Microsoft Paint is an iconic app. It may feel limiting in more than one way today, but it was the default paint app for most Windows users back in the day. Out of the several free digital painting apps available, we have compiled a list of the 6 best ones for Windows 10.
Microsoft had plans to discontinue the Paint app but decided against it. There was a lot of chatter across the web around it. Either way, Paint continues to live on, but there are better digital painting apps that you can try out for better results.
Paint.NET is based on the popular .NET framework and hence the name. The UI is dated and will remind you of the original MS Paint app bundled with Windows installation. However, under that are a powerful set of tools that load quickly.
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There are a decent number of tools to select from and brushes to paint with. You can add shapes, work with layers, make different adjustments to colors, and add effects that act as filters in modern photo editing apps we have come to love on smartphones. There is support for plugins that may enable additional features like support for more file types.
Part of Microsoft’s plan to retire Paint was to replace it with Paint 3D, which comes pre-installed with all versions of Windows. Think of Paint 3D as an older sibling that picked up more skills has more experience and extra tools under the hood.
As the name suggests, there is a library of 3D images of different objects and shapes that you can add and play around with. It also supports 3D text if you have a message to convey. It’s an updated Paint version with more effects, brushes, tools, and some 3D images to choose from.
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GIMP is an open-source GNU image editor touted as a free Adobe Photoshop alternative. There are many tools and options, but the good thing is that one can customize the UI to declutter the interface. Still not the most user-friendly painting app on Windows, but well-supported by devs and has a huge community to help you learn things.
It is a powerful painting app with advanced features like photo retouching, brushes that can be customized, gradients, and even an animation package. Then there are plugins that one can install to enhance utility. GIMP will take some time to get used to and requires patience to learn everything that it has to offer but well worth the time.
Artweaver has a cool collection of brushes. You can find a brush for calligraphy, crayons, and many others. Similarly, Artweaver has a number of other tools under its arsenal. The UI loads pretty quick but looks dated.
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Artweaver is a powerful app that’s easy to use. It’s good enough to learn digital painting and create good pieces of art. There’s a free version of the app, and you can pay for the Plus version to unlock more features.
Irfanview doesn’t carry all the bells and whistles that we saw in some of the above Windows painting apps. It is closer to Paint in that respect but offers many effects and filters that you can apply instantly. These can be effective in getting quick results with minimal effort.
You can use the popular image editor to show slides. It’s a team player meaning you can open images already open in Irfanview directly in other image editors from within. In case you need advanced editing features.
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Last but not least on the list is Krita. It allows you to create your workspace where UI elements can be moved or removed based on your existing project. It also supports dark mode making the UI customizable and functional.
Krita is a powerful painting and image editing app. It has got all the usual sets of brushes, pencils, and fills to choose from. Play around with layers or apply different filters; the choice is yours. Artists designed Krita for artists, and it shows. As such, you feel right at home while using it to paint your heart out.
These are the digital painting apps that will get you to take your hobby to the next level. While there are paid solutions, you can try out the free ones first and then gradually move on to them depending on your need.
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Next up: Do you want to insert an image on top of another image in Paint? Find out how to add an image over a picture in Paint and Paint 3D.
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A C.A. by profession and a tech enthusiast by passion, Gaurav loves tinkering with new tech and gadgets. He used to build WordPress websites but gave it all up to develop little iOS games instead. Finally, he dropped out of CA to pursue his love for tech. He has over 5 years of experience as a writer covering Android, iOS, and Windows platforms and writes how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and explainers for B2B and B2C apps and services. He currently divides his time between Guiding Tech (writer) and Tech Wiser (editor).Showing creativity on paper by drawing the imaginations is not a new thing, however, the digitalization has been introduced into it is somewhat new. In today’s world where we want to save the trees and promote digital things, switching to drawing software is the best way to achieve both. Furthermore, the free program we are about to list in this article can become a simple alternative to paid Sketch creating software, few of them can substitute CAD programs ( Computer-Aided Design) for 3D modeling, creating drawings for constructions, and more.
Moreover, if you are a beginner then choosing directly a paid software would not be a wise idea, unless and until your pocket allow. Start first getting some proficiency on Open source or freeware painting programs listed in this article first then you can choose the one you want to buy.
One of the best drawing software which is not only free to use under opensource license but also comes with a wide range of professional functions. If you want to draw comic characters then Krita is a great one.
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The users can adjust the interface by simply dragging and moving the modules, can adjust pallets and tools as per their need. With the help of various sizes of brushes up to 10k pixels and twelve brush engines; layer functions and various fade modes, let comic artists, concepts artists, and illustrators turn imagination into reality. One of the interesting features of it is Onion Skinning which gives a shiny touch to the images.
To give a soothing effect to your eyes while working for a long period of time, the drawing software comes with both Dark and light themes.
Krita comes with Drawing Tablets, Mirror Tools, Painting with Assistants; Layers and Masks; Python Scripting, On-Canvas Brush Editor; Soft Proofing, Vector Graphics, Snapping, Animation; Japanese Animation Template, Gamut Masks and more…
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When it comes to CAD software, Autodesk is a prominent name in the paid program category. However, it also offers something free that is AutoDeskt StechBook which is available on Microsoft Store for easy installation on Windows 10 systems.
It is not some highly technical software instead of simple software that even professionals can use to create drawings, sketching, and paintings on laptops or PC. You can also create floor plans and other great 2D drawings. The best thing you don’t have to pay even a single dime, however earlier it was paid but in 2018 the company has made it completely free for everyone. Yes, in order to access all features you need to register with AutoDesk.
If you talk about the file type support, then it comes with a compatibility with all common types
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