Let’s quickly go through what you can do with GIMP. The painting function has the essential clone, airbrush and pencil tools and a powerful gradient and blend tool. You can also create and save your own brushes and patterns for later use. GIMP lets you manipulate your photos, adding layers, doing Bezier and polygonal selections or setting text. Load and save animations in a frame-as-layer format and batch process all your photos for quick editing. The multi-windowed interface can be moved around to fit your needs and resized according to your desktop space

What’s more, GIMP can be expanded with over 100 different plug-ins and extensions available on the GIMP’s website. These apply in majority for layer effects such as render, distort or blur and make a great addition to the ones already present in the program. The website is also home to a variety of GIMP tutorials for people who want to brush up on their skills.

While GIMP is user-friendly, the installation process can be a bit scary. Because the application works under the GTK Runtime Environment, you will have to install this kit to successfully launch the program. The process is fairly lengthy and some error messages tend to pop up. If you persist, however, you will be able to install Gimp properly on your PC

Despite this fairly hazardous installation process, GIMP is a program we recommend. Whether you’re out of dough or are looking for a free alternative to Photoshop, GIMP is excellent image manipulation software with all the tools you’d expect. The friendly interface and expandability make this a program of choice.

GIMP - the reference in open-source image manipulation.

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Premium advantages:

Unlimited creative freedom including graphic design & text layout
3D design (e.g., for logos)
Advanced image editing
More professional design templates
Dynamic effects
Additional customization options
Diverse e-commerce options
Create Flash animations (e.g., banners)
Advanced search engine optimization
Universal website management

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Download Clip Plus 4.51 in Softonic

Random selections are communicated to users with graphic animations that add
life to an draw. Club Raffle uses themes such as Golf & Lawn bowls with
additional themes added frequently. Club Raffle uses sound effects,
animations text-to-speech technology to read out winners either by name or
number.

Club Raffle is used by clubs, pubs, schools and member based organisations
to assist in fundraising activities.

Download Club Raffle 1.6 in Softonic

That said, you’d be hard pressed to say that anything else about this program is simple - reviewing Blender was like one of those nightmares where you suddenly realize that you are in deep water, but don’t know how to swim.

Full of features

Amazing in its variety, flexibility and features, Blender is huge, and a single review just doesn't seem to do it justice. For the uninitiated, the interface is overwhelming. There are bunches of panels and bars, all full of explanations and icons, with tooltips for everything. It is also completely customizable, as you can add and remove sections as desired, as well as moving them around and resizing.

Beneath the options menus are Blender’s functions, ranging from rigging and modeling to animation and game creation. In fact, Blender 3D has so many features that listing them all here would take hours, so take a peek at the definitive guide here. Among the more surprising elements included in the program are a built-in text editor, audio playback/editing and a game engine.

Steep learning curve

Blender has no configuration options to speak of as all the program's features can be toggled from the main interface. It is really a program for experts, or for users who hope to become much more proficient. Although there are good Blender tutorials on the website, this 3D modeling program is not something to casually play around with. Beginners would probably be better off, in fact, having a look at something more accessible, such as Google SketchUp.

If 3D creation is your thing and you don't have a copy of Blender, you're almost certainly missing out.

Blender is a hugely impressive 3D modeling program that is likely to scare off the uninitiated.

Download Blender 2.61 in Softonic

Reviewing Blender Portable was like one of those nightmares where you suddenly realize that you are in deep water, but can't swim. Amazing in its variety, flexibility and features, Blender is a huge program, and no matter how thorough the review, it just doesn't seem to do it justice.

Blender Portable is a no-install version of the 3D content creation suite. As it doesn’t need installation, there is no messing around with managers or complicated set-up processes. You simply open the file, and away you go. For the uninitiated, the Blender Portable interface is a little overwhelming. There are a large number of different panels and bars, all full of explanations and icons, with tooltips for everything. The interface is also completely customizable, as you can add and remove sections as desired, as well as moving them around and resizing them.

Beneath the options menus are a world of functions, ranging from rigging and modeling to animation and game creation. In fact, Blender Portable has so many functions that listing them all here would take hours, so take a peek at the definitive feature guide here. Among the more surprising elements included in the program are a built-in text editor, audio playback/editing and a game engine.

Blender Portable has no configuration options to speak of as all the program's features can be toggled from the main interface. It is really a program for experts, or for users who hope to become much more proficient. Although there are good tutorials on the website that will get you making basic animations and 3D creations, Blender Portable is not a program that casual users would - or should - play around with. If 3D creation is your thing and you don't have a copy, you're almost certainly missing out.

Blender Portable is a hugely impressive 3D creation program that is very likely to scare off the uninitiated.

Download Blender Portable 2.60a in Softonic

Ever get bored with unimaginative icons? Icon Craft can change all that.

Icon Craft is a full-featured icon creation and editing tool. It allows you to design and modify icons and cursors, both animated and static. You can also create icon libraries, download existing icons to modify and even make icons from photos and images.

Icon Craft starts by asking you to choose what task you want to perform. If you choose to create a new icon (rather than modifying an existing one), you’ll be able to select the precise measurements and color depth you need, ranging from 16x16 to 256x256 pixels, and from monochrome to True Color + Alpha (32 bits).

You will then be taken to an editing screen that allows you to control almost every aspect of icon creation. There is an extensive toolbar with drawing and text tools, effects, color options and pre-made shapes, among many other options. The editing window is nice and large for ease of use, and there are hotkeys available for almost every option.

Unfortunately, the Icon Craft trial version allows you to save only seven icons and irritatingly urges you to register at every opportunity.

Icon Craft is a comprehensive and fun tool for creating your own icons; it’s just a pity its trial version limitations are so obvious.

Download Icon Craft 4.50 in Softonic

Have you ever wanted to create one of those eye-catching morphing effects you see on TV shows and music videoclips? With FotoMorph now you can!

FotoMorph now gives you the chance to apply diverse effects to your photos (zoom & pan, morphing and warping) really easily. With these effects you can make somebody in a picture gradually turn into another person, or apply some slight movements to their facial expression. The effect is achieved by creating intermediate images (frames) based on highlighted transition points.

With FotoMorph the whole process is really easy. The program features a tabbed interface with different areas where you can select the photos you'll be working with, mark the transition points and preview the final result. As you can imagine, the most important step in the process is selecting transition points: the more you have, the more accurate your morphing will be. FotoMorph lets you add points to both the source and target photos simultaneously, and though it's a bit confusing at first, it ends up being an excellent method.

FotoMorph also enables you to tweak other elements in the transition, such as the resolution, the background image or color and the ability to add an optional text layer or a frame. Once you're done, FotoMorph can save your morphing effect in a variety of formats, including Flash movie (SWF), GIF animation, AVI movie, or a simple image sequence.

FotoMorph lets you create stunning photo morphing effects in just a few easy steps: no designing skills or technical knowledge required!

Download FotoMorph 13.4 in Softonic

Using this plug-in is very easy. After installing it and registering as user – required to start using it – simply launch PowerPoint and you’ll see a new tab on the ribbon interface, containing all the VisualBee tools and options.

When you press the Enhance presentation button VisualBee opens up on a separate window and lets you choose a new style for your presentation. There are dozens of them, all conveniently organized in categories. Once the style is applied, you can go slide by slide, customizing small details such as animation and transition effects. VisualBee also features an Image gallery to give your presentation the final touch.

VisualBee comes in handy for those who struggle with graphics and images every time they have to create a presentation. On the downside, the so-called enhancement doesn’t always work and the result may be worse than the original slides.

VisualBee is a plug-in for Microsoft PowerPoint that helps you create better presentations by providing you with extra styles and images.

Download VisualBee 3.2 in Softonic

The advantage of ImageMagick is that it can be used to create images dynamically making it suitable for Web apps. In addition, you can resize, rotate, sharpen, color reduce and add special effects to an image. However, ImageMagick is strictly for those familiar with the command line as there is no GUI. You can only make changes to images using commands such as "$magick> convert rose.jpg rose.png".

For those familiar with programming languages, you can use C, C++, Perl, Java, PHP, Python, or Ruby to make changes. A high-quality 2D renderer is also included which provides SVG capabilities. If you are familiar with programming commands, then the range of actions possible with ImageMagick is truly impressive including, conversions, resizing, transparencies, animated GIFs and shape drawing. However, the lack of GUI will exclude most people from using it.

If you're familiar with programming languages and need a powerful command line based tool, Image Magick is worth exploring.

Download ImageMagick 6.7.3-4 in Softonic

Xara Web Designer works on the WYSIWYG principle, so that what you see on the screen in front of you is exactly how your website will appear on the Internet. This makes it much easier to track changes and monitor your progress. The first time you open Xara Web Designer, a practice document will load automatically. It is a fully functioning website template that you can also view online, and it works like a cross between a tutorial and a wizard. I would heartily recommend dedicating some time to this, practicing all the steps and techniques it details. Once you've finished, creating your own website with Xara Web Designer will be a breeze.

Xara Web Designer is particularly attractive for beginners because it is so simple to use. There is excellent help and tooltips, and you can modify the various parts of the website really easily, dragging and dropping items and modifying text as you would with a normal editor like Word.

Of course, Xara Web Designer offers more advanced options too, but you don't need to tackle these until you master the basics. Once you have a template, you'll learn how to add images, buttons, .GIF animations and other features to your Xara Web Designer webpage. When you're finished, there is a preview function and full publishing capabilities, so going live with your creation will be just as easy as creating it was.

Xara Web Designer makes designing your website a piece of cake.

Download Xara Web Designer 7 in Softonic

Making a Flash animation is as simple as inserting an image, text, selecting effects, adding sound, and hitting the publish button. Select from 100+ customizable text effects.

Import various image formats, Flash movies, or animated GIFs. Add videos, sounds and music. Add clipart from the built-in clipart library. Choose various background styles such as transparent, solid color, gradient and animated background with customizable colors from the built-in background library.

Add layer effects such as lighting, balloon, clouds, thunder, rain, etc. You can publish the result as Flash movie file (SWF + HTML). Burn as DVD movie playable on TV, as Executable file or Autorun CD with customizable splash screen and company logo.

Burn as DVD movie playable on TV, as Executable file or Autorun CD with customizable splash screen and company logo.

Download IncrediFlash XTreme in Softonic

Music is haunting chants and eerie sound effects. Ooooooooo! Not for the faint of heart! Demo contains full set of features: sound mute, volume control, background tint, brightness, selectable type, number, color, size, fade, velocity of animations.

Have fun customizing this screen saver to your preferences. Select the color of scene and floating animations, tweak the tint, brightness, size, fade and speed of all selectable animations.

Contains animated gif images and sound file. Password protection is available. Demo expires in 3 days. Registered version doesn't have the overlay text and never expires.

Available at a substantial per screen saver discount when purchased in a set. Remove demo using the Windows Control Panel add/remove programs.

Also available as a FREE 3D still or animated eCard

Download 3D The Spectre in Softonic

Sky fades to night and the lighthouse beacon comes alive. Real segull sound effects can be muted. Contains animated gif images. Password protection is available.

Registered version doesn't have the scrolling marquee or overlay text.

Download 3D Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Softonic

Select various floating 3D animated halloween icons including bones, skulls, ghosts and Jack-o-lanterns. With demo you can also play one (at a time) MP3 music file of your own.

Demo expires in 7 days. Registered version never expires, has all floating animation enabled, allows up to 10 user MP3 files, and doesn't have the registration reminder overlay text.

Demo contains almost full set of features. More animation types are available in full version. Have fun customizing this screen saver to your preferences.

Select the color of Skellerinas and floating animations, tweak the tint, brightness, size, fade and speed of all animations,Screensaver contains animated gif images.

Provides password protection.

Download 3D Skellerinas Ballerinas in Softonic

User can tint smilies and change background color. New loony background music is perfect for these creatures crazy antics. Demo contains full set of features.

Have fun customizing this screen saver to your preferences. In addition to background tint, separate animation tint, brightness, sound mute and volume control you can play your own mp3 music.

Contains animated gif images and sound file. Password protection is available. Registered version doesn't have the scrolling marquee or overlay text.

Download 3D Smiley Guys Redux in Softonic

Demo contains full set of features. Have fun customizing this screen saver to your preferences. In addition to background tint, brightness, sound mute and volume control you can play your own mp3 music.

Animations size, fade, speed, number, tint and type are also controllable in this very versatile holiday screen saver. Contains animated gif images and sound file.

Contains animated gif images and sound file. Password protection is available. Registered version doesn't have the overlay text and never expires.

Available at a substantial per screen saver discount when purchased in a set. Remove demo using the Windows Control Panel add/remove programs.

Remove demo using the Windows Control Panel add/remove programs.

Download 3D Dancing Shamrock Teddy Bears in Softonic

The back-window view shows snow gently falling on a wooded landscape. The registered version doesn't have the registration reminder overlay text and never expires.

The music is 1930s swing-style in MP3 format. The turkey is made of soy; no actual turkeys were harmed in the production of this screensaver. Choose addiitonal animations if you'd like including more fruit, holly, christmas ornaments and candy canes, a mix of all or none.

Change number, size, fade, speed and type of animations. You can also change the screen saver's tint and brightness and you can also play MP3 music files of your own.

Registered version never expires, allows you to play up to 10 MP3 music files of your own doesn't have the register reminder.

Download 3D Dancing Holiday Turkey Dinner in Softonic

Patriotic background scene completes the All American imagery. With demo you can also play an MP3 music file of your own. Demo contains full set of features: sound mute, volume control, tint, brightness, selectable number, color, size, fade, velocity and type of floating animations.

Have fun customizing this screen saver to your preferences. Select the type of floating animations, tweak the tint, brightness, size, fade and speed of all animations.

Contains animated gif images and sound file. Password protection is available. Demo expires in 7 days. Registered version doesn't have the overlay text and never expires.

Available at a substantial per screen saver discount when purchased in a set. Remove demo using the Windows Control Panel add/remove programs.

Download 3D All American Baby in Softonic

FEATURES BENEFITS:Option to convert directly to MetaStock data files. Plot 3D candlestick chart. Compatible with MetaStock, OmniTrader, TC2000, Elliott Wave, Analyzer II, Gannalyst, TradeStation, Supercharts, Advanced GET, ElWave, Excel, and more.

. Download fundamental data. Interface with Medved QuoteTracker to obtain real-time data and convert it to OHLC Intraday data. A flexible Data Converter to translate data between MetaStock and ASCII text formats.

Output Excel worksheets too. Free 21-day trial period before you buy (full features on trial version). Enjoy free support, free upgrade or at discounted prices for major revisions.

Quick to set up. Easy to use. Almost no learning time. Design for usability. Animated help. Download anytime, as often as you need, as long as you have an Internet access to the free Yahoo!

site. Can choose the most popular MetaStock format or spread-sheet text format. Can keep different stock ticker lists in your different portfolios, and as many as you like.

Option to download Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Intraday (US only) or 20-minute delay real-time data. Auto-update MetaStock names. Browse to user-defined URLs for charts, news and data.

View and repair MetaStock data directly. Download Yahoo tickers automatically. Easy to add and delete your stock tickers/symbols -- all done within the program just like the Notepad editor.

Can directly copy your existing ticker lists without re-entry. Auto re-download missing data. Know your last download period of each portfolio and continue from when you left off.

Keep your default stock list and output format setting. Coupled with individual selections of download server, the tracking of the last download period and automatic MetaStock data file conversion, you can have a One-Click download in future - just press the Start button!

Download Stock Quote Downloader: HSQuote in Softonic