support for a range of file formats. You can also add text layers, making it great for creating logos or promotional material. However, it's when you put pen to paper that Artweaver stumbles somewhat. The fact is that the app renders certain brush strokes much slower than its major rivals, and unless you're packing heat processor-wise you're likely to be frustrated by the lag time waiting for the strokes to appear on the page. For such a polished program otherwise, this drawback threatens to stifle its attempts to win over the graphic design market. This said, for a pre-release version ArtWeaver is an impressive piece of kit.

Download Artweaver 0.5.3 in Softonic

This cool kit is out of your imagination. You can not only use it to paint pictures, but also handle your digital photos, even use it to teach digital painting and image processing skills. Wizardbrush's new layer feature is a great improvement. Since you can compose a picture with several independent layers, you'll work just as effectively as the professional.

Wizardbrush comes with many painting tools, including pencil, Magic Wand, paint brush, and Chinese brush. It gives you the power to undo and redo, so do not be afraid of making mistakes. Wizardbrush contains a great number of tutorial record clips. You can easily learn how to draw pictures of different styles. If you are a teacher, you can make tutorial record clips conveniently.

Download Wizardbrush 6.7.4.7 in Softonic

If you fancy designing a new website for yourself, then turn back now, Twisted Brush has not been developed to give clean crisp graphics, and will frustrate you unless you use it for what it was designed for, art. Having established that this is a program for drawing, it follows that the most natural way to sketch anything and in turn to use this software effectively is with a pen and a drawing tablet.

When the program starts, you’re assaulted by the quick-start guide that is designed to gently introduce you to the features. In reality it’s a bunch of screenshots crammed with info bubbles that contain un-detailed information and no links to find out more. That said, how many people stop to read welcome screens anyway?

A lot of effort was put into making TwistedBrush a realistic substitute for actual painting and when you start working with the various brushes you see just how well they interact with the colors to create a convincing portrait. Undoubtedly the greatest strength of this program is the vast selection of brush types and styles that are available to use. From simple fine pens, to wet oil brushes, to progressive 3D designs, you’ll find them all. The beauty of each brush is that they can be used quickly and easily, with stunning effects.

You will also find support for all the major image file formats, including TIFF, PSD, JPG, GIF, and PNG and there is an option to create a script, either to record the steps taken in the painting process, to insert a message, or to insert random dabs of paint, something that doesn’t quite seem to add to the functionality (although any Dadaists out there may disagree about that).

While getting to grips with the program, it seemed that there was one feature that had been unforgettably forgotten, the select tool. After using Photoshop for so long, this seems like a key tool in any imaging software that the TwistedBrush developers have overlooked. Alternatively it could be the very omission of the select tool that sets this program apart with the production process being more of an evolution rather than a construction.

TwistedBrush is a quality painting application that, judging from its interface and features, is aimed at anyone with a drawing tablet. There are tons of great brushes to experiment with but for anyone relying on the lowly mouse and the lack of a selection tool, it may become very frustrating, very quickly.

Download TwistedBrush Pro Studio 15.51 in Softonic

There are not many drawing applications which are cross platform but Sketsa SVG editor uses SVG as its native file format.

What is SVG you ask? SVG is basically an open standard language for drawing two-dimensional (2D) graphics in XML developed by W3C. SVG therefore benefits from the various XML tools that make it so easy to manipulate, generate, search and edit SVG files. The developers also guarantee that as a result, Sketsa also produces very clean SVG XML code. The editor is basic but has everything you need to produce some impressive results. It features various tools for optimizing content creation and gives you a decent feeling of control over what you are creating. The design tools allow you to select, draw, and edit objects easily. It supports SVG specific shape tools and supports additional illustration tools such as the Pencil tool for free-form shapes and Pen tools for curve shape. You can also transform objects or drawings by rotating, skewing and scaling.

Sketsa SVG editor is very basic but for a free application, it packs a powerful punch as an artistic tool and is perhaps best used as something to train on before moving onto something bigger.

Download Sketsa SVG Editor 5.3 in Softonic

Most designers probably know already about the wonders of Adobe Illustrator; if you don’t, welcome to one of the best vector drawing tools in the world.

As with any other Adobe tool, Illustrator feels really complex for first-time users: lots of windows and palettes, toolbars full of unknown 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.

Once you get the knack of it, you'll start realizing just how powerful and versatile Adobe Illustrator can be. Your creativity will be boosted with 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.

Adobe Illustrator is seamlessly integrated with other Adobe tools (like Adobe Bridge), something that makes your work more comfortable and easier if you're already used to working with Adobe apps.

Adobe Illustrator is the reference tool 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 CS3 in Softonic

There are many graphic editors in the software universe. I bet you can name a few right now. But I also bet you don't know any as original as Context Free Art.

This graphic editor lets you create amazing pictures, designs and abstract art with special written instructions called grammar. Each grammar contains a bunch of lines that look like source code, which the program interprets and transforms into beautiful shapes and figures. You only have to write the appropriate commands, values and variables on the left column, and see the result on the right pane of the program's interface.

The program includes a few examples so that you get an idea of its capabilities. A couple of these examples work as lessons that teach you the basics of writing new grammar to create new designs. Also, there are direct links to the program's forums and official website, where you can find further information about this special way to draw. It may take a while to master, but it's definitely something all users interested in computer assisted design should try.

With Context Free Art you have access to a completely new and very original way of creating abstract designs and beautiful figures.

Download Context Free Art 2.1 in Softonic

Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. Supported SVG features include shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns, and grouping. Inkscape also supports Creative Commons meta-data, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap tracing, text-on-path, flowed text, direct XML editing, and more. It imports formats such as Postscript, EPS, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF and exports PNG as well as multiple vector-based formats.

Inkscape's main goal is to create a powerful and convenient drawing tool fully compliant with XML, SVG, and CSS standards. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community-oriented development process, and by making sure Inkcape is easy to learn, to use, and to extend.

Download Inkscape 0.46 in Softonic

Would you like to make a photo card but can't be bothered opening a proper graphic editor? I'm sure you are not alone. Try Photo Card Maker with which you have several templates divided into categories. Upload the photo you want and export you final card as JPG, PNG or BMP.

Let's make a point: we are not talking about fine design here. The only cute available templates are the cartoon ones. The Holiday, Travel and Sport ones are a fairly basic and I wouldn't recommend them if you are looking for something slightly cool or stylish. That said, if you are not too fussy, they will save you lots of time when you have to make an announcement to your acquaintances.

A nice feature allows you to upload a photo which you can resize and rotate so that it will fit exactly the apposite photo space in the template. The program automatically takes care of the card's layer level as sometimes your picture will be surrounded by stars and circles. It is also possible to modify the default text which is useful considering it is often miswritten. The good news is that you can download more cartoon themes!

Photo Card Maker will let you create lovely cartoon photo cards to send around in image format. It is very easy and fast to make announcements or best wishes with this free program, so if you like cartoon-style cards, don't hesitate longer and give it a try.

Download Photo Card Maker 1.0.1 in Softonic

Don’t be fooled by mtPaint's basic appearance. In fact, this is an excellent graphic editor that offers much more than a simple Paint replacement.

mtPaint enables you to both open images in several popular formats and create your own drawings and graphic compositions from scratch. Regarding the latter, it seems that mtPaint is mainly focused on pixel art, as it allows you to draw with high precision thanks to a very powerful zoom tool. Drawing tools, in any case, may not be the strength of this program – my personal opinion is that it should include more of them.

On the upside, mPaint really stands out as a graphic editor with which you can perform many daily tasks. It's simple in design and usage, but at the same time it includes advanced features such as layer support, filters, special effects and more. Of course, this is no equivalent to Photoshop but it will work fine for most of your graphic needs.

Despite its basic appearance and simplicity of use, mtPaint is certainly a great alternative to the standard Microsoft Paint, featuring advanced functions and tools.

Download mtPaint 3.20 in Softonic

Slidemate is a simple tool with which you can freely draw on your screen, anytime you want, over any Windows application.

Far from being a graphics editor in its own right, this program can be useful during presentations if you need to highlight any given area on your screen. It can also be used to mark certain elements on the screen and then take a snapshot for later use. There are more casual possibilities as well, such as leaving a message for someone while they're away from the PC or using Slidemate to let your kids paint on your computer.

The program is launched with a hotkey and features a toolbox that shows up by moving your mouse to the right edge of your screen. However, the selection of tools is not as rich as I expected. The Undo option, for example, lets you go back only one action.

A fun, simple tool to perform some basic free drawing on your screen, without any advanced tools or editing options.

Download SlideMate 4.0.44 in Softonic

Greenfish Icon Editor Pro is a professional tool to create and edit icons for your system. You can use it to design icons for your own programs or edit the ones already featured in any application.

Besides opening icons themselves, Greensfish Icon Editor can work with other graphic formats as well, and even convert these images into icons. The program also features an extracting tool to open all icons included in system libraries and EXE files.

You'll have access to a wide variety of drawing tools and special filters to spice your icons up. Plus, the program is really easy to use and supports keyboard shortcuts, drag-and-dropping files and other goodies. You'll only need to arrange the different windowed menus on the interface, and you're ready to start working on your icons.

An excellent editor with which you can easily create professional-looking icons.

Download Greenfish Icon Editor Pro 1.3 in Softonic

Those of us who like painting are often in search of a software tool that resembles the texture and feeling of real painting on a computer's screen. Greenfish Painter is an attempt at obtaining that sensation, but unfortunately it falls short of expectations especially when compared to other painting tools such as Artrage or TwistedBrush.

With Greenfish Painter you can freely paint on white canvas, obtaining a texture that's similar to that of real paint. Plus, you can mix several colors on your brush and create a really attractive mixture. The brush can be tweaked in many ways (size, roundess, angle and more) but sometimes it's too slow - meaning that the painting appears a few seconds after you move the mouse.

On the downside, the program's interface makes brush and color picking a bit difficult: brushes are loaded as presets and colors must be chosen inside another menu and not on a paletter as it would be desirable.

Greenfish Painter provides you with an endless digital canvas where you can unleash your inner artist without painting stains.

Download Greenfish Painter 1.0 in Softonic

Rendera is a tool that enables you to unleash your most creative side. In some way it's like the Windows standard Paint application on steroids, featuring everything you need to virtually paint in your computer.

The program includes several a complete color palette and several tools to start creating right away. These tools (pencil, pen, aerographer, brush and more) produce different results on the blank page, according to their own nature. Also, you can tweak the way they paint with sliders that change their size, opacity, shape and other characteristics.

On the downside, I must admit I expected more from Rendera. Some of the painting tools don't look realistic at all, plus the program looks generally too basic.

Create virtual drawings with this painting tool.

Download Rendera 1.5 in Softonic

If you have already tried the full version of TwistedBrush, you may find this free edition quite limited. But still, it's probably the best drawing tool you can get for this price.

Despite including only the basic tools, TwistedBrush Free offers the same natural feeling when you grab the brush tool and start painting on the blank screen, just as if you were holding a real brush against a real canvas.

One thing is certain: you'll get a much better experience of the program if you use a digital drawing tablet.

Download TwistedBrush Free 14.2 in Softonic

OpenCanvas is one of the best crossover programs you will find when moving on from real paint brushes to digital design. The installation process takes only a few minutes, after which you can begin drawing right away. OpenCanvas features a simple friendly interface, even for first-time users. Also, note that if you're used to Photoshop, you'll find OpenCanvas extremely familiar, as it follows the same basic guidelines: a large working area with floating windows displaying tools, settings, color palette and so on.

In this latest release of Open Canvas, there are a ton of new features including a new Tool Palette, Color Sampler, Preset Manager, Grabber Control, Menu and Shortcut Key. The Tool Palette is probably the most interesting and welcome innovation. OpenCanvas 4.5 features a new elegant look with a standardized size of Tool Palette and it now supports docking, window shading and adsorbing when moving the palette. In addition, much more workspace can be used efficiently than before.

In summary, OpenCanvas lets you experiment with traditional painting while enjoying the advantages of computer design.

Download OpenCanvas 4.5.09e in Softonic

ArtRage should be any drawing artist's choice painting software. Fitted with an incredibly ergonomic drawing table, lots of drawing tools and effects, ArtRage lets you fully express your creativity on the canvas.

ArtRage's drawing board takes up the whole of your screen, letting you concentrate on your work. Your tools, layers and other effects are well organized on the canvas, so that they never obstruct you yet are readily available.

Not only are there many tools to work with (pencil, airbrush, chalk, paintbrush...) but the feel and the effect they have on the canvas is very realistic. Coupled with a tablet, it really gives you the impression that you are actually drawing on a real canvas.

ArtRage lets you add as many layers as you want, use stencils and rulers and trace real images.

The Metallic Paint option is great fun to work with and right away gives all your colors and shiny, smooth feel.

The really frustrating thing with this version of ArtRage is that many features, such as some tools, stencils, or adding layers, are not available. If you really want to fully use ArtRage, you'll have to buy the full version.

ArtRage is a highly intuitive paint and draw application with great feel and a wide palette of brushes.

Download ArtRage Starter Edition 2.5 in Softonic

As long as you have some degree of artistic talent, it's possible to give your digital photos a creative new look by applying effects to them. DreamLight Photo Editor is a program dedicated to helping you do just that, and adding special effects is as easy as opening a photo, then viewing the preview of an effect before selecting it to apply it to your image. There are dozens of different filters to choose from and all are clearly divided into different categories.

One of the best things about DreamLight is the fact that you can apply as many effects to the same image as you please, giving you the ability to get very creative (though, of course, it's easy to go overboard sometimes). Annoyingly though, the Undo feature only removes the last effect you applied, so I often found myself having to restart if the combination of filters I'd added didn't look right. Despite its name, the app doesn't actually include any image editing tools, meaning that you'll still need to use an external graphics app to process any other changes after you've added the effects. It's much easier to use than Photoshop, but if you have the Adobe app already then you certainly won't need DreamLight Photo Editor.

Download Dreamlight Photo Editor 2.01 in Softonic

Create and print professional ID cards and badges instantly! Advanced ID Creator allows you to create great looking cards. Use the wide variety of tools to add text, graphics, shapes, barcodes, shadows and other effects to your design. Use previously saved templates to get started in a matter of seconds. Once your basic design is created tweak it or print it just the way it is. Create you own ID cards and badges in minutes!

Download Advanced ID Creator Personal 7.12.36 in Softonic

Click'n View is a fast and easy to use image viewer for WinXP/Win2000 that supports lossless editing , most popular image and video formats.

You can store thousands of images either on local disk or on network in each album and still stay in control. The LE version is a freeware based on the product version of Click'n View. There is no limitation of evaluation period. The user can enjyoy almost all the functions of the product version such as zooming slideshow, lossless editing & collage etc.

Download Click'n View LE 4.2 in Softonic

Stereogram Magician is a powerful yet easy-to-use tool for creating stereogram pictures. You have surely seen some stereogram (often called 'Magic Eye') pictures which, if you can focus your eyes correctly, turn into a real 3D pictures. It is a funny thing to see those Magic Eye pictures. And now, you can make yourself stereogram pictures by stereogram magician in a few minutes.

Download Stereogram Magician 3.19 in Softonic